AMD Ryzen 5 2500U vs Intel Core i5-5287U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split between the two mobile processors: the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U dominates in multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel Core i5-5287U holds a decisive edge in single-thread performance. Across the three shared benchmarks, the Ryzen wins two and the Intel wins one, but the margins tell the fuller story.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 2500U scores 609 against the i5-5287U's 261. That is a 57.1% advantage for the AMD part, a massive gap driven by its 4 cores and 8 threads versus the Intel's 2 cores and 4 threads. The Ryzen more than doubles the Intel chip in this rendering workload, and the delta is the largest of any head-to-head test in the database.

Geekbench multi-core follows the same pattern, with the Ryzen 5 2500U scoring 2635 compared to the i5-5287U's 2007. The 23.8% margin is substantial, though not as extreme as the Cinebench result. This suggests the AMD chip scales better across multiple threads, but the Intel part narrows the gap in a more mixed workload.

The single-core picture reverses completely. In Geekbench single-core, the Intel i5-5287U scores 1029, while the Ryzen 5 2500U manages 851. The Intel part leads by 20.9%, a clear victory that reflects its higher base clock of 2.90 GHz and boost clock of 3.30 GHz, compared to the Ryzen's 2.00 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. The Intel chip also posts a Cinebench R20 single-core score of 153 and a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 366, though the Ryzen lacks comparable single-core Cinebench entries in the database for direct comparison.

Looking at absolute benchmark scores beyond the head-to-head set, the Intel i5-5287U records 1090 in Cinebench R20 multi-core and 2596 in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The Ryzen 5 2500U does not have those specific tests recorded, so the multi-core comparison rests on the R15 and Geekbench results. The Intel part's average benchmark score across all recorded tests is 1072, while the Ryzen's is 1058, a difference of 1.3% that puts them in the same performance class overall, despite their very different strengths.

The percentile rankings reinforce this parity: the Intel i5-5287U sits at the 30th percentile among all CPUs in the database, and the Ryzen 5 2500U sits at the 29th. Neither is a high-flyer in absolute terms, but the data shows they appeal to different usage patterns.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a straightforward conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U is the stronger processor for multi-threaded and productivity tasks, while the Intel Core i5-5287U is the better choice for single-thread-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen wins 2 of the 3 head-to-head benchmarks, including the two multi-core tests, with margins of 57.1% and 23.8%. The Intel part wins only the single-core Geekbench test, but by a solid 20.9% margin.

For users who run rendering, video encoding, compilation, or any workload that spreads across cores, the Ryzen 5 2500U is the clear pick. Its 4-core, 8-thread configuration with a 4 MB shared L3 cache gives it a structural advantage that the Intel 2-core, 4-thread design cannot overcome, regardless of clock speeds. The Cinebench R15 multi-core result of 609 versus 261 is decisive.

For users who prioritize responsiveness in lightly threaded applications, such as older games, spreadsheet macros, or single-threaded legacy software, the Intel i5-5287U wins. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1029 versus 851 shows a meaningful lead, and its higher base clock means sustained single-thread performance is stronger without relying on boost behavior.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 1072 for the Intel and 1058 for the AMD. That means neither chip is dramatically faster across the board. The choice depends entirely on workload mix. If the user's applications are multi-threaded, the Ryzen is the data-backed pick. If single-thread performance is paramount, the Intel part delivers.

The Ryzen 5 2500U also carries a lower TDP of 15 watts against the Intel's 28 watts, which the data suggests translates to better efficiency for the same or better multi-threaded performance. The Intel part is end-of-life, while the Ryzen remains active in production, so long-term availability also favors the AMD chip.

Where Each One Wins

AMD Ryzen 5 2500U wins:

• Multi-core rendering: Cinebench R15 multi-core at 609 versus 261, a 57.1% lead
• Mixed multi-thread workloads: Geekbench multi-core at 2635 versus 2007, a 23.8% lead
• Power efficiency: 15 W TDP versus 28 W TDP, making it better suited for thin-and-light laptops
• Thread-heavy tasks: 8 threads versus 4 threads, with a larger L3 cache of 4 MB versus 3 MB
• Newer memory standard: DDR4 support versus DDR3, with higher memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s versus 29.9 GB/s

Intel Core i5-5287U wins:

• Single-core performance: Geekbench single-core at 1029 versus 851, a 20.9% lead
• Higher base clock: 2.90 GHz versus 2.00 GHz, benefiting bursty single-thread tasks
• Integrated graphics: Iris 6100 versus Radeon Vega 8, though the database does not include graphics benchmarks to quantify the difference
• PCIe version: Gen 2 with 12 lanes versus Gen 3 with 8 lanes, though the Ryzen's Gen 3 offers higher per-lane bandwidth
• Smaller die size: 133 mm² versus 210 mm², indicating a more compact physical footprint

The data does not include gaming benchmarks, so the integrated graphics comparison remains qualitative. The Intel part's single-core advantage may matter for older games that rely on one or two threads, while the Ryzen's multi-core strength helps modern titles that scale across cores, but the recorded benchmarks only cover CPU compute tests.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U wins decisively. It scores 609 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 261 for the Intel i5-5287U, a 57.1% advantage, and 2635 in Geekbench multi-core versus 2007, a 23.8% lead.

