AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX vs Intel Core i5-1135G7 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX and the Intel Core i5-1135G7 are processors from opposite ends of the computing spectrum: a 280 W workstation behemoth and a 15 W mobile chip. Benchmark results show a complete dominance by the AMD part, which wins all eight head-to-head comparisons, often by staggering margins. The data reveals a clear divide in compute capability, but also highlights the distinct roles each processor is designed to fill.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the data is the sheer scale of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX’s victory. In the Cinebench suite, the AMD chip’s performance is consistently over four times that of the Intel Core i5-1135G7. For instance, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Threadripper scores 34,204 points against the Core i5’s 7,909, a delta of 332.5%. This pattern repeats across the board: Cinebench R15 multi-core (3,447 vs. 797, +332.5%), R20 multi-core (14,365 vs. 3,321, +332.6%), and even the single-core tests show the same near-identical 333% advantage. The AMD part leads in Cinebench R23 single-core by 332.6% (4,828 vs. 1,116), indicating that its architectural efficiency is not merely a product of having more cores.

The gap narrows somewhat in Geekbench, but the AMD processor still secures a decisive victory. In Geekbench multi-core, the Threadripper PRO 5945WX scores 13,371 against the Core i5’s 3,944, a 239% advantage. The most competitive result in the entire comparison is Geekbench single-core, where the AMD chip leads by a comparatively modest 45.3% (2,059 vs. 1,417). While this is still a clear win for the Threadripper, it suggests that for lightly-threaded, short-burst workloads, the Intel mobile chip is relatively less disadvantaged than in multi-threaded tasks.

Every single benchmark in the head-to-head set is won by the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX, giving it a perfect 8-0 record. The average benchmark score for the AMD part is 9,348, which places it in the 65th percentile of all CPUs. Its closest rivals include the Intel Xeon Platinum 8180 (average score 9,406, a -0.6% delta) and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X (average score 9,284, a +0.7% delta). This shows that the 5945WX is positioned within a competitive field of high-end workstation and server chips.

Where Each One Wins

The use-case split is stark and dictated by the benchmark data. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX is the definitive winner for multi-threaded, compute-intensive workloads. Its 332.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 239% lead in Geekbench multi-core make it the clear choice for professional rendering, 3D modeling, scientific simulations, and software compilation where every core counts. The processor’s 12 cores and 24 threads provide the parallel processing headroom that the 4-core, 8-thread Intel part cannot match.

The Intel Core i5-1135G7, despite its 0-8 loss in this specific comparison, has a different battlefield. Its data comes from a suite of PassMark tests and 3DMark thread tests that the AMD part does not have entries for, suggesting a focus on different workload types. Its PassMark single-thread score of 2,640 and its 3DMark single-thread score of 801 indicate it can handle everyday productivity tasks, web browsing, and light content creation. The Core i5’s 3DMark results show scaling from 1,348 (2 threads) to 2,713 (max threads), which is adequate for a mobile chip.

The 15 W TDP of the Intel Core i5-1135G7 is a significant advantage in its own right. While the AMD part is a 280 W behemoth requiring a substantial cooling solution and a WRX8 workstation motherboard, the Intel chip is designed for fanless or low-profile laptops where power efficiency and thermal output are paramount. The Core i5’s integrated Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU also provides a functional GPU, whereas the Threadripper PRO 5945WX has no integrated graphics at all, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output. The Intel part is the only option for ultra-portable computing, even if it is vastly outmatched in raw processing power.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and for entirely different market segments. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX is a 7 nm (TSMC) Zen 3 part from the Chagall PRO generation, released in March 2022. It is a server/workstation chip with 12 cores and 24 threads, a base clock of 4.10 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. It features a massive 64 MB of L3 cache and a per-core layout of 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2. Its memory support is DDR4 over an eight-channel bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s, and it supports ECC memory. The chip connects via PCIe Gen 4 with 128 CPU lanes.

In contrast, the Intel Core i5-1135G7 is a 10 nm (Intel) Tiger Lake-U part from the Willow Cove generation, released in September 2020. It is a mobile processor with 4 cores and 8 threads, a base clock of 1.50 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. Its cache hierarchy is different, with 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 8 MB of L3 cache. Memory support is dual-channel DDR4 or LPDDR4X, and it does not support ECC memory. The PCIe implementation is also much more limited, with only 4 CPU lanes of Gen 4. The Core i5 does include integrated Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU, a feature entirely absent from the AMD part.

The transistor count and die size reflect the different design goals. The AMD chip packs 16,600 million transistors across a 4x 81 mm² die configuration, emphasizing raw compute density. The Intel chip has a single 144 mm² die, which is more area-efficient for a mobile part but lacks the sheer scale of the workstation processor. The AMD part is marked as "Active" in production, while the Intel chip is "End-of-life," suggesting the AMD processor is the more future-proof investment for those who need its capabilities. The Intel Core i5-1135G7 has a launch MSRP of $309.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD chip scores 34,204 points, which is 332.5% higher than the Intel Core i5-1135G7’s score of 7,909 points.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-1135G7 win any benchmark against the AMD part?

A: No. In the head-to-head comparison, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX wins all eight benchmarks, with the Intel part recording zero wins.

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

A: The largest gaps are in the Cinebench tests, where the AMD part leads by over 332% in both single-core and multi-core variants. The smallest gap is in Geekbench single-core, where the AMD chip leads by 45.3%.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-1135G7 does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the difference in their PCIe lane counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the Intel Core i5-1135G7 provides only 4 PCIe Gen 4 lanes.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-1135G7 includes Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX has no integrated graphics.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear, binary choice. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX is the only option for professionals who need maximum multi-threaded compute performance. Its 332.5% lead in multi-core Cinebench R23 and 239% lead in Geekbench multi-core make it the definitive choice for rendering, simulation, and heavy parallel workloads. With an average benchmark score of 9,348 and a 65th percentile ranking, it is positioned among competitive workstation processors like the Intel Xeon Platinum 8180. Its 12 cores, 24 threads, 64 MB of L3 cache, and eight-channel DDR4 memory are all top-tier specifications for a workstation platform.

The Intel Core i5-1135G7, despite being comprehensively outclassed in this comparison, serves a completely different purpose. As a 15 W mobile chip with integrated graphics, it is the only viable option for battery-powered, thin-and-light laptops. Its 4 cores and 8 threads are sufficient for general productivity, and its 3DMark and PassMark scores indicate respectable performance for its class. Its end-of-life production status and lack of ECC support, however, make it unsuitable for long-term, mission-critical server roles. In short, pick the AMD part for uncompromising compute power in a workstation; pick the Intel part for a portable, power-efficient system where the Threadripper’s size and power requirements are impossible to accommodate.