AMD Ryzen 5 2500X vs Intel Core i7-9850HE Comparison

The Intel Core i7-9850HE and AMD Ryzen 5 2500X occupy different market segments: the former is a mobile processor, the latter a desktop part. In the database's head-to-head Cinebench tests, the Intel part wins all six comparisons, with margins ranging from 4.1% to 4.4%. This analysis examines the benchmark results, architectural differences, and the implications for each processor's intended use.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records six Cinebench tests: R15, R20, and R23, each with single-core and multi-core variants. In every test, the Intel Core i7-9850HE posts a higher score than the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X. The margins are consistent, ranging from 4.1% to 4.4%.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel part scores 843 against 810 for the AMD part, a 4.1% advantage. In single-core, the Intel part scores 119 against 114, a 4.4% lead. Moving to R20, the multi-core scores are 3515 and 3375, again a 4.1% difference, while single-core is 496 versus 476, a 4.2% gap. In R23, the multi-core scores are 8370 and 8036, a 4.2% difference, and single-core is 1181 versus 1134, a 4.1% lead.

These results show a consistent performance advantage for the Intel part across all Cinebench versions. The margin is nearly identical in every test, suggesting a fundamental performance difference rather than a workload-specific anomaly. The Intel part's higher core count (6 vs 4) and thread count (12 vs 8) likely contribute to the multi-core wins, but the single-core wins are notable because the AMD part has a higher base clock (3.60 GHz vs 2.70 GHz) and a lower boost clock (4.00 GHz vs 4.40 GHz). The Intel part's higher boost clock appears to give it the edge in single-threaded workloads.

The average benchmark score in the database further supports this: the Intel part records an average of 2421, while the AMD part records 2361. This places the Intel part in the 48th percentile of all CPUs, the same percentile as the AMD part, but the raw scores show a clear gap. The Intel part's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-8500B (average 2423, delta -0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U (average 2424, delta -0.1%), while the AMD part's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E-2226GE (average 2365, delta -0.2%) and the Intel Core i5-9600 (average 2354, delta 0.3%). These comparisons place the Intel part slightly below its closest competitor, while the AMD part sits slightly above its nearest rival, but the head-to-head gap remains consistent.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded head-to-head benchmarks, the Intel Core i7-9850HE wins in every tested category. There are no benchmark wins for the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X in the database. This means that in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core, the Intel part is ahead.

However, the AMD part has some characteristics that could be advantageous in other contexts, though they are not reflected in these benchmarks. The AMD part has a higher base clock (3.60 GHz vs 2.70 GHz), which could benefit sustained workloads that do not boost to maximum. It also has a higher memory bandwidth (46.9 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s), which might help memory-intensive tasks. The AMD part is a desktop processor with an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the Intel part is a mobile processor with a locked multiplier. These factors could make the AMD part more flexible for enthusiasts, but the benchmark data shows the Intel part is faster in the tested Cinebench workloads.

The Intel part's integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630) provide a built-in display output, while the AMD part has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. This makes the Intel part more suitable for systems without a dedicated graphics card. The Intel part is also rated at a lower TDP (45W vs 65W), which may be preferable in thermally constrained environments, though the AMD part's higher TDP allows for a higher base clock.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The Intel Core i7-9850HE is based on Coffee Lake, specifically the Coffee Lake-HR refresh, and uses a 14 nm process from Intel. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500X is based on the Zen architecture, specifically Zen+ (Pinnacle Ridge), and uses a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. The AMD part has a transistor count of 4,800 million and a die size of 213 mm², while the Intel part has a die size of 149 mm² and no listed transistor count.

The core configurations differ significantly. The Intel part has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD part has 4 cores and 8 threads. This gives the Intel part a 50% advantage in core count and thread count. The cache hierarchy also differs: the Intel part has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 9 MB shared L3. The AMD part has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The AMD part has larger L1 and L2 caches per core, but the Intel part has a larger L3 cache overall.

Clock speeds differ as well. The Intel part has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The AMD part has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The AMD part has a higher base clock, but the Intel part has a higher boost clock. Thermal design power (TDP) also differs: the Intel part is rated at 45W, while the AMD part is rated at 65W.

Memory support is similar: both support DDR4 and dual-channel memory. However, the memory bandwidth figures differ: the Intel part lists 42.7 GB/s, while the AMD part lists 46.9 GB/s. The AMD part has a higher theoretical bandwidth. The sockets are different: the Intel part uses Intel BGA 1440, a soldered mobile socket, while the AMD part uses AMD Socket AM4, a desktop socket. The Intel part is marked as end-of-life, while the AMD part is active. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked.

The AMD part has a release date of September 9, 2018, while the Intel part has no release date in the database. The AMD part has a part number YD250XBBM4KAFYD250XBBAFMPK, while the Intel part is SRFED.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i7-9850HE has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-9850HE has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-9850HE has an average benchmark score of 2421, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X has an average of 2361.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X have integrated graphics?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X has no integrated graphics. The Intel Core i7-9850HE includes UHD Graphics 630.

Q: Which processor is unlocked for overclocking?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500X has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i7-9850HE is locked.

Q: What are the market segments of these processors?

A: The Intel Core i7-9850HE is a mobile processor, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2500X is a desktop processor.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 6 (Intel) vs 4 (AMD)
• Threads: 12 (Intel) vs 8 (AMD)
• Base clock: 2.70 GHz (Intel) vs 3.60 GHz (AMD)
• Boost clock: 4.40 GHz (Intel) vs 4.00 GHz (AMD)
• TDP: 45W (Intel) vs 65W (AMD)
• Socket: Intel BGA 1440 (Intel) vs AMD Socket AM4 (AMD)
• Architecture: Coffee Lake (Intel) vs Zen (AMD)
• Process node: 14 nm (Intel) vs 12 nm (AMD)
• Foundry: Intel (Intel) vs GlobalFoundries (AMD)
• L1 cache per core: 64 KB (Intel) vs 96 KB (AMD)
• L2 cache per core: 256 KB (Intel) vs 512 KB (AMD)
• L3 cache (shared): 9 MB (Intel) vs 8 MB (AMD)
• Memory bandwidth: 42.7 GB/s (Intel) vs 46.9 GB/s (AMD)
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 630 (Intel) vs none (AMD)
• Market segment: Mobile (Intel) vs Desktop (AMD)
• Production status: End-of-life (Intel) vs Active (AMD)
• Release date: not listed (Intel) vs 2018-09-09 (AMD)
• Multiplier unlocked: false (Intel) vs true (AMD)
• Part number: SRFED (Intel) vs YD250XBBM4KAFYD250XBBAFMPK (AMD)

These differences highlight the distinct design goals: the Intel part prioritizes multi-threaded performance and power efficiency for mobile use, while the AMD part offers a higher base clock and overclocking capability for desktop enthusiasts. The benchmark data, however, shows the Intel part leading in all recorded Cinebench tests, making it the stronger performer in these specific workloads.