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-core tests?

A: The Intel Core i5-5287U is faster. It scores 1029 in Geekbench single-core versus 851 for the Ryzen 5 2500U, a 20.9% margin, aided by its higher base clock of 2.90 GHz.

Q: How do their overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: They are nearly identical. The Intel i5-5287U has an average benchmark score of 1072, and the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U has 1058, a difference of 1.3%. The Intel chip ranks at the 30th percentile among all CPUs, while the AMD chip ranks at the 29th.

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i5-5287U has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Ryzen also has a larger L3 cache at 4 MB shared versus 3 MB shared.

Q: What are their power consumption ratings?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U has a TDP of 15 watts. The Intel Core i5-5287U has a TDP of 28 watts. The Ryzen delivers higher multi-core performance while drawing less power.

Q: Which CPU supports newer memory technology?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-5287U supports DDR3 with a bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-5287U is built on the Broadwell architecture, specifically Broadwell-U, using a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U uses the Zen architecture, codenamed Raven Ridge, also on a 14 nm node but fabricated by GlobalFoundries. Both are 14 nm parts, but the transistor counts differ dramatically: the Intel chip has 1,900 million transistors on a 133 mm² die, while the AMD chip packs 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die.

The core configuration is the most significant architectural split. The Intel part offers 2 physical cores with 4 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the AMD part offers 4 physical cores with 8 threads via Simultaneous Multithreading. This doubling of cores and threads is the primary reason for the Ryzen's multi-core dominance. The cache hierarchy also differs: the Intel chip has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, while the AMD chip has 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core. For L3, the Intel has 3 MB shared, and the AMD has 4 MB shared.

Memory support reflects their respective eras. The Intel i5-5287U uses DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and 29.9 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. The newer memory standard gives the AMD chip a theoretical bandwidth advantage that supports its multi-core workloads.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Intel chip provides PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD chip provides PCIe Gen 3 with 8 lanes. Though the AMD has fewer lanes, the Gen 3 standard doubles the per-lane throughput, so the total bandwidth is comparable or better on the Ryzen.

The integrated graphics solutions are distinct as well. The Intel i5-5287U uses Iris 6100, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U uses Radeon Vega 8. The database does not include graphics benchmark scores, so a performance comparison is not possible from the recorded data, but the architectural difference is notable: Vega 8 is a more modern GPU architecture tied to the Zen compute units.

The release dates underscore the generational gap. The Intel chip launched on 2015-02-28 and is now end-of-life. The AMD chip launched on 2017-10-25 and remains active in production. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $315, while the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the Intel Core i5-5287U and the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U, based solely on the recorded data:

• Cores: Intel has 2, AMD has 4
• Threads: Intel has 4, AMD has 8
• Base clock: Intel runs at 2.90 GHz, AMD at 2.00 GHz
• Boost clock: Intel boosts to 3.30 GHz, AMD to 3.60 GHz
• TDP: Intel is rated at 28 watts, AMD at 15 watts
• Socket: Intel uses BGA 1168, AMD uses Socket FP5
• Architecture: Intel uses Broadwell, AMD uses Zen
• Codename: Intel is Broadwell-U, AMD is Raven Ridge
• Foundry: Intel fabricates in-house, AMD uses GlobalFoundries
• Transistor count: Intel has 1,900 million, AMD has 4,950 million
• Die size: Intel measures 133 mm², AMD measures 210 mm²
• L1 cache: Intel has 64 KB per core, AMD has 96 KB per core
• L2 cache: Intel has 256 KB per core, AMD has 512 KB per core
• L3 cache: Intel has 3 MB shared, AMD has 4 MB shared
• Memory support: Intel uses DDR3, AMD uses DDR4
• Memory bandwidth: Intel has 29.9 GB/s, AMD has 38.4 GB/s
• PCIe: Intel uses Gen 2 with 12 lanes, AMD uses Gen 3 with 8 lanes
• Integrated graphics: Intel has Iris 6100, AMD has Radeon Vega 8
• Production status: Intel is end-of-life, AMD is active
• Release date: Intel launched 2015-02-28, AMD launched 2017-10-25
• Launch MSRP: Intel has a recorded $315, AMD has none recorded
• Part number: Intel is SR26H, AMD is YM2500C4T4MFB