Core i5-1038NG7 vs Ryzen 3 7320U

Intel

Core i5-1038NG7

4 Cores8 Thrd28 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2020
VS
AMD

Ryzen 3 7320U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2022
Ryzen family
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Core i5-1038NG7 vs Ryzen 3 7320U Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-1038NG7 vs Ryzen 3 7320U FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-1038NG7 vs Ryzen 3 7320U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-1038NG7

2020

Why buy it

  • +2.3% higher PassMark.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
  • 300% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 3 7320U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 86.7% higher power demand at 28W vs 15W.
  • Older platform position on FCBGA1344 with DDR4, while Ryzen 3 7320U moves to FT6 and DDR5.

Ryzen 3 7320U

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +6.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 15W instead of 28W, a 13W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FT6 with DDR5 support instead of FCBGA1344 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (8,627 vs 8,823).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 3 7320U better than Core i5-1038NG7?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 3 7320U is ahead with a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1038NG7 pulls ahead with 2.3% better PassMark. Core i5-1038NG7 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1038NG7 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 3 7320U still makes the most sense overall. Ryzen 3 7320U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 3 7320U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FT6 and DDR5 instead of FCBGA1344. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-1038NG7 vs Ryzen 3 7320U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core i5-1038NG7

The Core i5-1038NG7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1344. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 8,823 points. Launch price was $320.

AMD

Ryzen 3 7320U

The Ryzen 3 7320U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Mendocino-U (Zen 2) (2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 6 nm process technology. Socket: FT6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 8,627 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-1038NG7 and Ryzen 3 7320U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-1038NG7 versus 4.1 GHz on the Ryzen 3 7320U — a 7.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 7320U (base: 2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-1038NG7 uses the Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 3 7320U uses Mendocino-U (Zen 2) (2022) (6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1038NG7 scores 8,823 against the Ryzen 3 7320U's 8,627 — a 2.2% lead for the Core i5-1038NG7. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,250 vs 1,213, a 3% lead for the Core i5-1038NG7 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-1038NG7 vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 7320U.

FeatureCore i5-1038NG7Ryzen 3 7320U
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.8 GHz
4.1 GHz+8%
Base Clock
2 GHz
2.4 GHz+20%
L3 Cache
6 MB (total)+50%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
10 nm
6 nm-40%
Architecture
Ice Lake-U (2019−2020)
Mendocino-U (Zen 2) (2022)
PassMark
8,823+2%
8,627
Cinebench R23 Multi
4,907
Geekbench 6 Single
1,250+3%
1,213
Geekbench 6 Multi
3,589
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1038NG7 uses the FCBGA1344 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 7320U uses FT6 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR4-3733 on the Core i5-1038NG7 versus LPDDR5-5500 on the Ryzen 3 7320U — the Ryzen 3 7320U supports 47.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-1038NG7 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-1038NG7) vs 4 (Ryzen 3 7320U) — the Core i5-1038NG7 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore i5-1038NG7Ryzen 3 7320U
Socket
FCBGA1344
FT6
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR4-3733
LPDDR5-5500+47%
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB+300%
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
16+300%
4
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-1038NG7 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1038NG7) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 3 7320U). Both include integrated graphics Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Core i5-1038NG7) and Radeon 610M (Ryzen 3 7320U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1038NG7 targets Premium Laptop, Ryzen 3 7320U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-1038NG7 rivals Ryzen 7 4800U; Ryzen 3 7320U rivals Core i3-1215U.

FeatureCore i5-1038NG7Ryzen 3 7320U
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Iris Plus Graphics G7
Radeon 610M
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
Premium Laptop
Budget