AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G vs Intel Core 5 320 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split between these two processors is sharply defined. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G takes 3 wins out of 11 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 5 320 takes 8. The AMD side wins in data compression, integer math, and random string sorting. The Intel side wins in data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating-point math, multithread, physics, and single-thread tests.

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G shows its strength in tasks that depend on raw integer throughput and memory access patterns. Its 42% lead in integer math over the Intel chip is the largest margin of any test in the comparison. The data compression score of 168041 against 148779 gives AMD a 12.9% advantage, and the random string sorting result of 18819 versus 18038 is a 4.3% edge. These are workloads where the AMD chip's architecture clearly pulls ahead.

The Intel Core 5 320 dominates the floating-point and physics workloads. The floating-point math score of 42440 versus 25245 is a 40.5% gap in Intel's favor. The physics test shows an even larger proportional gap: 1221 against 701, a 42.6% difference. The single-thread performance is also decisively Intel's, with a score of 4045 versus 3096, a 23.5% margin. The Intel chip also handles prime number finding far better, scoring 110 against 36, a 67.3% difference.

For multithreaded work, the Intel chip wins the PassMark multithread test with 15450 against 14033, a 9.2% advantage. This is interesting because the AMD chip has 8 threads while the Intel chip has only 6 threads. The Intel chip's higher boost clock and newer architecture compensate for the thread count disadvantage. Data encryption also goes to Intel, 10984 versus 10288, a 6.3% edge, and extended instructions go to Intel by 10%, 13262 versus 11935.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras and market positions. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G is a desktop processor built on the Zen 3 architecture with the codename Cezanne. It uses a 7 nm process from TSMC with 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 320 is a mobile processor with the codename Wildcat Lake, built on a 3 nm process from Intel's own foundry. The Intel chip is from the Core 5 generation, while the AMD chip is from the 5000 series.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The AMD chip has 4 cores and 8 threads, using simultaneous multithreading. The Intel chip has 6 cores and 6 threads, with no hyperthreading. The clock speeds tell a different story: the AMD chip has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, while the Intel chip has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a much higher boost of 4.60 GHz. The Intel chip is designed to run at low power for mobile use, with a TDP of 15 watts, while the AMD chip is a 65 watt desktop part.

Cache layouts are completely different. The AMD chip uses per-core L1 of 64 KB and per-core L2 of 512 KB, with a shared 8 MB L3 cache. The Intel chip has a single L1 figure of 192 KB, an L2 of 2.5 MB, and a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The AMD chip supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. Despite having only one memory channel, the Intel chip's faster memory standard gives it a higher theoretical bandwidth.

Platform support also differs. The AMD chip uses the AMD Socket AM4 and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1516 and PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes from the CPU. The AMD chip supports ECC memory; the Intel chip does not. Integrated graphics are present on both: the AMD chip uses Radeon Vega 6, while the Intel chip uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The AMD chip is a desktop part; the Intel chip is a mobile part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G is in integer math. The AMD score of 45910 versus the Intel score of 32323 gives AMD a 42% lead. This is the single largest delta in either direction across all tests. The data compression test also shows a clear AMD advantage: 168041 versus 148779, a 12.9% edge. The random string sorting test is closer, with AMD at 18819 and Intel at 18038, a 4.3% margin.

The Intel Core 5 320 has its largest win in prime number finding. The score of 110 versus 36 is a 67.3% difference. This is followed by the physics test, where Intel scores 1221 against AMD's 701, a 42.6% gap. Floating-point math shows a 40.5% Intel advantage with 42440 versus 25245. Single-thread performance gives Intel a 23.5% lead, 4045 versus 3096.

The multithread test is closer than the core counts might suggest. Intel's 15450 beats AMD's 14033 by 9.2%, despite AMD having 8 threads against Intel's 6. The extended instructions test favors Intel by 10%, 13262 versus 11935. Data encryption gives Intel a 6.3% edge, 10984 versus 10288.

The average benchmark scores in the database put the AMD chip at 27382 overall, which lands it at the 79th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel chip has an average benchmark score of 18023, placing it at the 72nd percentile. The AMD chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-13700H at 27355 (0.1% behind AMD) and the AMD Ryzen 7 5800 at 27535 (0.6% ahead). The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17994 (0.2% behind) and the Intel Core 5 120U at 17898 (0.7% behind).

The Verdict

The recorded data shows two processors with different design goals. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G is a desktop chip that prioritizes integer throughput and memory bandwidth. Its 42% lead in integer math and 12.9% lead in data compression make it the stronger choice for workloads that involve sorting, compression, and general-purpose integer computation. The 79th percentile ranking against all CPUs confirms its competitive position in the desktop market.

The Intel Core 5 320 is a mobile chip with a much lower TDP of 15 watts, yet it delivers superior floating-point performance, physics simulation, and single-thread speed. The 67.3% lead in prime number finding and 42.6% lead in physics make it the better fit for scientific computing, simulation, and applications that rely on floating-point arithmetic. The single-thread advantage of 23.5% matters for responsive interactive use and lightly threaded software.

The multithread result is notable: Intel wins despite having fewer threads. The 6-core, 6-thread Intel design beats the 4-core, 8-thread AMD design in the PassMark multithread test by 9.2%. The Intel chip also has a higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz against AMD's 4.20 GHz, which helps in single-thread and lightly threaded workloads. The AMD chip counters with a much higher base clock of 4.00 GHz against 1.50 GHz, but the Intel boost clock matters more in bursty workloads.

The average benchmark score comparison tells a different story from the head-to-head tests. The AMD chip's average score of 27382 is much higher than Intel's 18023, because the AMD chip has more benchmark entries in the database and those entries skew toward its strengths. The head-to-head tests, which use identical workloads for both, are more representative of direct competition. In those tests, Intel wins 8 out of 11.

Users with desktop systems on the AM4 platform should consider the AMD chip for integer-heavy tasks like database work, file compression, and code compilation. Users building or buying a mobile system should consider the Intel chip for floating-point-heavy tasks like 3D rendering, physics simulation, and scientific computing. The Intel chip also offers a higher memory bandwidth ceiling of 59.7 GB/s despite its single-channel bus, which helps with memory-intensive workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread score?

A: The Intel Core 5 320 scores 4045 in the PassMark single-thread test, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G scores 3096. Intel leads by 23.5%.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: Which chip wins the multithread benchmark?

A: The Intel Core 5 320 wins the PassMark multithread test with a score of 15450 against 14033 for the AMD chip, a 9.2% margin.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The AMD chip supports DDR4 on a dual-channel bus. The Intel chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a single-channel bus.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin between the two?

A: The prime number finding test shows the largest gap. The Intel chip scores 110, while the AMD chip scores 36, giving Intel a 67.3% advantage.

Q: Which chip has the higher process node?

A: The Intel Core 5 320 uses a 3 nm process from Intel. The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G uses a 7 nm process from TSMC.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G | Intel Core 5 320 |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 4.00 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 192 KB |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2.5 MB |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC Support | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 4, 6 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 6 | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2024-09-04 | 2026-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $340 |