AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U vs Intel Core i7-4558U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmarks show a clear split between these two mobile processors, with the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U taking the multi-core crown while the Intel Core i7-4558U holds a smaller but notable single-core edge.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U scores 553 against the Intel Core i7-4558U's 255. That is a 53.9% advantage for AMD, and it is the largest gap in any shared test. The AMD part more than doubles the Intel chip's output in this heavily threaded workload, which aligns with its 4-core, 8-thread configuration versus the Intel's 2-core, 4-thread setup.

Geekbench multi-core tells a similar story, though with a narrower margin. The Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U records 2540, while the Core i7-4558U manages 1967. The delta here is 22.6% in AMD's favor. While not as dramatic as the Cinebench result, this still represents a solid, consistent multi-threaded advantage across different benchmark suites.

The one bright spot for Intel comes in Geekbench single-core. The Core i7-4558U posts 941, beating the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U's 867 by 8.5%. This is a modest win, but it shows the older Haswell architecture still had competitive per-thread strength at the time, likely due to higher sustained clocks relative to the AMD part's power-conscious design.

The overall win tally stands at 2 wins for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U and 1 win for the Intel Core i7-4558U, based on the three shared benchmark results in the database. The magnitude of AMD's multi-core victories, particularly the 53.9% Cinebench gap, outweighs Intel's single-core edge in overall impact.

Looking at the broader database context, both processors sit at the 28th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy a similar tier in the overall performance distribution. The Intel Core i7-4558U has an average benchmark score of 1038, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U averages 1024. These are nearly identical aggregate scores, differing by less than 1.5%.

The nearest rival data reinforces this parity. The Intel part's closest competitors include the AMD A8-7680 (1036, 0.2% ahead), the AMD A10-7890K (1035, 0.3% ahead), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 3700U (1041, 0.3% behind), and the AMD A10-9700 (1034, 0.4% ahead). The Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U sits alongside the AMD Phenom II X6 1075T (1024, 0% difference), the Intel Core i7-975 (1023, 0.1% ahead), the Intel Processor N150 (1025, 0.1% behind), and the Intel Pentium Gold G5600 (1022, 0.2% ahead).

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward recommendation for most users: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is the stronger all-around processor for modern workloads that can use multiple cores. Its 53.9% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 22.6% lead in Geekbench multi-core are decisive advantages, and these are the benchmarks that reflect real-world productivity tasks like video encoding, 3D rendering, and software compilation.

The Intel Core i7-4558U remains relevant only for those who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness above all else. Its 8.5% Geekbench single-core win is real, but it applies to a narrower set of applications. Older software, lightly threaded games, and everyday desktop tasks may feel slightly snappier on the Intel chip, but the overall performance envelope favors AMD.

Both processors land in the same 28th percentile of all CPUs, so neither is a high-end part by current database standards. However, the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U achieves its multi-core dominance while carrying a 15W TDP, compared to the Intel part's 28W TDP. That means AMD delivers substantially more multi-threaded performance within a lower power envelope, which is a significant practical advantage for thin-and-light laptops where thermals and battery life matter.

For a builder choosing between these two in a used or budget laptop scenario, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is the safer pick for general productivity. The Intel Core i7-4558U only makes sense if you have a specific need for its single-core behavior and can accept the multi-core deficit.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U wins in scenarios that leverage its 4 cores and 8 threads. Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 553 versus 255, represents heavily threaded rendering workloads. Geekbench multi-core, with a 2540 versus 1967 score, covers broader productivity suites that scale across cores. This includes tasks like photo batch processing, video transcoding, and multitasking with multiple applications open simultaneously. The 22.6% multi-core advantage in Geekbench suggests the AMD part holds up well even in mixed workloads that include some single-threaded components.

The Intel Core i7-4558U wins in single-threaded scenarios. Its Geekbench single-core score of 941 versus 867 gives it an 8.5% edge. This translates to faster response in applications that rely on one or two threads: web browsing with heavy JavaScript, spreadsheet recalculation, light photo editing in simpler tools, and older games that were not designed for multi-core scaling. The Intel chip's 2.80 GHz base clock and 3.30 GHz boost clock, combined with its 4 MB shared L3 cache, support this single-thread strength.

