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

The Verdict

The benchmark database pits a 2017 desktop legend against a 2025 mobile contender. The Intel Core i7-8700K wins 8 of the 15 head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 takes 7, making this a surprisingly close contest across very different application types. The i7-8700K dominates sustained multi-threaded workloads, with a 47% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core (11527 vs 7840). The Ryzen AI 5 330 counters with commanding single-thread performance, leading by 22.6% in PassMark single-thread (3515 vs 2720) and 18.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core (199.9 vs 163).

For desktop users with workloads that scale across cores, the i7-8700K remains the stronger processor. Its 6 cores and 12 threads, combined with a 4.70 GHz boost clock, deliver decisively higher throughput in rendering and compression tasks. The Ryzen AI 5 330, however, is the better choice for mobile systems and single-thread-sensitive applications. Its Zen 5 architecture, 4.50 GHz boost, and substantially higher per-core efficiency make it the faster processor for everyday responsiveness and lightly threaded tasks.

The data shows two processors at opposite ends of the design spectrum. The i7-8700K is a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier, 95W TDP, and end-of-life status. The Ryzen AI 5 330 is an active mobile part with a 28W TDP, locked multiplier, and a 4nm process node. Neither chip is objectively superior across the board; the right pick depends entirely on the target platform and workload mix.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700K. It leads by 47% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (11527 vs 7840) and by 30.9% in PassMark data compression (198951 vs 152012). The i7-8700K also wins PassMark multithread by 6.1% (13576 vs 12797).

Q: Which processor has the better single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330. It wins PassMark single-thread by 22.6% (3515 vs 2720), Cinebench R15 single-core by 18.5% (199.9 vs 163), and Cinebench R23 single-core by 10.2% (1812 vs 1627).

Q: How do their core counts and power draws compare?

A: The i7-8700K has 6 cores and 12 threads with a 95W TDP. The Ryzen AI 5 330 has 4 cores and 8 threads with a 28W TDP. The Ryzen chip draws significantly less power while still winning several tests.

Q: What are the architecture and process differences?

A: The i7-8700K uses Intel's Coffee Lake architecture on a 14nm process, built by Intel. The Ryzen AI 5 330 uses AMD's Zen 5 architecture (Krackan Point 2 codename) on a 4nm process, built by TSMC.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory?

A: The Ryzen AI 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The i7-8700K supports DDR4 with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Ryzen chip's memory bandwidth is more than double.

Q: What are the integrated graphics options?

A: The i7-8700K includes UHD Graphics 630. The Ryzen AI 5 330 includes Radeon 820M. The database does not record comparative graphics benchmark scores for these two chips.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras and philosophies. The Intel Core i7-8700K is built on Coffee Lake, Intel's 14nm architecture, with a 154 mm² die size. It is a desktop part using the Intel Socket 1151 platform. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 uses the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Krackan Point 2, manufactured on TSMC's 4nm process. It is a mobile part on the AMD Socket FP8 platform.

The core configurations differ sharply. The i7-8700K packs 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Ryzen AI 5 330 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite having fewer physical cores, the Ryzen chip's Zen 5 design delivers superior per-core throughput. The cache layouts also diverge: the i7-8700K has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen AI 5 330 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and only 4 MB of L3. The larger per-core L2 on the Ryzen chip helps compensate for its smaller L3 pool.

Memory architecture is another major split. The i7-8700K uses DDR4 with dual-channel support and a recorded bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Ryzen AI 5 330 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, with a much higher bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

PCIe capabilities differ as well. The i7-8700K provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Ryzen AI 5 330 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes from the CPU. The newer standard and higher lane count on the Intel part reflect its desktop positioning, while the Ryzen chip's Gen 4 support is notable for a mobile processor.

The i7-8700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, a hallmark of Intel's K-series desktop parts. The Ryzen AI 5 330 has a locked multiplier, typical of mobile processors. The Intel chip was released in October 2017 with a launch MSRP of $359 and is now end-of-life. The Ryzen chip was released in July 2025 and remains active in production. The Intel part's integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 630, while the Ryzen chip uses Radeon 820M.

Specification Differences

The core count is the most obvious difference: 6 cores and 12 threads for the i7-8700K versus 4 cores and 8 threads for the Ryzen AI 5 330. Base clocks diverge significantly, with the Intel chip at 3.70 GHz and the AMD chip at 2.00 GHz. Boost clocks are closer: 4.70 GHz for Intel versus 4.50 GHz for AMD. The TDP gap is substantial, 95W for the i7-8700K versus 28W for the Ryzen AI 5 330.

The memory support differs by generation: DDR4 for Intel, DDR5 and LPDDR5X for AMD. Memory bandwidth nearly doubles from 42.7 GB/s to 89.6 GB/s in favor of the Ryzen chip. PCIe lanes and generation also differ: Gen 3 with 16 lanes for Intel, Gen 4 with 14 lanes for AMD. The process node is a 14nm Intel part versus a 4nm TSMC part. The socket, architecture, codename, and generation identifiers all differ as expected for a desktop versus mobile comparison.

The cache hierarchy differs in every level. The i7-8700K has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The Ryzen AI 5 330 has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 4 MB L3. The Intel part has more total L3, while the AMD part has more L1 and L2 per core. The integrated graphics differ, and the Ryzen chip has a locked multiplier while the Intel chip is unlocked. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $359; the database records no launch MSRP for the Ryzen AI 5 330.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive result in the entire comparison is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the i7-8700K scores 11527 against the Ryzen AI 5 330's 7840, a 47% advantage for Intel. This is the largest margin in any test and reflects the Intel chip's core advantage in heavily threaded rendering workloads. The i7-8700K also wins PassMark random string sorting by 56.1% (25270 vs 16188), its second-largest margin. Data compression goes to Intel by 30.9% (198951 vs 152012), and extended instructions favor Intel by 21.5% (13514 vs 11124). Integer math also goes to Intel by 21.5% (45892 vs 37771).

The Intel chip's other wins are narrower but consistent. PassMark physics goes to Intel by 15% (811 vs 705). Floating point math favors Intel by 8.9% (28538 vs 26196). PassMark multithread goes to Intel by 6.1% (13576 vs 12797). These results paint a picture of a desktop processor that excels in sustained, multi-threaded compute and memory-intensive operations.

The Ryzen AI 5 330 counters with equally clear victories in single-thread performance. PassMark single-thread is the AMD chip's best result, winning by 22.6% (3515 vs 2720). Cinebench R15 single-core goes to AMD by 18.5% (199.9 vs 163). Cinebench R23 single-core favors AMD by 10.2% (1812 vs 1627). Data encryption is a strong AMD win at 34.1% (7251 vs 4776). Prime number finding goes to AMD by 7.1% (42 vs 39). Cinebench R15 multi-core is a narrow AMD win at 2.5% (1191 vs 1161).

The overall score distribution shows remarkable balance. The i7-8700K takes 8 wins, the Ryzen AI 5 330 takes 7. Both chips sit at the 73rd percentile among all CPUs in the database. The i7-8700K's average benchmark score is 19238, with its nearest rival being the Intel Core i7-10700 at 19145 (0.5% difference). The Ryzen AI 5 330's average is 18811, with the Intel Core i7-1355U at 18730 (0.4% difference) as its closest competitor. The data shows two capable processors that serve different markets and workload priorities.