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

Intel Core i3-8350K and AMD Ryzen 5 7520U are two very different processors that happen to share a core count. The database records show a 3-3 split in benchmark wins, but the margins and the nature of those wins tell a clear story of divergent design goals. The i3-8350K is a desktop part built for sustained throughput, while the 7520U is a low-power mobile chip optimized for single-thread responsiveness and efficiency. Their average benchmark scores are remarkably close, 2096 for the Intel and 2046 for the AMD, a difference of only 2.4%, which places them in nearly the same percentile ranking among all CPUs (46th vs 45th).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i3-8350K dominates in multi-threaded and memory-sensitive workloads that can scale across the system. It wins decisively in Geekbench multicore with a score of 4992, a 32.6% lead over the AMD's 3766. It also wins in Cinebench R23 multicore, scoring 5884 versus 5149, a 14.3% advantage. These results indicate the i3-8350K is better suited for content creation tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering, and compiling, where the higher sustained power draw (91 W TDP) and faster memory interface (dual-channel DDR4 at 38.4 GB/s) pay off.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U wins in the Cinebench R15 tests and in Cinebench R23 single-core. The most striking win is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 168.8 against the Intel's 83, a 50.8% margin. It also wins Cinebench R15 multicore (834 vs 593, a 28.9% lead) and Cinebench R23 single-core (1171 vs 830, a 29.1% lead). This pattern suggests the 7520U excels at lighter, bursty workloads, everyday app responsiveness, and tasks that rely on high clock speeds per core. Its 4.30 GHz boost clock and Zen 2 architecture give it a strong edge in single-threaded scenarios, making it the better choice for general desktop use, web browsing, and office productivity.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs represent completely different design philosophies from their respective manufacturers. The Intel Core i3-8350K is built on the Coffee Lake architecture using a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry, with a die size of 126 mm². It has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no hyper-threading, which limits its ability to handle heavily parallel workloads despite its high base clock of 4.00 GHz. It uses an Intel Socket 1151 and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. Its cache configuration includes 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus 8 MB of shared L3.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U is a Zen 2 architecture chip, codenamed Mendocino, manufactured on a 6 nm process at TSMC, with a smaller die size of 100 mm². It features 4 cores and 8 threads, doubling the thread count of the Intel part. It has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, allowing it to reach higher single-core speeds when needed. It uses an AMD Socket FT6, supports LPDDR5 memory with a much higher bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s, and has a cache layout of 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3, half of the Intel's L3. The 7520U also has a radically different TDP envelope at 15 W versus the Intel's 91 W, reflecting its mobile focus.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a clear split that depends on the benchmark generation and workload type. In Cinebench R15, the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U dominates both tests. In multicore, it scores 834 against the Intel's 593, a 28.9% advantage. In single-core, the gap widens to 50.8%, with scores of 168.8 and 83 respectively. These are the largest margins in the entire comparison, and they suggest that in older Cinebench versions, the AMD's higher boost clock and better IPC win out.

In Cinebench R23, the results flip for multicore. The Intel Core i3-8350K scores 5884, which is 14.3% higher than the AMD's 5149. This indicates that the newer Cinebench version scales better with the Intel's larger L3 cache and higher sustained power delivery. However, in R23 single-core, the AMD still wins with 1171 versus 830, a 29.1% margin, reinforcing the AMD's single-thread superiority.

Geekbench results favor the Intel part across both tests. In multicore, the i3-8350K scores 4992 versus 3766, a 32.6% lead. In single-core, it scores 1564 versus 1185, a 32% lead. This is the opposite of the Cinebench single-core results, highlighting that benchmark suites measure different aspects of performance. The Intel's higher base clock of 4.00 GHz and its memory bandwidth advantages likely contribute to its Geekbench showing, while the AMD's boost clock of 4.30 GHz helps it in Cinebench.

Specification Differences

The specification table reveals fundamental differences beyond the core count. The Intel Core i3-8350K has a base clock of 4.00 GHz with no boost clock listed, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The Intel has 4 threads, the AMD has 8 threads. TDP is a major differentiator: 91 W for the Intel versus 15 W for the AMD.

The Intel uses Intel Socket 1151, the AMD uses AMD Socket FT6. The Intel is built on a 14 nm process at Intel, the AMD on a 6 nm process at TSMC. Die size is 126 mm² for the Intel and 100 mm² for the AMD. L2 cache is 256 KB per core for the Intel, 512 KB per core for the AMD. L3 cache is 8 MB shared for the Intel, 4 MB shared for the AMD. Memory support is DDR4 for the Intel, LPDDR5 for the AMD. Memory bandwidth is 38.4 GB/s for the Intel, 88.0 GB/s for the AMD. The Intel supports ECC memory, the AMD does not. PCIe lanes differ: 16 lanes for the Intel, 4 lanes for the AMD. The Intel has an unlocked multiplier, the AMD is locked. The Intel's integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 630, the AMD's are Radeon 610M. The Intel is end-of-life, the AMD is active. The Intel was released in 2017, the AMD in 2022.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U scores 1171, which is 29.1% higher than the Intel Core i3-8350K's 830.

Q: Which processor is better for multi-threaded workloads in Geekbench?

A: The Intel Core i3-8350K scores 4992, which is 32.6% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U's 3766.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in terms of thread count?

A: The Intel Core i3-8350K has 4 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U has 8 threads.

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

A: The Intel Core i3-8350K has a TDP of 91 W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U has a TDP of 15 W.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i3-8350K supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U does not.

Q: How does the memory bandwidth compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U has a memory bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s, which is more than double the Intel Core i3-8350K's 38.4 GB/s.

The Verdict

The data points to two distinct use cases. The Intel Core i3-8350K is the choice for users who need maximum multi-core throughput in a desktop environment, as evidenced by its wins in Cinebench R23 multicore and both Geekbench tests. Its 32.6% lead in Geekbench multicore and 14.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore over the AMD part show that it can sustain heavy parallel workloads, likely due to its higher base clock and larger 8 MB L3 cache. Its unlocked multiplier and ECC support also make it suitable for overclocking and workstation-style reliability.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U is the better option for mobile users who prioritize single-thread speed and power efficiency. Its wins in Cinebench R15 multicore and single-core, and Cinebench R23 single-core, with margins of 28.9%, 50.8%, and 29.1% respectively, show that it delivers strong per-core performance when boosted to 4.30 GHz. Its 15 W TDP and 88.0 GB/s LPDDR5 bandwidth make it ideal for thin laptops where battery life and thermal limits matter more than raw sustained compute. The 7520U also has twice the threads, which helps in lighter multitasking scenarios despite its lower overall multi-core scores in newer benchmarks.

For a stationary desktop build focused on rendering, compiling, or content creation, the Intel Core i3-8350K is the pick from the recorded data. For a portable machine that needs snappy app performance and low power draw, the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U is the pick. The 3-3 win split is a statistical tie, but the benchmarks they win are not equal in weight: the Intel's wins are in broader, more modern multi-core and memory tests, while the AMD's wins are more concentrated in single-core and older Cinebench versions. The 46th percentile for the Intel and 45th for the AMD confirm they are close overall, but the context of their design targets makes the choice clear.