AMD Ryzen 5 2500U vs Intel Core i3-4170T Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data splits this comparison cleanly by workload type. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U wins the multi-threaded tests decisively, while the Intel Core i3-4170T takes the single-threaded contest. For users running heavily parallel applications, the Ryzen 5 2500U is the clear choice based on its 127.2% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and its 35.5% advantage in Geekbench multi-core. For lightly threaded tasks where single-core speed matters more, the Core i3-4170T holds a 12.4% edge in Geekbench single-core.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical: the Ryzen 5 2500U averages 1058, while the Core i3-4170T averages 1072. The Ryzen 5 2500U sits at the 29th percentile of all CPUs, and the Core i3-4170T sits at the 30th percentile. Their nearest rivals tell the same story of parity: the Ryzen 5 2500U matches the Intel Core i3-4350 exactly at 1058, and the Core i3-4170T matches the Intel Core i5-5287U exactly at 1072.

The production status differs meaningfully. The Ryzen 5 2500U is listed as Active, while the Core i3-4170T is End-of-life. The Ryzen 5 2500U is also a mobile part with a 15 W TDP, whereas the Core i3-4170T is a desktop part with a 35 W TDP. The data does not support a universal recommendation; it supports a workload-specific one.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and fabrication nodes. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U uses the Zen architecture with the Raven Ridge codename, built on a 14 nm process by GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core i3-4170T uses the Haswell architecture, built on a 22 nm process by Intel. The transistor counts reflect the node gap: the Ryzen 5 2500U packs 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, while the Core i3-4170T has 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The Ryzen 5 2500U has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Core i3-4170T has 2 cores and 4 threads. The cache hierarchy also differs: the Ryzen 5 2500U has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i3-4170T has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The Ryzen 5 2500U has a 2000.00 MHz base clock with a 3.60 GHz boost clock. The Core i3-4170T has a 3200 MHz base clock and no boost clock listed. The Intel part runs at a much higher fixed frequency, which explains its single-core advantage despite having fewer cores.

Memory support and platform differ completely. The Ryzen 5 2500U uses DDR4 memory with dual-channel support and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Core i3-4170T uses DDR3 memory with dual-channel support and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen 5 2500U uses AMD Socket FP5, while the Core i3-4170T uses Intel Socket 1150. PCIe lane counts also differ: the Ryzen 5 2500U provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the Core i3-4170T provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Ryzen 5 2500U carries Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Core i3-4170T carries Intel HD 4400. Neither CPU has ECC memory support, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The release dates are about two years apart: the Ryzen 5 2500U released on 2017-10-25, and the Core i3-4170T released on 2015-03-29.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data covers three tests, and the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U wins two of them. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Ryzen 5 2500U scores 609 against the Core i3-4170T's 268. That is a 127.2% advantage, more than double the Intel part's output. This result aligns with the core and thread count gap: 8 threads versus 4 threads in a heavily parallel rendering workload.

Geekbench multi-core shows a narrower but still decisive win for the Ryzen 5 2500U. It scores 2635 against the Core i3-4170T's 1945, a 35.5% lead. The Ryzen's extra threads and newer memory architecture contribute to this margin, though the gap is smaller than in Cinebench R15, suggesting the workload scaling characteristics differ between the two tests.

The single-core result flips the outcome. In Geekbench single-core, the Core i3-4170T scores 972 against the Ryzen 5 2500U's 851. That is a 12.4% advantage for the Intel part. The Core i3-4170T's higher base clock of 3200 MHz versus the Ryzen 5 2500U's 2000.00 MHz base clock likely drives this result, even though the Ryzen 5 2500U can boost to 3.60 GHz.

Looking at the broader benchmark sets, the Core i3-4170T has additional recorded scores that the Ryzen 5 2500U lacks: Cinebench R20 multi-core at 1120, Cinebench R20 single-core at 157, Cinebench R23 multi-core at 2667, and Cinebench R23 single-core at 376. These scores cannot be compared directly since the Ryzen 5 2500U has no corresponding entries in the database, but they provide context for the Intel part's absolute performance level.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U wins both recorded multi-core tests. It scores 609 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 268 for the Intel Core i3-4170T, a 127.2% lead, and 2635 in Geekbench multi-core versus 1945, a 35.5% lead.

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-4170T wins the only directly comparable single-core test. It scores 972 in Geekbench single-core versus 851 for the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U, a 12.4% advantage.

Q: How do their overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: They are nearly identical. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U has an average benchmark score of 1058, and the Intel Core i3-4170T has an average of 1072. The Intel part sits at the 30th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD part sits at the 29th.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i3-4170T has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i3-4170T supports DDR3 with dual-channel memory and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U is listed as Active production. The Intel Core i3-4170T is listed as End-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U wins in multi-threaded workloads. Its 8 threads give it a 127.2% advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core and a 35.5% advantage in Geekbench multi-core. This makes it the better choice for rendering, video encoding, compiling, and any workload that scales across cores and threads. Its DDR4 memory support with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth also provides a faster memory subsystem compared to the Core i3-4170T's DDR3 at 25.6 GB/s.

The AMD part also wins on platform longevity and mobility. It is an Active production part in the mobile segment with a 15 W TDP, making it suitable for laptops and power-constrained systems. Its newer 14 nm process and Zen architecture, along with the larger 4 MB L3 cache, position it as the more modern design.

The Intel Core i3-4170T wins in single-threaded performance. Its 12.4% Geekbench single-core lead over the Ryzen 5 2500U comes from its much higher 3200 MHz base clock with no boost dependency. For older software, lightly threaded applications, or tasks where per-core speed is the bottleneck, the Core i3-4170T delivers faster response.

The Intel part also wins on PCIe lane count, offering 16 lanes from the CPU versus 8 lanes on the Ryzen 5 2500U. This matters for desktop systems with multiple expansion cards or high-bandwidth peripherals. The Core i3-4170T is a desktop part with a 35 W TDP, which is higher than the mobile Ryzen 5 2500U but typical for a socketed desktop processor.

For users who need a low-power mobile solution with strong multi-core throughput, the Ryzen 5 2500U is the data-backed choice. For users who need maximum single-core speed in a desktop socket with more PCIe lanes, the Core i3-4170T holds the advantage.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 2500U | Intel Core i3-4170T |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base clock | 2000.00 MHz | 3200 MHz |

| Boost clock | 3.60 GHz | None listed |

| TDP | 15 W | 35 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Zen | Haswell |

| Codename | Raven Ridge | Haswell |

| Process node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,950 million | 1,400 million |

| Die size | 210 mm² | 177 mm² |

| L1 cache | 96 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 512 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 4 MB (shared) | 3 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | Intel HD 4400 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release date | 2017-10-25 | 2015-03-29 |

| Multiplier unlocked | false | false |

The specification table shows that the two processors are engineered for different environments. The Ryzen 5 2500U is a modern, efficient mobile APU with more cores, more cache, faster memory, and a smaller process node. The Core i3-4170T is an older desktop CPU with a higher clock speed, more PCIe lanes, and a larger TDP budget. Neither offers ECC memory support, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.