AMD Ryzen 5 7535U vs Intel Core i5-13500H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 7535U and Intel Core i5-13500H are both mobile processors aimed at different segments of the laptop market, yet benchmark results show a decisive performance gap. The Intel Core i5-13500H wins all 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with margins ranging from a modest 5.7% in single-threaded tests to a substantial 42.3% in multi-threaded workloads. Despite this sweep, the AMD chip holds its own in the broader competitive landscape, sitting at the 76th percentile of all CPUs compared to Intel's 75th percentile, with average benchmark scores of 22791 and 22468 respectively. This creates a nuanced picture where the Intel part dominates direct comparisons but both processors occupy nearly identical positions within the overall CPU hierarchy.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the Intel Core i5-13500H wins every single head-to-head test, leaving the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U without a single victory. This is not a close contest by any measure. The largest advantage for Intel comes in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, where it scores 2304 against AMD's 1330, a 42.3% lead. Similarly, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel's 14081 score dwarfs AMD's 8591, a 39% difference. These results indicate that for heavily threaded workloads like video rendering, 3D animation, or software compilation, the Intel chip is in a different performance class.

However, the gap narrows considerably in lighter workloads. The smallest margin of victory for Intel is in the Passmark single-thread test, where it scores 3397 versus AMD's 3203, a difference of just 5.7%. This suggests that for everyday tasks like web browsing, office productivity, and light application use, the two processors will feel nearly identical. The Ryzen 5 7535U's competitive single-thread performance is notable given its lower power envelope, and it means the AMD part is far from obsolete for typical consumer usage patterns.

The AMD processor's position is further contextualized by its nearest rivals. It sits within 0.1% of the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X (avg score 22823) and 0.5% of the AMD Ryzen 5 6600U (avg score 22897), while also trading blows with Intel parts like the Core i5-12500H (avg score 22625) and Core Ultra 5 135U (avg score 22618). This indicates that while the Core i5-13500H is clearly superior in direct comparison, the Ryzen 5 7535U is not a weak processor by absolute standards—it simply faces a stronger opponent.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen 5 7535U uses the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt-R, fabricated on a 6 nm process at TSMC. It features 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.55 GHz. The Intel Core i5-13500H, in contrast, uses the Raptor Lake architecture, codenamed Raptor Lake-H, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. It offers 12 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The core count difference is stark: Intel has double the cores, though the thread count advantage is smaller at 16 versus 12.

Cache configurations further differentiate the two. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L2 cache on Intel is particularly significant for workloads that benefit from faster access to frequently used data. The die size also differs, with AMD measuring 208 mm² while Intel's die size is not listed.

Memory support is another major divergence. The AMD Ryzen 5 7535U supports only DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-13500H supports a much wider range of memory types, including DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR4, LPDDR4X, LPDDR5, and LPDDR5X, also in dual-channel mode, though its memory bandwidth is not specified. AMD also supports ECC memory, while Intel does not. In terms of PCIe, Intel offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), giving AMD more lanes but an older generation.

The integrated graphics differ as well: AMD pairs the processor with Radeon 660M graphics, while Intel uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. Both are mobile processors released on the same date, January 3, 2023, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD chip has a TDP of 28 watts, while the Intel chip has a TDP of 45 watts, which partially explains the performance gap but also indicates different thermal and power design targets.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Walking through the benchmark results in detail, the Intel Core i5-13500H demonstrates consistent superiority across every category. In Cinebench R15, the multi-core test shows Intel at 2304 versus AMD's 1330, a 42.3% deficit for AMD. The single-core test is closer, with Intel at 249 versus AMD's 225, a 9.6% gap. Moving to Cinebench R23, the multi-core score is 14081 for Intel versus 8591 for AMD, a 39% difference, while single-core shows 1775 versus 1414, a 20.3% gap. These results indicate that Intel's advantage grows substantially as thread utilization increases.

In the Passmark suite, the pattern repeats but with varying intensity. The largest Intel margin is in floating-point math, where Intel scores 52123 versus AMD's 33971, a 34.8% lead. Physics tests show a similar 34.9% advantage (1289 versus 839). Prime number finding yields a 32.4% gap (74 versus 50). Random string sorting shows Intel at 27955 versus AMD's 21267, a 23.9% difference. Data compression is 21.4% in Intel's favor (254661 versus 200252). Multi-thread performance is 20.3% higher (21366 versus 17039). Data encryption shows a 14.9% lead (14938 versus 12706). Integer math is 14.6% ahead (72724 versus 62109). Extended instructions are 11.3% better (14872 versus 13187). Finally, single-thread performance is 5.7% higher (3397 versus 3203).

