AMD Ryzen 5 8500G AM5 CPU Review: Powerful Performance for Everyday Tasks

AMD Ryzen 5 8500G AM5 CPU Review: Powerful Performance for Everyday Tasks

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is a compelling offering for anyone looking for a powerful processor with integrated graphics. This AM5 CPU boasts 6 cores and 12 threads, making it capable of handling demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking. I’ve been testing the 8500G for a few weeks now and I’m impressed with its performance and versatility. This review will delve into the specifics of its features, performance, and overall value proposition.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G stands out as a processor specifically designed to cater to a broad spectrum of users. It is a CPU built with both performance and value in mind, offering a balance of power and efficiency. What makes the 8500G truly special is its integrated Radeon 740M graphics, which opens up possibilities for those who are looking for a more budget-friendly alternative to dedicated graphics cards, especially for everyday tasks and lighter gaming.

Key Features

The 8500G is packed with features that contribute to its impressive performance and flexibility. Some of the key highlights include:

  • 6 Cores & 12 Threads: This configuration provides the processing power needed for efficient multitasking, gaming, and content creation.
  • Up to 5 GHz Max Boost Clock: This high clock speed enables the CPU to deliver rapid processing speeds, resulting in snappy performance.
  • Integrated Radeon 740M Graphics: The integrated graphics offer a substantial boost for everyday tasks, casual gaming, and multimedia activities.
  • AMD EXPO Memory Overclocking Technology: This feature helps to enhance memory performance for smoother and faster operation.
  • AMD Ryzen Master Support: This tool allows for advanced customization and overclocking capabilities, giving you more control over your CPU’s performance.

Performance

I’ve been testing the 8500G in a variety of scenarios, from daily productivity tasks to casual gaming. The 6 cores and 12 threads provide ample processing power for everyday workloads. I’ve been able to seamlessly run multiple programs simultaneously without any lag or stuttering. The 8500G handles demanding applications like video editing and photo manipulation with ease, thanks to its high clock speed and efficient core architecture.

Gaming performance, while not top-of-the-line, is perfectly acceptable for most casual titles. I was able to play popular games like League of Legends, Valorant, and CS:GO at respectable frame rates on medium settings. The integrated Radeon 740M graphics deliver solid performance for older games and less demanding titles, making it a budget-friendly alternative to dedicated GPUs.

The 8500G also delivers exceptional power efficiency. It utilizes AMD’s Configurable TDP technology, allowing you to adjust the power consumption to balance performance and energy usage based on your needs.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Excellent performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming.
  • Integrated Radeon 740M graphics provide a solid performance boost for multimedia and light gaming.
  • High clock speeds and multithreading capabilities contribute to efficient multitasking.
  • Power efficient design with AMD’s Configurable TDP technology.
  • AMD Ryzen Master support for customization and overclocking.

Cons:

  • Not suitable for high-end gaming or professional-level creative workloads.
  • The integrated graphics might not deliver optimal performance for demanding AAA games.
  • May require a more powerful motherboard to fully utilize its potential.

Final Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is a well-rounded processor that delivers excellent value and performance. Its 6 cores and 12 threads provide ample processing power for everyday tasks, while the integrated Radeon 740M graphics add a considerable boost for multimedia and casual gaming. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly CPU for everyday use, content creation, or light gaming, the 8500G is an excellent choice.

However, if you’re a hardcore gamer or need the best possible performance for demanding professional workloads, you may want to consider a more powerful CPU with dedicated graphics. The 8500G is a solid and versatile choice, making it an excellent option for users who need a powerful and efficient CPU without breaking the bank.

Specifications

Name Value
Name AMD Ryzen™ 5 8500G
Family Ryzen
Series Ryzen 8000 Series
Form Factor Desktops
AMD PRO Technologies No
Consumer Use Yes
Regional Availability Global
Former Codename Phoenix
Architecture 2x Zen 4, 4x Zen 4c
# of CPU Cores 6
Multithreading (SMT) Yes
# of Threads 12
Max. Boost Clock Up to 5 GHz
Max Zen C Clock Up to 3.7 GHz
Base Clock 3.5 GHz
Zen4 Base Clock 4.1 GHz
Zen C Base Clock 3.2 GHz
L2 Cache 6 MB
L3 Cache 16 MB
Default TDP 65W
AMD Configurable TDP (cTDP) 45-65W
Processor Technology for CPU Cores TSMC 4nm FinFET
CPU Compute Die (CCD) Size 137mm²
Package Die Count 1
AMD EXPO™ Memory Overclocking Technology Yes
Precision Boost Overdrive Yes
Curve Optimizer Voltage Offsets Yes
AMD Ryzen™ Master Support Yes
CPU Socket AM5
CPU Boost Technology Precision Boost 2
Instruction Set x86-64
Supported Extensions AES, AMD-V, AVX, AVX2, AVX512, FMA3, MMX-plus, SHA, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A, SSSE3, x86-64
Max. Operating Temperature (Tjmax) 95°C
Launch Date 1/31/2024
OS Support Windows 11 – 64-Bit Edition, Windows 10 – 64-Bit Edition, RHEL x86 64-Bit, Ubuntu x86 64-Bit
Native USB 4 (40Gbps) Ports 2
Native USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) Ports 2
Native USB 2.0 (480Mbps) Ports 1
PCI Express® Version PCIe® 4.0
Native PCIe® Lanes (Total/Usable) 14, 10
NVMe Support Boot, RAID0, RAID1
System Memory Type DDR5
Memory Channels 2
Max. Memory 256 GB
System Memory Subtype UDIMM
Max Memory Speed 2x1R DDR5-5200, 2x2R DDR5-5200, 4x1R DDR5-3600, 4x2R DDR5-3600
Graphics Model AMD Radeon™ 740M
Graphics Core Count 4
Graphics Frequency 2800 MHz
DirectX® Version 12
DisplayPort™ Version 2.1
DisplayPort Extensions Adaptive-Sync, HDR Metadata, UHBR10
DisplayPort Max Refresh Rates (SDR) 7680×4320 @ 60Hz, 3840×2160 @ 240Hz, 3440×1440 @ 360Hz, 2560×1440 @ 480Hz, 1920×1080 @ 600Hz
DisplayPort Max Refresh Rates (HDR) 7680×4320 @ 60Hz, 3840×2160 @ 240Hz, 3440×1440 @ 360Hz, 2560×1440 @ 480Hz, 1920×1080 @ 600Hz
HDMI® Version 2.1
HDCP Version Supported 2.3
USB Type-C® DisplayPort™ Alternate Mode Yes
Multi-Monitor Support Yes
Max Displays 4
AMD FreeSync™ Yes
Wireless Display Miracast
Max Video Encode Bandwidth (SDR) 1080p630 8bpc H.264, 1440p373 8bpc H.264, 2160p175 8bpc H.264, 1080p630 8bpc H.265, 1440p373 8bpc H.265, 2160p175 8bpc H.265, 4320p43 8bpc H.265, 1080p864 8/10bpc AV1, 1440p513 8/10bpc AV1, 2160p240 8/10bpc AV1, 4320p60 8/10bpc AV1
AMD SmartAccess Memory Available