AMD Ryzen 5 7520U vs Intel Core i5-1130G7 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data between the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U and the Intel Core i5-1130G7 reveals a split personality depending on the workload generation. Across the four directly compared tests, the AMD part claims three wins, while the Intel part takes one decisive victory. The most striking result is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Ryzen 5 7520U scores 168.8 against the i5-1130G7’s 99, a massive 70.5% advantage. That is an enormous gap for a single-threaded test, suggesting the AMD chip’s 4.30 GHz boost clock is doing heavy lifting in lightly threaded scenarios, especially when compared to the Intel part’s 4.00 GHz boost.

The multi-core Cinebench R15 result follows the same pattern, with the Ryzen 5 7520U scoring 834 versus 706 for the Intel part, a 18.1% lead. Both chips are 4-core, 8-thread designs at 15 W TDP, so this delta in an older rendering benchmark points to the AMD architecture being more efficient in that specific test. The newer Cinebench R23 single-core test again favors AMD, but by a smaller margin: 1171 versus 989, an 18.4% difference. That is still a clear win, but the gap narrows considerably from the R15 single-core result, hinting that the Intel part responds better to the newer instruction mix or scaling of that benchmark.

However, the database flips the script in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Here the Intel Core i5-1130G7 posts 7006 against the Ryzen 5 7520U’s 5149, a 26.5% advantage for Intel. This is the largest delta in either direction, and it is a substantial one. The two chips are in the same thermal envelope and have the same core/thread count, yet the Intel part pulls ahead by more than a quarter in this sustained multi-core render. The implications are clear: the i5-1130G7 has better sustained multi-threaded performance under the same power limit, likely due to a more efficient process node and cache hierarchy.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the two are nearly inseparable. The Ryzen 5 7520U averages 2046 across all recorded tests, while the Intel part sits at 2026. That is a difference of less than 1%, with the AMD chip holding a marginal edge. Both processors are at the 45th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same tier of overall performance. The nearest rivals for each reinforce this: the Ryzen 5 7520U sits within 0.4% of chips like the Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 and Core i7-7820HK, while the i5-1130G7 is within 0.2% of parts like the Intel Xeon E3-1280 v5 and i5-1145GRE.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results carve out distinct use cases. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U is the clear winner in single-threaded and older multi-threaded workloads. The 70.5% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core is a dominant statement for bursty, low-core-count tasks. That could translate to snappier response in older applications, basic office work, or any workload that relies on a single core hitting high boost clocks. The 18.4% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core confirms this strength is not an artifact of one benchmark; the AMD part is simply faster when the load is light.

The Intel Core i5-1130G7, on the other hand, wins where it counts for sustained, modern multi-threaded rendering. The 26.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is a definitive win for content creation, compiling, or any task that pins all cores for an extended period. The R23 multi-core test is more demanding than R15, and the Intel part pulls ahead significantly under that stress. This suggests the i5-1130G7 has better thermal and power management, or a more efficient core design, that allows it to maintain higher performance when all four cores are active.

There is a notable absence in the head-to-head data: the Intel part has a Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 2942 and a single-core score of 415, while the AMD part has no R20 score recorded. The database also shows the Intel part’s R23 multi-core score (7006) is far higher than its R20 multi-core score (2942), which is an unusual scaling pattern. For users, the takeaway is that the AMD chip wins on responsiveness and older software, while the Intel chip wins on modern, heavily threaded workloads. If the workload is video encoding or 3D rendering with current tools, the data favors Intel. If it is general productivity or legacy applications, the data favors AMD.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U is built on a 6 nm process at TSMC, using the Zen 2 architecture with the codename Mendocino. It is part of the 7000 series, specifically a Ryzen 5 generation that pairs Zen 2 cores with a 100 mm² die size. The cache layout is modest: 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. Memory support is LPDDR5 over a dual-channel bus, yielding 88.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The integrated graphics are Radeon 610M, and the PCIe interface is Gen 3 with 4 lanes for the CPU.

The Intel Core i5-1130G7 is a Tiger Lake-U part, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. Its architecture is Willow Cove, and it belongs to the Core i5 generation. The cache hierarchy is more generous: 96 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. That is double the shared L3 cache and more than double the L2 per core compared to the AMD part. Memory support is DDR4 over dual-channel, with 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth, which is lower than the AMD part’s LPDDR5 bandwidth. The integrated graphics are Iris Xe Graphics G7 with 80 execution units, and the PCIe interface is Gen 4 with 16 lanes for the CPU.

