AMD Ryzen 7 5800H vs Intel Core i7-10700K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a split picture: the Intel Core i7-10700K wins the majority of head-to-head comparisons, taking 17 of 23 tests, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H secures 6 wins. However, the margins tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

The Intel part dominates in threading-heavy 3DMark workloads. In 3dmark_16_threads, it scores 7277 against the AMD chip's 6143, a 15.6% advantage. The gap widens slightly in 3dmark_max_threads, where Intel leads 7266 to 6127, a 15.7% delta. The 8-thread test shows a 9.3% lead (5628 vs 5105), while the 4-thread and 2-thread tests show smaller margins of 3.7% and 1.7% respectively. Even in single-thread 3DMark, Intel edges ahead by 0.5% (823 vs 819).

Cinebench results are contradictory across versions. In Cinebench R23 multicore, Intel wins decisively: 15727 vs 12091.5, a 23.1% lead. The single-core R23 test shows the largest gap of any benchmark, with Intel ahead by 36.2% (2220 vs 1416). Yet in Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD processor flips the script with a 26.5% win (2005 vs 1585), and in R15 single-core it leads by 2.7% (229 vs 223). This version-to-version divergence suggests workload-specific scaling behavior rather than a consistent performance hierarchy.

Geekbench follows Intel's favor: multicore 9430 vs 8230 (12.7% lead) and singlecore 1701 vs 1669 (1.9% lead). PassMark single-thread results are nearly identical, with Intel at 3043 and AMD at 3021, a mere 0.7% difference.

The AMD processor's wins are concentrated in specific compute patterns. The most dramatic result is PassMark data encryption: AMD scores 16962 against Intel's 6468, a 162.2% advantage, meaning AMD more than doubles Intel's encryption throughput. PassMark integer math shows AMD ahead by 21.2% (80786 vs 66642), and floating point math favors AMD by 7.7% (44479 vs 41306). PassMark multithread also goes to AMD, 20789 vs 18609, an 11.7% margin.

Intel counters in other PassMark workloads: random string sorting by 23.2% (36633 vs 28144), find prime numbers by 10.9% (55 vs 49), physics by 11% (933 vs 830), extended instructions by 6.1% (19387 vs 18203), and data compression by 8.4% (295418 vs 270608).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-10700K establishes its advantage in scenarios that stress sustained multi-threaded throughput with high clock ceilings. Its wins across all 3DMark thread counts, from 2 threads to max threads, indicate consistent scaling across lightly and heavily threaded graphics-related workloads. The Cinebench R23 results, particularly the 36.2% single-core margin, point to a strong single-thread performance profile. Data compression, random string sorting, and physics workloads also favor Intel, suggesting strengths in sorting algorithms, compression routines, and physics simulation.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800H excels in encryption and mathematical workloads. The 162.2% encryption advantage is the standout: for any workload involving AES or similar cryptographic operations, the data shows AMD is in a different performance class. Integer math (21.2% ahead) and floating point math (7.7% ahead) indicate strong general arithmetic throughput. The PassMark multithread win (11.7%) shows that in certain aggregate threaded workloads, AMD pulls ahead despite losing most individual tests. The Cinebench R15 results, where AMD wins both multicore and single-core, suggest that certain rendering workloads can favor the AMD architecture.

For users processing large datasets with heavy sorting, Intel holds the edge. For encryption-heavy tasks like secure communications, VPN throughput, or database encryption, AMD is the clear choice. For mixed integer and floating point arithmetic, AMD's margins are consistent and meaningful.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800H uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne, built on TSMC's 7 nm process. The Intel Core i7-10700K uses the Comet Lake architecture on Intel's 14 nm process. This process gap is significant: the 7 nm node allows AMD to pack 10,700 million transistors into a 180 mm² die, while Intel's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database.

Both processors feature 8 cores and 16 threads, so thread counts are identical. The cache hierarchies differ in L2: AMD provides 512 KB per core, while Intel provides 256 KB per core. Both share 16 MB of L3 cache, and both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core. The doubled L2 cache on AMD likely contributes to its integer and floating point math advantages, as more data can reside closer to the cores.

