AMD Ryzen 7 5700U vs Intel Core i7-1255U Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split is clear: the Intel Core i7-1255U wins 6 head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U wins 9. That alone suggests complementary strengths rather than a single dominant chip. The Intel part takes every single-core and light-threaded test decisively. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1647 against 1258 for the AMD, a 30.9% advantage. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Intel leads by 26.3% (237.5 vs 188). PassMark single-thread results reinforce this: 3192 for Intel versus 2560 for AMD, a 24.7% gap. The Intel chip also wins PassMark physics (789 vs 622, up 26.8%) and prime number finding (40 vs 29, up 37.9%).

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700U dominates the multi-threaded and throughput-oriented workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 8650 versus 8285 for Intel, a 4.2% lead. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a larger 6.3% advantage (1480 vs 1387). The AMD advantage grows substantially in PassMark workloads: data compression 218853 vs 147320 (32.7% ahead), data encryption 12549 vs 9262 (26.2% ahead), extended instructions 13519 vs 8231 (39.1% ahead), integer math 60037 vs 48498 (19.2% ahead), random string sorting 23608 vs 16934 (28.3% ahead), and multithread score 15623 vs 13234 (15.3% ahead). Floating point math is nearly tied, with AMD ahead by only 1.6% (33151 vs 32618).

The practical split is simple: Intel for responsiveness in single-threaded apps, AMD for sustained multi-threaded work and data-heavy tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different design philosophies and manufacturing nodes. The Intel Core i7-1255U uses Alder Lake architecture (codename Alder Lake-U) built on Intel's 10 nm process. It has 10 cores and 12 threads, arranged in a hybrid configuration with performance and efficiency cores. The AMD Ryzen 7 5700U uses Zen 2 architecture (codename Lucienne) built on TSMC's 7 nm process. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, a traditional homogeneous design.

The Intel chip has a higher boost clock at 4.70 GHz versus 4.30 GHz for AMD, and a lower base clock at 1700 MHz versus 1800 MHz. Both are 15 W TDP mobile parts. The cache layouts differ significantly: Intel provides 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. AMD provides 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The AMD chip has a larger total transistor count at 9,800 million on a 156 mm² die, while Intel's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database.

Memory support also diverges. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD chip supports DDR4 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The AMD part has a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s; Intel's memory bandwidth is not listed. PCIe generations differ: Intel offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while AMD offers Gen 3 with 12 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are different as well: Intel uses Iris Xe 96EU, AMD uses Radeon Graphics 512SP. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Intel chip launched in February 2022, while the AMD chip launched in January 2021. Intel uses socket BGA 1744, and AMD uses socket FP6. The AMD part is part of the Ryzen 5000 series with part number 100-000000371; the Intel part is part of the Core i7 Alder Lake-U generation with part number SRLFP.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to distinct buyer profiles. Choose the Intel Core i7-1255U if the workload is dominated by single-threaded performance, light coding, office productivity, or any application that relies on fast response from one or two cores. The 30.9% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 24.7% lead in PassMark single-thread are decisive margins. The Intel chip also has the advantage of DDR5 support and PCIe Gen 4 connectivity, which matter for future-proofing a thin-and-light laptop.

Choose the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U if the workload involves heavy multi-threading, data compression, encryption, or integer-heavy calculations. The 39.1% advantage in extended instructions and 32.7% advantage in data compression are the largest wins in the entire comparison. The AMD chip also edges out Intel in overall average benchmark score: 18176 versus 17656, and it sits at the 72nd percentile versus the 71st for Intel. The AMD part has more threads (16 versus 12), which helps in parallel workloads. For a general-purpose mobile chip where multi-threaded performance matters more than peak single-core speed, the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U is the stronger pick.

The AMD chip wins 9 benchmarks, the Intel chip wins 6. No single chip is universally faster. The decision hinges on which workload profile matches the user's daily tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which chip has better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-1255U wins every single-core test. It leads by 26.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core (237.5 vs 188), 30.9% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1647 vs 1258), and 24.7% in PassMark single-thread (3192 vs 2560).

