AMD Ryzen 5 7520C vs Intel Core i3-8350K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C across every Cinebench test in the head-to-head comparison. The margin is remarkably consistent, hovering near 25% in all six measured workloads. This uniformity suggests a systematic advantage in per-core throughput rather than a workload-specific quirk.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen 5 7520C scores 741 against the Core i3-8350K's 593, a 25% lead. The single-core R15 result tells a similar story: 104 versus 83, a 25.3% gap. Moving to R20, the multicore scores are 3089 and 2471 (25% delta), while single-core lands at 435 versus 348 (25% delta). The R23 results follow the pattern: 7355 against 5884 in multicore (25%), and 1038 versus 830 in single-core (25.1%).

The consistency of the delta is notable. Whether the workload is heavily threaded or purely single-threaded, the AMD part maintains roughly the same lead. This indicates that the 7520C's advantage comes from higher instruction-level efficiency, not from having more threads to throw at a problem. The Core i3-8350K, despite its 4.00 GHz base clock, simply cannot match the newer architecture's per-cycle output.

The Intel processor does have one additional data point in the database: Geekbench results showing 4992 multicore and 1564 single-core. However, no equivalent Geekbench scores exist for the AMD part in this comparison, so no direct head-to-head percentage can be derived. The six Cinebench tests remain the sole basis for the 6-0 win tally.

Looking at overall average benchmark scores, the Ryzen 5 7520C sits at 2127, placing it in the 46th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-1160G7 at 2124 (0.2% ahead), the Intel Atom C5125 at 2122 (0.3% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U at 2135 (0.4% behind). The Core i3-8350K averages 2096, also in the 46th percentile, with rivals like the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X at 2094 (0.1% ahead) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G at 2101 (0.2% behind). These aggregate scores place both parts in the same performance tier, yet the direct Cinebench comparisons show the AMD processor consistently ahead. The discrepancy suggests the Geekbench data for Intel, which is absent for AMD, skews the aggregate picture.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Mendocino codename, built on a 6 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i3-8350K uses Coffee Lake, produced on Intel's 14 nm process. The process node difference of 8 nm is substantial, explaining much of the efficiency gap between the parts.

Both CPUs have four physical cores, but the AMD part supports 8 threads through simultaneous multithreading, while the Intel part is limited to 4 threads. This doubles the AMD's logical core count, yet the benchmark deltas show only a 25% advantage in multicore workloads. This suggests that the AMD's SMT implementation provides diminishing returns in Cinebench, and the real story lies in single-thread efficiency where the AMD part leads by 25-25.3%.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The Ryzen 5 7520C has 64 KB of L1 per core (identical to Intel), but its L2 is 512 KB per core versus Intel's 256 KB. The L3 cache flips the comparison: AMD offers 4 MB shared, while Intel provides 8 MB shared. The AMD part's larger L2 likely helps with per-thread working sets, while Intel's larger L3 benefits data shared across cores.

Memory support diverges completely. The AMD processor uses LPDDR5 with a dual-channel bus, delivering 88.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Intel part uses DDR4, also dual-channel, but caps at 38.4 GB/s. This 49.6 GB/s difference is enormous and likely contributes to the AMD's superior performance in memory-sensitive workloads, even though Cinebench is not primarily bandwidth-limited.

The integrated graphics differ as well: AMD pairs the CPU with Radeon 610M, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 630. The AMD part supports only 4 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, whereas Intel offers 16 lanes. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory, which the AMD part does not. These platform-level differences reflect their target markets: the AMD is a mobile processor in the FT6 socket, while the Intel is a desktop chip in Socket 1151.

The Ryzen 5 7520C has a 15 W TDP, a remarkably low figure for a quad-core with 8 threads. The Core i3-8350K draws 91 W, over six times more power. This efficiency gap stems directly from the process node advantage and the mobile-oriented design of the AMD part. The Intel chip's base clock of 4.00 GHz is higher than AMD's 2.80 GHz base, but the AMD's boost reaches 4.30 GHz, which exceeds the Intel's fixed clock. The Intel has no boost clock listed, functioning at a constant 4.00 GHz.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded Cinebench tests?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C wins all three single-core tests. The deltas are 25.3% in R15 (104 vs 83), 25% in R20 (435 vs 348), and 25.1% in R23 (1038 vs 830).

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-8350K win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The recorded data shows the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C winning all six Cinebench tests, with no wins recorded for the Intel part.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C averages 2127, while the Intel Core i3-8350K averages 2096. Both sit in the 46th percentile of all CPUs, with the AMD part slightly ahead by 31 points.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C supports LPDDR5 with 88.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i3-8350K supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. Both use dual-channel configurations.

Q: Does the Intel processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i3-8350K has ECC memory support. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C does not support ECC memory.

Q: What are the production statuses of these chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C is listed as active, while the Intel Core i3-8350K is end-of-life. The Intel part launched on 2017-10-04, and the AMD part on 2023-05-22.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 7520C | Intel Core i3-8350K |

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

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | None listed |

| TDP | 15 W | 91 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FT6 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Mendocino | Coffee Lake |

| Process Node | 6 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 100 mm² | 126 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 88.0 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 3, 4 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 610M | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | None listed | $168 |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, so its territory is clear: all Cinebench workloads, both single-threaded and multi-threaded. The 25% advantage across the board means this processor is the faster part for rendering tasks, CPU-bound productivity, and anything relying on per-core performance. Its 8 threads give it additional headroom for lightly threaded applications that can use SMT, though the benchmark data shows the gain is capped at 25% over the 4-thread Intel part.

The Intel Core i3-8350K has no benchmark wins in this comparison, but it retains strengths in platform capabilities. Its 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU allow for more expansion options, and its ECC memory support suits reliability-focused desktop builds. The unlocked multiplier on the Intel part opens overclocking possibilities, though the database does not record any overclocked results. Its 8 MB L3 cache is double the AMD's 4 MB, which could benefit workloads with large shared datasets, but the Cinebench results do not reflect an advantage from this.

For mobile use, the AMD part is the obvious choice given its 15 W TDP and LPDDR5 support, plus its active production status. The Intel chip, at 91 W and end-of-life, belongs to a different era of desktop computing. The AMD's 88.0 GB/s memory bandwidth dwarfs Intel's 38.4 GB/s, making the AMD part better suited for memory-intensive tasks that the recorded benchmarks might not fully capture.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C outperforms the Intel Core i3-8350K in every recorded benchmark, with deltas between 25% and 25.3%. Users seeking raw Cinebench performance should choose the AMD part. It delivers higher scores in both single-core and multi-core tests while consuming 76 W less power, a combination that points to the 6 nm process advantage.

The Intel Core i3-8350K retains relevance only for specific platform requirements: ECC memory support, 16 PCIe lanes, an unlocked multiplier, and a larger 8 MB L3 cache. Anyone needing these features on a desktop Socket 1151 board would take the Intel chip, but the benchmark data offers no performance justification.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C also carries the practical benefits of active production status and a 2023 release, versus Intel's end-of-life 2017 part. Its launch MSRP is not recorded, while the Intel chip lists at $168, but the database does not provide enough pricing context for further comparison. The verdict from the measurements alone: the AMD processor wins outright on performance, and the Intel part wins only on legacy platform features that no longer translate into benchmark superiority.