AMD Ryzen 7 8700F vs AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX and AMD Ryzen 7 8700F are both 8-core, 16-thread processors from AMD, but they belong to different generations and market segments. The 5980HX is a mobile part from the 5000 series, built on Zen 3, while the 8700F is a desktop part from the 8000 series, built on Zen 4. Benchmark data from the database shows a decisive performance advantage for the newer 8700F across every recorded test, with the 5980HX failing to win a single head-to-head comparison. This analysis breaks down the architectural differences, benchmark results, and specification gaps to clarify what each processor offers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX boosts to 4.80 GHz. The 8700F also has a higher base clock at 4.10 GHz compared to 3.30 GHz for the 5980HX.

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

A: The 8700F scores 26646 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 25.5% higher than the 5980HX score of 19850. This represents a significant generational improvement in sustained multi-threaded workloads.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap appears in Geekbench multi-core, where the 8700F scores 13523 against 7723 for the 5980HX, a 42.9% difference. PassMark physics also shows a large 43.3% gap, with the 8700F scoring 1553 versus 881.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: No, the 5980HX supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while the 8700F supports DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The 5980HX has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 31495, compared to 30746 for the 8700F. However, this average does not reflect the direct head-to-head results, where the 8700F wins all 19 recorded tests.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, both the 5980HX and the 8700F have an unlocked multiplier, according to the database. This allows users to adjust clock speeds on supported platforms.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural gap between these two processors is stark. The 5980HX is built on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne, and manufactured on a 7 nm process node at TSMC. In contrast, the 8700F uses the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Phoenix, and is built on a more advanced 4 nm process node, also at TSMC. This process shrink is a major factor in the performance difference. The 8700F packs 25,000 million transistors on a die size of 178 mm², while the 5980HX has 10,700 million transistors on a slightly larger die of 180 mm². The newer node allows for higher clock speeds and better power efficiency per transistor.

The cache configurations also differ. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. However, the L2 cache is doubled on the 8700F, with 1 MB per core compared to 512 KB per core on the 5980HX. This larger L2 cache can improve data locality and reduce latency for frequently accessed data. The 8700F also supports DDR5 memory, which provides a higher theoretical bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s versus 68.3 GB/s for the DDR4-supporting 5980HX. Memory support is a clear generational divide.

Another key difference is the integrated graphics. The 5980HX includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics, while the 8700F has no integrated graphics (listed as N/A). This is a notable trade-off for desktop users who may need a discrete GPU regardless, but it means the 5980HX can be used in a laptop without a dedicated graphics card. The market segments reflect this: the 5980HX is a mobile chip on AMD Socket FP6, while the 8700F is a desktop chip on AMD Socket AM5. PCIe support also differs, with the 5980HX offering Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and the 8700F offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records 19 direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons, and the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F wins all 19. There is no recorded victory for the 5980HX. This is a clean sweep that highlights the generational advantage of Zen 4 over Zen 3 in this matchup.

Starting with Cinebench, the 8700F leads consistently. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 8700F scores 2685 against 2000 for the 5980HX, a 25.5% advantage. The single-core test shows a similar gap: 378 versus 282, also 25.4% ahead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core score for the 8700F is 11191 versus 8337, and the single-core score is 1579 versus 1176, both again 25.5% higher. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 26646 for the 8700F versus 19850 for the 5980HX, and the single-core score is 3761 versus 2802, maintaining that 25.5% delta.

Geekbench results show even larger differences in multi-core. The 8700F scores 13523 in Geekbench multi-core, a 42.9% jump over the 5980HX score of 7723. In single-core Geekbench, the 8700F scores 2290 versus 1930, a 15.7% lead. The multi-core gap suggests the 8700F scales better across all threads, likely due to the combination of higher clocks and the Zen 4 architecture.

