AMD Ryzen 5 7520U vs Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 Comparison

The benchmark data places the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U and Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 in the same performance tier, with nearly identical average scores of 2046 and 2043 respectively, yet their workloads and application targets could not be more different. The Ryzen 5 7520U wins three of the four head-to-head comparisons, including a decisive 68.8% margin in single-core performance, while the Xeon E3-1275 v5 counters with a massive 27.1% lead in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test. This is a classic clash between a modern, efficient mobile processor and an older, power-hungry workstation chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U scores 168.8 against the Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5’s 100. That is a 68.8% advantage for the AMD chip, a margin that dwarfs any other difference in this comparison. The Ryzen’s higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz versus 4.00 GHz on the Xeon, combined with the newer Zen 2 architecture, explains the gulf. This single-core dominance carries over to Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Ryzen posts 1171 versus 997, a 17.5% win.

The multi-core picture is more nuanced and depends heavily on the benchmark generation. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U wins again with 834 points against 712 for the Xeon, a 17.1% margin. However, in Cinebench R23 multicore, the tables turn completely: the Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 scores 7065, which is 27.1% higher than the Ryzen’s 5149. This reversal suggests that the Xeon’s larger 8 MB of shared L3 cache (versus 4 MB on the Ryzen) and its higher 3.60 GHz base clock allow it to sustain performance better under extended multi-threaded loads that stress the newer R23 workload.

Geekbench results are not part of the direct head-to-head set, but the individual data reinforces the trend. The Ryzen 5 7520U scores 3766 in Geekbench multicore and 1185 in single-core, while the Xeon E3-1275 v5 lacks corresponding Geekbench entries in the pack. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the Ryzen at 2046 and the Xeon at 2043, a delta of just 0.1%. The nearest rival lists confirm this tight grouping: the Ryzen’s closest competitor is the Xeon E3-1275 v5 itself at a 0.1% delta, while the Xeon’s nearest rival is the Ryzen at a -0.1% delta.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split in use cases. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U is the winner for single-threaded performance and legacy multi-core tests, making it the better choice for responsive day-to-day computing, lighter workloads, and applications that rely on high clock speeds. Its 68.8% single-core lead in Cinebench R15 and 17.5% lead in R23 single-core are decisive. The Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5, however, is the pick for sustained, modern multi-threaded workloads, as evidenced by its 27.1% victory in Cinebench R23 multicore. The Xeon’s 80 W TDP and server/workstation market segment suggest it is designed for tasks that can use all eight threads for extended periods, where its larger cache and higher base clock pay off.

For a mobile user, the Ryzen 5 7520U is the obvious choice, not only because it is the faster chip in most tests but also because it achieves this with a 15 W TDP versus the Xeon’s 80 W. The Xeon, with its end-of-life production status and 2015 release date, is a legacy part that still holds its own in multi-core throughput but cannot match the Ryzen’s efficiency or single-core speed. The data does not support recommending the Xeon for general-purpose use; it wins only in one specific benchmark, while the Ryzen wins three.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U is built on TSMC’s 6 nm process node, while the Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 uses Intel’s 14 nm node. This process advantage is a major factor in the Ryzen’s efficiency, allowing it to deliver competitive or superior performance at a fraction of the power. The Ryzen uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Mendocino codename, part of AMD’s 7000 series. The Xeon uses the older Skylake architecture under the Skylake-DT codename. Both chips have 4 cores and 8 threads, but the cache hierarchies differ significantly.

The Ryzen 5 7520U has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, matching the Xeon’s L1 but doubling its L2. The Xeon counters with 8 MB of shared L3 cache, double the Ryzen’s 4 MB. The Xeon also has a larger die size at 122 mm² and 1,750 million transistors, compared to the Ryzen’s 100 mm² die with no transistor count listed. The Ryzen’s integrated graphics are the Radeon 610M, while the Xeon uses the HD Graphics P530. The Xeon supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen does not, and the Xeon has 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, compared to just 4 on the Ryzen.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification difference is TDP: the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U draws 15 W, while the Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 draws 80 W. Clock speeds also differ, with the Ryzen having a lower base clock of 2.80 GHz but a higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz, versus the Xeon’s 3.60 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost. Memory support diverges, as the Ryzen uses LPDDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 88.0 GB/s bandwidth, while the Xeon supports DDR3 and DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and only 34.1 GB/s bandwidth.

The sockets are different: the Ryzen uses AMD Socket FT6, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151. The Ryzen’s market segment is Mobile, whereas the Xeon is classified as Server/Workstation. Production status also differs, with the Ryzen listed as Active and the Xeon as End-of-life. The Xeon had a launch MSRP of $350. The Ryzen’s PCIe implementation is Gen 3 with 4 lanes, while the Xeon offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The Ryzen’s part number is 100-000000770, and the Xeon’s is SR2LKSR2CT. Both are multiplier-unlocked false.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U wins decisively. It scores 168.8 versus 100 in Cinebench R15 single-core, a 68.8% lead, and 1171 versus 997 in Cinebench R23 single-core, a 17.5% lead.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins Cinebench R23 multicore with a score of 7065 against the Ryzen’s 5149, a 27.1% advantage. This is its only head-to-head victory.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: They are nearly identical. The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U has an average benchmark score of 2046, and the Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 scores 2043, a delta of just 0.1%.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U has a TDP of 15 W, while the Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 has a TDP of 80 W. This makes the Ryzen significantly more power-efficient.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U does not.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, which is double the 4 MB of shared L3 cache on the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U wins in scenarios that favor high clock speeds and modern architecture. Its 68.8% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core makes it the clear choice for applications with light threading that depend on rapid response, such as general productivity, web browsing, and legacy software. Its 17.5% win in Cinebench R23 single-core reinforces this. The Ryzen also wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 17.1%, indicating it handles older multi-threaded workloads well. Its 15 W TDP and mobile market segment make it ideal for laptops and portable devices where battery life and heat are primary concerns.

The Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5 wins in sustained, modern multi-threaded workloads, as shown by its 27.1% victory in Cinebench R23 multicore. The Xeon’s larger 8 MB L3 cache and higher base clock of 3.60 GHz help it maintain throughput when all eight threads are active for long periods. Its server/workstation market segment and ECC memory support make it suited for professional environments like rendering farms, virtualization hosts, or database servers where data integrity and multi-threaded endurance matter more than single-core speed. The Xeon’s 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes also provide more expansion capability for workstation peripherals, though the Ryzen’s 4 lanes suffice for mobile use. The Xeon’s end-of-life status and 2015 release date mean it is a legacy option, but for specific multi-threaded tasks, the data shows it still outperforms the newer Ryzen.