AMD Ryzen 7 3700U vs Intel Core i5-5257U Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits these two mobile processors along a clear line. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U takes the multi-threaded crown, winning both recorded multi-core tests decisively. The Intel Core i5-5257U, despite being older and having fewer cores, secures a notable victory in single-core performance. This makes the choice straightforward: the AMD part is for sustained parallel workloads, while the Intel chip holds an edge in lightly threaded tasks that rely on raw per-core speed.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 7 3700U scores 672 against the i5-5257U's 242, a massive 64% lead. That gap is not marginal; it reflects a fundamental difference in core count and architecture efficiency. The Geekbench multi-core test tells a similar story, with AMD ahead at 2377 versus 1773, a 25.4% advantage. For users running video encoding, compilation, or any workload that scales across cores, the Ryzen part is the clear pick.

However, the Intel i5-5257U fights back in Geekbench single-core, scoring 922 versus 682 for the Ryzen, a 35.2% advantage. This result is surprising given the Ryzen's higher boost clock, but the data is unambiguous. Applications that rely on single-thread responsiveness, such as legacy software or certain office tasks, will feel snappier on the Intel chip. The win count reflects this split: AMD wins two benchmarks, Intel wins one.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-5257U is built on the Broadwell architecture, a 14 nm process from Intel, with a die size of 133 mm² and 1,900 million transistors. It features 2 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.10 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 3 MB shared L3. The memory controller supports DDR3 in dual-channel mode, delivering 29.9 GB/s of bandwidth. The integrated graphics are Intel Iris 6100, and the chip uses PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes.

The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U is a Zen+ part, codenamed Picasso, fabricated on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The die is larger at 210 mm², housing 4,940 million transistors. Cache amounts are higher: 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Memory support moves to DDR4, still dual-channel, though the database does not record a bandwidth figure. The integrated GPU is Radeon Vega 10, and PCIe is Gen 3. The Ryzen's TDP is 15 W, notably lower than the Intel's 28 W, which suggests better power efficiency for the same or better multi-core performance.

The transistor count difference is stark: AMD packs over 2.5 times more transistors into a larger die. This is partly due to the integrated Vega graphics and the extra cores. The process node advantage goes to AMD as well, with 12 nm versus 14 nm, though both are mature nodes by modern standards. The socket types differ completely, with Intel using BGA 1168 and AMD using Socket FP5, meaning they are not interchangeable in any system.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data covers three tests, each with a clear winner. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 7 3700U scores 672, while the i5-5257U scores 242. The delta is reported as -64%, meaning the Intel chip trails by 64%. This is the largest relative gap in the dataset. The Ryzen's quad-core, eight-thread configuration simply overwhelms the Intel's dual-core, four-thread design in a fully threaded render workload.

Geekbench multi-core shows a narrower but still decisive AMD win: 2377 for the Ryzen versus 1773 for Intel, a 25.4% deficit for the i5. This benchmark likely includes a mix of integer and floating-point tasks that scale reasonably well with cores, but the per-core speed advantage of the Intel part partially offsets the core count difference. Still, the AMD part comes out ahead by more than 600 points.

The single-core Geekbench result flips the script. Intel scores 922, AMD scores 682, giving Intel a 35.2% lead. This is a substantial per-core performance edge, likely due to the Broadwell architecture's high single-thread efficiency at the time, despite its lower boost clock. The Ryzen's Zen+ cores, while more numerous, are individually slower in this test. For users who prioritize single-thread tasks, the Intel chip offers a meaningful advantage.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U wins both recorded multi-core tests. It scores 672 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 242 for the Intel Core i5-5257U, a 64% lead, and 2377 versus 1773 in Geekbench multi-core, a 25.4% lead.

Q: Does the Intel chip have any performance advantage?

A: Yes, in Geekbench single-core, the Intel Core i5-5257U scores 922 against the Ryzen 7 3700U's 682, a 35.2% advantage. This makes it better suited for single-threaded workloads.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-5257U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 3700U has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How do their boost clocks compare?

A: The Intel chip boosts to 3.10 GHz, while the AMD chip boosts to 4.00 GHz. Despite the higher AMD boost clock, the Intel chip wins the single-core Geekbench test.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The Intel Core i5-5257U has a TDP of 28 W, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U has a TDP of 15 W. The AMD part delivers higher multi-core performance at a lower thermal design power.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-5257U has an average benchmark score of 976, and the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U has an average of 968. Both sit at the 26th percentile among all CPUs, making them statistically equivalent in overall performance.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i5-5257U | AMD Ryzen 7 3700U |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.10 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1168 | AMD Socket FP5 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Zen+ |

| Codename | Broadwell-U | Picasso |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 12 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,900 million | 4,940 million |

| Die Size | 133 mm² | 210 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 3 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 29.9 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 2, 12 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel Iris 6100 | Radeon Vega 10 |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2015-02-28 | 2019-01-05 |

| Launch MSRP | $315 | Not recorded |

The specification table highlights the generational leap. AMD offers double the cores and threads, a smaller process node, more cache, newer memory, and a lower TDP. Intel counters with a higher base clock and a smaller die. The Intel part is end-of-life, while AMD remains active. The Ryzen 7 3700U is the more modern and capable multi-threaded processor, but the i5-5257U retains a single-core performance lead that may matter in specific legacy applications.