The notable takeaway is that Intel's advantage is smallest in single-threaded and integer-heavy workloads, where the Zen 3+ architecture is competitive. However, in any test that scales with core count or floating-point throughput, Intel's 12-core design provides a massive edge. The 3DMark scores available only for Intel reinforce this, showing 6160 in max-threads and 6099 in 16-threads, indicating strong multi-threaded scaling, though no comparable AMD scores are available for direct comparison.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-13500H is significantly faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 14081 versus the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U's 8591, a 39% advantage. The gap is even larger in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where Intel leads by 42.3% (2304 versus 1330).

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U competitive in single-thread performance?

A: Yes, relatively. The Intel Core i5-13500H wins the Passmark single-thread test with 3397 versus AMD's 3203, but the margin is only 5.7%. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel leads by 20.3% (1775 versus 1414), indicating the gap widens in certain workloads.

Q: How do the core counts compare between these two processors?

A: The Intel Core i5-13500H has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U has 6 cores and 12 threads. This gives Intel double the physical cores, though its thread advantage is smaller at 16 versus 12.

Q: What are the TDP differences, and what does that imply for laptops?

A: The Intel Core i5-13500H has a TDP of 45 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U has a TDP of 28 watts. This suggests the Intel chip is designed for thicker, higher-performance laptops, while the AMD chip targets thinner, more power-efficient designs.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 7535U supports only DDR5, while the Intel Core i5-13500H supports DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR4, LPDDR4X, LPDDR5, and LPDDR5X. The AMD chip has a specified memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while Intel's is not listed.

Q: Which processor has better integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7535U features Radeon 660M graphics, while the Intel Core i5-13500H features Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. No direct benchmark comparison is available in the data, so relative performance cannot be determined.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The AMD Ryzen 5 7535U has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i5-13500H has 12 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 2.90 GHz for AMD and 2.60 GHz for Intel, but boost clocks are 4.55 GHz and 4.70 GHz respectively. TDP ratings are 28 watts for AMD and 45 watts for Intel. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP7, while Intel uses Intel BGA 1744. Architecture is Zen 3+ (Rembrandt-R) for AMD versus Raptor Lake (Raptor Lake-H) for Intel. Process nodes are 6 nm (TSMC) versus 10 nm (Intel). The die size is 208 mm² for AMD, with no die size listed for Intel.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially: AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3; Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. Memory support is limited to DDR5 for AMD, while Intel supports DDR4, DDR5, LPDDR4, LPDDR4X, LPDDR5, and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s for AMD, unspecified for Intel. ECC memory support is true for AMD, false for Intel. PCIe is Gen 4 with 20 lanes for AMD versus Gen 5 with 8 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon 660M versus Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. Both were released on January 3, 2023, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-13500H is the superior processor in every benchmark category, winning all 15 head-to-head tests. The most significant advantages are in multi-threaded workloads, where Intel's 12-core design delivers results that are 39% to 42.3% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U's 6-core configuration. For users who run demanding applications like video editing, 3D rendering, or scientific simulations, the Intel chip is the clear choice. Its higher TDP of 45 watts is a trade-off, but one that pays off in raw performance.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7535U is not without merit, however. Its 28-watt TDP makes it far more suitable for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermals are priorities. Its single-thread performance, while still behind Intel, is within 5.7% in Passmark, making everyday tasks feel responsive. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory and offers more PCIe lanes (20 versus 8), which may matter for certain specialized workloads. For users who prioritize portability and power efficiency over maximum performance, the Ryzen 5 7535U remains a viable option.

Given the data, the recommendation splits along workload and form factor lines. For anyone who needs maximum CPU throughput for content creation, compilation, or heavy multitasking, the Intel Core i5-13500H is unequivocally the better pick. For users who value battery life, lower heat output, and are willing to accept a performance deficit that ranges from 5.7% to 42.3% depending on the task, the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U offers a more balanced mobile experience. The Intel chip wins on performance; the AMD chip wins on efficiency.