The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G is the objective winner of this comparison, securing seven spec victories compared to the single win for the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G. The most impactful advantage for the superior processor is its NPU performance, which is 100% better than that of its counterpart. While the latter holds a 46% advantage in MSRP, the former provides a significant lead in specialized processing capabilities across the majority of the measured technical specifications.

Users prioritizing advanced NPU performance for specialized workloads should select the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G to leverage its substantial lead in that category. Conversely, the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is the logical choice for budget-conscious builders who prioritize a lower MSRP over the higher-tier processing features found in the more expensive model. Choosing between these two components depends entirely on whether your primary requirement is maximum hardware capability or a more accessible entry price.