AMD Ryzen 5 2500U vs Intel Core i7-2820QM Comparison

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-2820QM has an average benchmark score of 1069, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U scores 1058. The difference is only 11 points, placing both at the 29th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core rendering performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U wins decisively. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 609 against Intel's 372, a delta of -38.9% from Intel's perspective. In Geekbench multi-core, AMD scores 2635 versus Intel's 1623, a -38.4% difference.

Q: Is the single-core performance gap similar to the multi-core gap?

A: The gap is even larger in single-core tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, AMD scores 137 versus Intel's 52, a -62% delta. Geekbench single-core shows AMD at 851 against Intel's 517, a -39.2% difference.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: Both processors feature 4 cores and 8 threads. The similarity ends there, as the architectural generation and manufacturing process differ substantially.

Q: How do their thermal design power ratings compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-2820QM carries a TDP of 45 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U is rated at 15 watts. This makes the AMD part significantly more power-efficient for mobile use.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U boosts to 3.60 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-2820QM boosts to 3.40 GHz. AMD also has a lower base clock at 2000.00 MHz compared to Intel's 2.30 GHz.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to one clear conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U outperforms the Intel Core i7-2820QM across every benchmark in the comparison set. The AMD processor wins all four head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from -38.4% to -62% in Intel's favor (meaning Intel trails by those margins).

For users prioritizing raw performance, especially in threaded workloads, the Ryzen 5 2500U is the superior choice. Its 609 Cinebench R15 multi-core score versus Intel's 372 represents a 63.7% performance advantage. The single-core results are even more lopsided, with AMD's 137 score more than doubling Intel's 52.

The Ryzen 5 2500U also offers architectural advantages. It uses the Zen architecture on a 14 nm process, supports DDR4 memory with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, and integrates Radeon Vega 8 graphics. Its production status remains active, while the Intel part is end-of-life.

The Intel Core i7-2820QM does have one notable specification advantage: a larger 8 MB shared L3 cache versus AMD's 4 MB. However, benchmark results indicate this does not translate into performance superiority. The Intel part also has a higher base clock (2.30 GHz versus 2000.00 MHz), but the AMD part's higher boost clock and newer architecture overcome this.

The verdict is straightforward: choose the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U for superior performance across all measured metrics, modern features, and lower power consumption. The Intel Core i7-2820QM represents older technology with no benchmark wins in this comparison.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are uniformly in favor of the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U, but the magnitude of each victory varies by workload.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 609 against Intel's 372. The delta is -38.9%, meaning Intel's score is 38.9% lower than AMD's. This test stresses all cores simultaneously, and the Ryzen's Zen architecture proves substantially more efficient at handling parallel workloads despite having the same core and thread count.

The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows the most dramatic gap. AMD scores 137, while Intel manages only 52. This represents a -62% delta, indicating Intel's per-core performance is severely lacking compared to the Ryzen. The Sandy Bridge architecture from 2011 simply cannot keep pace with the newer Zen design on a per-thread basis.

Geekbench multi-core results follow the same pattern. AMD scores 2635, Intel scores 1623, a -38.4% delta. This test covers a broader range of workloads including memory-intensive tasks, where AMD's DDR4 support and higher memory bandwidth likely contribute to the advantage.

Geekbench single-core shows AMD at 851 and Intel at 517, a -39.2% delta. This confirms that the single-core disadvantage is consistent across different benchmark suites, not an artifact of one particular test methodology.

Notably, the Cinebench R15 single-core delta (-62%) is significantly larger than the Geekbench single-core delta (-39.2%). This suggests Intel's older architecture is particularly weak in the specific workloads Cinebench uses, such as ray tracing and shading calculations.

The biggest win for AMD by absolute score difference is in Geekbench multi-core, where AMD leads by 1012 points. The biggest win by percentage is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where AMD leads by 62%.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification category, reflecting their different eras of design.

Clock speeds show a mixed picture. Intel has a higher base clock at 2.30 GHz, while AMD has a higher boost clock at 3.60 GHz versus Intel's 3.40 GHz. AMD's base clock is listed as 2000.00 MHz, which is notably lower than Intel's base.

