AMD Ryzen 5 2500X vs Intel Core i5-1038NG7 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a fascinating split between these two 4-core, 8-thread processors. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500X dominates the Cinebench suite, winning all six rendering tests, while the Intel Core i5-1038NG7 counters with decisive victories in both Geekbench tests. This is not a case of one chip being universally superior; rather, the results reveal two very different performance profiles.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 2500X scores 8036 against Intel's 7441, a 7.4% advantage. The pattern repeats across every Cinebench iteration: R15 multi-core shows 810 versus 750, R20 multi-core shows 3375 versus 3125, and the single-core tests follow the same trajectory. The AMD chip leads by 7.4% in R20 single-core (476 vs 441) and by 7.9% in R15 single-core (114 vs 105). These are consistent, repeatable margins that point to a genuine architectural advantage in rendering workloads.

The Geekbench results tell an entirely different story. The Intel Core i5-1038NG7 posts a multi-core score of 4919, which is a substantial 29% ahead of the Ryzen's 3813. The single-core gap is also significant: 1354 versus 1126, a 20.2% lead for Intel. This is a dramatic reversal—a chip that trails by roughly 7% in Cinebench suddenly becomes 20-30% faster in Geekbench. The data suggests these two benchmarks stress the processors in fundamentally different ways, and each chip has a clear home-field advantage.

Looking at the aggregate metrics, the average benchmark score lands at 2398 for Intel and 2361 for AMD, a marginal 1.6% difference. Both processors sit at the 48th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they occupy similar overall performance tiers. The Intel chip's nearest rival is the Xeon E5-2630L v3 with an average score of 2409 (a 0.5% difference), while the Ryzen's closest competitor is the Xeon E-2226GE at 2365 (a 0.2% difference). The overall performance picture is nearly identical, but the distribution of that performance across workloads could hardly be more different.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two chips is substantial. Intel's Core i5-1038NG7 uses the Ice Lake-U architecture built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry, with a die size of 123 mm². The AMD Ryzen 5 2500X, by contrast, uses the Zen (Pinnacle Ridge) architecture on a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with a much larger 213 mm² die and 4,800 million transistors.

The cache configurations differ at every level. Intel allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 6 MB of shared L3. AMD counters with 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The larger cache hierarchy on the AMD side likely contributes to its Cinebench strength, while Intel's smaller, faster caches may explain the Geekbench advantage.

Clock speeds are another differentiator. The Ryzen 5 2500X runs at a 3.60 GHz base clock with a 4.00 GHz boost, while the Intel chip operates at 2.00 GHz base with a 3.80 GHz boost. The AMD part's higher clocks are immediately visible in the single-core Cinebench results. However, the Intel chip compensates with a much lower 28 W TDP versus AMD's 65 W, reflecting its mobile market positioning.

Platform support is a major divergence. The Intel processor uses the BGA 1344 socket with integrated Iris Plus graphics and is classified as a mobile part. The AMD chip uses the AM4 socket, has no integrated graphics, and is a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier. Intel supports PCIe Gen 3, while AMD also offers PCIe Gen 3 but with 16 lanes from the CPU only. Memory bandwidth favors Intel at 51.2 GB/s versus 46.9 GB/s for AMD, despite both using dual-channel DDR4.

Production status differs as well: the Intel part is end-of-life, while the AMD chip remains active. Intel's release date was May 2020, while AMD's was September 2018. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $320, while the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture: these are not interchangeable processors. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500X is the definitive choice for rendering workloads, as it wins all six Cinebench tests with consistent 7.4-7.9% margins. The Intel Core i5-1038NG7 is the clear winner for Geekbench-style workloads, with its 29% multi-core and 20.2% single-core leads being far larger than AMD's Cinebench advantages.

For users running Cinebench-class rendering applications, the Ryzen 5 2500X is the superior part. Its higher base and boost clocks, combined with larger caches, deliver measurable performance gains across every rendering benchmark iteration. The 65 W TDP reflects a desktop-oriented design that prioritizes performance over efficiency.

For users whose workloads resemble Geekbench—a mix of integer, floating-point, and memory operations—the Intel chip is the standout performer. Its 20-29% advantages are decisive, and the 28 W TDP makes it an efficiency leader despite being a mobile part. The integrated Iris Plus graphics also provide functionality that the AMD chip completely lacks.

The average benchmark scores and 48th percentile rankings suggest these chips are broadly comparable overall. But the workload-specific results show that "comparable" hides enormous variance. Buyers should choose based on their actual application mix. The Ryzen 5 2500X's active production status and unlocked multiplier offer flexibility, while the Intel chip's end-of-life status and locked multiplier limit its future potential. Both are 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they serve different masters.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500X wins all multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 8036 in R23 multi-core versus 7441 for Intel (a 7.4% lead), 3375 versus 3125 in R20, and 810 versus 750 in R15.

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speeds?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500X has a 3.60 GHz base clock and 4.00 GHz boost clock. The Intel Core i5-1038NG7 has a 2.00 GHz base clock and 3.80 GHz boost clock.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare between the two chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500X has 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, plus 8 MB of shared L3. The Intel Core i5-1038NG7 has 80 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, plus 6 MB of shared L3.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-1038NG7 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel chip includes Iris Plus integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500X has no integrated graphics at all.

Q: Which processor is more energy-efficient?

A: The Intel Core i5-1038NG7 has a 28 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X has a 65 W TDP. Intel's mobile-class chip draws less than half the power of AMD's desktop part.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-1038NG7 supports 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X supports 46.9 GB/s. Both use dual-channel DDR4.

Where Each One Wins

AMD Ryzen 5 2500X — Rendering and Computational Workloads. The Cinebench suite is a clean sweep for AMD, with all six tests going its way. The 7.4-7.9% margins in both single and multi-core tests indicate a consistent advantage in CPU-bound rendering tasks. The larger 8 MB L3 cache and 512 KB L2 per core likely fuel these gains, along with the higher 4.00 GHz boost clock. The unlocked multiplier adds flexibility for users who want to push performance further. Its active production status means continued availability.

Intel Core i5-1038NG7 — Geekbench-Style Workloads and Efficiency. The Geekbench results are emphatic: a 29% multi-core lead and a 20.2% single-core lead over AMD. These are far larger margins than any AMD advantage, suggesting Intel's Ice Lake architecture excels at the diverse workload mix Geekbench represents. The 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth likely contributes to this performance. The 28 W TDP makes it the efficiency champion, ideal for thermally constrained environments. The integrated Iris Plus graphics provide a complete solution without a discrete GPU. The 20.2% single-core Geekbench advantage is particularly notable, indicating strong per-thread performance despite lower clock speeds.