AMD Ryzen 5 2500U vs Intel Processor N95 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Processor N95 records an average benchmark score of 1070, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U scores 1058. The difference is only 12 points, placing both at the 29th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core rendering performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U wins decisively in Cinebench R15 multi-core, scoring 609 against the Intel Processor N95's 445. That is a 26.9% advantage for AMD in this workload.

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Processor N95 takes the single-core crown in Cinebench R15, scoring 151 versus the Ryzen 5 2500U's 137. Intel's lead here is 10.2%.

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

A: The Intel Processor N95 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U also has 4 cores but doubles the thread count to 8 via simultaneous multithreading.

Q: How do their cache configurations differ?

A: The Intel Processor N95 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U has the same 96 KB L1 per core, but its L2 is 512 KB per core, and its L3 is 4 MB shared.

Q: Which processor uses a more advanced manufacturing process?

A: The Intel Processor N95 is built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U uses a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. The Intel chip also integrates UHD Graphics 710, while AMD pairs its CPU with Radeon Vega 8 graphics.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear split: the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U is the multi-core workhorse, while the Intel Processor N95 is the single-core specialist. Anyone whose primary workloads are heavily threaded, such as video encoding or 3D rendering, should favor the Ryzen 5 2500U, as its Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 609 leads by a wide margin. The Intel Processor N95, however, takes the single-threaded crown with a 10.2% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core, making it the better choice for lightly threaded applications like older games or productivity tasks that rely on one fast core.

Both chips land at the 29th percentile in the global CPU ranking, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 1070 for Intel versus 1058 for AMD. Neither is a dominant overall winner. The Ryzen 5 2500U offers twice the threads, which explains its substantial multi-core advantage, but it falls behind in single-core responsiveness. The Intel N95 counters with a newer 10 nm process, a higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz (versus 3.60 GHz for AMD, though the base clocks differ dramatically), and a smaller 6 MB L3 cache that still exceeds AMD's 4 MB.

For a user running a mixed workload, the data suggests the Ryzen 5 2500U is the safer all-rounder due to its thread advantage. For someone who prioritizes snappy single-threaded response and does not need parallel performance, the Intel N95 wins. The database shows a 1-1 split in head-to-head wins, so the choice hinges entirely on workload characteristics rather than an overall champion.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records two head-to-head comparisons between these processors, and each claims one victory.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U delivers a commanding performance with a score of 609. The Intel Processor N95 trails at 445, which translates to a 26.9% deficit. This is the largest gap in either benchmark. The Ryzen's 8 threads versus Intel's 4 explain most of this difference, as the additional threads allow the AMD chip to keep more work in flight during heavily parallel rendering tasks.

The single-core test flips the result. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Intel Processor N95 scores 151, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U manages 137. Intel's advantage is 10.2%, a meaningful margin for any application that depends on a single thread's speed. The N95 achieves this despite having a lower boost clock (3.40 GHz versus 3.60 GHz) and a higher base clock of 100 MHz versus AMD's 2000 MHz. The newer Gracemont architecture and 10 nm process likely contribute to the Intel chip's superior single-thread efficiency.

Beyond these two direct comparisons, the broader benchmark data adds context. The Intel N95 has Cinebench R23 scores of 2769 multi-core and 914 single-core, while the Ryzen 5 2500U has Geekbench scores of 2635 multi-core and 851 single-core. These are different test suites, so they are not directly comparable, but they reinforce the pattern: AMD leads in parallel workloads, Intel leads in single-threaded ones.

The average benchmark scores are close (1070 for Intel, 1058 for AMD), and both sit at the 29th percentile, meaning neither chip breaks out of the lower-midrange tier. The nearest rivals for each chip confirm this positioning. The Intel N95 sits within 0.2% of the Core i7-2820QM, Opteron 3380, Athlon X4 880K, and Core i5-5287U. The Ryzen 5 2500U is essentially tied with the Core i3-4350, Core i7-2760QM, FX-8320E, and Pentium G4600.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several fundamental specifications. The Intel Processor N95 has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The thread count is the single most impactful difference, as it directly enables AMD's multi-core win.

