AMD Ryzen 5 1600 vs Intel Core i7-1255U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between these two processors, with the Intel Core i7-1255U winning 12 of the 15 head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 takes 3 victories. The most dramatic gaps appear in single-threaded workloads, where the Intel chip's modern architecture delivers massive advantages. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel Core i7-1255U scores 1647 against the AMD Ryzen 5 1600's 915, a 44.4% lead. The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows an even larger relative gap: 237.5 versus 147, a 38.1% difference. PassMark single-thread results follow suit, with Intel leading 3192 to 2066, a 35.3% advantage.

Multi-threaded performance also favors Intel, though by smaller margins. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i7-1255U posts 8285 versus 6468 for AMD, a 21.9% lead. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 1387 against 1129, an 18.6% gap. PassMark multi-thread shows a narrower 7.3% edge for Intel (13234 vs 12270). The Intel chip also wins PassMark physics by 18.5% (789 vs 643), floating point math by 34.4% (32618 vs 21402), integer math by 14.5% (48498 vs 41470), extended instructions by 19% (8231 vs 6667), and find prime numbers by 12.5% (40 vs 35).

The AMD Ryzen 5 1600's wins are concentrated in specific data-processing tasks. The largest is in PassMark data encryption, where AMD scores 11683 versus Intel's 9262, a 26.1% margin. PassMark random string sorting goes AMD's way by 19.5% (20240 vs 16934). PassMark data compression also favors AMD, with 172053 against 147320, a 16.8% lead. These results suggest that the older AMD chip retains an edge in certain memory-heavy or algorithm-specific workloads, despite losing most general-purpose tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-1255U is significantly ahead in every single-core benchmark. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score is 1647 versus 915 for the AMD Ryzen 5 1600, a 44.4% lead. PassMark single-thread also favors Intel at 3192 versus 2066, a 35.3% difference.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 better at any workload?

A: Yes, the data shows AMD wins three tests: PassMark data compression (172053 vs 147320, 16.8% ahead), PassMark data encryption (11683 vs 9262, 26.1% ahead), and PassMark random string sorting (20240 vs 16934, 19.5% ahead). These are specific data manipulation tasks where the AMD chip outperforms.

Q: How do the multi-threaded scores compare?

A: Intel leads all multi-threaded benchmarks, but the margins vary. The smallest gap is in PassMark multi-thread (13234 vs 12270, 7.3%), while the largest is in Cinebench R23 multi-core (8285 vs 6468, 21.9%). Cinebench R15 multi-core shows an 18.6% gap (1387 vs 1129).

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core i7-1255U has 10 cores and 12 threads. Both support 12 threads total, but Intel does so with more physical cores.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 has an average benchmark score of 17994, while the Intel Core i7-1255U has 17656. This is despite Intel winning the majority of individual head-to-head tests. The AMD chip's wins in data-heavy tasks likely boost its average.

Q: How do their percentile rankings compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 sits at the 72nd percentile among all CPUs, while the Intel Core i7-1255U sits at the 71st percentile. They are effectively in the same performance tier overall, despite very different strengths.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-1255U is the clear choice for general computing, single-threaded responsiveness, and most multi-threaded workloads. Its 44.4% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 35.3% lead in PassMark single-thread translate to faster application launches, snappier UI interactions, and better performance in lightly threaded software. For floating point math, the Intel chip is 34.4% ahead, which matters for scientific computing, financial modeling, and other numerically intensive tasks. The 21.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core also makes it the better option for rendering and video encoding workloads that scale across cores.

The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 wins specifically in data compression, data encryption, and random string sorting. These are workloads that often benefit from the chip's memory subsystem and cache design. For users who work with compressed archives, encrypted data, or database-style string operations, the AMD chip offers measurable advantages: 16.8% faster compression, 26.1% faster encryption, and 19.5% faster string sorting. It also holds its own in overall average score, edging out Intel by 1.9% (17994 vs 17656), which suggests it remains competitive in mixed workload scenarios.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i7-1255U has 10 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are dramatically different: AMD runs at 3.20 GHz, while Intel's base clock is listed as 1700.00 MHz (1.70 GHz). Boost clocks also differ, with AMD at 3.60 GHz and Intel at 4.70 GHz. The thermal design power (TDP) reflects their different market segments: AMD draws 65 watts, while Intel is rated at 15 watts.

Cache configurations diverge significantly. The AMD chip has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. This means Intel has larger per-core L2, while AMD has larger L3 and more L1 per core.

Socket and platform support are entirely different: AMD uses Socket AM4, while Intel uses BGA 1744 (a soldered mobile socket). Memory support differs as well: AMD supports DDR4 only, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. ECC memory is supported on AMD but not on Intel. PCIe generation and lane counts also differ: AMD has Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while Intel has Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The Intel chip includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe 96EU), while the AMD chip has none. AMD's multiplier is unlocked for overclocking, while Intel's is locked.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 is built on the Zen architecture (codename Zen, Summit Ridge) using a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. This is a desktop-first design from the 1000 series, released in April 2017. The architecture emphasizes multi-threaded throughput with its 6-core, 12-thread configuration and shared 16 MB L3 cache.

The Intel Core i7-1255U uses the Alder Lake architecture (Alder Lake-U) on Intel's 10 nm process. It is a mobile processor, released in February 2022, with a hybrid design that combines 10 cores into 12 threads. The Alder Lake-U generation represents a major architectural shift, with performance and efficiency core types working together. Intel's cache hierarchy uses larger per-core L2 (1.25 MB) but smaller shared L3 (12 MB). The integrated Iris Xe 96EU graphics provide additional capability that the AMD desktop chip lacks entirely.

These architectural differences explain the benchmark results. Intel's newer node and hybrid design deliver massive single-thread gains (44.4% in Cinebench R23 single-core) and better power efficiency (15 W TDP versus 65 W). AMD's older, larger-die design with more L3 cache and ECC support retains advantages in specific data-processing tasks, likely due to memory bandwidth characteristics and cache behavior.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward recommendation for most users: the Intel Core i7-1255U is the stronger processor for general-purpose computing. It wins 12 of 15 head-to-head tests, dominates single-threaded performance by 35% to 44%, and leads in all multi-threaded benchmarks by margins from 7.3% to 21.9%. Its 10 cores, higher boost clock (4.70 GHz), and integrated graphics make it a more versatile package, especially for mobile or compact systems. The 15 W TDP also makes it suitable for thermally constrained environments where the AMD chip's 65 W would be impractical.

However, the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 is not without merit. It wins specifically in data compression (16.8%), data encryption (26.1%), and random string sorting (19.5%), which are critical for certain server-side, archival, or database workloads. Its 16 MB shared L3 cache and ECC memory support give it an edge in reliability-focused and data-intensive applications. Its higher average benchmark score (17994 vs 17656) and 72nd percentile ranking (versus Intel's 71st) indicate that overall, it remains competitive in mixed workloads.

Choose the Intel Core i7-1255U if you need fast single-threaded response, strong multi-core rendering, integrated graphics, or low power consumption. Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 if your primary workloads involve data compression, encryption, or string sorting, or if you require ECC memory support and an unlocked multiplier. For every other scenario, the benchmark data favors Intel by a wide margin.