CPU Comparison

The Intel Core 5 330 and AMD Ryzen 5 2600E are both 6-core processors that land in the same performance percentile, yet they achieve that standing through entirely different design philosophies. The Intel part, a 3 nm mobile chip from the Wildcat Lake family, dominates synthetic rendering and floating-point workloads, while the AMD part, a 12 nm desktop chip from the Zen+ generation, fights back in memory-sensitive and integer-heavy tasks. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the Intel Core 5 330 wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head tests, but the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E secures 4 decisive victories that reveal its strengths.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern across the Cinebench suite is the consistency of Intel’s advantage. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel Core 5 330 scores 1325 against the AMD’s 1057, a 25.4% lead. That gap repeats almost identically in Cinebench R20 multicore (5523 vs 4407, 25.3%) and Cinebench R23 multicore (13150 vs 10494, 25.3%). Single-core results follow the same trajectory: Cinebench R15 single-core shows 186 vs 149 (24.8%), R20 single-core shows 779 vs 622 (25.2%), and R23 single-core shows 1856 vs 1481 (25.3%). This uniformity suggests a fundamental per-clock efficiency advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The PassMark suite reveals where the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E fights back. In data compression, the AMD scores 173653 against Intel’s 145287, a 16.3% margin. Integer math goes to AMD by a similar amount: 39781 vs 33258, a 16.4% lead. Random string sorting also favors the AMD part (20918 vs 17771, 15% ahead), and data encryption adds a smaller win (12146 vs 11076, 8.8% ahead). These are the only four benchmarks the AMD wins, but they cluster around memory throughput and integer operations.

Intel’s wins in the remaining tests are frequently lopsided. The passmark_find_prime_numbers test shows Intel scoring 114 against AMD’s 32, a 256.3% advantage. Floating-point math goes to Intel at 43885 vs 20970, a 109.3% margin. Extended instructions show Intel at 12808 vs 6509, a 96.8% gap. The passmark_single_thread test gives Intel 4088 vs 2297, a 78% lead, and passmark_physics shows Intel at 1201 vs 752, a 59.7% advantage. The overall passmark_multithread score lands at 15471 vs 12346, a 25.3% win for Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 330 wins every rendering and physics benchmark in the dataset. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore and single-core tests all go to Intel with margins between 24.8% and 25.4%. Passmark physics, floating-point math, extended instructions, and prime-number finding all follow Intel’s direction. These results point to a processor that excels in compute-heavy, floating-point-intensive scenarios such as 3D rendering, scientific calculations, and code that leverages modern instruction sets. The 78% single-thread advantage in PassMark reinforces this: the Intel core is substantially faster per thread.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E wins in data compression, integer math, random string sorting, and data encryption. These workloads are often memory-bandwidth-sensitive or benefit from additional threads. The AMD part has 12 threads versus Intel’s 6, and it runs on a dual-channel memory bus compared to Intel’s single-channel configuration. The data suggests AMD’s wins come from aggregate throughput in tasks that can parallelize across more threads, particularly when those threads are not bottlenecked by per-core floating-point performance.

For users prioritizing raw single-thread speed or floating-point throughput, the Intel Core 5 330 is the clear choice. For workloads involving compression, encryption, or integer-based data manipulation, the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E provides a measurable advantage. The AMD part also wins in random string sorting, which suggests some memory-latency-related strength, though the dual-channel memory bus is the most likely differentiator.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and process nodes. The Intel Core 5 330 is built on a 3 nm process at Intel’s foundry, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E uses a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Intel part belongs to the Wildcat Lake codename family, with a Core 5 generation label, while the AMD part uses the Zen architecture with the Zen+ (Pinnacle Ridge) refinement.

Core and thread counts differ despite both having 6 physical cores. Intel provides 6 threads (one per core), while AMD provides 12 threads via simultaneous multithreading. The Intel part has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz; the AMD part runs at 3.10 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost. The Intel chip has a TDP of 15 watts, whereas the AMD chip is rated at 65 watts.

Cache hierarchies are notably different. Intel has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Memory support diverges completely: Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth, while AMD supports DDR4 over a dual-channel bus (bandwidth not listed). Intel’s PCIe implementation is Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes; AMD’s PCIe details are not provided.

