Intel Core 3 100U vs AMD Ryzen 5 7520U

Intel Core 3 100U

The Intel Core 3 100U is an entry-level notebook CPU based on the Raptor Lake-U Refresh series (Alder Lake architecture), which was introduced in January 2024. The CPU offers 2 performance cores (P-cores, Golden Cove architecture) and 4 of the 8 efficiency cores (E-cores, Gracemont architecture). The P-cores support hyperthreading (therefore 8 threads together) and clock from 1.2 to 4.7 GHz. The E-cores clock from 0.9 - 3.3 GHz and should offer comparable performance to old Skylake cores (e.g. i7-6300HQ). The Core 3 does not offer vPro features for management.

Performance

The performance should be slightly above the old Core i3-1315U (-200 MHz P-Core Boost).

Graphics unit

Like its predecessor, Intel integrates an Intel Xe-based graphics unit called Intel Graphics in Alder Lake / Raptor Lake. In the 1315U, 64 of the 96 EUs are probably activated.

Features

Like Tiger Lake, Raptor Lake also has WiFi 6E and Thunderbolt 4 (4x) partially integrated. The integrated memory controller supports DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200, LPDDR5-5200 and LPDDR4x-4267. The integrated Gaussian and Neural Accelerator (GNA) is now installed in version 3.0. The Quick Sync 8 media engine is the same as in Rocket Lake and supports MPEG-2, AVC, VC-1 decode, JPEG, VP8 decode, VP9, HEVC and AV1 decode. The chip only supports PCIe 4.0 (x8 for GPU and two x4 for SSDs).

Power consumption

The Intel Core 3-100U is specified with 15 watts (PL1) TDP and 55 watts (PL2) max. turbo power. The processor is manufactured using the further improved Intel 7 process (10 nm SuperFin).

AMD Ryzen 5 7520U

The AMD Ryzen 5 7520U is a mobile processor for cheap laptops of the Mendocino series. It integrates four older Zen 2 cores (similar to the Ryzen 4000 series like the Ryzen 3 4300U). The CPU cores clock from 2.8 GHz (base) to 4.3 GHz (single core Turbo) and can use 4 MB L3 cache. Thanks to SMT/Hyperthreading, the CPU can work on 8 threads simultaneously. The integrated memory controller only supports fast LPDDR5 memory (5500 MHz max.).

The integrated graphics adapter (Radeon 610M iGPU) uses the modern RDNA 2 architecture, but only 2 CUs (128 shaders) and clocks with up to 1.9 GHz.

Performance

The average 7520U in our extensive database is in the same league as the Core i7-1185G7, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned. This is a so-so result and indicative of a lower mid-range chip, as of Q3 2023.

Your mileage may vary depending on how high the CPU power limits are and how competent the cooling solution of your system is.

Mendocino series chips are produced on a relatively modern 6nm FinFET process at TSMC and should offer a good power efficiency. The R5 7520U is rated at 8-15 W TDP and therefore well suited for thin and light laptops.