AMD Ryzen 5 7530U vs Intel Core i3-1220P Comparison

The Verdict

The data splits this matchup cleanly by workload type. The AMD Ryzen 5 7530U wins 9 of the 15 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i3-1220P takes 6. In aggregate, the two are nearly inseparable: the AMD posts an average benchmark score of 21,133 against Intel's 21,066, a 0.3% gap that lands both in the same percentile tier (75th vs. 74th). The Ryzen's nearest rival list confirms the parity, with the i3-1220P sitting just 0.3% behind.

For users prioritizing single-threaded responsiveness, the Intel chip is the pick. It leads by 9.3% in PassMark single-thread (3,362 vs. 3,049) and by 23.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1,879 vs. 1,441). For multi-threaded throughput in Cinebench R23, Intel also dominates decisively, scoring 13,314 vs. 8,361 – a 37.2% advantage. However, the AMD wins the broader set of PassMark workloads, including integer math (7.7% ahead), data encryption (8.3% ahead), and prime number finding (42.4% ahead).

The verdict depends on the application mix. The Intel i3-1220P suits Cinebench-style rendering and floating-point-heavy tasks, while the Ryzen 5 7530U offers more consistent wins across general productivity and security-related workloads. Buyers should match the chip to their dominant use case rather than chase the aggregate score.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 7530U uses TSMC's 7 nm process with a 180 mm² die containing 10,700 million transistors. It is built on the Zen 3 architecture, specifically the Barcelo-R codename, and belongs to the 7000 series. The Intel Core i3-1220P uses Intel's 10 nm process with the Alder Lake architecture (Alder Lake-P codename), and its transistor count and die size are not listed in the data.

Core configurations differ sharply. The AMD packs 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel part has 10 cores and 12 threads – the extra cores likely come from a hybrid design, though the data does not specify P-core/E-core split. Both support dual-channel memory, but AMD is limited to DDR4 while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s; Intel's bandwidth figure is not provided.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The AMD uses 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The Intel uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. This gives Intel more per-core L2 (2.5x) but less shared L3 (25% less). The AMD supports ECC memory; the Intel does not.

PCIe connectivity favors Intel: Gen 4 with 20 lanes versus Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the AMD. Integrated graphics also differ, with AMD offering Radeon Graphics (Vega 6) against Intel's UHD Graphics 64EU. Power envelopes are starkly different: the AMD is rated at 15W TDP, the Intel at 28W. Base clocks favor AMD (2.00 GHz vs. 1.50 GHz), while boost clocks are close (4.50 GHz vs. 4.40 GHz). Socket types are incompatible: AMD Socket FP6 vs. Intel BGA 1744.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7530U scores 21,133 on average, slightly ahead of the Intel Core i3-1220P's 21,066 – a 0.3% difference. Both rank in the 74th–75th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How do the two compare in single-core performance?

A: The Intel wins single-core tests. It leads by 23.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1,879 vs. 1,441) and by 9.3% in PassMark single-thread (3,362 vs. 3,049). The AMD still wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 22.2% (231 vs. 189), showing benchmark-specific variance.

Q: Which chip is better for multi-threaded rendering?

A: The Intel Core i3-1220P dominates Cinebench R23 multi-core with 13,314 vs. 8,361 – a 37.2% lead. However, the AMD wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 5.5% (1,415 vs. 1,341) and PassMark multi-thread by 7.3% (15,534 vs. 14,481), so the result depends on the rendering engine.

Q: What are the memory support differences?

A: The AMD supports only DDR4 memory, while the Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel configurations. The AMD lists 51.2 GB/s bandwidth; the Intel's bandwidth is not provided. The AMD also supports ECC memory, which the Intel does not.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel has more physical cores (10 vs. 6) but both have 12 threads. The Intel's L2 cache is larger per core (1.25 MB vs. 512 KB), while the AMD has more shared L3 (16 MB vs. 12 MB).

Q: How do the PassMark security workloads compare?

A: The AMD leads in data encryption by 8.3% (11,826 vs. 10,923) and in extended instructions by 22% (12,264 vs. 10,051). The Intel counters with a 16.7% lead in floating-point math (37,294 vs. 31,063) and a 6.6% lead in random string sorting (20,846 vs. 19,477).

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 7530U | Intel Core i3-1220P |

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

| Cores | 6 | 10 |

| Threads | 12 | 12 |

| Base clock | 2.00 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 15W | 28W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP6 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Barcelo-R | Alder Lake-P |

| Process node | 7 nm (TSMC) | 10 nm (Intel) |

| Transistors | 10,700 million | Not listed |

| Die size | 180 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 cache | 64 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 512 KB per core | 1.25 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 16 MB shared | 12 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 lanes | Gen 4, 20 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Graphics (Vega 6) | UHD Graphics 64EU |

| Part number | 100-000000943 | SRLFY |

| Release date | 2023-01-03 | 2022-02-22 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results tell a split story. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel i3-1220P crushes the AMD with 13,314 vs. 8,361 – a 37.2% margin that represents the largest single gap in the entire comparison. The Intel also wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 23.3% (1,879 vs. 1,441). Yet in the older Cinebench R15 tests, the AMD flips the script, winning multi-core by 5.5% (1,415 vs. 1,341) and single-core by a massive 22.2% (231 vs. 189). These conflicting results suggest the Intel's advantage grows with newer rendering workloads, while the AMD holds its own in legacy tests.

PassMark results favor the AMD in breadth. The Ryzen wins data compression by 3% (185,860 vs. 180,528), data encryption by 8.3% (11,826 vs. 10,923), extended instructions by 22% (12,264 vs. 10,051), integer math by 7.7% (57,609 vs. 53,507), and multi-thread by 7.3% (15,534 vs. 14,481). The prime number finding test is the AMD's biggest PassMark win at 42.4% (47 vs. 33), though the absolute scores are low. The AMD also edges out physics by 5.2% (670 vs. 637).

The Intel's PassMark wins are concentrated but significant. Floating-point math goes to Intel by 16.7% (37,294 vs. 31,063), random string sorting by 6.6% (20,846 vs. 19,477), and both single-thread tests by 9.3% (3,362 vs. 3,049). The Intel's single-thread lead in PassMark contrasts sharply with its R15 single-core deficit, highlighting how benchmark design influences results.

Overall, the AMD wins 9 benchmarks, the Intel wins 6. The AMD's wins tend to be in integer-heavy and security-related workloads, while the Intel's wins cluster in floating-point, sorting, and the newer Cinebench R23 tests. The average benchmark scores remain within 0.3%, confirming that these are closely matched mobile processors with distinct strengths.