AMD Ryzen 5 8500G

[W1zzard]

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is a highly affordable Socket AM5 processor. It features the Phoenix 2 core, which combines the Zen 4 and Zen 4c architecture, for improved energy efficiency. In our review we test gaming performance with both integrated graphics and a discrete graphics card.

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[Nordic]

Have you considered adding an undervolting section? I wonder how low the power usage can go without sacrificing performance.

 

[HughMungus]

Underwhelming

 

[Vincero]

Good review @W1zzard
The Alan Wake integrated graphics on the 5700G will be nerfed due to the lack of mesh shaders - whilst it represents a real world performance / issue with potential future games it should probably be highlighted.

Apart from commenting on the Win11 VBS additional hardware support, did you actually do any rough testing to see if it had an impact vs a CPU without?

Have to say, unless you really need the extra efficiency / low power CPU with better than the basic AM5 IO die GPU, I would swerve this product.
I had high hopes for the Ryzen 8000 series but the nerfing of the PCIe lanes and asking price (in my part of the world) make it a difficult choice compared to the 7600, assuming of course you plan to use a discrete GPU.

The rest of the AM5 CPUs all having basic display output fixes the last downside of the AM4 (non-G) CPU range - if that wasn't the case then this may have been a more compelling low-end option despite it's cut-down IO capability impacting any future upgrades.

 

[R0H1T]

Underwhelming

How? This is probably the perfect precursor to AMD's dominance with zen5 (Strix point/Halo?) & a great way to see their scheduling having 0 issues on Windows!

The chip is slightly overpriced like most APU I've seen from AMD in the recent past.

 

[AusWolf]

Impressive efficiency, impressive iGPU performance (5700G level)! All that for $160, not bad.

But that PCI-e x4 connection? Tsk-tsk!

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Jesus died on the cross so you could have an 7800X3D.

 

[Nostras]

I'm missing the 5700X3D in the comparison. You mention the 5800X3D and correctly note that it's too expensive, but why no mention of the 5700X3D?

 

[Vincero]

How? This is probably the perfect precursor to AMD's dominance with zen5 (Strix point/Halo?) & a great way to see their scheduling having 0 issues on Windows!

The chip is slightly overpriced like most APU I've seen from AMD in the recent past.

For the asking price it is a bit underwhelming... too many compromises for a desktop part compared to the other Pheonix dies used in the 8700/8600, and even those missing half the PCIe lanes (x8 vs x16 for the main expansion slot) isn't great (but not end of the world).

I think it is, and will remain, overpriced until AM4 4000G/5000G parts inventory disappears. Whilst AM4 remains a cheaper platform, and if you can get the 5700G cheaper, you are roughly getting the same CPU performance (+/- a bit here and there), but a lesser iGPU - but if you plan to upgrade to a dGPU later on then the 5700G is a winner - PCIe 3.0x16 vs the PCIe 4.0x4 from the 8500G is no contest....

The multi-threaded power consumption on the 8500G though.... essentially doing the same amount of work for half the power is the one part where it is definitely NOT 'underwhelming'

 

[Dr. Dro]

I knew I was going to cringe hard as soon as I read this:

These limitations on an $160 processor are completely unacceptable. A x4 link for graphics? Really? I don't care that it was designed for laptops first, has this company learned nothing from Navi 24!? This thing is hopeless even in the mobile segment. Pretty much all alternatives to it are better, even its predecessors. Cezanne (5600H/5800H) was effectively a 5600G/5700G processor targeting 45W, that's a mobile processor proper. And iGPU aside, it should still outperform this processor, especially in conjunction with a dedicated GPU since it supports a x8 link. Losing to a 3 years old earlier generation architecture! Come on... this is not worthy of the Ryzen 5 branding, or even the Ryzen 3 branding. It's an Athlon. And pardon my French, at $160, this thing is just dogshit, especially considering that PCI Express bandwidth is pretty much required these days

The Core i5-12600K or even the 13400F is graphics are not required are both a far superior purchase at this price range - and if looking to buy within AM5, just don't go below the 7600. Just don't, AMD clearly intends that you don't, it's the only justification for such a poor product.

If I didn't stress enough by the amount of $160s in my post: my harsh view of this product is strictly based on its obnoxiously high price

 

[Scircura]

Thank you for bringing back idle power measurements. Given the choice between CPU-only and whole system measurements, I'd first choose "both", but system would be my next pick.

It's a bit maddening that every review site which covers system idle power consumption reports wildly different results, both in absolute numbers and relative rankings. Compare TPU with Computerbase idle measurements for example, or Guru3D's measurements.

My current PC consumes 700kWh a year, and that includes me putting it in sleep state some nights (~5W). I pay north of USD $0.40/kWh so the energy cost of my PC has already eclipsed its purchase price. A Phoenix or Cezanne processor upgrade would pay for itself if it saves me enough power, but depending on which review I read, the energy savings are either "none", "pays for itself", or "half-way"!

 

[mechtech]

nice htpc chip

 

[Dr. Dro]

nice htpc chip

There are a trillion better HTPC chips in the market, including, if not particularly from, AMD.

