AMD Ryzen 5 7520C vs Intel Core i5-8259U Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C and Intel Core i5-8259U are both 4-core, 8-thread mobile processors, but the benchmark data reveals a consistent edge for the AMD part across every rendering test. The Ryzen 5 7520C wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with deltas ranging from 10.6% to 11.1% in Cinebench workloads. The Intel chip’s only additional data points come from Geekbench, where it scores 4168 multi-core and 1207 single-core, though no direct AMD comparison is provided for those tests. Both CPUs sit at the 46th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are close: 2127 for the AMD versus 2108 for the Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite tells a remarkably uniform story. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 7520C scores 741 against the Core i5-8259U’s 667, a 11.1% advantage. The single-core R15 result is 104 versus 94, a 10.6% lead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD part posts 3089 multi-core and 435 single-core, while the Intel part manages 2781 and 392, respectively; both deltas sit at 11.1% and 11%. In Cinebench R23, the pattern holds exactly: 7355 versus 6622 multi-core (11.1%) and 1038 versus 934 single-core (11.1%).

These are not marginal wins. Every single-core delta is roughly 11%, and every multi-core delta is 11.1%. The consistency suggests a fundamental throughput advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The Ryzen 5 7520C’s boost clock of 4.30 GHz against the Intel’s 3.80 GHz likely contributes, but the architecture differences below matter more. For context, the AMD chip’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-1160G7 (avg score 2124, delta 0.2%) and the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U (avg 2135, delta -0.4%). The Intel Core i5-8259U sits near the Intel Core i5-8500T (avg 2110, delta -0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G (avg 2101, delta 0.3%). Both processors occupy the same overall performance tier, yet the head-to-head results show the Ryzen 5 7520C clearly ahead in Cinebench.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different process generations and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C uses the Zen 2 architecture on a 6 nm process, manufactured by TSMC, with a die size of 100 mm². The Intel Core i5-8259U uses the older Coffee Lake architecture on Intel’s 14 nm process, with a larger die at 126 mm². This node advantage helps explain the AMD chip’s efficiency: it carries a 15 W TDP versus the Intel part’s 28 W TDP, despite delivering higher Cinebench scores.

Cache configurations also differ. The Ryzen 5 7520C has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. The Intel part has the same 64 KB L1 per core, but only 256 KB L2 per core, and a larger 6 MB shared L3. The larger L3 on the Intel side does not compensate for the smaller L2 in these tests. Memory support diverges as well: the AMD chip uses LPDDR5 with dual-channel support and 88.0 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel chip uses DDR4 with dual-channel support and only 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. That is a substantial bandwidth gap that favors the AMD part in memory-sensitive workloads.

PCIe lanes also differ significantly. The Ryzen 5 7520C provides Gen 3 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core i5-8259U offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). This makes the Intel part more suitable for discrete GPU connectivity, though the integrated graphics differ too: the AMD chip has Radeon 610M, while the Intel chip has Iris Pro Plus 655. The Intel part is end-of-life, released in April 2018, while the AMD chip is active, released in May 2023. The Intel chip had a launch MSRP of $320; the AMD part has no listed launch MSRP. Neither CPU supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C wins every benchmark where direct comparison exists. That includes all six Cinebench tests, spanning R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core modes. The data shows no workload category among these rendering tests where the Intel Core i5-8259U pulls ahead. The AMD chip’s higher boost clock (4.30 GHz versus 3.80 GHz) and newer process node likely drive this consistent advantage.

The Intel Core i5-8259U does have wins outside the Cinebench suite, though not against the AMD chip directly. Its Geekbench scores of 4168 multi-core and 1207 single-core are recorded, but no corresponding AMD Geekbench results appear in the data. For platform flexibility, the Intel part offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, which is four times the AMD chip’s 4 lanes. That makes the Intel chip better suited for systems needing discrete graphics or multiple high-speed devices. The Intel part also has a larger shared L3 cache (6 MB versus 4 MB), which could help in specific cache-resident workloads, though the Cinebench results do not reflect any benefit.

For power-sensitive designs, the AMD chip’s 15 W TDP versus 28 W gives it a clear efficiency advantage. The AMD part also supports faster memory (LPDDR5 at 88.0 GB/s versus DDR4 at 38.4 GB/s), which can matter in integrated-graphics scenarios or memory-bound tasks. The Intel chip’s Iris Pro Plus 655 integrated graphics may be stronger than the Radeon 610M in some scenarios, but no graphics benchmarks are provided to confirm this.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the data, the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C is the faster processor in every measured Cinebench workload. It wins all six head-to-head tests with deltas of 10.6% to 11.1%, and it does so while drawing nearly half the power (15 W versus 28 W). Users prioritizing multi-threaded rendering, single-thread responsiveness, or battery life in a mobile form factor should pick the AMD chip. Its newer 6 nm process, higher boost clock, and double the memory bandwidth all support this choice.

The Intel Core i5-8259U still has a role, but it is narrower. Its 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes make it the better option for a system that needs to attach a discrete GPU or multiple NVMe drives. Its larger 6 MB L3 cache and older Iris Pro Plus 655 graphics could also be preferable in specific embedded or legacy software contexts, though the provided benchmarks do not demonstrate any performance win. The Intel chip is end-of-life, while the AMD part remains active, which affects long-term availability. For most workloads measured here, the Ryzen 5 7520C is the clear choice.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C scores 1038, while the Intel Core i5-8259U scores 934, giving the AMD chip an 11.1% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C has a 15 W TDP, while the Intel Core i5-8259U has a 28 W TDP.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which CPU supports faster memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520C supports LPDDR5 with 88.0 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel Core i5-8259U supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the Intel Core i5-8259U’s launch MSRP?

A: The Intel Core i5-8259U had a launch MSRP of $320; the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C has no listed launch MSRP.

Q: Which CPU has more PCIe lanes?

A: The Intel Core i5-8259U has 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C has 4 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only).

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 7520C | Intel Core i5-8259U |

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

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Mendocino | Coffee Lake-U |

| Process Node | 6 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 100 mm² | 126 mm² |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 28 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FT6 | Intel BGA 1526 |

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

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5 | DDR4 |

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

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

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 610M | Iris Pro Plus 655 |

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

| Release Date | 2023-05-22 | 2018-04-04 |

| Launch MSRP | None | $320 |

| Part Number | 100-000000773 | SRCKBSRCUU |