AMD Ryzen 5 7520U vs Intel Core i5-1335U

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.

Intel Core i5-1335U

The Intel Core i5-1335U is a mid-range mobile CPU for thin and light laptops based on the Alder Lake architecture (Raptor Lake-U / RPL-U series). It was announced in early 2023 and offers 2  performance cores (P-cores, Golden Cove architecture) and 8 efficient cores (E-cores, Gracemont architecture). The P-cores support Hyper-Threading leading to 12 supported threads when combined with the E-cores. The clock rate ranges from 1.3 to 4.6 GHz on the performance cluster and 0.9 to 3.4 GHz on the efficient cluster. The performance of the E-cores should be similar to old Skylake cores (compare to the Core i7-6700HQ). All cores can use up to 12 MB L3 cache. The CPU supports only "Essentials" vPro management features. Compared to the P-series (28W) or H-series (45W), the 15W TDP may limit the sustained performance.

Performance

Thanks to the similar clock speed, the Core i5-1335U is very similar to the older Core i7-1250U (+100 MHz P-Cores base clock rate). The faster i7 like the i7-1365U models offer only higher clock rates (and a faster iGPU).

Architecture

The integrated memory controller supports various memory types up to LPDDR5-6400. The Thread Director (in hardware) can support the operating system to decide which thread to use on the performance or efficient cores for the best performance. For AI tasks, the CPU also integrates GNA 3.0 and DL Boost (via AVX2). Quick Sync in version 8 is the same as in the Rocket Lake CPUs and supports MPEG-2, AVC, VC-1 decode, JPEG, VP8 decode, VP9, HEVC, and AV1 decode in hardware. The CPU still only supports PCIe 4.0 x8 for a GPU and two PCIe 4.0 x4 for SSDs.

The integrated graphics card is based on the Xe-architecture and offers 80 of the 96 EUs (Execution Units) operating at up to 1.25 GHz.

Power consumption

This Core i5 CPU is rated at a TDP of 15W (base power, PL1) and a maximum turbo power of 55W (PL2). The RPL-U processors are built in a further improved Intel 7 process (10nm SuperFin) that allows higher clock rates.