 

[londiste]

Did PBO Max clock override apply do Zen4c cores as well?
Any change of a head-to-head comparison with 8600G?

 

[ARF]

Underwhelming

Lightly said. What is this?

 

[Nostras]

There are a trillion better HTPC chips in the market, including, if not particularly from, AMD.

I see a usecase for this chip for someone highly valuing upgradeability in their home/work or htpc. But admittedly I'd talk them into a 7600/8600G or 12100.
I've seen worse chips. This is a strong example of a "nonoffensive" product. It's there and it exists.

The biggest issue (imo) with this chip is DDR5. 16GB is not an option which makes it rough as you're effectively comparing 16GB DDR4 vs 32GB DDR5 in price.
Prices for DDR5 really need to come down more compared to DDR4 for this chip to be a slam dunk for simple PC's with a stronger emphasis on iGPU performance.
Without the 8600G coming too close in price.

 

[Vincero]

Any chance of a head-to-head comparison with 8600G?

I would quite like to see that. 8600/8700... whichever / both... might as well see if you can get an 8300G into the mix to see just how crap the OEMs selling that will actually be in comparison.

 

[R0H1T]

And pardon my French, at $160, this thing is just dogshit, especially considering that PCI Express bandwidth is pretty much required these days

Stop being melodramatic, this is just fine for low end builds

For the price it's not the best chip out there but hardly a ripoff. I guess you're paying extra for 4c cores?

 

[Nostras]

Stop being melodramatic, this is just fine for low end builds

Do be careful with this review. It addresses a specific scenario where the GPU is stupidly overkill and stresses the bus in one way. The alternative way to stress it is by purposefully grabbing a modern mid-end card with a restricted VRAM buffer *cough* 4060Ti *cough* and make it swap like crazy with system memory. HUB did a video on it recently.

4.0 x4 = 3.0 x8 for comparison.

 

[Dr. Dro]

I see a usecase for this chip for someone highly valuing upgradeability in their home/work or htpc. But admittedly I'd talk them into a 7600/8600G or 12100.
I've seen worse chips. This is a strong example of a "nonoffensive" product. It's there and it exists.

The biggest issue (imo) with this chip is DDR5. 16GB is not an option which makes it rough as you're effectively comparing 16GB DDR4 vs 32GB DDR5 in price.
Prices for DDR5 really need to come down more compared to DDR4 for this chip to be a slam dunk for simple PC's with a stronger emphasis on iGPU performance.
Without the 8600G coming too close in price.

This chip will never be a slam dunk unless it costs $50, not with these limitations. It's baffling. The iGPU is Vega levels of suck, the x4 link is a nightmare for any sort of dGPU including at the low end, and non-G regular processors now include basic graphics. At $160, I cannot look the other way for anything here.

 

[Vincero]

For the price it's not the best chip out there but hardly a ripoff. I guess you're paying extra for 4c cores?

No, it's a smaller die than say the 5700G Cezanne die, but you're paying extra for TSMC 4nm process cost no doubt, but most importantly to make sure AMD aren't left with Cezanne / Renior stock.

 

[R0H1T]

Do be careful with this review. It addresses a specific scenario where the GPU is stupidly overkill and stresses the bus in one way. The alternative way to stress it is by purposefully grabbing a modern mid-end card with a restricted VRAM buffer *cough* 4060Ti *cough* and make it swap like crazy with system memory. HUB did a video on it recently.

You mean running 4k maxed on 4060Ti or so?

 

[ARF]

Stop being melodramatic, this is just fine for low end builds

Except that when you put a PCIe 2.0 card, the performance will be "very good".

 

[Dr. Dro]

Stop being melodramatic, this is just fine for low end builds

For the price it's not the best chip out there but hardly a ripoff. I guess you're paying extra for 4c cores?

Like I and @Nostras mentioned, look at HUB's video on the direct effects of low PCIe bandwidth on midrange 8-12 GB video cards. This is not the kind of machine you will install a 16 GB+ GPU to begin with, it's a low end system with very limited resources. At this price, I'm gonna maintain my universal condemnation of it at $160. At $100 I agree it doesn't stink (nonoffensive remark) and at $80 or less, I think it'd be decent, despite its limitations.

 

[R0H1T]

Except that when you put a PCIe 2.0 card, the performance will be "very good".

I doubt too many people would be rocking PCIe 2.0 cards these days. I have one from Maxwell(?) days but not using it or did you mean 2x lanes?

Like I and @Nostras mentioned, look at HUB's video on the direct effects of low PCIe bandwidth on midrange 8-12 GB video cards. This is not the kind of machine you will install a 16 GB+ GPU to begin with, it's a low end system with very limited resources.

And you will also not use insane settings to max out the cards capabilities, goes both ways ain't it?

No, it's a smaller die than say the 5700G Cezanne die, but you're paying extra for TSMC 4nm process cost no doubt, but most importantly to make sure AMD aren't left with Cezanne / Renior stock.

Is this the same chip?

AMD Ryzen Z1 Specs

Phoenix2, 6 Cores, 12 Threads, 3.2 GHz, 15 W

www.techpowerup.com

Probably explains the pricing since it's also in high demand for consoles!