AMD Ryzen 5 1500X

The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X is a 4-core, 8-thread desktop processor from the 1000 series, built on the Zen architecture using a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It operates with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, and benchmark results place it at the 49th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2271.

Benchmark Performance

The Ryzen 5 1500X delivers a balanced profile across synthetic workloads, with its multi-threaded results showing consistent scaling relative to its core count. In Cinebench R15, the processor scores 776 points in multi-core and 109 points in single-core, while in Cinebench R20 it reaches 3236 multi-core and 456 single-core. Moving to Cinebench R23, the chip posts 7707 multi-core and 1088 single-core, indicating that the Zen architecture maintains efficiency as the benchmark load increases. Geekbench results follow a similar pattern, with 3682 in multi-core and 1110 in single-core.

The average benchmark score of 2271 places the 1500X in a tight cluster of competing processors. Its closest rival, the Intel Core i7-1068NG7, posts an average score of 2266, which puts the Ryzen chip just 0.2% ahead. That is a statistical tie, meaning the two processors trade blows depending on the workload. On the other side, the Intel Xeon D-1557 and Intel Core i7-10710U both score 2282 and 2283 respectively, leaving the 1500X 0.5% behind each. The Intel Core i3-10300 rounds out the group with a score of 2284, where the Ryzen trails by 0.6%.

The single-core results are particularly telling for this generation. A Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1088 shows the Zen core design lagging behind contemporary Intel parts in lightly-threaded tasks, but the gap is narrow enough that multi-threaded performance compensates. The multi-core scores, such as 7707 in Cinebench R23, demonstrate that the 8 threads are effectively utilized, making the processor competitive in rendering and compilation workloads despite its modest core count.

How It Compares

Intel Core i7-1068NG7: The Ryzen 5 1500X holds a 0.2% edge in average benchmark score over this Intel part, with 2271 versus 2266. This is effectively a dead heat, though the i7-1068NG7 is a mobile-oriented chip, while the 1500X targets desktop systems. In practice, the Ryzen's 8 threads allow it to keep pace in multi-threaded benchmarks, but the Intel part may pull ahead in single-threaded tasks due to its higher clock potential.

Intel Xeon D-1557: Here the 1500X trails by 0.5%, with the Xeon scoring 2282 against the Ryzen's 2271. The Xeon D-1557 is a server-focused processor, likely with a higher core count, so the fact that the 1500X stays within half a percentage point speaks to the efficiency of the Zen architecture in scaling per-thread performance. The Ryzen's 65W TDP also contrasts with typical Xeon power envelopes.

Intel Core i7-10710U: The i7-10710U scores 2283, putting it 0.5% ahead of the 1500X. This is another mobile part, a 6-core design with hyper-threading, which explains its slight edge in aggregate score. The Ryzen 5 1500X compensates with a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz versus the typical low-power mobile base, but the i7-10710U's additional cores give it the margin in heavily parallel workloads.

Intel Core i3-10300: The closest comparison in terms of market positioning, the i3-10300 scores 2284, leaving the 1500X 0.6% behind. Both are 4-core, 8-thread desktop processors, so this delta is the most meaningful. The i3-10300 benefits from newer architecture, but the Ryzen's 16 MB of shared L3 cache and unlocked multiplier make it a more flexible platform for overclocking, which can close the small gap in real-world usage.

Power and Thermals

The Ryzen 5 1500X carries a TDP of 65W, which classifies it as a mainstream power envelope. This allows for cooling with a capable air cooler, as the thermal load is modest for a 4-core, 8-thread part. The 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries contributes to this efficiency, keeping heat density manageable even under sustained multi-threaded loads. The 65W TDP also means that the processor is well-suited to compact desktop builds and standard ATX systems alike, with no need for exotic liquid cooling or oversized heatsinks.

The boost clock of 3.70 GHz is not particularly aggressive, which helps maintain the thermal headroom. In all-core workloads, the processor can sustain its clocks without significant throttling, as evidenced by the consistent multi-core scores across repeated benchmark runs. The unlocked multiplier further allows users to push beyond stock frequencies, but that will increase power draw beyond the 65W figure; at stock settings, the thermal behavior is predictable and well within the comfort zone of mid-range coolers.

Platform and Compatibility

The Ryzen 5 1500X uses the AMD Socket AM4 platform, which provides a clear upgrade path within the 1000 series and later generations. The processor supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, and it includes ECC memory support, a feature that is valuable for entry-level workstations. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 with 16 lanes available from the CPU, sufficient for a single high-end graphics card or a dual-GPU setup at reduced bandwidth.

The platform's memory controller is integrated, and the 16 MB of shared L3 cache helps mitigate latency in memory-sensitive workloads. The processor does not include integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is mandatory. The 14 nm die measures 213 mm² and contains 4,800 million transistors, reflecting the first-generation Zen design. The part number is YD150XBBM4GAEYD150XBBAEBOX, and the multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking on compatible AM4 motherboards. The launch MSRP is $189, and the release date was April 2017, with production status listed as active. The architecture is Zen, codename Summit Ridge, and the processor supports up to 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, with additional lanes available via the chipset.

FAQ

Q: How does the Ryzen 5 1500X compare to the Intel Core i3-10300 in average benchmark performance?

A: The Ryzen 5 1500X scores 2271 on average, while the i3-10300 scores 2284, making the Intel part 0.6% faster in aggregate benchmarks.

Q: What is the single-core performance of the Ryzen 5 1500X in Cinebench R23?

A: The processor scores 1088 points in the Cinebench R23 single-core test.

Q: Does the Ryzen 5 1500X support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported, which is a distinguishing feature for this desktop processor.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the Ryzen 5 1500X?

A: The dual-channel DDR4 memory configuration provides a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?

A: The processor offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, which is standard for a desktop platform.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked on the Ryzen 5 1500X?

A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked, allowing for overclocking on compatible AM4 motherboards.