AMD Ryzen 7 1700 vs Intel Core i7-5775R Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data splits cleanly along workload type. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 takes the majority of wins, claiming three of the four head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i7-5775R secures only a single victory. The Ryzen part dominates every multi-threaded test in the database, with its largest margin coming in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it posts a score of 1414 against the Intel chip's 641, a 54.7% advantage. That gap narrows somewhat in Geekbench multi-core, where the AMD processor leads 5475 to 3996, a 27% difference. The Ryzen 7 1700 also wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test, scoring 147 versus 90, a 38.8% margin.

The Intel Core i7-5775R's lone win comes in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1218 against the Ryzen's 1023, a 19.1% advantage. This suggests the older Broadwell architecture retains a meaningful edge in lightly threaded, latency-sensitive single-thread workloads, even though it loses the other single-thread test in the database. The pattern is consistent: AMD wins where thread count and parallel throughput matter, Intel wins where raw single-thread responsiveness is the deciding factor. For workloads that scale across cores, the Ryzen 7 1700 is the clear choice. For applications that rely on a single thread and reward higher per-core performance, the Intel part has the upper hand.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies from their respective manufacturers. The Intel Core i7-5775R is built on the Broadwell architecture, fabricated on a 14 nm process at Intel's own foundry, with a die size of 182 mm². It packs 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 uses the Zen architecture, also on a 14 nm node but produced by GlobalFoundries, with a larger die at 213 mm² and 4,800 million transistors. It offers double the core count at 8 cores and 16 threads, with a lower base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Intel part allocates 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The AMD processor provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 16 MB shared L3 cache. The Ryzen's larger caches and higher core count suggest it was designed for throughput-oriented workloads, while the Intel chip's smaller cache and fewer cores point toward a more modest, power-conscious design. Both processors carry a 65 W TDP, which is notable given the Ryzen's doubled core count, indicating AMD achieved comparable power efficiency with its Zen architecture.

Memory support also differs. The Intel Core i7-5775R supports DDR3 memory on a dual-channel bus with 29.9 GB/s of bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 supports DDR4 on a dual-channel bus with 42.7 GB/s. The Ryzen also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Intel part. The integrated graphics situation is reversed: Intel includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200, while AMD ships no integrated graphics at all. The Intel part uses the Intel BGA 1364 socket and is multiplier-locked, while the AMD chip uses Socket AM4 and has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclocking-friendly. The Ryzen 7 1700 remains in active production, while the Intel Core i7-5775R is end-of-life.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results in the database reveal a consistent story, though the margins vary by test. Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 scores 1414 against Intel's 641. That 54.7% delta is the largest in the comparison and reflects the Ryzen's 8-core, 16-thread configuration overwhelming the Intel part's 4 cores and 8 threads. This is the kind of result that matters for rendering, video encoding, and other heavily parallel workloads.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ryzen 7 1700 again wins, but the margin narrows to 38.8%, with scores of 147 and 90. This is a notable result because single-thread performance is often where Intel holds an advantage, yet the recorded data shows AMD ahead here. The Intel Core i7-5775R's lower single-core score in this test is surprising given its higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz compared to the Ryzen's 3.70 GHz. The architecture appears to be a limiting factor, as Broadwell's older design does not extract as much performance per clock as Zen in this specific workload.

Geekbench multi-core shows the Ryzen 7 1700 winning again, 5475 to 3996, a 27% gap. This is a smaller margin than the Cinebench R15 multi-core result, suggesting that Geekbench's multi-threaded workload does not scale as aggressively with additional cores, or that the Intel part's higher clock speeds partially compensate for its fewer cores. The final test, Geekbench single-core, is the only one Intel wins: 1218 to 1023, a 19.1% advantage. This result flips the Cinebench R15 single-core outcome, indicating that benchmark-specific characteristics matter. The data does not support a blanket statement about which processor is faster in single-thread work; it depends on the test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-5775R has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-5775R has an average benchmark score of 2031, and the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has an average benchmark score of 2015. Both sit at the 45th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 wins three of the four head-to-head tests in the database. The Intel Core i7-5775R wins only one.

Q: Does the Intel processor have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i7-5775R includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The Intel Core i7-5775R supports DDR3 memory, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 supports DDR4. The Ryzen also supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i7-5775R is multiplier-locked.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Intel Core i7-5775R offers 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 doubles that to 8 cores and 16 threads. Clock speeds are close: the Intel part runs at 3.30 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost, while the AMD chip runs at 3.00 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost. Both have a 65 W TDP. The Intel part uses the Intel BGA 1364 socket; the AMD part uses AMD Socket AM4.

The process node is 14 nm for both, but the Intel chip is fabricated by Intel with a die size of 182 mm², while the AMD chip is fabricated by GlobalFoundries with a die size of 213 mm² and 4,800 million transistors. Cache configurations differ: Intel provides 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3, while AMD provides 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Memory support diverges with DDR3 on Intel versus DDR4 on AMD, and memory bandwidth is 29.9 GB/s for Intel versus 42.7 GB/s for AMD. ECC memory is supported only on the AMD part. Integrated graphics are present only on the Intel part, with Iris Pro Graphics 6200. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i7-5775R does not. Production status also differs, with Intel listed as end-of-life and AMD listed as active.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear division of labor. For multi-threaded workloads, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 is the superior choice, and the margins are substantial. A 54.7% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and a 27% lead in Geekbench multi-core are not marginal differences; they represent a generational shift in how many cores a desktop processor can bring to bear. The Ryzen's 8 cores and 16 threads, combined with its larger 16 MB L3 cache and higher 42.7 GB/s memory bandwidth, make it the obvious pick for rendering, compilation, and any workload that scales across threads. Its support for ECC memory and unlocked multiplier add further flexibility for specific use cases.

The Intel Core i7-5775R's case rests on its Geekbench single-core victory, where it leads by 19.1%. It also has integrated graphics, which the Ryzen lacks entirely, making it a more self-contained option for systems without a discrete GPU. Its lower memory bandwidth and smaller cache are drawbacks, but for applications that are bound by single-thread latency and do not benefit from extra cores, the Intel part holds a measurable advantage. The Cinebench R15 single-core result complicates this picture, as AMD wins that test by 38.8%, so the Intel advantage is not universal across all single-thread benchmarks.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 2031 for Intel and 2015 for AMD, with both at the 45th percentile. This indicates that for a mixed workload, the two processors are broadly equivalent. The choice depends on workload composition. Users who prioritize parallel throughput should select the AMD Ryzen 7 1700. Users who need integrated graphics and value the specific single-thread performance measured in Geekbench should consider the Intel Core i7-5775R. The data does not support a universal winner; it supports a workload-dependent decision.