CPU Comparison

The Intel Processor N150 and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U are two mobile processors that, despite vastly different origins, land at nearly the same overall performance tier. Both hold a 28th percentile ranking among all CPUs and post average benchmark scores of 1025 and 1024, respectively. The data shows a near-perfect stalemate in aggregate, but the individual benchmark results tell a story of two very different performance profiles. The N150 takes the single-core crown, while the Ryzen 5 PRO dominates multi-core workloads, making the choice between them entirely dependent on the user's specific workload priorities.

The Verdict

From the data, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is the clear choice for users whose workloads are heavily threaded. Its lead in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test is substantial, scoring 553 against the N150's 422.5, a difference of 23.6%. This is a decisive advantage for video rendering, code compilation, or any task that can utilize multiple threads. The Ryzen's 8 threads, double the N150's 4, directly translate into this performance lead.

Conversely, the Intel Processor N150 is the pick for users prioritizing single-threaded responsiveness. It wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test with a score of 153.15 versus the Ryzen's 134, a 14.3% advantage. This suggests snappier performance in everyday applications like web browsing, office productivity, and light, single-threaded software. The N150's higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz, matched by the Ryzen, is not the differentiator; the architectural efficiency of the Intel part appears to be the key factor here.

For users who do a mix of both, the overall average scores are a wash, with the N150 at 1025 and the Ryzen at 1024. In this scenario, other non-benchmark factors like power consumption and platform features would be the deciding factors. The Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is the performance-focused choice for multi-core tasks, while the Intel Processor N150 is the efficiency and single-thread champion.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Processor N150 is built on the Twin Lake architecture, a 10 nm process from Intel's own foundry. It is a 4-core, 4-thread part, meaning it has no hyper-threading. Its base clock is listed at a remarkably low 0.10 GHz, though it boosts up to 3.60 GHz. This extremely low base clock is a primary contributor to its 6 W TDP, indicating a design focused on minimal power draw.

In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U uses the Zen architecture on a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It is a 4-core, 8-thread processor, leveraging simultaneous multithreading (SMT) to double its logical core count. Its base clock is a more conventional 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz), with a boost clock also reaching 3.60 GHz. The Ryzen's higher base clock and additional threads come at a cost, reflected in its 15 W TDP, which is 2.5 times that of the Intel part.

The cache configurations also differ. The N150 has a per-core L1 cache of 96 KB and a shared 2 MB L2. The Ryzen 5 PRO also has 96 KB of L1 per core but has a larger 512 KB L2 per core, totaling 2 MB, and offers 4 MB of shared L3 cache versus the N150's 6 MB of shared L3. The Intel part compensates with a larger L3 pool, while AMD's design features a larger per-core L2. The memory support differs as well, with the N150 supporting DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 in a single-channel configuration, while the Ryzen is limited to dual-channel DDR4. Both platforms offer a Gen 3 PCIe interface, with the Intel part having 9 lanes and the AMD part having 8.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a stark contrast in performance strengths. The most significant victory for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U comes in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test. Here, the Ryzen scores 553, which is 23.6% higher than the N150's 422.5. This is a substantial and expected win, given the Ryzen's 8 threads compared to the N150's 4. The ability to process two threads per core gives the AMD part a significant throughput advantage in parallel workloads.

The Intel Processor N150 strikes back in the Cinebench R15 single-core test. It posts a score of 153.15, which is 14.3% higher than the Ryzen's 134. This result is more surprising given the comparable boost clocks of 3.60 GHz. It indicates that the Intel Twin Lake architecture is more efficient at executing single-threaded instructions, likely due to a higher instructions-per-clock (IPC) rate than the older Zen architecture. This makes the N150 the stronger performer for tasks that cannot leverage multiple cores.

While not a direct head-to-head test, the additional benchmarks from each processor's own suite reinforce this split. The N150's Cinebench R23 scores are 935 for single-core and 2590.5 for multi-core. The Ryzen's Geekbench scores are 867 for single-core and 2540 for multi-core. These numbers, while from different test suites, show the same pattern: the Intel part is competitive or ahead in single-core, while the AMD part's multi-core advantage is muted in Geekbench but dominant in the Cinebench R15 test.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is significantly faster. It scores 553 in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, which is 23.6% higher than the Intel Processor N150's score of 422.5.

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Processor N150 wins in single-core tasks. It achieves a score of 153.15 in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, which is 14.3% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U's score of 134.

Q: How do their overall performance scores compare?

A: They are virtually identical. The Intel Processor N150 has an average benchmark score of 1025, and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has an average score of 1024. Both are in the 28th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has 8 threads, while the Intel Processor N150 has 4 threads. Both have 4 cores, but the Ryzen supports simultaneous multithreading.

Q: What are the TDP differences between the two?

A: The Intel Processor N150 has a significantly lower TDP of 6 W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has a TDP of 15 W. This suggests the Intel part is designed for much lower power consumption.

Q: Do they support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel Processor N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 in a single-channel configuration. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U supports only DDR4, but in a dual-channel configuration. Both have a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s.

Where Each One Wins

The data points to a clear use-case split. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is the winner for any workload that scales with threads. Its 23.6% lead in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test makes it the superior choice for tasks such as video editing, 3D rendering, batch photo processing, and running virtual machines. The doubling of threads from 4 to 8 provides a tangible benefit in these scenarios, allowing the processor to handle more simultaneous operations.

The Intel Processor N150 wins in scenarios where single-thread performance is paramount. Its 14.3% advantage in the single-core test means it will feel more responsive in everyday use. Applications like web browsing, document editing, and using lightweight productivity suites will benefit from the N150's superior per-core performance. Its exceptionally low TDP of 6 W also makes it the clear winner for fanless designs, ultra-portable notebooks, and any system where battery life and low heat output are critical. The N150's support for newer memory types like DDR5 and LPDDR5 also gives it a modern platform advantage.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences are stark and define the personality of each chip.

• Threads: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has 8 threads, double the 4 threads of the Intel Processor N150.
• Base Clock: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz, while the Intel Processor N150 has a base clock of 0.10 GHz.
• TDP: The Intel Processor N150 has a TDP of 6 W, compared to the 15 W TDP of the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U.
• Process Node: The Intel Processor N150 is built on a 10 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is built on a 14 nm process.
• Foundry: Intel manufactures the N150, while GlobalFoundries manufactures the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U.
• Die Size: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has a die size of 246 mm², while the die size for the Intel Processor N150 is not specified.
• L2 Cache: The Intel Processor N150 has 2 MB of shared L2 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has 512 KB of L2 cache per core.
• L3 Cache: The Intel Processor N150 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.
• Memory Support: The Intel Processor N150 supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 in a single-channel configuration. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U supports only DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration.
• PCIe Lanes: The Intel Processor N150 offers 9 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U offers 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.
• Integrated Graphics: The Intel Processor N150 features UHD Graphics 730, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U features Radeon Vega 8.
• Socket: The Intel Processor N150 uses Intel BGA 1264, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U uses AMD Socket FP5.
• Release Date: The Intel Processor N150 was released on 2024-11-19, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U was released on 2019-01-07.