AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U vs Intel Core i3-4330 Comparison

# AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U vs Intel Core i3-4330

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U and Intel Core i3-4330 occupy the same performance tier in the aggregate database, with average benchmark scores of 1024 and 1020 respectively, a difference of only 0.4%. Both processors sit at the 28th percentile among all CPUs tracked, meaning they outperform roughly a quarter of the installed base. The Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is a 15W mobile part built on the Zen architecture (Raven Ridge) at 14nm, while the Core i3-4330 is a 54W desktop chip on the Haswell architecture at 22nm. The data shows a single head-to-head benchmark result, with the AMD part winning decisively in multi-core Cinebench R15, but the two chips otherwise trade places among their nearest rivals, with the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U matching the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T exactly at 1024 average score and the Core i3-4330 trailing the same Phenom by only 0.4%.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a straightforward choice based on workload and platform. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is the stronger multi-core performer, posting a Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 553 against the Intel Core i3-4330's 298, an 85.6% advantage. For any application that scales across threads—content creation, compilation, or multitasking—the Ryzen part is the clear pick from the numbers alone. Its 4 cores and 8 threads provide double the logical processors of the Core i3-4330's 2 cores and 4 threads, and the data reflects that structural advantage.

The Intel Core i3-4330, however, should not be dismissed. Its 3.50 GHz base clock is substantially higher than the Ryzen's 2.00 GHz base, and while no boost clock is listed for the Intel part, the raw clock advantage suggests stronger single-threaded responsiveness in lightly threaded workloads. The Core i3-4330 also belongs to the desktop socket 1150 platform, which typically allows for more robust cooling and sustained operation, whereas the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is a mobile part in socket FP5 with a 15W TDP. For users building or upgrading a desktop system with DDR3 memory, the Core i3-4330 is the compatible choice; for those seeking a mobile solution or a platform with DDR4 support, the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is the data-supported option.

Given the single head-to-head benchmark, the verdict leans decisively toward the AMD part for multi-core workloads, while the Intel part remains viable for users prioritizing clock speed and desktop compatibility. The aggregate scores are nearly identical, but the one direct comparison shows a massive gap in multi-threaded performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is built on the Zen architecture, codenamed Raven Ridge, using a 14nm process from GlobalFoundries. It features 4 cores and 8 threads with a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, all within a 15W TDP. The cache hierarchy consists of 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 through a dual-channel bus with a rated bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 8, and the chip connects via PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The die size is 246 mm², and the part is currently marked as Active in production.

The Intel Core i3-4330 is a Haswell architecture desktop chip manufactured on Intel's 22nm process, with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. It has 2 cores and 4 threads at a fixed 3.50 GHz base clock with no boost capability listed, drawing 54W TDP. Its cache is smaller per core: 64 KB L1, 256 KB L2, and the same 4 MB shared L3 as the AMD part. Memory support is DDR3 via dual-channel, though no bandwidth figure is provided in the data. The integrated GPU is Intel HD 4600, and PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 without a lane count specified for the CPU. The release dates differ by over five years, with the Intel chip launching in September 2013 and the AMD part in January 2019.

The architectural gap is significant. The AMD part uses a modern 14nm node with a smaller process geometry, enabling higher transistor density and lower power consumption—15W versus 54W. The Intel part relies on a mature 22nm node but compensates with a much higher base clock. The Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U's SMT (simultaneous multithreading) doubles thread count, while the Core i3-4330's Hyper-Threading provides 4 threads from 2 cores. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U wins in multi-core performance. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a score of 553 for the AMD part versus 298 for the Intel, a delta of 85.6%. This is the only direct head-to-head result available, and it indicates that the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is substantially better suited for workloads that utilize all available threads—rendering, video encoding, scientific computing, or running multiple virtual machines.

The Intel Core i3-4330 does not have a listed win in the head-to-head benchmarks, but its architecture suggests strengths not captured in the single direct comparison. The 3.50 GHz base clock is 75% higher than the Ryzen's 2.00 GHz base, which in single-threaded scenarios—legacy applications, some games, or office productivity—could yield faster response times. The Core i3-4330 also shows results in newer Cinebench versions (R20 and R23) that the AMD part lacks in the data, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 2966 and single-core score of 418, though these cannot be directly compared to the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U due to missing data.

The platform context matters. The Core i3-4330 is a desktop chip, meaning it can be paired with a wide range of socket 1150 motherboards and DDR3 memory modules. The Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is a mobile chip, likely soldered or in a compact FP5 package, targeting laptops and small-form-factor systems. For users with existing DDR3 desktop components, the Intel part is the practical upgrade path; for new builds prioritizing energy efficiency and DDR4, the AMD part is the data-backed choice.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U scores 553 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, while the Intel Core i3-4330 scores 298, giving the AMD part an 85.6% advantage in this specific test.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each CPU?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-4330 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: How do their aggregate benchmark scores compare?

A: The Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has an average benchmark score of 1024, and the Core i3-4330 has an average of 1020, a difference of 0.4% in favor of the AMD part.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i3-4330 supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration, though no bandwidth figure is listed.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient according to the data?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has a 15W TDP, while the Intel Core i3-4330 has a 54W TDP, making the AMD part significantly lower in power draw.

Q: What integrated graphics do these chips include?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U features Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Intel Core i3-4330 includes Intel HD 4600 graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only direct benchmark comparison in the data is the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, and it is a lopsided contest. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U delivers a score of 553, while the Intel Core i3-4330 manages 298. The delta of 85.6% is not a marginal edge—it is a near-doubling of performance. This result aligns with the thread count disparity: 8 threads on the AMD part versus 4 on the Intel, and the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U's ability to execute more instructions per clock cycle at similar cache sizes (both have 4 MB L3). The 14nm Zen architecture appears to extract significantly more multi-threaded throughput from its 15W envelope than the 22nm Haswell design can from its 54W budget.

The absence of additional head-to-head results limits the analysis. The Intel Core i3-4330 has data in Cinebench R20 and R23, but the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U does not, and the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has Geekbench scores (2540 multi-core, 867 single-core) that the Intel part lacks. In the aggregate, however, the two chips are nearly inseparable: the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U's average benchmark score of 1024 places it exactly at parity with the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T (0% delta) and 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-975, while the Core i3-4330's average of 1020 sits 0.3% behind the Intel Core i3-4160 and 0.3% behind the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U itself. Both processors land at the 28th percentile of all CPUs, reinforcing that they occupy the same competitive tier despite their architectural differences.

The single head-to-head result is decisive for multi-core workloads, but the overall profile suggests that the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is the more future-proof choice, with a newer process node, higher thread count, and DDR4 support. The Intel Core i3-4330 retains relevance for its high clock speed and desktop platform, but on the evidence of the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the AMD part wins the only direct matchup the data provides.