AMD Ryzen 7 250 vs Intel Core i7-13700 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core i7-13700 and the AMD Ryzen 7 250 is decisively one-sided. Across all 15 recorded head-to-head tests, the Intel Core i7-13700 takes every single win. The AMD Ryzen 7 250 does not claim a single victory in any of the measured workloads, which makes the data unusually clean for analysis.

The largest margin comes in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Intel part scores 147 against AMD's 73, a 101.4% advantage. This test is heavily integer-throughput dependent, and the data suggests the Intel chip's wider thread count and higher boost clock translate directly into nearly double the performance in this specific workload. Similarly, the Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the Intel Core i7-13700 at 25,369 points versus 14,676 for the Ryzen 7 250, a 72.9% gap. That is a substantial lead for any multi-threaded rendering or 3D workload, and it aligns with the Intel part's 16 cores and 24 threads versus the AMD's 8 cores and 16 threads.

Floating point math follows the same pattern. The Intel chip scores 97,723 in PassMark floating point math, while the Ryzen 7 250 manages 53,285, an 83.4% difference. Physics simulation also heavily favors Intel: 2,053 versus 1,147, a 79% lead. These results indicate that the Intel Core i7-13700 is not just marginally faster in raw compute, it is dramatically ahead in almost every category that stresses sustained multi-core execution.

In single-threaded workloads, the gap narrows but Intel still wins. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows 2,008.5 for Intel versus 1,715 for AMD, a 17.1% advantage. PassMark single-thread results show 4,101 versus 3,678, an 11.5% lead. The Cinebench R15 single-core test is closer still, with Intel at 285 and AMD at 269, a 5.9% margin. The data implies that while the AMD chip's Zen 4 architecture is competitive in lightly threaded tasks, the Intel chip's higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus 5.10 GHz gives it a consistent, if modest, edge.

Data compression and encryption workloads follow the same script. Intel leads PassMark data compression by 47.6%, scoring 443,900 versus 300,708. Encryption shows a 45.3% gap, with Intel at 25,653 versus 17,661. Extended instruction workloads (which often include AVX and similar SIMD operations) show Intel ahead by 23%, scoring 26,578 versus 21,613. Integer math shows a 51.8% Intel advantage, and random string sorting shows a 29.4% Intel lead.

The only tests where the AMD chip gets anywhere close are the single-core Cinebench R15 results, but even there the Intel chip wins by a small margin. Across the board, the recorded data shows the Intel Core i7-13700 outperforms the AMD Ryzen 7 250 by margins ranging from roughly 6% to over 100%, with most multi-threaded tests showing a 45% to 83% advantage for Intel.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from very different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-13700 is built on Intel's Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-S variant, using a 10 nm process node manufactured by Intel itself. The AMD Ryzen 7 250, meanwhile, uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, fabricated on a 4 nm process by TSMC. The process node difference is significant: TSMC's 4 nm node is considerably more advanced than Intel's 10 nm node, which in part explains how AMD fits 25,000 million transistors into a 178 mm² die, while Intel's die measures 257 mm² (transistor count is not listed for the Intel chip).

The core configuration is where the biggest functional difference appears. Intel offers 16 cores and 24 threads, while AMD provides 8 cores and 16 threads. That is a 2x difference in core count and a 1.5x difference in thread count. The Intel chip's base clock is 2.10 GHz with a boost of 5.20 GHz, while the AMD chip has a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz but a slightly lower boost of 5.10 GHz. The higher AMD base clock suggests better efficiency at low load, but the Intel boost clock is the one that matters for peak performance, and the benchmarks confirm it.

Cache hierarchies also differ substantially. Each Intel core carries 80 KB of L1 cache and 2 MB of L2 cache, with a shared 30 MB L3 pool. AMD cores have 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a smaller 16 MB shared L3. The larger L3 cache on Intel (30 MB versus 16 MB) likely contributes to its lead in data compression and random string sorting, where repeated access to working sets benefits from larger on-chip storage.

Memory support is another differentiator. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but AMD lists a specific memory bandwidth figure of 89.6 GB/s, while Intel does not provide a comparable number. ECC memory support is present on Intel but absent on AMD. PCIe connectivity also differs: Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The newer PCIe standard on Intel is notable for storage and GPU bandwidth, though the AMD chip has more total lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well. Intel includes UHD Graphics 770, while AMD includes Radeon 780M. The Radeon 780M is generally considered a stronger iGPU in gaming contexts, though the database does not provide direct graphics benchmark comparisons for these two chips.

The socket and market positioning reveal the intended use cases. Intel uses Socket 1700 and is classified as a desktop part, while AMD uses Socket FP8 and is classified as a mobile part. This is a critical distinction: the AMD Ryzen 7 250 is designed for laptops, where the 28 W TDP is appropriate for battery-powered systems. The Intel Core i7-13700 has a 65 W TDP, which is typical for desktop processors with active cooling. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not officially supported for either.

