AMD Ryzen 5 2600 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155U Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 and Intel Core Ultra 7 155U represent two very different approaches to processing, separated by over five years of silicon evolution. The data shows a clear overall winner in raw performance, yet the AMD chip retains specific strengths that make this a nuanced comparison rather than a simple sweep.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are dominated by the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U, which wins 10 of the 13 shared tests. The largest margin comes in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where Intel scores 65 against AMD's 37, a 43.1% advantage. This is not an isolated anomaly — the Intel part also leads by 43% in floating point math (40256 vs 22942) and by 37.9% in physics calculations (1084 vs 673). These three results tell a consistent story: the newer Intel architecture handles sustained computational workloads with far greater efficiency per cycle.

The single-core gap is equally pronounced. In Cinebench R15 single-core, Intel scores 238.5 versus AMD's 157.3, a 34% lead. The PassMark single-thread test shows the same pattern: 3372 for Intel against 2239 for AMD, a 33.6% difference. This is critical because single-thread performance underpins everyday responsiveness, from application launches to spreadsheet recalculations. The Intel part's 4.80 GHz boost clock, versus AMD's 3.90 GHz, clearly pays dividends in these latency-sensitive tasks.

Multi-threaded workloads also favor Intel, though by narrower margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 1585 against AMD's 1248, a 21.3% advantage. The PassMark multi-thread test shows Intel leading 16382 to 13160, a 19.7% gap. These results are notable because the AMD chip has 6 full cores with 12 threads, while Intel's 12-core design (with 14 threads) includes a mix of performance and efficiency cores. The Intel part's 14 threads and 12 MB of shared L3 cache clearly manage the workload better than AMD's 12 threads and 16 MB L3.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 does secure three wins, all in specialized memory or encryption workloads. Its most significant victory is in PassMark data compression, where it scores 187062 versus Intel's 177122, a 5.6% lead. In data encryption, AMD wins 12429 to 11333, a 9.7% advantage. The third win comes in random string sorting, where AMD scores 21591 against Intel's 19767, a 9.2% margin. These results suggest the older Zen architecture retains an edge in certain memory-access patterns and cryptographic operations, even against a much newer design.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 uses the Zen architecture (specifically Zen+ Pinnacle Ridge) built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It features 6 cores and 12 threads with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The chip contains 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. Its cache hierarchy consists of 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 with dual-channel operation at 46.9 GB/s bandwidth. The CPU connects via PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU only. It has no integrated graphics and requires a discrete GPU.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155U uses the Meteor Lake architecture built on a 7 nm process at Intel. It offers 12 cores and 14 threads with a base clock of 1700.00 MHz and boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The cache design differs significantly: 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR5 with dual-channel operation at 89.6 GB/s bandwidth — nearly double AMD's memory bandwidth. PCIe connectivity is Gen 4 with 12 lanes from the CPU. Crucially, the Intel part includes integrated Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics, making it a self-contained mobile solution. The Intel chip has a 15 W TDP compared to AMD's 65 W, reflecting its mobile-focused design.

The transistor count and die size for the Intel part are not listed, but the process node difference (7 nm vs 12 nm) and the much lower TDP indicate a more power-efficient design. The Intel part's hybrid core arrangement is implicit in its 12-core/14-thread configuration, which suggests some cores lack hyper-threading. The AMD chip uses a traditional symmetric design where all 6 cores support 2 threads each.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 155U has 12 cores and 14 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Intel's higher thread count contributes to its multi-threaded benchmark wins despite the older AMD part's symmetric core layout.

Q: How do the boost clocks compare?

A: The Intel part reaches 4.80 GHz, while the AMD chip boosts to 3.90 GHz. This 0.90 GHz difference is reflected in Intel's 33.6% lead in the PassMark single-thread test and its 34% advantage in Cinebench R15 single-core.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 has a 65 W TDP, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U operates at 15 W. This makes the Intel part far more suited to mobile devices, though the data does not include direct power consumption measurements.

Q: Does the Intel part have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 has no integrated graphics, requiring a separate GPU for display output.

Q: Which CPU supports faster memory?

A: The Intel part supports DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD chip uses DDR4 at 46.9 GB/s. Intel's bandwidth is roughly 91% higher, which may explain its strong performance in floating point and physics workloads.

Q: How close are the overall average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 has an average benchmark score of 21484, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U scores 21174. Despite the Intel part winning most head-to-head tests, the overall averages are close — the AMD chip sits 1.5% higher in this aggregate metric.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every measurable specification. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 has 6 cores and 12 threads; the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U has 12 cores and 14 threads. Base clocks are 3.40 GHz for AMD versus 1700.00 MHz for Intel, though boost clocks favor Intel at 4.80 GHz versus AMD's 3.90 GHz. TDP is 65 W for AMD and 15 W for Intel.

Socket types are incompatible: AMD uses Socket AM4, while Intel uses BGA 2049, making the Intel part a soldered mobile chip. Process nodes differ (12 nm for AMD, 7 nm for Intel). Cache layouts diverge substantially — AMD has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3; Intel has 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3.

Memory support is DDR4 for AMD and DDR5 for Intel, with bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. PCIe versions differ: Gen 3 with 16 lanes for AMD, Gen 4 with 12 lanes for Intel. The Intel part includes integrated graphics (Arc Xe-LPG 64EU), while AMD has none. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel part does not. Release dates are 2018-04-18 for AMD and 2023-12-13 for Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 wins in three specific areas: data compression (5.6% lead), data encryption (9.7% lead), and random string sorting (9.2% lead). These workloads involve heavy memory access patterns and algorithmic operations where the Zen architecture's 16 MB L3 cache and 6 full cores appear to offer an advantage. The AMD chip also has an unlocked multiplier, making it a candidate for overclocking in desktop systems, though no overclocked benchmark data is provided.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155U wins everywhere else, with particularly strong showings in floating point math (43% lead), find prime numbers (43.1% lead), and physics (37.9% lead). Its single-thread performance is exceptional, with a 33.6% lead in PassMark single-thread and 34% in Cinebench R15 single-core. The 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth and 4.80 GHz boost clock support these wins. The integrated Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics mean the Intel part can function in a laptop without a discrete GPU, while the AMD chip requires additional hardware for any display output.

The Verdict

The data strongly favors the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U for most users. It wins 10 of 13 shared benchmarks, with particularly large margins in single-threaded and floating point workloads. Its 15 W TDP, integrated graphics, and DDR5 support make it a complete mobile solution that can handle demanding computational tasks efficiently. The 4.80 GHz boost clock and 12 MB L3 cache deliver performance that the older AMD part cannot match in general-purpose computing.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600 remains relevant only for users whose workloads specifically involve data compression, encryption, or random string sorting, where it holds leads of 5.6% to 9.7%. Its unlocked multiplier and Socket AM4 compatibility make it a flexible desktop component, but its 65 W TDP and lack of integrated graphics require a full desktop setup with a discrete GPU. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (21484 vs 21174, a 1.5% difference in AMD's favor), but this aggregate hides the fact that Intel wins the majority of individual tests by wide margins. For a balanced assessment based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U is the superior processor for virtually all standard computing tasks, while the AMD chip serves a narrow niche of memory-intensive and encryption-focused workloads.