AMD Ryzen 5 7520U vs AMD Athlon Gold 7220U

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.

AMD Athlon Gold 7220U

The AMD Athlon Gold 7220U is a mobile processor for cheap laptops of the Mendocino series. It integrates two older Zen 2 cores (similar to the Ryzen 4000 series). The CPU cores clock from 2.4 GHz (base) to 3.7 GHz (single core Turbo) and can use 4 MB L3 cache. Thanks to SMT/Hyperthreading, the CPU can work on 4 threads simultaneously. The integrated memory controller only supports fast LPDDR5 memory (5500 MHz max.). Compared to the faster Mendocino models like the Ryzen 5 7520U, the 7220U offers only two cores and reduced clock speeds, leading to a clearly lower CPU performance.

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

The CPU performance should be better than the fastest Ryzen dual-core (Ryzen 3 3250U, 2.6 - 3.5 GHz, Zen 1) but clearly stay behind modern quad-core CPUs (in multi threaded tests).

The Mendocino series are produced in a relatively modern 6nm FinFET process at TSMC and should offer a good power efficiency. The Athlon Gold 7220U is rated at 8-15 W TDP and therefore well suited for thin and light laptops.