AMD Ryzen 5 2500U vs Intel Core i5-2380P Comparison

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U dominates the Intel Core i5-2380P in the only shared benchmark, with a 96% performance advantage. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 2500U scores 609 while the i5-2380P manages just 311, a delta of -48.9% from the Intel part's perspective. This is not a marginal gap—it is a near-doubling of multi-threaded throughput. The Ryzen 5 2500U's 8 threads versus the i5-2380P's 4 threads explain the bulk of this result, but the architectural leap from Sandy Bridge to Zen amplifies the difference further.

Looking at the broader benchmark landscape, the i5-2380P only has Cinebench R20 and R23 results, where it scores 1297 and 3090 in multi-core, respectively, and 183 and 436 in single-core. The Ryzen 5 2500U lacks those specific tests, but its Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 609 places it at a similar overall percentile (29th) to the i5-2380P (29th), despite the massive per-test delta. This paradox resolves when considering the average benchmark scores: the i5-2380P averages 1063 across all tests, while the Ryzen 5 2500U averages 1058. These are statistically tied, with the i5-2380P holding a 0.5% edge in aggregate.

The nearest rivals confirm this parity. The i5-2380P sits within 0.2% of the Intel Core i5-4570TE (avg 1062), Intel Xeon W3580 (avg 1064), Intel Core i3-9100HL (avg 1065), and AMD Opteron 4376 HE (avg 1061). The Ryzen 5 2500U is equally clustered, matching the Intel Core i3-4350 (avg 1058) exactly, within 0.1% of the Intel Core i7-2760QM (avg 1057), and within 0.2% of the AMD FX-8320E (avg 1059) and Intel Pentium G4600 (avg 1056). Both CPUs occupy the same performance tier, but the Ryzen 5 2500U achieves this with far lower power consumption.

# Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 2500U wins decisively in multi-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 609 versus 311 for the i5-2380P makes it the clear choice for rendering, video encoding, and any parallel task that can leverage its 8 threads. The 2500U also brings integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, which the i5-2380P lacks entirely—a significant advantage for systems that need GPU output without a discrete card. For mobile users, the 2500U's 15W TDP versus the i5-2380P's 95W TDP translates to dramatically lower heat and power draw, enabling thinner laptops and longer battery life.

The i5-2380P wins on aggregate benchmark consistency. Its average score of 1063 edges out the 2500U's 1058, and its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 3090 suggests strong sustained performance in desktop environments where cooling is not constrained. The i5-2380P also supports DDR3 memory and a Gen 3, 16-lane PCIe configuration (CPU only), which may be preferable for desktop users with existing DDR3 platforms or those needing more PCIe lanes for expansion cards. Its 6 MB of shared L3 cache versus the 2500U's 4 MB also provides a slight capacity advantage for cache-sensitive workloads, though the 2500U's larger per-core L1 (96 KB vs 64 KB) and L2 (512 KB vs 256 KB) caches partially offset this.

In single-core performance, the data is thin—only the 2500U has a Cinebench R15 single-core score (137), while the i5-2380P has R20 (183) and R23 (436) single-core results. These cannot be directly compared across different test versions, but the i5-2380P's higher boost clock (3.40 GHz) versus the 2500U's 3.60 GHz boost suggests the AMD part has a slight clock advantage. The i5-2380P's base clock of 3.10 GHz is substantially higher than the 2500U's 2.00 GHz, which may help in lightly-threaded tasks where boost cannot be sustained.

# Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design eras. The Intel Core i5-2380P uses the Sandy Bridge architecture, built on a 32 nm process at Intel's foundry. It packs 1,160 million transistors into a 216 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U uses the Zen architecture (Raven Ridge codename), fabricated on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with 4,950 million transistors in a 210 mm² die. The transistor count difference—4.3x more in the AMD part—reflects the integration of a memory controller, Vega graphics, and a more complex core design.

Core and thread counts differ significantly: the i5-2380P has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the 2500U has 4 cores and 8 threads via Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT). Cache hierarchies also diverge. The i5-2380P offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The 2500U provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has larger per-core caches but less total L3.

Memory support reflects the generational split: the i5-2380P uses DDR3 with dual-channel support, while the 2500U uses DDR4 with dual-channel support and a stated memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-2380P lacks integrated graphics, while the 2500U includes Radeon Vega 8. PCIe configurations also differ: the i5-2380P provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the 2500U provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The i5-2380P uses Intel Socket 1155 and targets the desktop market, while the 2500U uses AMD Socket FP5 and targets mobile. The 2500U has an active production status, while the i5-2380P's status is not listed. The i5-2380P launched in January 2012; the 2500U launched in October 2017.

# FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U is significantly faster in multi-core workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 2500U scores 609 versus the i5-2380P's 311, a 96% advantage.

Q: Do these processors have the same overall performance level?

A: Yes, their average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The i5-2380P averages 1063, while the 2500U averages 1058, a 0.5% difference. Both rank at the 29th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The Ryzen 5 2500U has a 15W TDP, while the i5-2380P has a 95W TDP. This makes the 2500U far more suitable for mobile devices and low-power systems.

Q: Does the i5-2380P have integrated graphics?

A: No, the i5-2380P has no integrated graphics. The Ryzen 5 2500U includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The i5-2380P supports DDR3 memory, while the Ryzen 5 2500U supports DDR4 memory. Both use dual-channel configurations.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The i5-2380P has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 2500U has 4 MB. However, the 2500U has larger L1 (96 KB vs 64 KB per core) and L2 (512 KB vs 256 KB per core) caches.

# Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-2380P | AMD Ryzen 5 2500U |

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

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| 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 listed | 38.4 GB/s |

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

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | Not listed | Active |

| Release Date | 2012-01-29 | 2017-10-25 |

| Part Number | SR0G2 | YM2500C4T4MFB |

# The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on use case. For multi-threaded workloads in a mobile form factor, the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U is the outright winner. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 609 versus 311 for the i5-2380P, combined with a 15W TDP, 8 threads, and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, makes it the superior choice for laptops and compact systems where performance per watt matters. The 2500U's DDR4 memory support and active production status further reinforce its relevance for modern builds.

For desktop users with legacy DDR3 platforms, the Intel Core i5-2380P holds a slight aggregate edge (1063 average versus 1058) and offers more PCIe lanes (16 versus 8). Its higher base clock (3.10 GHz vs 2.00 GHz) and larger L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB) can benefit single-threaded and cache-sensitive applications. However, the i5-2380P's lack of integrated graphics requires a discrete GPU, and its 95W TDP makes it unsuitable for power-constrained environments.

The benchmark data shows both processors occupy the 29th percentile overall, meaning neither is a performance flagship. The Ryzen 5 2500U is the more modern, versatile, and efficient part, while the i5-2380P is a dated desktop chip that only makes sense in specific upgrade scenarios. Buyers seeking a balanced mobile or low-power system should choose the 2500U; those maintaining an older desktop platform with DDR3 and needing more PCIe lanes may still find the i5-2380P adequate, but the data does not support choosing it for new builds.