Clock speeds tell a more complex story. Intel lists a base clock of 100 MHz with a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. AMD lists a base clock of 2000 MHz (2.0 GHz) with a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The Intel base clock is unusually low, suggesting the chip relies heavily on boost behavior. The AMD chip has a much higher sustained base frequency.

Memory support also diverges. The Intel N95 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a single-channel bus, with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Ryzen 5 2500U supports only DDR4, but over a dual-channel bus, also at 38.4 GB/s. The dual-channel configuration on the AMD chip can improve real-world memory throughput despite the same nominal bandwidth.

PCIe connectivity differs slightly: Intel provides Gen 3 with 9 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only). Socket types are incompatible: Intel uses BGA 1264, AMD uses Socket FP5. The production status for both is Active, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The integrated graphics differ as well. Intel pairs the N95 with UHD Graphics 710, while AMD uses Radeon Vega 8. The database does not provide direct graphics benchmarks, so no comparison is possible here beyond the specification listing.

Architecture Differences

The architectures are from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Processor N95 uses the Gracemont architecture, part of the Alder Lake-N generation, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U uses the Zen architecture under the Raven Ridge codename, part of the 2000 series, built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Intel chip is newer, with a release date of January 2023, while the AMD chip launched in October 2017.

The process node difference is significant: 10 nm versus 14 nm. The smaller node typically enables better power efficiency and higher transistor density, which may explain the Intel chip's single-core advantage despite lower boost clocks. The AMD chip has a much larger die size at 210 mm² and 4,950 million transistors, whereas the Intel chip's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database.

Cache hierarchies differ notably. Both have 96 KB of L1 cache per core. The Intel N95 has 2 MB of shared L2 and 6 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen 5 2500U has 512 KB of L2 per core (totaling 2 MB across 4 cores) and 4 MB of shared L3. Intel's larger L3 cache gives it an edge in cache-sensitive workloads, while AMD's per-core L2 allocation may benefit certain access patterns.

Features that differ include memory type support (Intel adds DDR5, AMD does not), memory channel configuration (Intel single-channel, AMD dual-channel), and integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 710 versus Radeon Vega 8). Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both are locked multipliers. The Intel chip uses a slightly higher PCIe lane count (9 versus 8), though both are Gen 3.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U wins in multi-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 609 versus 445 for the Intel N95, a 26.9% advantage, makes it the clear choice for rendering, video transcoding, and any application that scales with thread count. The 8 threads are the decisive factor here. Users who run batch jobs or compile code with parallel build systems will see real gains from the AMD chip.

The Intel Processor N95 wins in single-threaded performance. Its Cinebench R15 single-core score of 151 beats the Ryzen's 137, a 10.2% lead. This matters for everyday responsiveness, older games that rely on one or two threads, and productivity applications with serial execution paths. The Intel chip's newer architecture and larger L3 cache likely contribute to this advantage.

The broader benchmark suite reinforces this split. Intel's Cinebench R23 scores (2769 multi-core, 914 single-core) show a 3.03:1 ratio between multi and single, while AMD's Geekbench scores (2635 multi-core, 851 single-core) show a 3.10:1 ratio. These are different tests, but both indicate that each chip is relatively stronger in the domain where its head-to-head win occurred.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, and both processors occupy the 29th percentile, so neither is a performance outlier. For a user who cannot predict workload mixes, the Ryzen 5 2500U's thread advantage provides more headroom for multitasking and future parallel software. For a user whose primary applications are single-threaded, the Intel N95 delivers better per-core performance without the need for extra threads.

The database records one win for each processor in the head-to-head benchmarks, and the specification differences align with those results. The choice reduces to a simple question: does the workload favor parallel execution (choose AMD) or single-thread speed (choose Intel)?