AMD Ryzen 3 2200G vs Intel Core i5-2500 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data records a decisive sweep for the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G across all three shared test workloads. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the Ryzen 3 2200G scores 577 against the Intel Core i5-2500's 350, a delta of 39.3 percent. This is not a marginal gap; it is a substantial generational leap in sustained multi-threaded rendering performance, suggesting the newer architecture extracts far more work from the same four-core, four-thread configuration.

Geekbench multicore tells a similar story, with the Ryzen 3 2200G reaching 3086 while the i5-2500 manages 1883, a 39 percent deficit. The single-core Geekbench result narrows the gap slightly but still favors AMD: 1001 versus 670, a 33.1 percent advantage. The data shows that even in lightly threaded tasks, where older Intel chips often held an edge, the Ryzen 3 2200G is firmly ahead. The i5-2500 records zero wins in the head-to-head set, while the Ryzen 3 2200G captures all three.

The average benchmark score for the i5-2500 sits at 1220, placing it at the 34th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Ryzen 3 2200G averages 1202, also at the 34th percentile. Despite the Ryzen's clear victory in direct comparisons, their overall percentile rankings are identical. This implies that the i5-2500's remaining benchmark results, including Cinebench R20 and R23 scores not shared with the Ryzen, keep its aggregate performance within the same statistical neighborhood. The Ryzen's wins are concentrated in the specific workloads measured head-to-head, but the broader database average shows both CPUs occupying the same tier.

Looking at nearest rivals for context, the i5-2500 sits within 0.8 percent of the Intel Core i3-7300T and within 0.6 percent of the Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3, indicating its performance profile is closely matched to those parts. The Ryzen 3 2200G is within 0.5 percent of the AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B and 0.2 percent of the Intel Core i5-3330. These rival deltas are tiny, so neither chip is an outlier in its respective peer group. The head-to-head margins, however, are anything but tiny, which underscores how much the Ryzen's newer design changes the balance in direct competition.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-2500 uses the Sandy Bridge architecture, built on a 32 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It packs 1,160 million transistors into a 216 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G uses the Zen architecture, specifically the Raven Ridge codename, manufactured by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm process. Its transistor count is 4,950 million, over four times higher, on a slightly smaller die at 210 mm². The density difference is striking: the Ryzen crams far more logic into roughly the same physical space.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The i5-2500 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen 3 2200G offers 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. So the AMD part has larger per-core caches at the L1 and L2 levels, while the Intel part has 50 percent more L3. In practice, the Ryzen's faster clock speeds and newer architecture likely compensate for the smaller L3, but the data records a clear trade-off in cache hierarchy design.

Memory support is another major divergence. The i5-2500 uses DDR3 with a dual-channel bus, while the Ryzen 3 2200G uses DDR4, also dual-channel, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. The i5-2500 has no bandwidth figure in the database, but the DDR4 standard inherently provides higher bandwidth potential. The Ryzen also has more PCIe lanes allocated to the CPU: 16 lanes versus the i5's 8 lanes, both Gen 3. This means the Ryzen can drive more expansion devices directly from the processor.

Integrated graphics separate these two further. The i5-2500 carries Intel HD 2000, a basic solution from 2011. The Ryzen 3 2200G includes Radeon Vega 8, a much more capable integrated GPU. The database does not record graphics benchmark scores, but the feature difference alone is significant for systems without discrete GPUs. The Ryzen's Vega 8 is designed for light gaming and multimedia, while Intel HD 2000 was primarily for display output.

The Ryzen 3 2200G has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, while the i5-2500's multiplier is locked. The Ryzen also has a higher base clock: 3.50 GHz versus 3.30 GHz, though both boost to the same 3.70 GHz. The Ryzen's TDP is 65 watts, considerably lower than the i5's 95 watts, despite the Ryzen's far higher transistor count. This reflects both the newer process node and the efficiency of the Zen design.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1001 against the Intel Core i5-2500's 670, a 33.1 percent advantage.

