AMD Ryzen 7 5800U vs Intel Core i7-10875H Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-10875H boosts up to 5.10 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5800U reaches 4.40 GHz. Intel holds the peak frequency advantage by 0.70 GHz.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-10875H scores 12234, which is 50% ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800U's 8154 in that test. This is the largest single benchmark gap between the two processors.

Q: Which processor wins in Geekbench single-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U scores 1656 versus Intel's 1384, a delta of 16.4% in AMD's favor. The Ryzen's Zen 3 architecture delivers a clear single-thread lead here.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel part is rated at 45 W, while the AMD part is rated at 15 W. That is a 30 W difference, indicating very different power envelopes and intended chassis designs.

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

A: Yes, both have 8 cores and 16 threads. The performance differences come from architecture, clock speeds, and power allocation, not from core count.

Q: Which chip has the larger L2 cache per core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U has 512 KB per core, double the Intel Core i7-10875H's 256 KB per core. Both share 16 MB of L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-10875H is built on Comet Lake-H, a 14 nm architecture manufactured by Intel itself. Its die size is 177.5 mm². The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U uses the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm process from TSMC, with a die size of 180 mm². The process node difference is substantial: 14 nm versus 7 nm, which directly affects power efficiency and transistor density.

AMD's chip integrates 10,700 million transistors, while Intel's transistor count is not recorded in the database. The AMD processor uses the Socket FP6, whereas Intel uses BGA 1440. Both are mobile sockets, but they are not interchangeable.

Cache hierarchies differ in the L2 tier. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 per core and 16 MB of shared L3, but AMD allocates 512 KB of L2 per core compared to Intel's 256 KB. That doubling of L2 capacity per core can improve data locality for workloads that fit in the mid-tier cache.

Memory support is DDR4 on both, with dual-channel buses. However, the AMD part has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s versus Intel's 46.9 GB/s. PCIe support also differs: Intel provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while AMD provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU. That may matter for discrete GPU bandwidth in gaming laptops.

Integrated graphics differ as well. Intel uses UHD Graphics, while AMD uses Radeon Vega 8. The database does not provide benchmark scores for these iGPUs, so a quantitative comparison is not possible here.

The base clocks are notably different. Intel runs at 2.30 GHz base and 5.10 GHz boost. AMD runs at 1.90 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost. The lower base clock on AMD is typical for a 15 W part, while Intel's 45 W TDP allows a higher sustained base frequency.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-10875H wins in prolonged multi-threaded rendering workloads when power limits are not the binding constraint. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 12234 is 50% ahead of the AMD part, which indicates that the higher TDP envelope allows Intel to sustain high clocks across all 8 cores. This makes it the stronger choice for CPU-bound creative workloads like video encoding or 3D rendering where the laptop has adequate cooling and power delivery.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U wins in efficiency-oriented tasks and single-thread responsiveness. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1656 beats Intel's 1384 by 16.4%, and its Cinebench R15 single-core score of 229 beats Intel's 174 by 24%. For everyday productivity, web browsing, and office applications that rely on single-thread performance, AMD has the edge.

The Ryzen 7 5800U also wins in Geekbench multi-core with a score of 7132 versus Intel's 6511, an 8.7% advantage. This suggests that in shorter, bursty multi-thread workloads, the AMD chip can punch above its 15 W rating, likely due to efficient boosting behavior.

In Cinebench R15, AMD wins both multi-core and single-core. The R15 multi-core score is 1613 versus 1233, a 23.6% margin for AMD. This is interesting because it contradicts the R23 result, where Intel wins by a wide margin. The likely explanation is that R15 is a shorter workload, allowing the 15 W AMD chip to boost aggressively before thermal limits kick in, while R23 is longer and exposes the sustained power advantage of Intel's 45 W design.

The Intel chip wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 21%, scoring 1727 versus 1427. This is a surprising result given AMD's wins in other single-thread tests. The R23 single-core test may favor Intel's higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz, which is 0.70 GHz above AMD's maximum.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i7-10875H | AMD Ryzen 7 5800U |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Base clock | 2.30 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.10 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1440 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Process node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 10,700 million |

| Die size | 177.5 mm² | 180 mm² |

| L2 cache per core | 256 KB | 512 KB |

| Memory bandwidth | 46.9 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe lanes (CPU) | Gen 3, 16 lanes | Gen 3, 8 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Release date | 2020-04-01 | 2021-01-11 |

| Part number | SRJ8F | 100-000000285 |

The launch MSRP for the Intel part is $450. The AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Both processors are active in production, have locked multipliers, and do not support ECC memory. Both have 8 cores and 16 threads. Both use DDR4 memory with dual-channel support.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six head-to-head benchmark comparisons. AMD wins four, Intel wins two.

The largest margin is in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Intel scores 12234, AMD scores 8154, and Intel wins by 50%. This is a decisive victory for Intel in a sustained, heavily threaded rendering workload. The 45 W TDP appears to be the decisive factor, allowing the Comet Lake chip to maintain high clocks across all cores for the duration of the test.

The second-largest margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core. AMD scores 229, Intel scores 174, and AMD wins by 24%. This is a substantial single-thread win for Zen 3, reflecting the architectural IPC advantage of AMD's newer design.

Cinebench R23 single-core flips the single-thread narrative. Intel scores 1727, AMD scores 1427, and Intel wins by 21%. This is the only single-thread test where Intel leads, and it is a significant one. The difference may be due to Intel's 5.10 GHz boost clock, which is 0.70 GHz higher than AMD's maximum. In a longer single-thread workload like R23, the higher boost clock can sustain its advantage over AMD's lower peak frequency.

Cinebench R15 multi-core shows AMD ahead by 23.6%. AMD scores 1613, Intel scores 1233. This is notable because Intel wins the R23 multi-core test by a much larger margin. The R15 workload is shorter, and AMD's 15 W chip can boost aggressively during that brief window, whereas Intel's higher TDP does not produce a proportional advantage in a short burst.

Geekbench multi-core goes to AMD by 8.7%. AMD scores 7132, Intel scores 6511. This test mixes various workloads and may reward AMD's higher memory bandwidth and larger L2 cache. AMD's 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth versus Intel's 46.9 GB/s could contribute to this result.

Geekbench single-core goes to AMD by 16.4%. AMD scores 1656, Intel scores 1384. This aligns with the R15 single-core result, reinforcing the picture that AMD's Zen 3 cores are more efficient per clock in most single-thread scenarios.

The overall benchmark averages are close. Intel's average benchmark score is 3432, AMD's is 3369. Both CPUs sit at the 54th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Intel's nearest rival is the Intel Core i9-9880H with a delta of 0%. AMD's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon D-1587 with a delta of 0.6%. The two chips are essentially peers in aggregate performance, but they achieve that parity through very different means: Intel through raw power and high boost clocks, AMD through architectural efficiency and a much lower power envelope.