Q: Which chip is better for multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5700U wins the majority of multi-threaded tests. It leads by 4.2% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (8650 vs 8285), 6.3% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (1480 vs 1387), and 15.3% in PassMark multithread (15623 vs 13234).

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two chips?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark extended instructions, where the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U scores 13519 versus 8231 for Intel, a 39.1% advantage. The largest Intel win is 37.9% in PassMark find prime numbers (40 vs 29).

Q: Do both chips support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel Core i7-1255U supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD Ryzen 7 5700U supports DDR4 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Which chip has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-1255U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 5700U has 8 cores and 16 threads. The AMD chip has more threads despite fewer cores.

Q: How do the integrated graphics compare?

A: The Intel chip uses Iris Xe 96EU, and the AMD chip uses Radeon Graphics 512SP. The database does not include dedicated graphics benchmarks for either chip, so no performance comparison can be made from the recorded data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows the Intel chip's biggest win in the rendering workload family. Intel scores 1647 versus 1258 for AMD, a 30.9% delta. This is a massive margin for single-threaded rendering tasks. The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows a similar pattern: Intel leads 237.5 to 188, a 26.3% delta. These results indicate that any application with a strong single-thread dependency will feel noticeably faster on the Intel chip.

The PassMark find prime numbers test gives Intel its largest overall win at 37.9% (40 vs 29). This test is highly sensitive to clock speed and integer execution efficiency. The Intel chip's 4.70 GHz boost clock likely contributes to this result. PassMark physics also favors Intel by 26.8% (789 vs 622), showing strength in physics simulation tasks.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5700U counters with several substantial wins. The largest is PassMark extended instructions at 39.1% (13519 vs 8231). This workload covers SIMD and advanced instruction sets, where the AMD chip's architecture proves more efficient. PassMark data compression shows AMD ahead by 32.7% (218853 vs 147320), a huge margin for file archiving and compression workloads. PassMark random string sorting gives AMD a 28.3% lead (23608 vs 16934), relevant for database and sorting operations.

PassMark data encryption shows AMD ahead by 26.2% (12549 vs 9262), which matters for full-disk encryption and secure communications. PassMark integer math gives AMD a 19.2% lead (60037 vs 48498), covering general arithmetic-heavy code. PassMark multithread shows AMD ahead by 15.3% (15623 vs 13234), an aggregate measure of parallel performance.

The Cinebench multi-core results are closer. AMD leads R23 multi-core by 4.2% (8650 vs 8285) and R15 multi-core by 6.3% (1480 vs 1387). These margins are modest compared to the single-core deltas, but they confirm that the AMD chip sustains better throughput when all cores are active. PassMark floating point math is nearly identical, with AMD ahead by only 1.6% (33151 vs 32618), effectively a tie.

The overall benchmark score averages reflect this split. The AMD chip averages 18176 versus 17656 for Intel, a difference of about 3%. Both chips sit near the 71-72 percentile among all CPUs in the database. The AMD chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-1365U with an identical average score, while the Intel chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-13100F with a delta of 0%. These proximity values show that both chips are competitively positioned in their respective performance tiers.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ on several core specifications. The Intel Core i7-1255U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5700U has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 1700 MHz for Intel and 1800 MHz for AMD. Boost clocks are 4.70 GHz for Intel and 4.30 GHz for AMD. Both have a 15 W TDP.

Process technology differs: Intel uses 10 nm, AMD uses 7 nm. The foundry is Intel for the Intel chip and TSMC for the AMD chip. The AMD chip has recorded transistor count of 9,800 million and die size of 156 mm²; these figures are not recorded for Intel.

Cache configurations differ. Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. Memory support: Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, AMD supports DDR4 only. Both are dual-channel. AMD has a recorded memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s; Intel's is not recorded.

PCIe support differs: Intel offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), AMD offers Gen 3 with 12 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are Iris Xe 96EU on Intel and Radeon Graphics 512SP on AMD. Sockets are Intel BGA 1744 and AMD Socket FP6. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. Release dates are February 2022 for Intel and January 2021 for AMD. Both are active in production and target the mobile market segment.