PassMark tests reveal a varied landscape. The 8700F leads in every category, but the margins differ. In PassMark integer math, the 8700F scores 100371 versus 89772, a modest 10.6% advantage. Floating point math shows a 19.8% gap, with scores of 62629 versus 50223. Data compression is 17.8% higher on the 8700F, scoring 378160 versus 310694. Data encryption sees a 13.1% lead, with 22117 versus 19221. Extended instructions show a 25.5% gap, with 28474 versus 21209.

Some tests highlight particularly large differences. PassMark find prime numbers shows the 8700F scoring 98 against 53 for the 5980HX, a 45.9% gap. PassMark physics is similarly lopsided, with 1553 versus 881, a 43.3% difference. Random string sorting is 29% higher on the 8700F, with 45425 versus 32238. The multi-thread PassMark score is 30893 for the 8700F versus 23356 for the 5980HX, a 24.4% lead. Single-thread PassMark scores are 3872 versus 3326, a 14.1% advantage for the 8700F.

Specification Differences

The specification tables reveal several key differences between the two processors. The 5980HX has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, while the 8700F has a base clock of 4.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The 8700F is faster at both ends of the clock spectrum.

Thermal design power (TDP) differs significantly. The 5980HX is rated at 45 watts, while the 8700F is rated at 65 watts. This reflects the mobile versus desktop design, with the 5980HX tuned for lower power consumption in laptops. The higher TDP of the 8700F provides more headroom for sustained performance.

The socket is a major divider. The 5980HX uses AMD Socket FP6, which is specific to mobile platforms. The 8700F uses AMD Socket AM5, the current desktop socket. This means they are not interchangeable, and any system build must account for the correct motherboard platform.

Memory support is another clear difference. The 5980HX supports DDR4 memory, while the 8700F supports DDR5. Both use a dual-channel bus, but the 8700F has a higher memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s versus 68.3 GB/s. The 8700F also has a larger L2 cache, with 1 MB per core versus 512 KB per core on the 5980HX.

The integrated graphics situation is opposite. The 5980HX features Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics, making it a complete mobile APU. The 8700F has no integrated graphics, which is a notable omission for a desktop processor. The 8700F does offer more PCIe lanes, with Gen 4 and 20 lanes (CPU only) versus Gen 3 and 16 lanes (CPU only) on the 5980HX.

Release dates are also far apart. The 5980HX was released on 2021-01-11, while the 8700F was released on 2024-03-31. The 8700F has a launch MSRP of $270, which is listed in the database. The process node differs as well, with 7 nm for the 5980HX and 4 nm for the 8700F, despite both being fabricated by TSMC.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. The 8700F wins all 19 head-to-head tests, with advantages ranging from 10.6% in PassMark integer math to 45.9% in PassMark find prime numbers. The most impactful gap is in Geekbench multi-core, where the 8700F is 42.9% ahead, suggesting a substantial improvement in multi-threaded productivity tasks.

Users who prioritize raw performance should pick the 8700F. Its higher base and boost clocks, doubled L2 cache, and newer Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm process deliver a clear performance uplift. The 8700F also supports DDR5 memory, which offers higher bandwidth and is the current standard for new desktop builds. The lack of integrated graphics is a non-issue for users who plan to install a discrete GPU, which is typical for a desktop system.

The 5980HX still has a role, but it is defined by its mobile nature. With a 45 watt TDP and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, it is designed for laptops where power efficiency and on-chip graphics matter. The 5980HX can handle a mix of productivity and light gaming without a dedicated GPU, making it a sensible choice for a thin-and-light laptop. Its performance is competitive for its era, but it trails the 8700F by a significant margin in all workloads.

For a desktop user building a new system, the Ryzen 7 8700F is the clear recommendation based on the recorded data. Its performance advantage is consistent and large, and its modern platform support for DDR5 and PCIe Gen 4 future-proofs a build. The Ryzen 9 5980HX is not a direct rival for desktop performance; it is a mobile chip that excels in its intended power-constrained environment. The database shows a clear generational winner, and that is the 8700F.