AMD Ryzen 5 7520C vs Intel Core i3-9350KF Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data paints a remarkably consistent picture across all six Cinebench comparisons. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C wins every single head-to-head benchmark against the Intel Core i3-9350KF, with a delta that stays tightly clustered between 15.6% and 15.8%. That consistency suggests a fundamental performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen 5 7520C scores 741 against 640 for the Intel part, a 15.8% advantage. The single-core R15 result is nearly identical in percentage terms: 104 versus 90, a 15.6% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore test shows 3089 versus 2667, again 15.8% ahead. The R20 single-core result is 435 versus 376, a 15.7% margin. Cinebench R23 multicore delivers 7355 versus 6352, and the single-core result is 1038 versus 896. Both of those R23 comparisons also land at 15.8% deltas.

The fact that the lead is so uniform across single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads is notable. Many processors trade blows depending on the test type, but here the AMD chip simply has the edge everywhere. The Ryzen 5 7520C's 8 threads versus 4 threads helps explain the multicore wins, but the single-core results show it is not merely a threading advantage. The AMD part is faster even when only one core is being exercised.

It is also worth placing these numbers in context. The Ryzen 5 7520C sits at the 46th percentile among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 2127. The Core i3-9350KF also sits at the 46th percentile, with an average score of 2082. Their nearest rivals reflect this closeness in overall standing: the Ryzen chip trades places with the Intel Core i7-1160G7 (0.2% delta), the Intel Atom C5125 (0.3%), the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U (-0.4%), and the Intel Core i5-9400T (-0.4%). The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon W-2123 (0.2%), the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 (-0.2%), the Intel Xeon E5-2628 v3 (0.3%), and the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X (-0.6%). Both processors are firmly mid-pack performers, but within their direct comparison, the AMD part is consistently quicker.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks in this comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C wins all six recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Core i3-9350KF does not win a single one.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

A: The Ryzen 5 7520C leads by 15.8% in Cinebench R15 multicore, R20 multicore, and R23 multicore. The scores are 741 versus 640, 3089 versus 2667, and 7355 versus 6352 respectively.

Q: Is the AMD processor also faster in single-core tests?

A: Yes. The Ryzen 5 7520C leads by 15.6% in Cinebench R15 single-core (104 versus 90), by 15.7% in R20 single-core (435 versus 376), and by 15.8% in R23 single-core (1038 versus 896).

Q: How do these two processors compare in overall database standings?

A: Both are at the 46th percentile among all CPUs. The Ryzen 5 7520C has an average benchmark score of 2127, while the Core i3-9350KF averages 2082.

Q: Does the Intel processor have any benchmark advantage at all?

A: The recorded head-to-head data shows no wins for the Intel Core i3-9350KF. However, the Intel chip does have additional Geekbench scores in its record (4098 multi-core, 1534 single-core) that are not part of the direct head-to-head comparison, since the AMD chip lacks corresponding Geekbench entries in the database.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C is listed as Active. The Intel Core i3-9350KF is listed as End-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C wins every workload category that was measured. In pure rendering and CPU-bound compute tasks, Cinebench results consistently favor the AMD part by roughly 15.6% to 15.8%. That means for anyone running Cinebench-style workloads, video encoding, 3D rendering, or other multi-threaded productivity tasks, the Ryzen 5 7520C is the faster choice by a meaningful margin.

The Intel Core i3-9350KF does have a role, but it is not defined by winning benchmarks. Its record includes Geekbench scores (4098 multi-core, 1534 single-core) that are absent from the AMD chip's file, so the Intel part offers a broader set of recorded data points. For builders who already own an LGA 1151 platform or who specifically need ECC memory support, the Intel chip remains a valid option despite losing the Cinebench comparisons. However, the benchmark evidence does not point to any workload where the Intel part pulls ahead.