Memory bandwidth also differs substantially. AMD supports dual-channel DDR4 with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel supports dual-channel DDR4 at 46.9 GB/s. This 45.6% bandwidth advantage for AMD may explain its encryption and math performance, which can be memory-bound.

Both processors include integrated graphics, but with different capabilities: AMD pairs with Radeon Vega 8, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 630. The AMD processor targets the mobile segment with a 45 W TDP, while Intel targets desktop with a 125 W TDP. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier; the AMD chip does not. The AMD part uses PCIe Gen 3, while Intel uses Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the CPU.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show several points of divergence. Clock speeds favor Intel: the base clock is 3.80 GHz versus AMD's 3.20 GHz, and the boost clock is 5.10 GHz versus 4.40 GHz. TDP differs dramatically: Intel is rated at 125 W, AMD at 45 W. The process node differs (14 nm Intel versus 7 nm TSMC for AMD). Transistor count and die size are recorded only for AMD (10,700 million and 180 mm² respectively), with no Intel figures in the database.

Cache configuration differs in L2 size: AMD provides 512 KB per core, Intel 256 KB per core. L1 and L3 are identical at 64 KB per core and 16 MB shared respectively. Memory bandwidth differs: AMD at 68.3 GB/s versus Intel at 46.9 GB/s. The Intel processor has an unlocked multiplier; AMD's is locked. Sockets differ: AMD uses Socket FP6, Intel uses Socket 1200. The integrated graphics differ: Radeon Vega 8 on AMD versus UHD Graphics 630 on Intel. Release dates differ: AMD released on 2021-01-11, Intel on 2020-04-29. Both are marked as Active in production status, and both lack ECC memory support.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-10700K has a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H's 4.40 GHz.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: Intel wins by 23.1%, scoring 15727 against AMD's 12091.5.

Q: Which processor is better for data encryption workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800H dominates, scoring 16962 in PassMark data encryption versus Intel's 6468, a 162.2% advantage.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: AMD supports 68.3 GB/s, while Intel supports 46.9 GB/s, a difference of roughly 21.4 GB/s in AMD's favor.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800H has an average benchmark score of 23277, while the Intel Core i7-10700K has 22230. AMD sits at the 76th percentile of all CPUs, Intel at the 75th.

The Verdict

The data points to different buyers for each processor. The Intel Core i7-10700K is the pick for users who prioritize single-thread performance and rendering workloads as measured by Cinebench R23, where it leads by 36.2% in single-core and 23.1% in multicore. Its dominance across all 3DMark thread counts makes it the stronger choice for graphics-adjacent tasks, and its wins in data compression, physics, and string sorting cover common productivity workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800H is the pick for encryption-heavy and math-heavy workloads. The 162.2% encryption lead is not a marginal edge; it is a category-defining advantage. Integer math (21.2% ahead) and floating point math (7.7% ahead) make it the stronger general arithmetic processor. Its higher memory bandwidth (68.3 GB/s vs 46.9 GB/s) and doubled L2 cache per core (512 KB vs 256 KB) provide structural reasons for these wins.

The average benchmark scores place AMD slightly ahead overall: 23277 versus 22230, a 4.7% difference, with AMD at the 76th CPU percentile and Intel at the 75th. Yet the head-to-head tests show Intel winning 17 of 23 comparisons. This apparent contradiction resolves when considering that AMD's wins include some of the largest margins in the entire dataset, particularly encryption and integer math, which boost its average score despite fewer total wins.

For a mobile or power-constrained system, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H's 45 W TDP versus Intel's 125 W TDP is a substantial difference, though the Intel chip is unlocked for overclocking while AMD is not. The AMD part also includes Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 630. Users needing raw threaded performance in Cinebench R23 or 3DMark should choose Intel; users needing encryption throughput or mathematical compute should choose AMD. The data does not support a single universal winner, only a workload-dependent recommendation.