These differences explain the benchmark splits. The Intel part’s larger L3 cache (8 MB versus 4 MB) likely contributes to its strong Cinebench R23 multi-core result, as rendering workloads benefit from larger shared caches to keep all cores fed. The AMD part’s higher memory bandwidth (88.0 GB/s versus 68.3 GB/s) may help its single-core performance, where memory latency and bandwidth are critical for the boost clock to deliver results. The process node difference (6 nm versus 10 nm) suggests AMD has a density advantage, but the Intel part’s newer core architecture (Willow Cove versus Zen 2) appears to extract more sustained multi-threaded performance.

Another key difference is the PCIe capability: Intel offers Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while AMD offers Gen 3 with 4 lanes. For a laptop CPU, this affects expandability and external GPU support, though the database only records the CPU-only lane count. The memory type also diverges: AMD uses LPDDR5, which is faster in bandwidth, while Intel uses DDR4, which is more common and potentially easier to integrate. Both chips are 15 W TDP, both are mobile parts, and both are currently marked as active in production. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U is faster in single-core tests. It leads by 70.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core (168.8 versus 99) and by 18.4% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1171 versus 989).

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core rendering?

A: The Intel Core i5-1130G7 wins the modern multi-core test. It scores 7006 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 5149 for the AMD part, a 26.5% advantage. However, the AMD part wins the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test (834 versus 706).

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U has an average benchmark score of 2046, while the Intel Core i5-1130G7 averages 2026. Both are at the 45th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: What are the cache sizes for each processor?

A: The AMD part has 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with 4 MB shared L3. The Intel part has 96 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with 8 MB shared L3.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, neither the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U nor the Intel Core i5-1130G7 supports ECC memory.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U supports LPDDR5 with 88.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i5-1130G7 supports DDR4 with 68.3 GB/s bandwidth.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Base Clock: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U has 2.80 GHz; Intel Core i5-1130G7 has 1100.00 MHz (1.10 GHz).
• Boost Clock: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U has 4.30 GHz; Intel Core i5-1130G7 has 4.00 GHz.
• Socket: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U uses AMD Socket FT6; Intel Core i5-1130G7 uses Intel BGA 1598.
• Architecture: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U is Zen 2; Intel Core i5-1130G7 is Tiger Lake (Willow Cove).
• Codename: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U is Mendocino; Intel Core i5-1130G7 is Tiger Lake-U.
• Process Node: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U is 6 nm (TSMC); Intel Core i5-1130G7 is 10 nm (Intel).
• Die Size: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U is 100 mm²; Intel Core i5-1130G7 has no recorded die size.
• L1 Cache: 64 KB per core for AMD; 96 KB per core for Intel.
• L2 Cache: 512 KB per core for AMD; 1.25 MB per core for Intel.
• L3 Cache: 4 MB shared for AMD; 8 MB shared for Intel.
• Memory Support: LPDDR5 for AMD; DDR4 for Intel.
• Memory Bandwidth: 88.0 GB/s for AMD; 68.3 GB/s for Intel.
• PCIe: Gen 3, 4 lanes for AMD; Gen 4, 16 lanes for Intel.
• Integrated Graphics: Radeon 610M for AMD; Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU for Intel.
• Release Date: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U released 2022-09-19; Intel Core i5-1130G7 released 2020-09-01.

The Verdict

The data does not crown a single winner; it depends on the workload. For users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness and older applications, the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U is the stronger choice. Its 70.5% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 18.4% lead in R23 single-core show a clear edge when only one or two cores are active. The AMD part also has higher memory bandwidth (88.0 GB/s versus 68.3 GB/s) and a smaller process node (6 nm versus 10 nm), which may appeal to efficiency-focused buyers.

For users who run modern, heavily threaded workloads, the Intel Core i5-1130G7 is the better pick. Its 26.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is decisive, and its larger cache hierarchy (8 MB L3 versus 4 MB L3) supports sustained rendering performance. The Intel part also offers more PCIe lanes (16 versus 4) at a newer generation (Gen 4 versus Gen 3), which matters for expandability in a mobile chassis.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical (2046 versus 2026, less than 1% apart), and both chips sit at the same 45th percentile. This means the choice comes down to workload type, not raw performance tier. The database suggests the AMD part is a bursty, single-threaded performer with high bandwidth, while the Intel part is a sustained, multi-threaded worker with more cache. Buyers should match the chip to their primary use case: light, interactive work favors AMD; heavy, prolonged rendering favors Intel.