The Ryzen 5 7520C also benefits from being an active product with a mobile market segment, while the Intel chip is an end-of-life desktop part. For new system builds, the active status of the AMD processor matters more than any raw specification sheet advantage. The data simply does not provide a scenario where the Intel i3-9350KF is the faster processor in the tests that were recorded.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge sharply on nearly every specification that matters. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-9350KF has 4 cores and 4 threads. That doubles the thread count on the AMD side, which directly explains part of its multi-core advantage.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The Intel part has a 4.00 GHz base clock and a 4.60 GHz boost clock, both higher than the AMD chip's 2.80 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. Despite the lower clocks, the AMD processor still wins every benchmark, which points to architectural efficiency rather than raw frequency.

Power draw is a major differentiator. The Ryzen 5 7520C has a 15 W TDP, while the Core i3-9350KF consumes 91 W. That is a staggering difference in thermal and power requirements, and it explains why the AMD chip is a mobile part while the Intel chip is a desktop part. The sockets reflect this as well: AMD uses Socket FT6, Intel uses Socket 1151.

Memory support differs completely. The AMD chip uses LPDDR5 with dual-channel support and 88.0 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Intel chip uses DDR4 with dual-channel support and 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD part offers more than double the memory bandwidth on paper, which contributes to its performance lead. The Intel chip supports ECC memory, while the AMD chip does not.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The AMD processor provides Gen 3 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel processor provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel part has far more PCIe lanes for expansion. Integrated graphics are present on the AMD chip (Radeon 610M) but absent on the Intel chip, meaning the Intel part requires a discrete graphics card.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is generational. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C is built on Zen 2 architecture with the Mendocino codename, part of the 7000 series. It uses a 6 nm process node from TSMC with a die size of 100 mm². The Intel Core i3-9350KF uses Coffee Lake architecture with the Coffee Lake Refresh generation, built on a 14 nm process node from Intel with a die size of 126 mm².

The process node difference is substantial: 6 nm versus 14 nm. That translates directly into the efficiency gap seen in the TDP figures, with the AMD chip drawing 15 W versus 91 W for the Intel chip. The smaller node also helps explain how the AMD chip can deliver higher performance despite lower clock speeds.

Cache layouts differ in meaningful ways. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core. The AMD chip has 512 KB of L2 cache per core, while the Intel chip has 256 KB per core. In L3 cache, the Intel chip has 8 MB shared, while the AMD chip has 4 MB shared. The Intel part has more total L3, but the AMD part has double the L2 per core, which can be more impactful for certain workloads.

The AMD processor is from the Ryzen 5 lineup within the 7000 series and uses the Mendocino codename. The Intel processor is a Core i3 from the Coffee Lake Refresh generation. These are different market segments entirely: the AMD chip is a mobile part while the Intel chip is a desktop part. The release dates reflect this, with the AMD chip released on 2023-05-22 and the Intel chip released on 2019-01-07. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $173, while the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The choice between these two processors is straightforward based on the recorded data. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C wins every single head-to-head benchmark, with margins between 15.6% and 15.8% across both single-core and multi-core Cinebench tests. It does so while consuming 15 W versus 91 W, using a 6 nm process versus 14 nm, and offering 8 threads versus 4 threads. For anyone building a new system, especially a laptop or low-power device, the AMD processor is the clear performance winner.

The Intel Core i3-9350KF retains relevance only in specific situations. It has ECC memory support, which the AMD chip lacks. It offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus 4, which matters for expansion-heavy desktop builds. It also has a higher base clock (4.00 GHz versus 2.80 GHz) and boost clock (4.60 GHz versus 4.30 GHz), though that did not translate into benchmark wins. Its 8 MB of shared L3 cache is double the AMD chip's 4 MB, but that did not help in the recorded tests either.

The data suggests that the Ryzen 5 7520C is the better engineering achievement: higher performance, dramatically lower power draw, and a more modern process node. The Intel part is an end-of-life desktop processor from 2019, while the AMD part is an active mobile processor from 2023. For most builders, the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C is the obvious pick. The Intel Core i3-9350KF only makes sense for legacy platform upgrades or specialized ECC memory requirements. Both processors sit at the 46th percentile overall, so neither is a high-end part, but within this direct comparison, the AMD chip wins every recorded test.