AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 vs Intel Core i5-1245U Comparison

The benchmark data presents a striking picture: the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 and Intel Core i5-1245U are effectively performance twins, with average scores of 3777 and 3775 respectively. Despite being separated by nearly four years of release dates and belonging to entirely different market segments—desktop versus mobile—their Cinebench results are nearly indistinguishable. The data shows a 56th percentile ranking for both processors, placing them in the exact same position relative to all other CPUs. This near-perfect parity invites a closer examination of how two such different designs can produce such similar outcomes, and what the underlying architectural choices reveal about their respective strengths.

FAQ

Q: How close are the two processors in overall benchmark performance?

A: The average benchmark scores are virtually identical, with the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 scoring 3777 and the Intel Core i5-1245U scoring 3775. The deltaPct between them is a mere 0.1%, making them statistically equivalent in aggregate performance.

Q: Which processor wins the most individual benchmark tests?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, though by extremely narrow margins. The largest advantage is 0.1% in Cinebench R15 multicore, R20 singlecore, and R23 singlecore, while the remaining three tests show a 0% delta.

Q: Are there any single-core performance differences?

A: The single-core scores are effectively tied. In Cinebench R15, both score exactly 185. In R20, the AMD scores 774 versus 773 for Intel, and in R23, the AMD scores 1843 versus 1842. These differences are within measurement noise.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-1245U has 10 cores and 12 threads. This means the AMD has fewer physical cores but more threads, while the Intel has more cores but fewer threads.

Q: How does the thermal design power differ between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel Core i5-1245U has a TDP of 15 watts. This is a significant difference, with the Intel part designed for much lower power consumption.

Q: Which processor is newer and what is the release date gap?

A: The Intel Core i5-1245U was released on 2022-02-22, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 was released on 2018-09-18. This represents a gap of roughly three and a half years between the two releases.

Architecture Differences

The architectural contrast between these two processors is fundamental. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 is built on the Zen architecture, specifically the Zen+ (Pinnacle Ridge) refinement, using a 12 nm process node from GlobalFoundries. This is a desktop-class design with 8 cores and 16 threads, featuring a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The chip contains 4,800 million transistors on a 192 mm² die, and it uses AMD Socket AM4. Notably, it supports ECC memory and has an unlocked multiplier, indicating it is designed for overclocking and professional workloads.

The Intel Core i5-1245U, in contrast, is built on the Alder Lake architecture, specifically the Alder Lake-U mobile variant, using a 10 nm process node from Intel. This is a mobile-class design with 10 cores and 12 threads, featuring a base clock of 1600.00 MHz (1.60 GHz) and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. It uses Intel BGA 1744 socket and is not multiplier-unlocked. The chip has integrated Iris Xe 80EU graphics, which the AMD part completely lacks. Memory support differs as well, with Intel supporting both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD is limited to DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The cache structures also diverge: AMD has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3, while Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. Intel also lists PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while AMD's PCIe information is not provided.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results across all versions show an extraordinary level of parity. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD scores 1316 against Intel's 1315, a delta of 0.1%. The single-core R15 test produces identical scores of 185 for both. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore results are 5484 for AMD and 5482 for Intel, a 0% delta. The single-core R20 test shows AMD at 774 and Intel at 773, a 0.1% delta. In Cinebench R23, the multicore scores are 13059 for AMD and 13053 for Intel, again a 0% delta. The single-core R23 test shows AMD at 1843 and Intel at 1842, a 0.1% delta. The pattern is consistent: AMD wins every test, but by margins of 0.1% or less, which are well within typical run-to-run variance. The data indicates that these processors are functionally equivalent in Cinebench workloads, regardless of the version used.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear conclusion: these two processors are performance equals in the tested workloads. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 wins all six head-to-head tests, but the margins are so small that they are practically meaningless. Both processors sit at the 56th percentile of all CPUs, and their average scores differ by only 2 points out of roughly 3775. The choice between them cannot be made on raw performance, as the data shows no meaningful difference. Instead, the decision must rest on other factors exposed in the specification differences. The AMD offers more threads (16 vs 12) and ECC memory support, suggesting a use case in professional or server-adjacent environments. The Intel offers integrated graphics and a significantly lower TDP (15 watts vs 65 watts), making it suitable for compact or battery-powered systems. The data implies that for pure compute tasks, either processor will deliver the same result; for system-level design, the Intel's power efficiency and integrated GPU are decisive advantages, while the AMD's ECC support and unlocked multiplier appeal to a different audience.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-1245U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The AMD base clock is 3.20 GHz compared to Intel's 1600.00 MHz, though the Intel boost clock is higher at 4.40 GHz versus 4.10 GHz. The TDP difference is substantial: 65 watts for AMD versus 15 watts for Intel. The AMD uses Socket AM4, while Intel uses BGA 1744. The process nodes differ (12 nm AMD versus 10 nm Intel), as do the foundries (GlobalFoundries versus Intel). The AMD has a larger L3 cache at 16 MB shared, while Intel has 12 MB shared but a larger L2 cache at 1.25 MB per core versus 512 KB per core. Memory support differs: AMD supports DDR4 only, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. ECC memory is supported by AMD but not by Intel. The AMD has no integrated graphics, while the Intel includes Iris Xe 80EU. The Intel supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while AMD's PCIe details are not specified. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel does not. The release dates are far apart: 2018-09-18 for AMD and 2022-02-22 for Intel. The AMD part number is YD2700BBM88AF, while Intel's is SRLFSSRLWY.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark wins, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700 wins all six Cinebench tests, but this is a nominal victory given the negligible margins. The more meaningful use-case split emerges from the specification differences. The AMD processor is the choice for workloads that benefit from higher thread counts and ECC memory, such as error-sensitive computing or multi-threaded professional applications. Its unlocked multiplier also allows for overclocking, which could extend its performance headroom. The Intel Core i5-1245U, on the other hand, wins on power efficiency with its 15-watt TDP, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops or fanless designs. Its integrated Iris Xe 80EU graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic visual tasks. The Intel also supports DDR5 memory, which could offer future-proofing benefits. The data shows no compute performance advantage for either, so the decision rests entirely on these secondary characteristics. The Intel's higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz may provide better burst performance in short, single-threaded tasks, though the benchmark results do not demonstrate this advantage in Cinebench. The AMD's larger L3 cache and higher thread count could theoretically benefit certain cache-sensitive or highly parallel workloads, but again, the benchmark data does not show this. In summary, the AMD wins on paper with all six benchmark victories, while the Intel wins on platform features and power efficiency.