The AMD part also wins on efficiency. Its 15W TDP is nearly half the Intel chip's 28W TDP, and it still delivers dramatically higher multi-core scores. For laptops where sustained performance under battery power is important, the AMD processor's combination of higher throughput and lower power draw is the more practical choice. The Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U also supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, whereas the Intel chip is limited to DDR3. This memory advantage contributes to the AMD part's overall responsiveness in memory-sensitive workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is significantly faster. It scores 553 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 255 for the Intel Core i7-4558U, a 53.9% advantage. In Geekbench multi-core, the AMD part scores 2540 against 1967, a 22.6% lead.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-4558U win any benchmarks?

A: Yes. The Intel chip wins Geekbench single-core with a score of 941, compared to 867 for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U. That is an 8.5% advantage for Intel.

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

A: The Intel Core i7-4558U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The AMD part also has larger L1 and L2 caches per core: 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2, versus 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 for Intel.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has a TDP of 15W, while the Intel Core i7-4558U has a TDP of 28W. The AMD part delivers substantially higher multi-core performance while drawing less power.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-4558U supports DDR3 memory, and the database does not list a memory bandwidth figure for it.

Q: What are their overall performance percentiles?

A: Both processors are at the 28th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core i7-4558U has an average benchmark score of 1038, and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has an average score of 1024.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and foundries. The Intel Core i7-4558U is built on the Haswell architecture with the Haswell-ULT codename, manufactured on Intel's 22 nm process node. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U uses the Zen architecture with the Raven Ridge codename, fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 14 nm process. The Intel die is 118 mm² and contains 1,300 million transistors, while the AMD die is larger at 246 mm², with no transistor count recorded in the database.

Cache layouts differ per core. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with a 4 MB shared L3 cache. The AMD part has 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, also with a 4 MB shared L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the AMD side contribute to its multi-threaded efficiency.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Intel Core i7-4558U includes Intel HD 5100 graphics, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U includes Radeon Vega 8. Both are mobile processors, but the database does not provide comparative graphics benchmarks.

Memory support separates the two clearly. Intel uses DDR3, while AMD uses DDR4 with dual-channel support and a stated memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The AMD part also lists PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part has no PCIe information recorded.

The manufacturing foundries differ as well: Intel fabricates its own chip, while GlobalFoundries produces the AMD part. The process nodes are 22 nm for Intel and 14 nm for AMD, with the smaller node giving AMD an advantage in transistor density and power efficiency.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences between the Intel Core i7-4558U and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U are as follows:

• Cores: Intel has 2, AMD has 4
• Threads: Intel has 4, AMD has 8
• Base clock: Intel at 2.80 GHz, AMD at 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz)
• Boost clock: Intel at 3.30 GHz, AMD at 3.60 GHz
• TDP: Intel at 28W, AMD at 15W
• Socket: Intel BGA 1168 for Intel, AMD Socket FP5 for AMD
• Process node: 22 nm for Intel, 14 nm for AMD
• Foundry: Intel for Intel, GlobalFoundries for AMD
• Die size: 118 mm² for Intel, 246 mm² for AMD
• L1 cache: 64 KB per core for Intel, 96 KB per core for AMD
• L2 cache: 256 KB per core for Intel, 512 KB per core for AMD
• L3 cache: 4 MB shared for both
• Memory support: DDR3 for Intel, DDR4 for AMD
• Memory bus: Not listed for Intel, dual-channel for AMD
• Memory bandwidth: Not listed for Intel, 38.4 GB/s for AMD
• PCIe: Not listed for Intel, Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only) for AMD
• Integrated graphics: Intel HD 5100 for Intel, Radeon Vega 8 for AMD
• Release date: 2013-06-03 for Intel, 2019-01-07 for AMD
• Part number: SR188 for Intel, YM250BC4T4MFB for AMD
• Production status: Not listed for Intel, Active for AMD

The release dates show nearly six years between these parts, with the AMD processor launching much later. That timeframe explains the architectural leap from Haswell to Zen, the transition from DDR3 to DDR4, and the improved power efficiency that allows the AMD part to deliver more performance at a lower TDP.