AMD Ryzen 3 5425U vs Intel Core i5-1240P Comparison

Intel Core i5-1240P and AMD Ryzen 3 5425U are both mobile processors aimed at thin-and-light laptops, but the benchmark data reveals two very different design philosophies. The Intel part is a 12-core hybrid design, while the AMD chip is a more traditional 4-core/8-thread Zen 3 part. The recorded Cinebench R23 results show a clear performance gap, with the Intel chip leading by a wide margin in multi-core and a solid margin in single-core. However, the AMD processor operates at a lower TDP and uses a smaller process node, which has implications for system design and battery life. The database shows the Intel chip winning both head-to-head benchmark comparisons, yet the AMD chip holds its own in the overall percentile rankings, sitting just one percentile behind its rival.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-1240P is the clear winner in every recorded test. The two head-to-head benchmarks, both Cinebench R23 runs, show Intel ahead in multi-core by 57.7% and in single-core by 20.1%. This makes the i5-1240P the obvious choice for workloads that demand raw compute throughput, such as video rendering, 3D modeling, code compilation, or any task that scales across many threads. The 12-core, 16-thread configuration provides the parallel resources that such applications need.

The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U, by contrast, wins in the field of efficiency and platform simplicity. Its 15W TDP is significantly lower than the Intel chip's 28W TDP, which means laptops built around the AMD part can be lighter, cooler, and quieter under sustained load. The AMD chip also relies on DDR4 memory only, which can reduce system cost and complexity compared to supporting both DDR4 and DDR5. For users who primarily run office productivity, web browsing, and light media consumption, the Ryzen 3 5425U's performance, while lower, is likely sufficient, and the lower power draw may translate to longer battery life in real-world usage. The data does not include battery tests, but the TDP difference is a strong indicator of power behavior.

The single-core performance gap of 20.1% is notable, but the Ryzen 3 5425U still achieves a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1332, which is respectable for daily responsiveness. The Intel chip's single-core score of 1600 is better, but the AMD part is not sluggish. Ultimately, the Intel i5-1240P wins on raw performance, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U wins on efficiency and lower power requirements.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-1240P is significantly faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 9392, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U scores 5954.5. That is a 57.7% advantage for Intel.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U competitive in single-core performance?

A: The AMD chip trails by a meaningful margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel chip scores 1600, and the AMD chip scores 1332, a 20.1% difference. The AMD chip is not in the same performance class for single-threaded tasks.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two processors?

A: The Intel Core i5-1240P has a TDP of 28W, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U has a TDP of 15W. The AMD chip draws significantly less power, which can affect thermal design and battery life in laptops.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i5-1240P has 12 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel chip has three times the core count and double the thread count.

Q: Do these processors use the same memory technology?

A: No. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD chip supports DDR4 only. The AMD chip also has a specified memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Intel chip's bandwidth is not listed in the database.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-1240P has an average benchmark score of 3202, and the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U has an average score of 3124. The Intel chip is slightly ahead, but both sit near the 52nd to 53rd percentile of all CPUs.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database includes two direct head-to-head comparisons, both from Cinebench R23. The first is multi-core performance, where the Intel Core i5-1240P scores 9392 against the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U's 5954.5. This is a 57.7% difference, a massive gap that reflects the Intel chip's 12 cores versus the AMD chip's 4 cores. The Intel processor can handle heavily threaded workloads with far more ease, and benchmark results indicate that any application that uses multiple threads will see a substantial benefit on the Intel side.

The second head-to-head is single-core performance. Here, the Intel Core i5-1240P scores 1600, and the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U scores 1332. The 20.1% difference is smaller than the multi-core gap but still decisive. Single-core performance affects everyday tasks like opening applications, web browsing, and light productivity work. The Intel chip's higher boost clock of 4.4 GHz, compared to the AMD chip's 4.1 GHz, likely contributes to this advantage. The data shows that the Intel chip wins both comparisons, with no recorded wins for the AMD chip in any head-to-head test.

