AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX vs Intel Core i7-8565U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents an unusually one-sided comparison. Across all six shared Cinebench tests, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX claims victory, and the margins are staggering. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 3,447 against the Intel Core i7-8565U's 529, a delta of 551.6%. The single-core result is similarly lopsided: 486 versus 74, a 556.8% advantage for AMD.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The Threadripper PRO 5945WX posts 14,365 in multi-core versus 2,208 for the i7-8565U, with a 550.6% delta. Single-core in R20 shows 2,027 against 311, a 551.8% gap. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core score of 34,204 dwarfs the i7's 5,258, while single-core 4,828 overshadows 742. Both R23 deltas sit near 550.5% and 550.7%, respectively. The data does not merely show a faster processor; it shows a different performance class altogether.

What makes this remarkable is that the Intel part has a higher boost clock on paper. The i7-8565U boosts to 4.60 GHz, while the Threadripper tops out at 4.50 GHz. Yet in every measured workload, the AMD chip wins by a factor of roughly 6.5x. This implies that core count, memory bandwidth, and architecture efficiency overwhelm any raw clock advantage. The nearest rivals for each chip contextualize this further. The Threadripper PRO 5945WX sits within 0.7% of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X and 1.0% of the Intel Xeon Platinum 8280M in average benchmark score. The i7-8565U, meanwhile, is essentially tied with the Intel Core i5-8365U and Intel Core i7-10510U. These are different leagues, and the head-to-head numbers reflect that.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same L1 cache size at 64 KB per core, but nearly everything else diverges. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX uses Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm TSMC process, packing 16,600 million transistors across a 4x 81 mm² die configuration. The Intel Core i7-8565U relies on older Whiskey Lake architecture built on Intel's 14 nm process. Process node alone explains part of the efficiency gap, though the TDP figures tell a broader story: 280 watts for AMD versus 15 watts for Intel. That 15-watt envelope is typical for a mobile chip, while the 280-watt Threadripper is designed for workstation power delivery.

Core counts differ sharply. AMD offers 12 cores and 24 threads, while Intel provides 4 cores and 8 threads. This 3x core advantage directly feeds the multi-core benchmark gaps. Cache hierarchies also diverge: the Threadripper has 512 KB L2 per core and 64 MB L3, while the i7 has 256 KB L2 per core and only 8 MB shared L3. For workloads that repeatedly access large datasets, the AMD's 64 MB L3 versus Intel's 8 MB is a substantial difference. Memory support further separates them. The Threadripper PRO 5945WX uses DDR4 across an eight-channel bus, achieving 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The i7-8565U supports DDR3 and DDR4 over a dual-channel interface, capping at 38.4 GB/s. That is a 5.3x bandwidth difference.

PCIe capabilities also favor AMD: Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only) versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The Intel chip integrates UHD Graphics 620, while the Threadripper has no integrated graphics. The Intel part is end-of-life, released in September 2018, while the AMD chip launched in March 2022 and remains active. The foundries differ as well, TSMC for AMD and Intel for its own chip. These architectural choices explain why the benchmark results are so one-sided, but they also hint at different intended use cases.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX wins every recorded benchmark in this comparison. That includes all Cinebench iterations, both single-core and multi-core. The smallest margin is still 550.5% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is not a close contest by any measure. For anyone running rendering workloads, video encoding, scientific simulations, or heavy compilation tasks, the data strongly favors the Threadripper. The 12 cores, 24 threads, and 64 MB L3 cache provide the resources needed for parallel workloads. The eight-channel memory bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth further support data-intensive tasks.

The Intel Core i7-8565U, despite losing all head-to-head tests, has its own niche based on the recorded specifications. Its 15-watt TDP and integrated UHD Graphics 620 make it suitable for compact laptops and low-power devices. The 4.60 GHz boost clock suggests responsiveness in lightly threaded tasks, even though the benchmark data shows the Threadripper winning single-core tests by over 550%. The i7's dual-channel memory and Gen 3 PCIe are sufficient for everyday productivity, web browsing, and office applications. It also supports DDR3, which can be advantageous in legacy systems. The data does not show a single benchmark where Intel wins, but the power envelope and form factor are qualitative advantages that numbers alone cannot capture.

The PassMark tests recorded for the i7-8565U provide additional context, though no equivalent AMD numbers exist in the database. The i7 scores 21,581 in integer math, 12,934 in floating point math, and 2,118 in single-thread tests. These are respectable for a mobile processor. The Threadripper's absence from these tests means the database lacks a direct comparison, but the Cinebench results already establish the performance hierarchy.

The Verdict

Based strictly on recorded benchmarks, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX is the superior processor in every measurable way. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests with deltas above 550%. Its average benchmark score of 9,348 places it in the 65th percentile of all CPUs, matching the Intel i7-8565U's percentile but with a different performance profile. The Threadripper's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon Platinum 8180 and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X, both server or workstation class chips. The i7-8565U's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-8365U and Intel Core i7-10510U, both mobile processors. This placement confirms the intended markets.

Who should pick which? If the task involves heavy multi-threaded rendering, simulation, or data processing, the AMD part is the only logical choice. Its 12 cores and 280-watt TDP indicate a workstation-class part. If the requirement is a low-power mobile processor for a thin laptop, the Intel i7-8565U is the appropriate selection, despite losing every benchmark. The 15-watt TDP and integrated graphics make it feasible for battery-powered devices. The Threadripper cannot fit in such a chassis, and its lack of integrated graphics requires a discrete GPU. The production status also matters: AMD's chip is active and supported, while Intel's is end-of-life. For new designs, the data suggests the AMD part is the forward-looking option. For existing mobile platforms, the i7-8565U remains a known quantity.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-8565U boosts to 4.60 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX boosts to 4.50 GHz. Despite this, AMD wins every single-core benchmark by over 550%.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core i7-8565U has 4 cores and 8 threads. This 3x core advantage contributes significantly to the multi-core benchmark deltas.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Threadripper PRO 5945WX achieves 204.8 GB/s over an eight-channel DDR4 bus. The i7-8565U reaches 38.4 GB/s over a dual-channel interface supporting DDR3 and DDR4. The AMD part offers roughly 5.3x more bandwidth.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-8565U includes UHD Graphics 620. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX has a TDP of 280 watts. The Intel Core i7-8565U has a TDP of 15 watts. This reflects their respective workstation and mobile design targets.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX has 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core i7-8565U has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. This 8x difference benefits AMD in workloads with large working sets.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX | Intel Core i7-8565U |

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

| Cores | 12 | 4 |

| Threads | 24 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 4.10 GHz | 1800.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 280 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket WRX8 | Intel BGA 1528 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Whiskey Lake |

| Codename | Chagall PRO | Whiskey Lake-U |

| Generation | Ryzen Threadripper (Zen 3 (Chagall)) | Core i7 (Whiskey Lake) |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 16,600 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 4x 81 mm² | Not specified |

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

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Eight-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 128 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 620 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2022-03-07 | 2018-09-30 |

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $409 |

| Part Number | 100-000000448 | SREJPSRFFW |