Core i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 PRO 1500

Core i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-8500B

6 / 6

8,900

0.0%

9,062

+1.8%

Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

Ryzen 9 PRO 7945

Ryzen 9 9950X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

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 i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 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 i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 PRO 1500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8500B

2018

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,900 vs 9,062).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 16 MB).
❌
1.6% HIGHER MSRP
$192 MSRPvs$189 MSRP

Ryzen 5 PRO 1500

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Costs $3 less on MSRP ($189 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8500B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 better than Core i5-8500B?

Yes. Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 16.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 77.8% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 9 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 comes in $3 cheaper on MSRP at $189 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 3.4% better value on MSRP (47.9 vs 46.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-8500B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8500B

The Core i5-8500B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 8,900 points. Launch price was $192.

Ryzen 5 PRO 1500

The Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 9,062 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-8500B packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8500B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8500B versus 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 — a 10.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-8500B (base: 3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-8500B uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 uses Zen (2017−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500B scores 8,900 against the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500's 9,062 — a 1.8% lead for the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500B vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Ryzen 5 PRO 1500
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+11%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.5 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+78%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Zen (2017−2020)
PassMark	8,900	9,062+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,364	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8500B uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Ryzen 5 PRO 1500
Socket	BGA1440	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8500B) / not specified (Ryzen 5 PRO 1500). The Core i5-8500B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8500B targets Mini PC/Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-8500B rivals Ryzen 5 2600.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Ryzen 5 PRO 1500
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Mini PC/Embedded	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-8500B was priced at $192, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 came in at $189. On launch pricing ($192 vs $189), Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 was $3 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8500B delivers 46.4 pts/$ vs 47.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 — making the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 the 3.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Ryzen 5 PRO 1500
MSRP	$192	$189-2%
Performance per Dollar	46.4	47.9+3%
Release Date	2018	2017

Search Core i5-8500B on Amazon

Search Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.