AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX vs Intel Core i5-7500 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX wins every single head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i5-7500. Across all eight recorded tests, the Threadripper PRO 3945WX takes the win, often by massive margins.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD part scores 2869 against the Intel's 517, a delta of 82%. The single-core R15 result is similarly lopsided: 404 versus 72, again an 82.2% gap. This pattern repeats across the entire Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the Threadripper PRO posts 11956 while the i5-7500 manages 2155, and in R20 single-core it is 1687 versus 304. The R23 results show the same 82% delta in both multicore and single-core tests, with scores of 28469 versus 5133 and 4019 versus 724 respectively.

Geekbench tells a slightly less extreme but still decisive story. In multicore, the AMD chip scores 10854 against the Intel's 3619, a 66.7% advantage. The single-core Geekbench test is the closest comparison in the entire dataset, yet the Threadripper PRO 3945WX still leads by 23.4%, scoring 1668 versus 1277.

The data shows that the i5-7500 fails to secure a single win in any benchmark category. All eight head-to-head tests go to the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX. The smallest margin of victory for the AMD part is in Geekbench single-core, and even there the lead is substantial.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-7500 does not win anywhere in the head-to-head dataset. For workloads represented by these benchmarks, the i5-7500 is behind across the board. The Threadripper PRO 3945WX dominates in both multicore and single-core tests, which means it holds the advantage in rendering, general productivity, and even lightly threaded tasks.

The Threadripper PRO 3945WX has its strongest relative performance in the Cinebench multicore tests, where the 82% delta reflects the combination of more cores and higher clock speeds. The AMD part also leads in Geekbench multicore by 66.7%, confirming that heavily threaded workloads see the biggest gains. In single-core tests, the AMD part leads by 82% in Cinebench R15 and R20, and by 23.4% in Geekbench, so even workloads that depend on a single thread favor the Threadripper PRO.

For users running Cinebench R23 multicore, the Threadripper PRO 3945WX delivers 28469 points, a score that places it far outside the i5-7500's reach. The i5-7500's best showing relative to the AMD part comes in Geekbench single-core, where the gap narrows to 23.4%, but this is still a clear loss. The data indicates no workload category where the Intel part is preferable based on these benchmarks.

The Verdict

The verdict from the recorded data is straightforward. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX is the superior processor in every measured test, and the margins are large enough that the i5-7500 cannot be recommended for any of the workloads covered by these benchmarks.

Users who need multicore performance, such as rendering or heavy computation, should choose the Threadripper PRO 3945WX. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 28469 is about 5.5 times the i5-7500's 5133. The AMD part also leads in single-core tests, so there is no compromise for lightly threaded applications. The i5-7500, with 4 cores and 4 threads, is outmatched by the 12-core, 24-thread Threadripper PRO in every category.

The benchmark results indicate that the Threadripper PRO 3945WX is the pick for anyone prioritizing performance, regardless of workload type. The i5-7500's only context in this comparison is as the weaker performer. The selection between these two is not a trade-off; the data points to one clear choice.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks in this comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX wins all 8 head-to-head benchmarks against the Intel Core i5-7500.

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

A: The largest gaps are in Cinebench R15 multicore, R20 multicore, R20 single-core, R23 multicore, and R23 single-core, each showing an 82% delta in favor of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX.

Q: Is there any test where the Intel Core i5-7500 comes close to the AMD processor?

A: The closest result is Geekbench single-core, where the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX leads by 23.4%, scoring 1668 versus 1277. This is still a decisive win for AMD.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX scores 28469, while the Intel Core i5-7500 scores 5133, an 82% delta in favor of AMD.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-7500 win any single benchmark?

A: No, the Intel Core i5-7500 records 0 wins in the head-to-head benchmark data.

Q: What do the average benchmark scores suggest about these processors?

A: The Intel Core i5-7500 has an average benchmark score of 8208, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX has an average of 7741. The i5-7500's average is higher despite losing every head-to-head test, because the average includes a broader set of benchmark results beyond the head-to-head comparisons.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design families. The Intel Core i5-7500 uses the Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, built by Intel. It has 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX uses the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Castle Peak, on a 7 nm process node from TSMC. It has 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz.

The cache structures differ significantly. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core. The Intel part has 256 KB of L2 cache per core and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part has 512 KB of L2 cache per core and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Threadripper PRO's larger L3 cache is a notable advantage for workloads that benefit from large shared caches.

The AMD processor uses a chiplet design, with transistors listed at 7,600 million and a die size of 2x 74 mm². The Intel processor does not have transistor or die size data recorded. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not.

Memory architecture is another major difference. The Intel Core i5-7500 uses dual-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX uses eight-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The AMD part's memory bandwidth is substantially higher, which supports its multicore performance.

PCIe capabilities also diverge. The Intel part provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part provides PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only). This makes the Threadripper PRO far more capable for expansion and high-bandwidth devices.

The Intel Core i5-7500 includes integrated graphics (HD 630), while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX has no integrated graphics. The Intel part targets the desktop market segment, while the AMD part targets server and workstation segments. The Intel processor was released on 2017-01-02, while the AMD processor was released on 2020-07-13.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core i5-7500 and AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3945WX differ across nearly every recorded specification field.

Cores and threads: The Intel part has 4 cores and 4 threads. The AMD part has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Clock speeds: The Intel part has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The AMD part has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz.

TDP: The Intel part is rated at 65 watts. The AMD part is rated at 280 watts.

Socket: The Intel part uses Intel Socket 1151. The AMD part uses AMD Socket WRX8.

Process node: The Intel part uses 14 nm. The AMD part uses 7 nm.

Foundry: The Intel part is built by Intel. The AMD part is built by TSMC.

L2 cache: The Intel part has 256 KB per core. The AMD part has 512 KB per core.

L3 cache: The Intel part has 6 MB shared. The AMD part has 64 MB.

Memory bus: The Intel part is dual-channel. The AMD part is eight-channel.

Memory bandwidth: The Intel part has 38.4 GB/s. The AMD part has 204.8 GB/s.

ECC memory: The Intel part does not support ECC. The AMD part supports ECC.

PCIe: The Intel part is Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part is Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics: The Intel part has HD 630. The AMD part has none.

Market segment: The Intel part is Desktop. The AMD part is Server/Workstation.

Release date: The Intel part was released on 2017-01-02. The AMD part was released on 2020-07-13.

The Intel part has a part number of SR335, while the AMD part has a part number of 100-000000168. Neither processor has a recorded launch MSRP. Both processors have a production status of Active and neither has an unlocked multiplier. Both are also at the 64th percentile versus all CPUs in the database.