AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 vs Intel Core i7-8700 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows two processors that split their head-to-head results almost evenly, with the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 taking 8 wins and the Intel Core i7-8700 taking 7. The pattern is clear: the AMD part dominates single-threaded and encryption workloads, while the Intel part holds a significant edge in multi-core render tests and several PassMark integer workloads.

The largest single victory for the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 comes in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 7251 against 4488 for the Intel Core i7-8700, a 61.6% advantage. This is the most decisive result in the entire comparison. The AMD processor also wins PassMark single-thread by 33.7% (3515 versus 2629) and Cinebench R15 single-core by 30.7% (199.9 versus 153). In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD part leads by 18.6% (1812 versus 1528). Prime number finding shows a 20% advantage for the AMD chip (42 versus 35).

The Intel Core i7-8700 answers back in multi-core workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel processor scores 10829 against 7840 for the AMD part, a 27.6% margin. PassMark random string sorting shows the largest Intel win at 32.4% (23963 versus 16188). Data compression goes to Intel by 18.7% (187009 versus 152012). Integer math is 15.8% higher on Intel (44881 versus 37771). Extended instructions favor Intel by 10.5% (12432 versus 11124), floating point math by 5.9% (27839 versus 26196), and physics by 3.7% (732 versus 705).

One notable near-tie: PassMark multithread scores are effectively identical, with the AMD processor at 12797 and the Intel at 12756, a 0.3% margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part wins by 9.2% (1191 versus 1091), which contrasts sharply with the R23 result. The two Cinebench versions tell different stories: in R15 the AMD processor is ahead, but in R23 the Intel processor pulls far ahead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 leads in every single-thread measurement. It wins PassMark single-thread by 33.7% (3515 versus 2629), Cinebench R15 single-core by 30.7% (199.9 versus 153), and Cinebench R23 single-core by 18.6% (1812 versus 1528).

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-8700 win any multi-core tests?

A: Yes. The Intel processor wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 27.6% (10829 versus 7840). However, in Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 leads by 9.2% (1191 versus 1091), and in PassMark multithread the two are nearly tied at 0.3% in favor of AMD.

Q: How do the two processors compare in PassMark multithread?

A: The scores are almost identical. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 records 12797 and the Intel Core i7-8700 records 12756, a difference of only 0.3%.

Q: Which processor is more efficient in data encryption?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 is substantially faster, scoring 7251 in PassMark data encryption versus 4488 for the Intel Core i7-8700, a 61.6% advantage.

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark data encryption, where the AMD processor leads by 61.6%. The second largest is PassMark random string sorting, where the Intel processor leads by 32.4%.

Q: Do the processors have similar overall benchmark averages?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 has an average benchmark score of 18811 and sits at the 73rd percentile. The Intel Core i7-8700 has an average of 18223 and sits at the 72nd percentile. The AMD part is 588 points higher on average.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Krackan Point 2 codename, built on a 4 nm process by TSMC. The Intel Core i7-8700 uses the Coffee Lake architecture on a 14 nm process by Intel. The process node difference is substantial, and it shows in the power and efficiency profiles.

The AMD processor is a mobile part with 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel processor is a desktop part with 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD processor holds its own in many tests thanks to the newer architecture. The AMD part belongs to the Ryzen AI 300 generation, which combines Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores, while the Intel part belongs to the Core i7 Coffee Lake generation.

Cache configurations differ markedly. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L1 cache per core, and 4 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core i7-8700 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 12 MB shared L3 cache pool. The Intel processor has a notably larger die size of 154 mm² on its 14 nm node, while the AMD processor does not have a die size is not recorded in the database.

Memory architecture also differs. The AMD part supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel processor supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus but only 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD part has a Radeon 14-lane Gen 4 PCIe interface and 14 lanes, while the Intel part has 16 lanes, both from the CPU.

Specification Differences

The core count difference is the most obvious spec gap: 4 cores and 8 threads versus 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are close, but not identical 2.00 GHz versus 3.20 GHz base clocks. The boost clocks are 4.50 GHz for the AMD processor and 4.60 GHz for the Intel processor. TDPs diverge significantly, with the AMD at 28 watts and 65 watts. The AMD processor has a 4 MB L3 cache versus 12 MB shared on the Intel. The AMD processor uses an AMD Socket FP8, while the Intel uses Intel Socket 1151. The Intel part has a 154 mm² die size; the AMD part has no die size listed. The AMD processor is listed as active production, while the Intel processor is end-of-life. The release dates are 2025-07-15 for the AMD and 2017-10-04 for the Intel, but these dates differ. The AMD part is a mobile segment part with a Radeon 820M iGPU, while the Intel part is a desktop segment part with UHD Graphics 630. Memory support differs: DDR5/LPDDR5X versus DDR4, and memory bandwidth differs: 89.6 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $303, while the AMD part has no launch MSRP listed.

The Verdict

The data supports a split decision based on workload. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 is the clear choice for single-threaded responsiveness, encryption, and mobile efficiency. Its 33.7% lead in PassMark single-thread and 30.7% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core, combined with a 28 W TDP versus 65 W, make it the stronger pick for lightweight, low-power tasks and any workload that relies on a single core. The 61.6% encryption advantage reinforces this.

The Intel Core i7-8700 is the pick when sustained multi-core rendering is the priority. Its 27.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is substantial, and its 18.7% lead in data compression and 15.8% lead in integer math show strengths in throughput-oriented workloads. The two processors tie in PassMark multithread (0.3% apart), so the Intel advantage is not universal across all multi-threaded tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part actually wins by 9.2%.

The average benchmark scores put the AMD processor ahead overall, 18811 versus 18223, and the AMD part sits at the 73rd percentile versus 72nd for the Intel. However, the Intel part has a larger L3 cache (12 MB versus 4 MB) and more cores, which helps explain its lead in certain multi-threaded and cache-sensitive tests like random string sorting, where it wins by 32.4%.

Where Each One Wins

AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 wins in: single-thread performance across all measured tests, data encryption by a wide margin, prime number finding, Cinebench R15 multi-core, and PassMark multithread by a hair. It also wins on process node (4 nm versus 14 nm), memory bandwidth (89.6 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s), and power efficiency (28 W versus 65 W). The AMD part is the better choice for a mobile platform, given its FP8 socket, mobile market segment, and active production status.

Intel Core i7-8700 wins in: Cinebench R23 multi-core by a wide margin, random string sorting, data compression, integer math, extended instructions, floating point math, and physics. It has more cores (6 versus 4), more threads (12 versus 8), a larger shared L3 cache (12 MB versus 4 MB), and a higher boost clock (4.60 GHz versus 4.50 GHz). The Intel part is the better choice for desktop workloads that can use all available cores, particularly rendering and data-heavy tasks. Its end-of-life production status and older 14 nm node are drawbacks, but the raw multi-core scores in R23 and several PassMark tests remain competitive.