Q: How much better is the Ryzen 3 2200G in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen 3 2200G scores 577 versus the i5-2500's 350, which is 39.3 percent higher. In Geekbench multicore, the Ryzen scores 3086 versus 1883, a 39 percent lead.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads. The performance difference comes from architecture, clock speeds, and cache design, not from core count.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a recorded bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-2500 supports DDR3, also dual-channel, but no bandwidth figure is recorded.

Q: Are both CPUs still in production?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-2500 is end-of-life, released in January 2011. The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G is active in production, released in February 2018.

Q: Does the Ryzen 3 2200G have a better integrated GPU?

A: The data shows the Ryzen 3 2200G has Radeon Vega 8, while the i5-2500 has Intel HD 2000. The Ryzen's integrated graphics are from a much newer generation, but no benchmark scores are recorded for either GPU.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-2500 | AMD Ryzen 3 2200G |

|----------------|-------------------|-------------------|

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Zen (Raven Ridge) |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,160 million | 4,950 million |

| Die Size | 216 mm² | 210 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB per core | 96 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB per core | 512 KB per core |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB shared | 4 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 46.9 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes | 8 lanes (CPU only) | 16 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2000 | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | January 2011 | February 2018 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $99 |

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear winner for most workloads: the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G. In every shared benchmark, it outperforms the Intel Core i5-2500 by margins between 33 and 39 percent. The Ryzen also offers more modern memory support, a superior integrated GPU, lower power consumption, an unlocked multiplier, and a higher base clock. The i5-2500's only recorded advantages are a larger L3 cache and a lower transistor count, neither of which translates into a benchmark win.

The Ryzen 3 2200G's launch MSRP of $99, stated once here, places it in a different market context than the i5-2500, which has no recorded launch price. But the benchmark data alone justifies choosing the Ryzen for any task that relies on CPU performance. The i5-2500's end-of-life status and older DDR3 memory support make it difficult to recommend for new builds, though its 34th percentile ranking shows it is not obsolete by database standards.

For users constrained to the i5-2500's platform, perhaps due to an existing motherboard, the data does not show any scenario where it beats the Ryzen. The Ryzen's wins are consistent across single-core, multicore, and rendering workloads. There is no hidden strength in the i5-2500 that flips the comparison.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 2200G wins in every benchmark category recorded in the head-to-head data: Cinebench R15 multicore, Geekbench multicore, and Geekbench single-core. This covers both heavily threaded and lightly threaded scenarios. The Ryzen's higher base clock, larger per-core caches, and newer architecture all contribute to these results. For users running productivity software, light rendering, or general desktop tasks, the Ryzen is the superior choice.

The Intel Core i5-2500 does not win any recorded benchmark, but it still has a place in certain contexts. Its larger 6 MB L3 cache could theoretically benefit workloads with high cache locality, though no benchmark in the database confirms this. Its lower transistor count and older process node mean it draws more power (95 W TDP versus 65 W) but produces less heat density, which might make it easier to cool with basic air coolers. The i5-2500 also fits the legacy LGA 1155 socket, so users with existing Sandy Bridge motherboards could upgrade or replace this chip without changing platforms.

The Ryzen 3 2200G's integrated Radeon Vega 8 is a clear feature win for systems without discrete GPUs, while the i5-2500's Intel HD 2000 is only suitable for basic display output. For a compact or budget-oriented desktop that relies on integrated graphics, the Ryzen is the only sensible option based on the recorded features. The Ryzen's active production status and DDR4 support also make it more future-proof, whereas the i5-2500 is end-of-life and tied to an older memory standard.

In summary, the data gives the Ryzen 3 2200G a 3-0 record in direct benchmarks and a clear advantage in platform modernity. The i5-2500's only claim to relevance is its existing ecosystem and larger L3 cache, but those do not show up as measurable wins in the database. For any new purchase, the Ryzen 3 2200G is the data-backed pick.