Thermal design power differs dramatically. Intel is rated at 45 watts, while AMD is rated at 15 watts. This 30-watt difference makes the Ryzen 5 2500U far more suitable for thin-and-light laptops, while the Intel part requires more substantial cooling.

Socket compatibility is completely different. Intel uses Socket G2 (988B), while AMD uses Socket FP5. These are not interchangeable platforms.

Memory support differs as well. AMD explicitly supports DDR4 memory with a rated bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Intel's memory support is not specified in the database, though both use dual-channel memory buses.

PCIe capabilities are specified only for AMD: Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only). No PCIe information is available for the Intel part.

Integrated graphics differ: Intel includes HD 3000, while AMD includes Radeon Vega 8. The database does not provide performance scores for these iGPUs.

Production status separates the parts clearly. Intel is end-of-life, while AMD remains active. Release dates are also far apart, with Intel released in early 2011 and AMD in late 2017.

Transistor counts show a massive difference: AMD packs 4,950 million transistors versus Intel's 1,160 million. Die sizes are similar at 210 mm² for AMD and 216 mm² for Intel, meaning AMD achieves far higher transistor density.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these processors spans multiple generations and fundamental design philosophies.

Intel's Core i7-2820QM uses the Sandy Bridge architecture, manufactured on a 32 nm process by Intel's own foundry. This architecture dates to 2011 and represents an older design philosophy focused on moderate core counts with relatively high clock speeds.

AMD's Ryzen 5 2500U uses the Zen architecture, specifically the Raven Ridge codename, manufactured on a 14 nm process by GlobalFoundries. This is a much newer design, released in 2017, built from the ground up for efficiency and multi-threaded performance.

Cache configurations differ notably. Intel provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. AMD's larger per-core caches likely help with single-thread performance, while Intel's larger L3 pool does not compensate in the benchmarks.

The transistor counts reveal the manufacturing advantage. AMD's 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die achieve a density of approximately 23.6 million transistors per square millimeter. Intel's 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die achieve only about 5.4 million per square millimeter. The 14 nm process allows AMD to integrate far more logic and the Vega 8 GPU.

Memory architecture also reflects generational progress. AMD supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel's memory support is unspecified in the database. Both use dual-channel configurations.

The integrated graphics represent different generations as well. Intel's HD 3000 is a legacy GPU from the Sandy Bridge era, while AMD's Radeon Vega 8 is a modern integrated solution with substantially more compute resources.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U wins in every measured category. There are no test results where Intel's Core i7-2820QM comes out ahead.

The Ryzen 5 2500U's strengths are most pronounced in single-core workloads. The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows a 62% advantage over Intel, which indicates that applications relying heavily on single-thread performance will see the largest benefit. This includes many legacy applications, certain game engines, and productivity software that has not been fully parallelized.

Multi-core performance also favors AMD strongly, with a 38.9% advantage in Cinebench R15 and 38.4% in Geekbench. This suggests content creation workloads such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and compilation tasks will complete noticeably faster on the Ryzen system.

The Ryzen 5 2500U also wins in power efficiency, with a 15-watt TDP versus Intel's 45-watt rating. This translates to longer battery life and quieter operation in mobile devices, though the database does not quantify the specific battery impact.

The Intel Core i7-2820QM offers no benchmark wins, but it does retain some specification advantages. Its 8 MB L3 cache is double AMD's 4 MB, which could theoretically help in cache-sensitive workloads, though the recorded data does not show this benefiting any tested scenario. Its higher base clock of 2.30 GHz versus AMD's 2000.00 MHz might provide better sustained performance under certain thermal constraints, but again, no benchmark confirms this.

For users choosing between these two processors, the data supports selecting the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U for essentially all use cases. The only scenario where Intel might be considered is if platform compatibility requires Socket G2, or if the larger L3 cache is deemed critical for a specific application. Otherwise, the Ryzen's performance advantages, lower power draw, and active production status make it the rational choice.