AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U
AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U in 2025: Is It Worth Buying a Laptop with This Processor?
Despite being released back in 2017, laptops based on the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U are still available as budget options. In 2025, this processor seems modest compared to modern chips, but it can still be considered for certain tasks. Let's delve into who might find this APU suitable and what compromises may need to be made.
Architecture and Technology Process: A Foundation for Compact Systems
Raven Ridge and First-Generation Zen
The Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U is built on the first-generation Zen microarchitecture with a 14 nm technology process. It is one of AMD’s early mobile processors, combining 4 cores and 8 threads with integrated Vega graphics. Its key specifications are:
- Frequencies: Base frequency of 2.0 GHz, maximum Turbo mode frequency of up to 3.6 GHz.
- Cache: 4 MB L3, which is half of what modern Ryzen 5 processors offer.
- iGPU: Radeon Vega 8 with 8 compute units (512 streams) and a frequency of up to 1100 MHz.
While the Vega 8 graphics lag behind modern RDNA solutions, in 2025, it still handles basic tasks: rendering interfaces, streaming video, and playing less demanding games.
Design Features
- Monolithic Structure: Unlike modern chiplet-design chips, Raven Ridge uses a single die, simplifying production but limiting scalability.
- Memory Support: DDR4-2400 MHz (modern APUs work with DDR5/LPDDR5). This creates a performance "bottleneck" for the iGPU.
Power Consumption and TDP: A Balance for Ultrabooks
With a TDP of 15 W, this processor can be installed in thin laptops and ultrabooks. However, in 2025, this specification appears unimpressive—new AMD models (e.g. Ryzen 5 7540U) offer twice the number of cores and higher frequencies at the same TDP.
Heat Dissipation: In compact bodies without efficient cooling systems, the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U may throttle under sustained loads, reducing frequencies to 2.5-3.0 GHz. For stable operation, it is advisable to choose laptops with at least one fan and copper heat pipes.
Performance: What Can the APU Do in 2025?
Everyday Tasks
- Office Work: A browser with 10-15 tabs, Word, and Excel—the processor manages but some lag may occur when switching between heavy applications.
- Multimedia: Streaming 4K (YouTube, Netflix)—decoding through Vega 8 is smooth. Editing 1080p video in DaVinci Resolve is possible, but rendering will take 2-3 times longer than on a Ryzen 5 6600U.
Gaming
- eSports: CS2—40-50 FPS on low settings at 720p; Dota 2—35-45 FPS; Valorant—50-60 FPS (resolution reduced to 900p).
- Modern Games: Cyberpunk 2077 even on low settings delivers only 15-20 FPS—this APU is weak for games from 2023-2025.
Turbo Mode: Under brief loads (e.g., opening Photoshop), the frequency rises to 3.6 GHz but drops to 2.8-3.0 GHz after 2-3 minutes due to heat.
Usage Scenarios: Who Is the Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U For?
1. Students—for studying, document work, and Zoom meetings.
2. Office Workers—essential tasks and cloud services.
3. Users Who Value Portability—laptops weighing 1.3-1.5 kg with a diagonal of 13-14 inches.
4. Budget Buyers—devices with Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U can be found for $400-500 in 2025.
Not Suitable For:
- Gamers (except retro game enthusiasts).
- Designers and engineers working with 3D models.
- Those using resource-intensive applications (virtual machines, 4K editing).
Battery Life: How Long Will the Battery Last?
With a 50 Wh battery:
- Video Playback: 6-7 hours (brightness 50%, Wi-Fi on).
- Web Browsing: 5-6 hours.
- Idle Mode (Documents): Up to 8 hours.
Energy-saving technologies:
- Precision Boost 1—adaptive overclocking based on temperature and load.
- C6 States—deep sleep mode for unused cores.
However, modern processors (e.g., Intel Core i5-1335U) provide 2-3 hours more battery life for similar tasks.
Comparison with Competitors
AMD Ryzen 5 5500U (2021)
- Pros: Zen 2 architecture, 6 cores, more efficient Vega 7 graphics.
- CPU Performance: 30-40% higher in multi-threaded tasks.
- Laptop Prices: $500-600 (new models from 2025 are no longer produced).
Intel Core i5-8250U (2017)
- Pros: Better single-threaded performance.
- Cons: The UHD 620 graphics are 50-60% weaker than Vega 8.
- Both processors are morally outdated in 2025.
Apple M1 (2020)
- Comparison is inappropriate due to architecture differences, but even the M1 in basic MacBook Airs demonstrates 2-3 times higher performance with the same TDP.
Pros and Cons of Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U in 2025
Strengths:
- Low cost of laptops.
- Adequate performance for everyday tasks.
- Better graphics than Intel's 8th generation.
Weaknesses:
- Outdated Zen 1 architecture.
- Limited support for modern standards (PCIe 3.0, absence of AV1 decoder).
- Low efficiency in multi-threaded scenarios.
Laptop Selection Recommendations
1. Device Type: Ultrabooks (e.g., Lenovo ThinkPad A285) or budget models (HP ProBook 445 G5).
2. Essential Specifications:
- SSD of 512 GB (NVMe preferred over SATA).
- 8-16 GB RAM (dual-channel mode is better for Vega 8).
- Screen resolution no higher than Full HD (IPS matrix).
3. Cooling: Check reviews—some models (e.g., Acer Swift 3) have noisy but effective cooling systems.
4. Battery: Minimum of 45 Wh.
Tip: If your budget allows for $600-700, it’s better to choose a laptop with the Ryzen 5 7530U (Zen 3, 6 cores)—it will last longer.
Final Conclusion
The Ryzen 5 PRO 2500U in 2025 is suitable for those seeking a very inexpensive laptop for basic tasks. Its advantages are low price and acceptable graphics, but considering its moral obsolescence, it is only suitable as a temporary solution. If you need a "workhorse" for 3-4 years, it's better to spend extra for a model with a processor no older than 2022.