Ryzen 5 1500X vs Ryzen 5 7520U

CPU

GPU

Ryzen 5 1500X

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2017

Ryzen family

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Ryzen 5 7520U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Ryzen 5 1500X vs Ryzen 5 7520U Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 1500X

4 / 8

9,074

+0.1%

Ryzen Embedded V2A46

Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE

Ryzen 7 3700U

Ryzen Embedded V1807B

Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

Ryzen 9 PRO 7945

Ryzen 9 9950X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

Ryzen 5 7520U

4 / 8

9,063

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

Ryzen 9 PRO 7945

Ryzen 9 9950X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Ryzen 5 1500X vs Ryzen 5 7520U FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Ryzen 5 1500X vs Ryzen 5 7520U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Ryzen 5 1500X

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 4 MB).
✅400% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 4) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 7520U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $189 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 7520U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌333.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Ryzen 5 7520U moves to FT6 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 7520U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 5 7520U

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 65W, a 50W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FT6 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 610M, while Ryzen 5 1500X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 1500X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (4,527 vs 4,641).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 16 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 1500X.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 1500X better than Ryzen 5 7520U?

Yes. Ryzen 5 1500X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 0.1% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 5 1500X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 1500X is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 5 1500X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 1500X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $189 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (48.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 5 7520U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with FT6 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Ryzen 5 1500X vs Ryzen 5 7520U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Ryzen 5 1500X

The Ryzen 5 1500X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,074 points. Launch price was $189.

Ryzen 5 7520U

The Ryzen 5 7520U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Mendocino-U (Zen 2) (2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 6 nm process technology. Socket: FT6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 9,063 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Ryzen 5 1500X and Ryzen 5 7520U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 5 1500X versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 5 7520U — a 15% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 7520U (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Ryzen 5 1500X uses the Zen (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 7520U uses Mendocino-U (Zen 2) (2022) (6 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 1500X scores 9,074 against the Ryzen 5 7520U's 9,063 — a 0.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 1500X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 4,641 vs 4,527 (2.5% advantage for the Ryzen 5 1500X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,120 vs 797, a 33.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 1500X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 3,700 vs 2,744 (29.7% advantage for the Ryzen 5 1500X). L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 1500X vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 7520U.

Feature	Ryzen 5 1500X	Ryzen 5 7520U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.3 GHz+16%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+25%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)+300%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)	512 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	6 nm-57%
Architecture	Zen (2017−2020)	Mendocino-U (Zen 2) (2022)
PassMark	9,074	9,063
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,641+3%	4,527
Geekbench 6 Single	1,120+41%	797
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,700+35%	2,744

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 1500X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 7520U uses FT6 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Ryzen 5 1500X versus LPDDR5-5500 on the Ryzen 5 7520U — the Ryzen 5 7520U supports 106.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 1500X supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Ryzen 5 1500X) vs 4 (Ryzen 5 7520U) — the Ryzen 5 1500X offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370,B450,X470 (Ryzen 5 1500X) and FT6 (Ryzen 5 7520U).

Feature	Ryzen 5 1500X	Ryzen 5 7520U
Socket	AM4	FT6
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	LPDDR5-5500+106%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+300%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20+400%	4

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Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 1500X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AMD-V virtualization. The Ryzen 5 7520U includes integrated graphics (Radeon 610M), while the Ryzen 5 1500X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 1500X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 1500X rivals Core i5-7500.