These results paint a clear picture. The Intel Core i5-1240P is a much faster processor in both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U is not in the same performance tier, but it also operates at a lower power envelope. For users who prioritize raw speed, the Intel chip is the only choice based on these benchmarks.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. The Intel Core i5-1240P has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel chip has a base clock of 1700 MHz and a boost clock of 4.4 GHz. The AMD chip has a base clock of 2700 MHz and a boost clock of 4.1 GHz. The Intel chip has a higher boost clock, but the AMD chip has a much higher base clock.

The TDP is another major difference. The Intel chip consumes up to 28W, while the AMD chip consumes only 15W. This lower TDP makes the AMD chip more suitable for passively cooled or ultra-thin laptops. The socket types also differ: the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1744, and the AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP6.

The memory support differs as well. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD chip supports DDR4 only. The AMD chip has a specified memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, but the Intel chip's bandwidth is not recorded in the database. The Intel chip supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the AMD chip supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The Intel chip does not support ECC memory, but the AMD chip does.

The integrated graphics are also different. The Intel chip uses Iris Xe 80EU, and the AMD chip uses Radeon Vega 6. Both are integrated GPUs, but the database does not provide benchmark scores for them. The release dates are close: the AMD chip launched on January 5, 2022, and the Intel chip launched on February 22, 2022. Both are currently marked as active production.

Architecture Differences

The architectural differences are substantial and explain the performance gap. The Intel Core i5-1240P is built on Alder Lake architecture, codenamed Alder Lake-P, using a 10 nm process node from Intel. The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U is built on Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Barcelo, using a 7 nm process node from TSMC. The smaller 7 nm node gives the AMD chip a manufacturing advantage in terms of transistor density and potential efficiency, but the Intel chip compensates with a higher core count.

The Intel chip uses a hybrid architecture with a mix of performance and efficiency cores, though the database does not specify the exact core arrangement. The AMD chip uses a homogeneous set of four Zen 3 cores. The cache configurations also differ: the Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has a larger total cache, which can help with data-heavy workloads.

The AMD chip has a transistor count of 10,700 million and a die size of 180 mm², while the Intel chip's transistor count is not listed, but its die size is 217 mm². The Intel chip's larger die likely houses more cores and a larger integrated GPU. The AMD chip supports ECC memory, which is unusual for a mobile processor and may appeal to certain professional use cases. The Intel chip supports PCIe Gen 4, which offers higher bandwidth for storage and external devices, while the AMD chip is limited to PCIe Gen 3.

These architectural differences result in the Intel chip being a multi-core powerhouse and the AMD chip being a more efficient, lower-power design. The Intel chip's larger cache and more cores drive its benchmark lead, while the AMD chip's smaller process node and lower TDP make it a better fit for power-sensitive designs.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-1240P is the faster processor in every measured test. It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 57.7% and single-core by 20.1%. For users who need maximum performance for rendering, encoding, or any multi-threaded application, the Intel chip is the clear choice. Its 12 cores and 16 threads provide a level of parallel processing that the AMD chip cannot match. The Intel chip's average benchmark score of 3202 also edges out the AMD chip's 3124, placing it at the 53rd percentile of all CPUs versus the AMD chip's 52nd.

However, the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U is not without merit. Its 15W TDP is nearly half of the Intel chip's 28W, making it a stronger candidate for ultra-portable laptops where battery life and heat are primary concerns. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, which the Intel chip does not, and it uses a smaller 7 nm process node, which may contribute to better efficiency per watt. For users who prioritize portability and do not need extreme multi-core performance, the AMD chip is a viable option.

The verdict depends on the use case. If raw performance is the goal, the Intel Core i5-1240P is the winner. If efficiency and lower power draw are more important, the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U offers a compelling alternative. The recorded data shows no scenario where the AMD chip outperforms the Intel chip, but the AMD chip's lower power requirements could make it the better choice for a specific class of laptops. The decision should be based on whether the user values speed or battery life, as the performance gap is too large to ignore in favor of the AMD chip unless power consumption is the dominant factor.