CPU Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700U and Intel Core 5 320 are closely matched overall, occupying the same 72nd percentile among all CPUs, but they achieve parity through sharply contrasting strengths. The Ryzen 7 5700U leverages its 8 cores and 16 threads to dominate multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel Core 5 320 counters with a significantly faster single-core design. Benchmark results show a near-even split, with AMD winning 8 of 15 head-to-head tests and Intel taking 7, yet the magnitude of each victory tells a more nuanced story about which processor suits specific tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 7 5700U's most decisive victories come in integer-heavy and compression workloads. In PassMark integer math, AMD scores 60037 against Intel's 32323, a massive 85.7% advantage. Data compression follows a similar pattern, with AMD at 218853 versus Intel's 148779, a 47.1% lead. These results indicate the 5700U's 8-core/16-thread configuration excels at parallel processing tasks that scale with core count. The Cinebench R23 multicore test reinforces this trend, where AMD scores 8650 compared to Intel's 6197, a 39.6% margin. Cinebench R15 multicore shows a comparable 40.4% gap (1480 vs 1054). Even in random string sorting, AMD holds a 30.9% edge (23608 vs 18038). PassMark multithread is closer, with AMD winning narrowly at 15623 versus 15450 (1.1%), while data encryption shows a 14.2% AMD advantage (12549 vs 10984).

Intel's counterattack is led by single-thread performance, where the Core 5 320's 4.60 GHz boost clock delivers decisive wins. PassMark single-thread scores show Intel at 4045 versus AMD's 2560, a 36.7% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core follows with Intel at 1926 against AMD's 1258 (34.7% ahead), while Cinebench R15 single-core shows Intel leading 276 to 188 (31.9% ahead). The largest single-test margin belongs to Intel in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 110 versus AMD's 29, a 73.6% advantage. PassMark physics also favors Intel significantly at 1221 versus 622 (49.1% ahead), and floating-point math goes Intel's way at 42440 versus 33151 (21.9% ahead). The extended instructions test is nearly tied, with AMD's 13519 edging Intel's 13262 by just 1.9%.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is better for multi-threaded rendering workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5700U wins decisively in Cinebench R23 multicore (8650 vs 6197) and R15 multicore (1480 vs 1054), showing a roughly 40% performance advantage in rendering tasks that utilize all cores and threads.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 320 have any single-core advantage?

A: Yes, Intel leads by 36.7% in PassMark single-thread (4045 vs 2560) and by 34.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1926 vs 1258), which translates to faster response in lightly threaded applications.

Q: Which CPU performs better in integer math operations?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5700U dominates PassMark integer math with a score of 60037 versus Intel's 32323, an 85.7% advantage, making it the clear choice for integer-heavy parallel workloads.

Q: How do the two compare in floating-point calculations?

A: The Intel Core 5 320 wins PassMark floating-point math with 42440 against AMD's 33151, a 21.9% lead, indicating Intel's strength in this specific computational area.

Q: Are the overall average benchmark scores similar?

A: Yes, AMD's average benchmark score is 18176, while Intel's is 18023, a difference of less than 1%. Both processors sit in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, confirming their overall performance parity.

Q: Which processor wins in data compression tasks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5700U wins PassMark data compression by a wide margin, scoring 218853 versus Intel's 148779, a 47.1% advantage that points to AMD's superior multi-threaded throughput.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 7 5700U uses AMD's Zen 2 architecture (codename Lucienne) built on a 7 nm process from TSMC, with 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die. It features 8 cores and 16 threads with a base clock of 1800 MHz and boost up to 4.30 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 over a dual-channel bus, delivering 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 with 12 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics come from Radeon Graphics with 512 SP units.

The Intel Core 5 320 takes a fundamentally different approach, using the Wildcat Lake codename on Intel's 3 nm process. It has 6 cores and 6 threads, notably no hyper-threading, with a base clock of 1500 MHz and boost up to 4.60 GHz. The cache configuration is 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus, which provides 59.7 GB/s bandwidth despite the narrower channel width. PCIe connectivity is Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics are Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. Both processors are mobile parts with a 15 W TDP, use non-unlocked multipliers, and lack ECC memory support. The Intel part is newer, released in 2026, versus AMD's 2021 launch.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear division of labor. For multi-threaded productivity, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U is the stronger choice based on its 85.7% win in integer math and 47.1% win in data compression, alongside consistent 40% leads in Cinebench multicore tests. Its 8-core/16-thread design with dual-channel DDR4 memory provides a substantial throughput advantage for parallel workloads.

For single-thread responsiveness and specific math operations, the Intel Core 5 320 stands out. Its 36.7% lead in PassMark single-thread and 73.6% lead in prime number finding make it the pick for applications that rely on one or two fast cores. The 4.60 GHz boost clock and newer 3 nm process deliver higher clock-for-clock performance, evidenced by the 21.9% win in floating-point math.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical (18176 vs 18023), placing both in the 72nd percentile. This parity suggests that the choice depends entirely on workload. Users running heavily threaded tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering, or data processing should choose AMD. Users prioritizing snappy single-threaded application performance, physics calculations, or specific math-heavy workloads should choose Intel. The Intel Core 5 320 carries a launch MSRP of $340, but both parts deliver comparable aggregate performance.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every core specification. AMD offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while Intel provides 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks differ at 1800 MHz (AMD) versus 1500 MHz (Intel), but Intel's boost clock is higher at 4.60 GHz versus AMD's 4.30 GHz. The process nodes are starkly different: AMD uses 7 nm TSMC, Intel uses 3 nm. Cache configurations vary significantly: AMD has 64 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core, while Intel has 192 KB L1 total and 2.5 MB L2 total. L3 is 8 MB shared on AMD versus 6 MB shared on Intel. Memory support differs with AMD using DDR4 dual-channel and Intel using DDR5/LPDDR5X single-channel, though Intel's bandwidth is higher at 59.7 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s. PCIe generations also differ: AMD runs Gen 3 with 12 lanes, Intel runs Gen 4 with 6 lanes. The integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics 512SP on AMD versus Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) on Intel. Sockets are AMD Socket FP6 versus Intel BGA 1516.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700U wins in scenarios that scale with core count and thread count. PassMark integer math shows an 85.7% advantage, making it ideal for software compilation, data processing, and scientific computing with integer operations. Data compression tasks favor AMD by 47.1%, which benefits file archiving and database workloads. Cinebench multicore tests (40.4% and 39.6% wins) point to 3D rendering and video encoding as strong use cases. Random string sorting (30.9% lead) and data encryption (14.2% lead) round out AMD's multi-threaded strengths. The 8 MB shared L3 cache and dual-channel memory help sustain performance in these parallel tasks.

The Intel Core 5 320 wins in scenarios requiring maximum single-thread speed. PassMark single-thread dominance (36.7% ahead) makes it better for everyday desktop responsiveness, web browsing, and office applications that are lightly threaded. The 73.6% win in prime number finding indicates strength in mathematical computations with sequential dependencies. Physics calculations favor Intel by 49.1%, suggesting better performance in simulation and gaming physics. Floating-point math (21.9% ahead) benefits scientific and financial modeling. The 4.60 GHz boost clock and 3 nm process provide the clock speed advantage that drives these wins. For users who run a mix of light and medium workloads, Intel's single-thread edge provides a snappier feel, while AMD's multi-thread power becomes apparent only when all cores are engaged.