AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U vs Intel Core i3-4340 Comparison

The Intel Core i3-4340 and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U are two processors from different eras and markets, yet they land at nearly the same overall performance tier. Based on the data, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is the clear choice for multi-threaded workloads, delivering a massive 84.3% higher score in Cinebench R15 multi-core (553 vs 300). The Intel Core i3-4340, however, only has single-core data from Cinebench R20 and R23, where it scores 176 and 421 respectively, while the AMD part lacks those specific tests. For a builder choosing between a desktop Haswell chip and a mobile Raven Ridge part, the decision hinges on whether you need raw multi-core throughput — where the Ryzen wins decisively — or a platform with a lower TDP for compact builds.

The Verdict

The data paints a split decision. For anyone assembling a desktop PC where power draw is not a primary concern, the Intel Core i3-4340 offers a 54W TDP and a dual-core/4-thread setup that still holds its own in single-threaded tasks. However, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is the better pick for users who prioritize multi-core performance, as it nearly doubles the Cinebench R15 multi-core score (553 vs 300). The Ryzen also brings a modern feature set, including DDR4 memory support and a 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, which the Intel part lacks. If you need an integrated GPU, the Ryzen's Radeon Vega 8 is a more capable solution on paper than the Intel HD 4600, but the benchmark data does not include graphics tests. In short: pick the Intel i3-4340 for a simple, low-cost desktop build where single-core speed matters most; pick the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U for mobile systems or workloads that scale with cores and threads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i3-4340 is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node from Intel, with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. It features 2 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and no boost clock. Its cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. Memory support is limited to DDR3, running on a dual-channel bus. The chip uses the Intel Socket 1150 and was released on 2013-08-31.

In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U uses the Zen architecture (codenamed Raven Ridge) on a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with a larger die size of 246 mm². It has double the cores and threads: 4 cores and 8 threads. Its base clock is 2000 MHz, but it can boost up to 3.60 GHz, a feature the Intel part lacks. The cache hierarchy is larger per core: 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with the same 4 MB of shared L3. It supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with a specified bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Ryzen uses the AMD Socket FP5 and was released on 2019-01-07, making it a much newer part. Both chips have integrated graphics — Intel HD 4600 versus Radeon Vega 8 — and neither supports ECC memory. The Intel part is a desktop segment processor, while the Ryzen is designed for mobile.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark results, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is the outright winner in the only head-to-head test available: Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 553 against the Intel's 300, a delta of -45.8% from the Intel's perspective. This indicates the Ryzen is 84.3% faster in that specific multi-threaded rendering workload. The Intel Core i3-4340 has no wins in the dataset, with a wins tally of 0 versus the AMD's 1.

For single-core performance, the comparison is incomplete. The Intel part has Cinebench R20 single-core (176) and Cinebench R23 single-core (421) scores, but the AMD part lacks those tests. Conversely, the AMD has Geekbench single-core (867) and multi-core (2540) scores, which the Intel part does not have. This means the data does not allow a direct single-core comparison. However, the Intel's higher base clock (3.60 GHz vs 2000 MHz) and lack of a boost clock suggest it sustains its frequency, which likely benefits single-threaded tasks, though this is not directly proven by the data. In terms of overall average benchmark score, both processors are nearly identical: the Intel i3-4340 averages 1026, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U averages 1024. Both sit at the 28th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are mid-pack performers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i3-4340 has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The Intel Core i3-4340 has a TDP of 54W, whereas the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has a much lower TDP of 15W, making the AMD part more power-efficient for mobile applications.

Q: Which chip supports DDR4 memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Intel Core i3-4340 is limited to DDR3 memory.

Q: How do their multi-core Cinebench R15 scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U scores 553, which is 84.3% higher than the Intel Core i3-4340's score of 300.

Q: Are both processors at the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-4340 and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U are at the 28th percentile of all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1026 vs 1024).

Q: Which has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i3-4340 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has a base clock of 2000 MHz, though the AMD part adds a boost clock up to 3.60 GHz.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only direct comparison in the dataset is the Cinebench R15 multi-core test. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U achieves a score of 553, while the Intel Core i3-4340 scores 300. This is a delta of -45.8% when viewed from the Intel side, meaning the Ryzen is 84.3% faster. This result is not surprising given the Ryzen's 4-core/8-thread configuration versus the Intel's 2-core/4-thread setup, and the Ryzen's larger L1 and L2 caches (96 KB and 512 KB per core vs 64 KB and 256 KB per core). The Ryzen's boost clock of 3.60 GHz matches the Intel's base clock, but the additional cores provide a clear advantage in multi-threaded rendering.

Looking at the broader benchmark landscape, the Intel part shows its strength in single-core tests from Cinebench R20 (176) and R23 (421), but without corresponding AMD scores, these cannot be directly compared. The AMD part, on the other hand, has Geekbench scores of 867 single-core and 2540 multi-core, which are not available for the Intel chip. The average benchmark scores tell a similar story: the Intel i3-4340 averages 1026, placing it 0.1% above the Intel Processor N150 and 0.2% above the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U averages 1024, tying with the Phenom II X6 1075T and sitting 0.1% above the Intel Core i7-975. These rivalries show both chips are in a tight performance cluster, but the Ryzen's multi-core lead is decisive in the one test where they meet.

Specification Differences

The following table highlights where the two processors diverge, based only on the fields in the data:

| Specification | Intel Core i3-4340 | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2000 MHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 54W | 15W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Zen (Raven Ridge) |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 246 mm² |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | Not listed |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | Not listed | Active |

| Release Date | 2013-08-31 | 2019-01-07 |

| Part Number | SR1NL | YM250BC4T4MFB |

The most striking differences are the core count, power envelope, and memory support. The AMD part offers double the cores and threads, uses a fifth of the power (15W vs 54W), and moves to DDR4. The Intel chip compensates with a much higher base clock (3.60 GHz vs 2000 MHz) and a smaller die size, but it lacks a boost clock and has half the L2 cache per core. Both share the same 4 MB L3 cache and dual-channel memory bus, and both lack ECC support and unlocked multipliers. The Ryzen is a newer, more efficient design, while the Intel i3-4340 is an older desktop part with a simpler architecture.