AMD Ryzen 3 3250U vs Intel Core i5-4258U Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 3250U and Intel Core i5-4258U are both dual-core, four-thread mobile processors, yet they deliver starkly contrasting performance profiles. Benchmark data shows the AMD chip dominates in single-threaded workloads and older multi-threaded tests, while the Intel part counterattacks in modern multi-threaded benchmarks and Geekbench. The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 908 for the AMD versus 902 for the Intel — placing both at the 24th percentile among all CPUs, but the way they achieve those scores is fundamentally different.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic disparity appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the AMD Ryzen 3 3250U posts a score of 776 against the Intel Core i5-4258U’s 312. That is a 148.7% advantage for AMD, a massive gap that indicates the Ryzen’s Zen architecture extracts far more instruction-level parallelism per clock. This is not a marginal win; it is a generational leap in single-thread efficiency.

The AMD also wins decisively in Cinebench R15 multi-core, scoring 353 versus Intel’s 222, a 59% lead. This older benchmark clearly favors the newer AMD design, which delivers 2.60 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost clocks compared to Intel’s 2.40 GHz base and 2.90 GHz boost. The clock speed advantage alone does not explain the full 59-point delta, but combined with the architectural efficiency of Zen, it produces a dominant result.

However, the Intel Core i5-4258U flips the script in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Here Intel scores 2213 against AMD’s 2010, a 9.2% lead for Intel. This is counterintuitive given AMD’s R15 win, but the R23 workload is more demanding and scales differently with cache and memory hierarchies. Intel’s 3 MB shared L3 cache, though smaller than AMD’s 4 MB, appears better optimized for this particular multi-threaded render.

Geekbench results also favor Intel. In multi-core, Intel scores 1664 versus AMD’s 1467, an 11.8% lead. In single-core, Intel scores 844 versus AMD’s 722, a 14.5% lead. These Geekbench numbers paint a different picture than Cinebench R23 single-core, where AMD had a 148.7% advantage. The discrepancy suggests the two suites measure different aspects of CPU performance — Cinebench R23 single-core heavily rewards raw IPC and clock speed, while Geekbench incorporates memory latency and other subsystem effects.

Aggregating the head-to-head results, Intel wins 3 benchmarks (Cinebench R23 multi-core, Geekbench multi-core, Geekbench single-core) while AMD wins 2 (Cinebench R15 multi-core, Cinebench R23 single-core). The average benchmark score, however, is nearly a tie: 908 for AMD and 902 for Intel. This indicates that neither processor has an overall advantage; they simply excel in different workload types.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split decision. For users prioritizing modern single-threaded performance, the AMD Ryzen 3 3250U is the unequivocal choice. Its 776 score in Cinebench R23 single-core is more than double the Intel’s 312, and no amount of multi-threaded compensation can close that gap for single-threaded applications. This makes the AMD part superior for everyday responsiveness, legacy software, and lightly threaded productivity tasks.

Conversely, the Intel Core i5-4258U wins in three of the five direct comparisons, including both Geekbench tests and modern multi-core Cinebench. If the workload involves current-generation rendering engines or Geekbench-style mixed integer and floating-point operations, Intel’s 2213 multi-core Cinebench R23 score and 1664 Geekbench multi-core score provide a measurable edge. The Intel part also maintains a higher average score relative to its nearest rivals, matching the AMD A10-7860K at 904 with a -0.2% delta, while AMD’s nearest rival comparison shows the Ryzen 3 3250U at parity with the Intel Core i3-4330T and i3-10110Y.

Given the near-identical average benchmark scores (908 vs 902) and the same 24th percentile ranking, neither processor can be declared the overall winner. The verdict depends entirely on workload. Users who run modern multi-threaded applications should pick the Intel Core i5-4258U; users who value single-thread speed should pick the AMD Ryzen 3 3250U. There is no data-supported middle ground.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The AMD Ryzen 3 3250U is built on the Zen architecture, codenamed Dali, and represents the 3000 series generation. It uses a 14 nm process node manufactured by GlobalFoundries, packing 3,500 million transistors on a 148 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-4258U, by contrast, uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process node from Intel, with only 1,400 million transistors on a smaller 118 mm² die. The transistor density difference is stark: AMD crams 2.5x more transistors into a 25% larger die, reflecting the architectural complexity of Zen versus the older Haswell design.

Cache layouts also diverge. The AMD part provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part offers 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3. AMD’s larger per-core caches likely contribute to its single-thread dominance, while Intel’s smaller cache footprint may explain its multi-threaded efficiency in certain workloads.

