AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX vs Intel Core 5 315 Comparison

AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX and Intel Core 5 315 are both active mobile processors, but they are engineered for distinct workloads. The AMD part, with its 8-core, 16-thread configuration, dominates multi-threaded and compute-heavy tasks, while the Intel part, with its 6-core, 6-thread setup, wins in single-threaded responsiveness. The recorded benchmark data shows a clear split: the Ryzen 7 8745HX wins 9 of 11 head-to-head tests, while the Core 5 315 takes the remaining 2. This analysis breaks down where each processor excels, their architectural differences, and what the numbers mean for real-world performance.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX is the clear choice for parallel workloads. Its 16 threads and 32 MB of shared L3 cache allow it to process large datasets efficiently. In the PassMark suite, it wins decisively in integer math, data compression, and multithreaded tasks. The 216.6% lead in integer math over the Core 5 315 is the largest margin in the entire comparison, indicating a substantial advantage in general-purpose number crunching. For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, or scientific simulations, the data shows the Ryzen part is far ahead.

The Intel Core 5 315 wins in single-thread performance. Its score of 4021 in PassMark single-thread tests edges out the AMD's 3879, a 3.5% advantage. This suggests that for lightly-threaded applications like web browsing, office productivity, and some legacy software, the Intel processor delivers slightly faster response times. Its lower 15 W TDP also indicates it is designed for more power-efficient, thinner laptops where sustained multi-core loads are less common.

The Ryzen 7 8745HX also wins in memory-intensive and encryption tasks. It leads by 148.9% in data compression and 96.4% in data encryption, showing its dual-channel memory bus and higher bandwidth (83.2 GB/s vs 59.7 GB/s) provide a strong foundation for these workloads. The Intel part's single-channel memory bus limits its throughput, which is reflected in its lower scores in these areas.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX. It scores 31517 in PassMark multithread, which is 106.4% higher than the Intel Core 5 315's 15272. The AMD part also wins in integer math with a 216.6% lead.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 315 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins in single-thread performance. It scores 4021 in PassMark single-thread, compared to 3879 for the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX, a 3.5% advantage.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s with dual-channel DDR5 support. The Intel Core 5 315 has 59.7 GB/s bandwidth with single-channel DDR5 and LPDDR5X support.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 315 boosts to 4.40 GHz.

Q: What is the process node for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX uses a 5 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core 5 315 uses a 3 nm process from Intel.

Q: How many cores does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The PassMark data reveals a lopsided contest. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX wins 9 of 11 tests, often by triple-digit percentage margins. The most significant win is in integer math, where the AMD scores 100328 against the Intel's 31690, a 216.6% difference. This indicates that the AMD's higher core count and thread count provide a massive advantage in arithmetic-heavy workloads.

In data compression, the AMD scores 363759 versus 146143, a 148.9% lead. This is a common workload for file archiving and database operations, and the AMD part's 32 MB of L3 cache helps keep more data on-die. The random string sorting test also shows a large gap, with the AMD scoring 44494 against 17551, a 153.5% difference. This test relies on memory access patterns and cache efficiency, where the AMD's larger cache and dual-channel memory interface shine.

The Intel Core 5 315's only wins are in the single-thread tests. It scores 4021 in both PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests, beating the AMD's 3879 by 3.5%. This is a modest but consistent lead, suggesting that the Intel architecture has a slight IPC (instructions per clock) advantage or a higher effective single-core frequency in this benchmark. However, this advantage does not translate into wins in more complex tasks that use multiple cores.

Other notable wins for the AMD include a 110.3% lead in extended instructions, a 96.4% lead in data encryption, and a 44.5% lead in physics. The floating-point math test shows a 46% advantage for the AMD, with a score of 61972 versus 42441. These results confirm that the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX is not just faster in raw multi-threading but also in specialized instruction sets and floating-point calculations.

Specification Differences

The core specifications differ significantly between the two processors. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 315 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The AMD part has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, compared to the Intel's 1.50 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost. The TDP also varies greatly: the AMD is rated at 55 W, while the Intel is rated at 15 W.

Memory support is another differentiator. The AMD supports DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and has a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but with a single-channel bus and a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The PCIe interface also differs, with the AMD using Gen 5 with 28 lanes and the Intel using Gen 4 with 6 lanes.

The cache configurations are notably different. The AMD has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. The Intel has 192 KB of L1 total, 2.5 MB of L2 total, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD's larger L3 cache is a key factor in its multi-threaded performance.

The integrated graphics also differ. The AMD uses a Radeon 610M, while the Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The AMD's socket is AMD Socket FL1, and the Intel uses Intel BGA 1516. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $340, while the AMD's launch MSRP is not listed in the database.

Architecture Differences

The architectural designs reflect different priorities. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX is built on Zen 4 architecture with the codename Dragon Range, part of the 8000 series. It uses a 5 nm process from TSMC, with 6,570 million transistors on a 71 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 315 uses the Wildcat Lake architecture, part of the Core 5 generation, on a 3 nm process from Intel. The database does not list transistor count or die size for the Intel part.

The AMD's Zen 4 architecture is optimized for high performance in a mobile form factor, with a focus on multi-threaded throughput. Its 16 threads allow for efficient parallel processing, and the large L3 cache helps reduce memory latency. The Intel's Wildcat Lake architecture, with 6 threads, is designed for lower power consumption and single-thread efficiency, as indicated by its 15 W TDP.

The process node difference is significant: the Intel 3 nm process is more advanced than the AMD's 5 nm, potentially offering better transistor density and power efficiency. However, the AMD's higher TDP and larger cache suggest it is tuned for performance rather than efficiency. The Intel's single-channel memory bus is a notable limitation for bandwidth-intensive tasks, while the AMD's dual-channel bus provides double the theoretical bandwidth.

The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking, while the Intel part is locked. This is a feature aimed at enthusiasts, though the mobile platform may limit practical overclocking. The AMD also supports PCIe Gen 5, which is newer than the Intel's Gen 4, offering higher potential bandwidth for compatible devices like high-end GPUs and NVMe drives.