AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX vs Intel Core i5-8350U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive sweep in the head-to-head benchmark suite. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX wins all six shared tests, with every delta exceeding 560%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 3447 against 521 for the Intel Core i5-8350U, a 561.6% advantage. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 486 versus 73, a 565.8% lead. These are not marginal differences; they represent a fundamentally different performance class.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core test shows the AMD processor at 14365 points while the Intel chip manages 2172, a 561.4% gap. Single-core R20 sees 2027 against 306, which is 562.4% in favor of the Threadripper. The R23 results reinforce the trend: 34204 versus 5173 in multi-core (561.2% delta) and 4828 versus 730 in single-core (561.4% delta). Across every workload, the AMD part delivers roughly six and a half times the raw score of the Intel part.

The consistency of these deltas is notable. All six tests land within a narrow band from 561.2% to 565.8%, suggesting the performance relationship is largely independent of the specific rendering workload. Whether the test stresses all cores or a single thread, the proportional advantage remains stable. This uniformity points to a systemic difference in capability rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The Intel Core i5-8350U does appear in the database with additional PassMark tests, but none of those overlap with the AMD benchmark set. For the directly comparable metrics, the Threadripper PRO 5945WX holds an unqualified lead. The average benchmark score for the AMD processor is 9348, while the Intel chip sits at 8998, a smaller average gap that reflects the different test sets each part underwent.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX wins every benchmark it shares with the Intel Core i5-8350U, so the use-case split is straightforward on the recorded evidence. The Threadripper is built for multi-threaded rendering and compute tasks, and the data confirms that positioning. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 34204 places it among the stronger workstation processors in the database, and its 12 cores and 24 threads provide the parallel throughput those workloads demand.

The Intel Core i5-8350U, by contrast, shows its strengths in a different arena. Its PassMark results, while not directly comparable to the Cinebench numbers, indicate a balanced mobile processor. The single-thread PassMark score of 1996 and integer math score of 22244 suggest competent everyday responsiveness. The data encryption score of 2075 and floating point math score of 13422 show moderate compute ability within a 15 W power envelope.

Where the Intel part genuinely wins is in the practical context of its market segment. It is a mobile processor with integrated UHD 620 graphics, meaning it can operate in ultrabooks and compact laptops where the AMD workstation chip cannot physically fit. The Threadripper PRO 5945WX requires an AMD Socket WRX8 platform with eight-channel DDR4 memory support and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, a configuration aimed at server and workstation chassis. The Intel chip's BGA 1356 socket and lack of explicit memory bandwidth figures reflect its mobility focus.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages and manufacturing eras. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX uses the Zen 3 architecture under the Chagall PRO codename, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i5-8350U uses the older Kaby Lake architecture, specifically Kaby Lake-R, on Intel's 14 nm process. This process gap alone explains a substantial portion of the performance and efficiency differences.

The core configurations diverge sharply. The AMD part offers 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel part provides 4 cores and 8 threads. Cache hierarchies reflect this scale: the Threadripper has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The L3 difference is particularly stark at 64 MB versus 6 MB, a tenfold gap that heavily favors the workstation part in data-heavy workloads.

The die configuration also differs. The AMD processor uses a multi-die design with 4x 81 mm² chiplets, containing 16,600 million transistors. The Intel processor uses a monolithic 123 mm² die. The Threadripper's transistor count is not directly listed for the Intel part, but the process node and die size differences indicate distinct design philosophies. The AMD approach scales across chiplets, while Intel's monolithic design suits lower-power mobile integration.

Memory support marks another major divergence. The Threadripper PRO 5945WX supports DDR4 across an eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth, and it includes ECC memory support. The Intel Core i5-8350U supports DDR4 but has no listed memory bus width, no listed bandwidth figure, and no ECC support. For workstation-class reliability and memory throughput, the AMD part is in a different league.

PCIe capabilities further separate the two. The AMD processor provides Gen 4 with 128 lanes from the CPU alone. The Intel chip has no PCIe information recorded in the database. Integrated graphics appear only on the Intel side with UHD 620, while the AMD part has no integrated graphics listed, consistent with its reliance on discrete workstation GPUs.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core i5-8350U has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How large is the cache difference between the two?

A: The AMD part has 64 MB of L3 cache plus 512 KB of L2 per core. The Intel part has 6 MB of shared L3 cache plus 256 KB of L2 per core.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-8350U does not.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-8350U includes UHD 620 integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The AMD processor is built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The Intel processor uses a 14 nm process at Intel.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX has an average benchmark score of 9348, while the Intel Core i5-8350U has an average score of 8998. Both sit at the 65th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion for workload-oriented buyers. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX is the choice for any task that benefits from massive multi-core throughput. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 34204, combined with 12 cores, 24 threads, 64 MB of L3 cache, and eight-channel DDR4 memory support, makes it suitable for rendering, simulation, and heavy compute workloads. The 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes provide the I/O headroom expected in a workstation platform.

The Intel Core i5-8350U serves a completely different purpose. Its 15 W TDP, BGA 1356 socket, and integrated UHD 620 graphics identify it as a mobile-focused processor. The 4-core, 8-thread configuration and 6 MB of shared L3 cache are adequate for everyday productivity and light multitasking in a laptop chassis. Its PassMark single-thread score of 1996 and integer math score of 22244 demonstrate competent general-purpose performance within its power class.

There is no overlap in intended use. The Threadripper PRO 5945WX cannot be dropped into a thin-and-light laptop, and the Core i5-8350U cannot drive a workstation-class rendering node. Buyers should select based on platform requirements first. If the task involves sustained multi-threaded rendering or data processing, the AMD part wins outright. If the priority is a low-power mobile system with integrated graphics, the Intel part is the only viable option between the two.

The percentile rankings offer a final point of calibration. Both processors sit at the 65th percentile among all CPUs, but that parity is misleading. The Threadripper's average score of 9348 comes from a small set of demanding workstation benchmarks, while the i5-8350U's 8998 average includes a broader set of PassMark tests. The head-to-head results are unambiguous: in every shared test, the AMD processor leads by over 560%.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX | Intel Core i5-8350U |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 12 | 4 |

| Threads | 24 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 4.10 GHz | 1700.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 280 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket WRX8 | Intel BGA 1356 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Chagall PRO | Kaby Lake-R |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 4x 81 mm² | 123 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Eight-channel | Not listed |

| Memory Bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 128 Lanes (CPU only) | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD 620 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2022-03-07 | 2017-08-20 |

| Part Number | 100-000000448 | SR3L9 |