The Verdict

The recorded data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-13700 wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, with a total win count of 15 versus 0 for the AMD Ryzen 7 250. The average benchmark score for Intel is 37,135, while AMD's is 38,221, which is interesting. The AMD chip actually has a higher average score across all recorded benchmarks, and it sits at the 86th percentile of all CPUs, one point above Intel's 85th percentile. This suggests that the AMD chip performs well in a broader set of workloads not covered by the head-to-head tests, or that its higher base clock and more efficient architecture help in other scenarios.

However, in the specific tests where both chips were measured against each other, Intel dominates. The largest single-core gap is 17.1% in Cinebench R23, and the largest multi-core gap is 72.9% in the same test. For anyone whose primary concern is raw multi-threaded performance in rendering, physics simulation, compression, or encryption, the Intel Core i7-13700 is the clear choice based on these numbers.

The AMD Ryzen 7 250 still has a place. Its 86th percentile ranking and higher average score (38,221 versus 37,135) indicate that in the broader CPU landscape, it is competitive. Its 28 W TDP versus Intel's 65 W TDP makes it far more suitable for thin-and-light laptops where power draw and thermals are constrained. The Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm process is more modern, and the integrated Radeon 780M is likely a stronger graphics solution, though no direct comparison data is available.

For desktop users who can accommodate the higher power draw and who prioritize multi-threaded throughput, the Intel Core i7-13700 is the data-driven recommendation. For mobile users who need a capable processor in a low-power envelope, the AMD Ryzen 7 250 appears to be the sensible option, despite losing all head-to-head tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700 has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 250 has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in the head-to-head tests?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where Intel scores 147 versus AMD's 73, a 101.4% difference.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 250 win any benchmark against the Intel chip?

A: No. In all 15 recorded head-to-head tests, the Intel Core i7-13700 wins, and the AMD Ryzen 7 250 does not win a single test.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 250 has a 28 W TDP, while the Intel Core i7-13700 has a 65 W TDP. The AMD chip is designed for mobile use with a much lower power draw.

Q: What are the memory support differences?

A: Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, and AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700 has 30 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 7 250 has 16 MB of shared L3 cache.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-13700 wins in every measured head-to-head category. Its most decisive victories are in multi-threaded workloads: Cinebench R23 multi-core (72.9% ahead), PassMark floating point math (83.4% ahead), PassMark physics (79% ahead), and PassMark find prime numbers (101.4% ahead). These are all workloads that scale with core count and sustained boost clocks, and the Intel chip's 16 cores versus 8 cores provides a fundamental advantage. Data compression and encryption also favor Intel heavily, with 47.6% and 45.3% leads respectively. For any application that involves rendering, simulation, batch processing, compression, or encryption on a desktop, the Intel chip is the stronger performer.

The AMD Ryzen 7 250 does not win any head-to-head benchmark, but its strengths lie elsewhere. Its 28 W TDP makes it suitable for laptops, where the Intel chip's 65 W TDP would be impractical without significant cooling. Its higher base clock of 3.30 GHz versus 2.10 GHz suggests better responsiveness at low load. The Radeon 780M integrated graphics are likely superior for gaming on the integrated GPU, though the database provides no direct comparison. The AMD chip also has a higher average benchmark score (38,221 versus 37,135) and a higher percentile ranking (86th versus 85th), indicating that in the broader CPU market, it holds its own against a wide range of processors. For mobile users who need a balanced processor for everyday tasks, light productivity, and integrated graphics, the Ryzen 7 250 is the practical choice.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every key specification. The Intel Core i7-13700 has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 250 has 8 cores and 16 threads. Intel's base clock is 2.10 GHz with a boost of 5.20 GHz, while AMD's base clock is 3.30 GHz with a boost of 5.10 GHz. The TDP is dramatically different: Intel at 65 W versus AMD at 28 W. Sockets are incompatible: Intel uses Socket 1700, AMD uses Socket FP8. The architecture differs completely: Intel uses Raptor Lake (Raptor Lake-S) on a 10 nm process, while AMD uses Zen 4 (Hawk Point) on a 4 nm process. The foundries differ as well, with Intel fabricating its own chips and AMD using TSMC. Die size is 257 mm² for Intel and 178 mm² for AMD, with AMD listing 25,000 million transistors and Intel not providing a transistor count.

Cache layouts differ in size per core and total L3. Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3. AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR5. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while Intel does not provide a figure. ECC memory is supported on Intel but not on AMD. PCIe connectivity differs: Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes, AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics are different: Intel has UHD Graphics 770, AMD has Radeon 780M. The market segment is desktop for Intel and mobile for AMD. Release dates differ, with Intel launched on 2023-01-03 and AMD on 2025-01-05. Intel has a launch MSRP of $384, while AMD has no listed MSRP. Both processors have locked multipliers, and neither is unlocked for overclocking.