AMD Ryzen 5 2500U vs Intel Core i5-6350HQ Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear pattern in the two processors' benchmark results. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U scores 609 points, while the Intel Core i5-6350HQ manages only 364 points. This translates to a 67.3% advantage for the AMD part, a substantial margin that indicates the Ryzen 5's execution engine has a significant edge when all cores are engaged.

The gap widens even further in the single-core test. The Ryzen 5 2500U posts 137 points in Cinebench R15 single-core, versus just 51 points for the Core i5-6350HQ. That is a 168.6% difference, meaning the AMD processor is more than two and a half times faster in this particular workload. Such a large discrepancy in single-threaded performance is remarkable, given that both chips are built on a 14 nm process node.

Looking at the broader benchmark averages, the Ryzen 5 2500U records an average benchmark score of 1058, while the Core i5-6350HQ sits at 1046. Both processors occupy the 29th percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating they land in the same overall performance tier despite the stark differences in the Cinebench results. The Ryzen 5's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-4350 with a matched average score of 1058, the Intel Core i7-2760QM at 1057, and the AMD FX-8320E at 1059. The Core i5-6350HQ's closest competitors are the AMD PRO A10-8770 at 1046, the AMD Athlon X4 950 at 1047, and the AMD PRO A10-9700 at 1045.

The benchmark data shows the Ryzen 5 2500U wins both head-to-head comparisons recorded in the database. It takes the multi-core test by a comfortable margin and dominates the single-core test even more decisively. The Core i5-6350HQ has no recorded wins in these direct comparisons.

Where Each One Wins

The use-case split follows directly from the benchmark results. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U is the stronger choice for workloads that depend on raw CPU throughput, whether those workloads are multi-threaded or single-threaded. Its 67.3% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core suggests that rendering tasks, video encoding, and other parallel workloads will complete noticeably faster on the AMD chip. The 168.6% advantage in single-core performance indicates that lightly threaded applications, such as many productivity tools and legacy software, also favor the Ryzen 5.

The Intel Core i5-6350HQ, despite its lower benchmark scores, has attributes that matter in specific scenarios. Its 6 MB of shared L3 cache is larger than the Ryzen 5's 4 MB, which can benefit workloads with large working sets that fit within the cache hierarchy. Intel's Iris Pro 580 integrated graphics is a different class of GPU compared to the Radeon Vega 8, and for tasks that leverage the iGPU this could be a differentiating factor. Additionally, the Core i5-6350HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, giving platform designers more flexibility in memory selection.

However, the benchmark data does not show any workload where the Intel chip outperforms the AMD part in CPU-bound tests. The Core i5-6350HQ's strengths lie in areas outside the recorded CPU benchmarks, such as its larger cache and different integrated graphics solution. For pure processor performance, the Ryzen 5 2500U is the clear winner across all measured metrics.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split between these two mobile processors is substantial. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U uses the Zen architecture with the Raven Ridge codename, part of AMD's 2000 series. It packs 4,950 million transistors onto a 210 mm² die, fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm process. The Intel Core i5-6350HQ uses the Skylake architecture with the Skylake-H codename, containing 2,300 million transistors on a 171 mm² die, manufactured by Intel on its own 14 nm process. Despite the similar process node, the AMD chip has more than double the transistor count and a larger die area.

Core and thread configurations differ notably. The Ryzen 5 2500U has 4 cores and 8 threads, enabled by simultaneous multithreading, while the Core i5-6350HQ has 4 cores and only 4 threads with no multithreading support. This explains part of the multi-core performance gap, as the Ryzen 5 can process two threads per core. The base clock speeds also differ: the Ryzen 5 runs at 2000 MHz with a 3.60 GHz boost, while the Core i5 starts at 2.30 GHz and boosts to 3.20 GHz. The Intel part has a higher base clock, but the AMD part has a higher boost clock.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The Ryzen 5 allocates 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 4 MB of shared L3. The Core i5-6350HQ has smaller per-core allocations of 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2, but compensates with a larger 6 MB shared L3. For memory, the Ryzen 5 supports DDR4 only, running dual-channel with a theoretical bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR3 and DDR4, also dual-channel, but with a slightly lower bandwidth figure of 34.1 GB/s.

PCI Express connectivity is another differentiator. The Ryzen 5 provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the Core i5-6350HQ offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This gives the Intel platform more direct PCIe bandwidth for discrete GPUs or other expansion devices. The power envelopes are very different: the Ryzen 5 has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Core i5-6350HQ is rated at 45 watts. This threefold difference in power consumption is a major design consideration for mobile implementations.

The integrated graphics solutions are entirely different. AMD pairs the Ryzen 5 with Radeon Vega 8, while Intel uses Iris Pro 580. Neither part has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported on either chip. The production status also differs: the Ryzen 5 is listed as active, while the Core i5-6350HQ is end-of-life.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U scores 609 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, which is 67.3% higher than the Intel Core i5-6350HQ's 364 points. The AMD chip's 8 threads versus 4 threads contributes to this advantage.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The Ryzen 5 2500U records 137 points in Cinebench R15 single-core, a 168.6% improvement over the Core i5-6350HQ's 51 points. This is the largest performance gap between the two processors in any recorded benchmark.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Intel Core i5-6350HQ is rated at 45 watts. The AMD part is designed for lower power consumption, which is typical for thinner and lighter mobile devices.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Ryzen 5 2500U supports DDR4 only, while the Core i5-6350HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4. Memory bandwidth figures are 38.4 GB/s for the AMD chip and 34.1 GB/s for the Intel chip.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U is listed as active production, released on 2017-10-25. The Intel Core i5-6350HQ is end-of-life, having been released earlier on 2016-01-23.

Q: How does the cache configuration differ?

A: The Ryzen 5 2500U has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with 4 MB shared L3. The Core i5-6350HQ has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but a larger 6 MB shared L3.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 2500U | Intel Core i5-6350HQ |

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

| Series | 2000 series | null |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2000.00 MHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP5 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Zen | Skylake |

| Codename | Raven Ridge | Skylake-H |

| Generation | Ryzen 5 (Zen (Raven Ridge)) | Core i5 (Skylake-H) |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,950 million | 2,300 million |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 171 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) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | Intel Iris Pro 580 |

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

| Release Date | 2017-10-25 | 2016-01-23 |

| Part Number | YM2500C4T4MFB | SR2QZ |

The table above lists only the fields where the two processors differ. Both chips share the same core count of 4, a 14 nm process node, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, no unlocked multiplier, and the mobile market segment. The Ryzen 5 2500U has a higher average benchmark score of 1058 compared to 1046 for the Core i5-6350HQ, and both sit at the 29th percentile among all CPUs in the database.