AMD Ryzen 5 7520U vs Intel Core i3-10105T Comparison

The Intel Core i3-10105T and AMD Ryzen 5 7520U present a fascinating contrast: a desktop chip built on a mature 14 nm process facing a mobile part on a high-end 6 nm node. The benchmark data reveals a split decision, with each processor claiming victories in different workloads, challenging any simple notion of a single "better" CPU. The Intel part holds a slight edge in the aggregate benchmark average (2058 vs 2046), yet the AMD chip wins four of the six head-to-head tests, highlighting that overall averages can mask significant performance swings depending on the specific application.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic divergence appears in the Cinebench suite, where the two chips trade blows with opposite results. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i3-10105T delivers a decisive victory, scoring 6656 against the Ryzen 5 7520U's 5149, a substantial 29.3% advantage. This is the single largest margin in any test and suggests that the Intel chip's sustained multi-threaded performance under load is a clear strength. However, the story flips in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U wins with a score of 834 versus the Intel's 670, a 19.7% delta. This inconsistency between R15 and R23 results is curious, implying that the two processors have very different performance scaling characteristics depending on the workload length and instruction set.

Single-core performance heavily favors the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U, and the margin is stark. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ryzen scores 168.8 compared to the Intel's 94, a massive 44.3% lead. Similarly, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD chip wins again with 1171 versus 939, a 19.8% advantage. These results align with the Ryzen's higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz versus the Intel's 3.90 GHz. The Geekbench results offer a more nuanced picture. In Geekbench multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U edges out the Intel with a score of 3766 versus 3649, a slim 3.1% margin. But in Geekbench single-core, the Intel Core i3-10105T claims its second win, scoring 1265 against the Ryzen's 1185, a 6.8% lead. This is a reversal of the Cinebench single-core results, indicating that the two benchmarks measure different aspects of performance, possibly related to memory latency or specific instruction execution.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural divide is stark. The Intel Core i3-10105T is built on Intel's 14 nm process node, manufactured by Intel itself, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U uses TSMC's 6 nm process. This node difference explains the power characteristics, with the Intel chip having a 35 W TDP compared to the Ryzen's 15 W TDP. The Intel chip is based on the older Comet Lake architecture, specifically Comet Lake-R, while the AMD chip uses the Zen 2 architecture under the codename "Mendocino." Both processors feature 4 cores and 8 threads, so the thread count is identical. However, cache configurations differ significantly: the Intel chip has a 6 MB shared L3 cache, while the AMD chip has a smaller 4 MB shared L3 cache. The per-core L2 cache also differs, with the AMD offering 512 KB per core versus Intel's 256 KB per core.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The Intel chip supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The AMD chip supports LPDDR5 memory, also dual-channel, but with a much higher bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s, more than double the Intel's figure. This memory bandwidth advantage likely contributes to the AMD chip's strong single-core performance in Cinebench. PCIe connectivity also sets them apart: the Intel chip provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD chip offers only 4 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. This makes the Intel chip far more suitable for desktop expansion, while the AMD chip is clearly designed for a compact mobile platform. The integrated graphics also differ, with Intel using UHD Graphics 630 and AMD using Radeon 610M. The Intel chip's die size is not listed, but the AMD chip has a known die size of 100 mm².

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U has a higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz, while the Intel Core i3-10105T has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core Cinebench R23 performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-10105T wins decisively, scoring 6656 versus the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U's 5149, a 29.3% lead.

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

A: The Intel Core i3-10105T has a 35 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U has a 15 W TDP, making the AMD chip significantly more power-efficient on paper.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i3-10105T has a larger L3 cache at 6 MB shared, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U's 4 MB shared.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: No, the Intel Core i3-10105T supports DDR4, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U supports LPDDR5. The AMD chip also has a higher memory bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for Intel.

Q: Which chip has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-10105T has a marginally higher average benchmark score of 2058, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U's 2046.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-10105T | AMD Ryzen 5 7520U |

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

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 15 W |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 6 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR4 | LPDDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 88.0 GB/s |

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

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

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | AMD Socket FT6 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2022-09-19 |

| Launch MSRP | $134 | Not listed |

| Die Size | Not listed | 100 mm² |

The Verdict

The data does not crown a single overall winner; instead, it reveals two processors tailored for different environments. The Intel Core i3-10105T is the clear choice for multi-threaded desktop workloads that can leverage its 29.3% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core and its 6.8% win in Geekbench single-core. Its 16 PCIe lanes and DDR4 support make it a natural fit for a full desktop system with discrete components. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U, on the other hand, is the superior mobile processor, dominating in Cinebench R15 single-core by 44.3% and R23 single-core by 19.8%, while also winning in Cinebench R15 multi-core and Geekbench multi-core. Its 15 W TDP and LPDDR5 support point to a thin-and-light laptop where power efficiency and memory bandwidth are paramount. The Intel chip's higher average benchmark score (2058 vs 2046) is nominal and does not outweigh the AMD chip's wins in the majority of head-to-head tests. For a desktop user prioritizing raw multi-core rendering, the Intel chip is the data-supported pick. For a mobile user needing strong single-core response and lower power draw, the AMD chip is the clear winner.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i3-10105T wins in:

• Sustained multi-threaded rendering: The 29.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core suggests it can handle longer, more demanding rendering workloads better than the AMD chip.
• Geekbench single-core: A 6.8% win here indicates an advantage in certain single-threaded tasks as measured by Geekbench.
• Desktop expansion: With 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, it supports more add-in cards and peripherals than the AMD chip's 4 lanes.
• Legacy memory compatibility: DDR4 support may be easier to integrate into existing desktop platforms.

AMD Ryzen 5 7520U wins in:

• Single-core performance (Cinebench): The 44.3% lead in R15 single-core and 19.8% lead in R23 single-core demonstrate a clear edge in short, bursty workloads.
• Multi-core performance (Cinebench R15 and Geekbench): Wins here, with deltas of 19.7% and 3.1%, respectively, show it can outperform the Intel chip in some multi-threaded scenarios.
• Memory bandwidth: The 88.0 GB/s bandwidth is more than double the Intel's, which can benefit memory-intensive applications.
• Power efficiency: The 15 W TDP is less than half of the Intel's 35 W, making it ideal for fanless or passively-cooled mobile designs.
• Die size: The 100 mm² die size suggests a compact, efficient design suitable for small form factors.