AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX vs Intel Core 5 320 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark database presents a clear performance hierarchy between these two mobile processors. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX wins 9 of 11 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 5 320 takes only 2. The AMD part sits at the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel lands at the 72nd. This is not a close contest in aggregate computing power. The Ryzen 7 8745HX is the choice for anyone running heavily threaded workloads, content creation, or number-crunching tasks. The Intel Core 5 320, with its single-thread win and much lower power envelope, fits scenarios where battery life and light-duty responsiveness matter more than raw throughput. The data does not support selecting the Intel part for multi-threaded performance, as the AMD chip leads by over 100% in several tests. The Intel chip is a capable low-power option, but the AMD processor is the performance leader across nearly every measured category.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX uses the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Dragon Range, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The thermal design power is rated at 55 watts. The chip uses AMD Socket FL1 and integrates Radeon 610M graphics. The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. Memory support is DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, delivering 83.2 GB/s of bandwidth. PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU. The multiplier is unlocked, and the part number is 100-000001851.

The Intel Core 5 320 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process at Intel. It has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. Base clock is 1.50 GHz, boost clock is 4.60 GHz, and TDP is 15 watts. The socket is Intel BGA 1516. Integrated graphics are Intel Xe3 with 2 Xe cores. Cache amounts are 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. Memory support includes DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but only over a single-channel bus, yielding 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. PCIe is Gen 4 with 6 lanes from the CPU. The multiplier is locked. The launch MSRP is $340.

The process node difference (5 nm vs 3 nm) and transistor count (6,570 million for AMD, no figure listed for Intel) highlight different design targets. AMD's chip uses far more transistors on a 71 mm² die, while Intel's die size is not recorded. The AMD chip is clearly built for sustained performance, while the Intel chip targets efficiency and low power draw.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX dominates in multi-threaded and compute-heavy tasks. In integer math, it scores 100,328 versus 32,323, a 210.4% advantage. Data compression shows a 144.5% lead, and random string sorting is 146.7% ahead. Extended instructions (108.4% lead), data encryption (98.8% lead), and multithread (104% lead) all fall heavily in AMD's favor. Floating point math is 46% higher, prime number finding is 44.5% higher, and physics scores are 37.7% higher. These results indicate the AMD chip is the clear pick for rendering, compilation, scientific simulation, and any workload that scales across many threads.

The Intel Core 5 320 wins the single-thread test with a score of 4045 versus 3879, a 4.1% margin. This is the only category where Intel leads. The advantage is modest but real, suggesting slightly better per-core efficiency in lightly threaded applications. For everyday tasks like web browsing, office work, or light coding, the Intel chip may feel snappier in single-threaded scenarios. However, the AMD chip is not far behind in that metric, and its massive multi-thread advantage means it will win in any mixed workload. The Intel chip's lower TDP (15 watts versus 55 watts) also makes it more suitable for fanless or low-power designs, though the database does not record battery life figures.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread score?

A: The Intel Core 5 320 scores 4045 in the passmark single-thread test, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX scores 3879. Intel leads by 4.1%.

Q: How large is the AMD chip's lead in multithread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX scores 31,517 in the passmark multithread test versus 15,450 for the Intel Core 5 320, a 104% advantage.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX boosts to 5.10 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 320 boosts to 4.60 GHz.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD chip supports dual-channel DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel chip supports single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 320 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data paints a stark picture. The largest single margin is in integer math, where the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX scores 100,328 against 32,323 for the Intel Core 5 320, a 210.4% delta. This suggests the AMD chip's Zen 4 cores with 16 threads handle integer-heavy code far more efficiently than Intel's 6 non-hyper-threaded cores.

Data compression shows a 144.5% lead (363,759 versus 148,779). Random string sorting is nearly identical in margin at 146.7% (44,494 versus 18,038). These tests involve memory access patterns and thread scaling, where AMD's larger cache (32 MB L3 versus 6 MB L3) and dual-channel memory bus provide clear advantages.

Extended instructions score 27,638 for AMD versus 13,262 for Intel, a 108.4% lead. This includes SIMD and vector operations, where the AMD chip's higher clock speeds and more threads help. Data encryption shows a 98.8% margin (21,840 versus 10,984), reflecting the AMD chip's ability to parallelize cryptographic workloads.

The multithread test delivers a 104% lead (31,517 versus 15,450). Floating point math is 46% higher (61,972 versus 42,440). Prime number finding is 44.5% ahead (159 versus 110). Physics scores are 37.7% higher (1,681 versus 1,221).

The only Intel wins come in the single-thread category. The Intel Core 5 320 scores 4045 in both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, while the AMD chip scores 3879 in both, giving Intel a 4.1% edge. This is a narrow margin, and it does not compensate for the AMD chip's overwhelming leads elsewhere. The average benchmark score for the AMD chip is 60,104, while the Intel chip averages 18,023. That is a 3.3x difference in aggregate performance.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX uses 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 320 uses 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks are 3.60 GHz versus 1.50 GHz, and boost clocks are 5.10 GHz versus 4.60 GHz. TDP is 55 watts versus 15 watts. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel chip is locked.

Cache configurations are substantially different. AMD has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. Intel has 192 KB of total L1, 2.5 MB of total L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip's L3 alone is over five times larger than Intel's entire cache pool.

Memory support diverges as well. AMD supports DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but only over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s. PCIe connectivity differs: AMD offers Gen 5 with 28 lanes, while Intel offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FL1, the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1516.

Process technology differs: AMD uses TSMC's 5 nm node, Intel uses its own 3 nm node. AMD's transistor count is 6,570 million on a 71 mm² die; Intel lists no transistor or die size figures. Integrated graphics differ: AMD has Radeon 610M, Intel has Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. Both have ECC disabled and target the mobile market segment. The AMD chip was released in April 2025, while the Intel chip followed in April 2026. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $340; no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD chip.