Memory support differs fundamentally. The AMD Ryzen 3 3250U supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a rated bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-4258U supports only DDR3 and has no listed memory bus configuration or bandwidth in the data. This memory generation gap is significant: DDR4 offers higher bandwidth and lower latency, which typically benefits modern workloads. Yet the Intel part still manages to win Geekbench, suggesting its memory controller design compensates for the older DDR3 standard.

The integrated graphics also differ. AMD pairs the Ryzen 3 3250U with Radeon Vega 3, while Intel uses HD 5100. The data does not provide graphics benchmarks, so no performance comparison can be made. However, the presence of different iGPU architectures indicates different target use cases. The socket and platform differences — AMD Socket FP5 versus Intel BGA 1168 — mean these are not interchangeable in any system.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3250U wins decisively. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 776 is 148.7% higher than the Intel Core i5-4258U’s 312. However, in Geekbench single-core, the Intel part wins with 844 versus 722, a 14.5% lead. The results are benchmark-dependent.

Q: Which processor performs better in multi-core workloads?

A: It depends on the benchmark generation. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD wins with 353 versus 222 (59% lead). In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel wins with 2213 versus 2010 (9.2% lead). In Geekbench multi-core, Intel wins with 1664 versus 1467 (11.8% lead). Intel holds the edge in modern multi-core tests.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3250U has an average benchmark score of 908, while the Intel Core i5-4258U has 902. The difference is negligible, and both sit at the 24th percentile among all CPUs. The AMD part ties with the Intel Core i3-4330T and i3-10110Y at 908, while the Intel part ties with the i5-5350U at 903.

Q: What are the transistor and die size differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3250U contains 3,500 million transistors on a 148 mm² die using a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core i5-4258U contains 1,400 million transistors on a 118 mm² die using a 22 nm process from Intel. AMD has 2.5x more transistors on a 25% larger die.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 3 3250U supports DDR4 memory, with dual-channel configuration and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i5-4258U supports DDR3 memory, with no memory bus or bandwidth specifications provided in the data.

Q: What are the clock speeds of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3250U has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz. The Intel Core i5-4258U has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 2.90 GHz. AMD holds a 0.20 GHz base clock advantage and a 0.60 GHz boost clock advantage.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 3250U wins in scenarios that are single-threaded or use older multi-threaded benchmarks. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core win (353 vs 222, +59%) suggests it handles legacy rendering workloads with ease. Its Cinebench R23 single-core win (776 vs 312, +148.7%) makes it the clear choice for applications that rely on a single primary thread, such as spreadsheet recalculation, light photo editing, or general desktop navigation. The AMD part’s larger per-core caches (96 KB L1, 512 KB L2) and higher boost clock of 3.50 GHz directly support these wins.

The Intel Core i5-4258U wins in modern multi-threaded and Geekbench-style workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2213 versus 2010 (+9.2%) indicates better sustained performance in current rendering engines. Its Geekbench multi-core win (1664 vs 1467, +11.8%) and Geekbench single-core win (844 vs 722, +14.5%) suggest superiority in mixed-integer and memory-intensive operations. The Intel part’s higher TDP of 28 watts, compared to AMD’s 15 watts, likely allows it to maintain higher power draw under sustained multi-core load, contributing to these victories.

For users running a mix of old and new software, the AMD part’s R15 win and Intel’s R23 win mean the choice depends on the software generation. For pure single-thread responsiveness, the AMD part is unbeatable in this comparison. For modern multi-core productivity, the Intel part is the safer bet. The data does not support a universal recommendation; it supports a workload-specific one.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the AMD Ryzen 3 3250U and Intel Core i5-4258U:

• Base Clock: AMD 2.60 GHz vs Intel 2.40 GHz
• Boost Clock: AMD 3.50 GHz vs Intel 2.90 GHz
• TDP: AMD 15 W vs Intel 28 W
• Socket: AMD Socket FP5 vs Intel BGA 1168
• Architecture: Zen vs Haswell
• Codename: Dali vs Haswell
• Generation: Ryzen 3 (Zen, Raven Ridge) vs Core i5 (Haswell)
• Process Node: 14 nm vs 22 nm
• Foundry: GlobalFoundries vs Intel
• Transistors: 3,500 million vs 1,400 million
• Die Size: 148 mm² vs 118 mm²
• L1 Cache: 96 KB per core vs 64 KB per core
• L2 Cache: 512 KB per core vs 256 KB per core
• L3 Cache: 4 MB shared vs 3 MB shared
• Memory Support: DDR4 vs DDR3
• Memory Bus: Dual-channel vs not specified
• Memory Bandwidth: 38.4 GB/s vs not specified
• PCIe: Gen 3 vs not specified
• Integrated Graphics: Radeon Vega 3 vs Intel HD 5100
• Release Date: 2020-01-05 vs 2013-06-03
• Part Number: YM3250C4T2OFG vs SR18A
• Production Status: Active vs not specified