The Intel part includes integrated Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E has no integrated graphics listed. The Intel chip is a mobile-market part on Intel BGA 1516, while the AMD chip is a desktop part on AMD Socket AM4. Intel’s launch MSRP is $309; AMD has no launch MSRP listed. The Intel part is from a 2026 release, while the AMD part launched in 2018.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 scores 4088 in PassMark single-thread, which is 78% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E’s 2297. Intel also leads in all Cinebench single-core tests by roughly 25%.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E ever beat the Intel Core 5 330?

A: Yes, the AMD wins 4 benchmarks: data compression (173653 vs 145287, 16.3% ahead), data encryption (12146 vs 11076, 8.8% ahead), integer math (39781 vs 33258, 16.4% ahead), and random string sorting (20918 vs 17771, 15% ahead).

Q: How many threads does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 has 6 threads (6 cores, no multithreading). The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E has 12 threads (6 cores with simultaneous multithreading).

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 is rated at 15 watts TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E is rated at 65 watts. The Intel part is designed for mobile with a BGA socket; the AMD part is a desktop chip with an AM4 socket.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to the Intel Core 5 330’s 6 MB of shared L3. AMD also has more L2 cache per core (512 KB vs Intel’s 2.5 MB total).

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Neither the Intel Core 5 330 nor the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E supports ECC memory, according to the specification data.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the Intel Core 5 330 and AMD Ryzen 5 2600E:

• Threads: 6 (Intel) vs 12 (AMD)
• Base Clock: 1.50 GHz (Intel) vs 3.10 GHz (AMD)
• Boost Clock: 4.60 GHz (Intel) vs 4.00 GHz (AMD)
• TDP: 15 W (Intel) vs 65 W (AMD)
• Socket: Intel BGA 1516 vs AMD Socket AM4
• Architecture: Wildcat Lake (Intel) vs Zen (AMD)
• Process Node: 3 nm (Intel) vs 12 nm (AMD)
• Foundry: Intel vs GlobalFoundries
• Transistors: Not listed (Intel) vs 4,800 million (AMD)
• Die Size: Not listed (Intel) vs 192 mm² (AMD)
• L1 Cache: 192 KB (Intel) vs 96 KB per core (AMD)
• L2 Cache: 2.5 MB (Intel) vs 512 KB per core (AMD)
• L3 Cache: 6 MB shared (Intel) vs 16 MB shared (AMD)
• Memory Support: DDR5, LPDDR5X (Intel) vs DDR4 (AMD)
• Memory Bus: Single-channel (Intel) vs Dual-channel (AMD)
• Memory Bandwidth: 59.7 GB/s (Intel) vs not listed (AMD)
• PCIe: Gen 4, 6 Lanes CPU only (Intel) vs not listed (AMD)
• Integrated Graphics: Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) vs none listed (AMD)
• Market Segment: Mobile (Intel) vs Desktop (AMD)
• Release Date: 2026-04-15 (Intel) vs 2018-09-18 (AMD)
• Launch MSRP: $309 (Intel) vs not listed (AMD)

The Verdict

The benchmark data makes the Intel Core 5 330 the superior processor for the majority of measured workloads. It wins 13 of 17 head-to-head tests, including every Cinebench benchmark and the overall PassMark multithread score. The margins in floating-point math (109.3%), extended instructions (96.8%), and prime-number finding (256.3%) are decisive. For rendering, physics simulation, or any floating-point-intensive code, the Intel part is the clear choice. Its 78% lead in single-thread performance also makes it better for lightly threaded applications.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E finds its niche in integer-heavy, memory-sensitive tasks. It wins data compression by 16.3%, integer math by 16.4%, random string sorting by 15%, and data encryption by 8.8%. These wins are not trivial, and for users whose primary workloads involve compression, encryption, or data manipulation, the AMD part offers measurable advantages. Its 12 threads and dual-channel memory bus likely contribute to these results, even though the Intel part has a higher boost clock.

The architectural gulf is enormous: 3 nm versus 12 nm, 15 watts versus 65 watts, mobile versus desktop. The Intel Core 5 330 achieves higher performance across most benchmarks while consuming far less power, which reflects the process-node advantage. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E, despite being from 2018, still posts competitive average benchmark scores (18230 vs 18345) and holds its own in specific areas.

For a system builder deciding between these two, the choice hinges on workload. The Intel Core 5 330 is the better all-round performer, especially for floating-point math, single-thread speed, and rendering. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E is the better option for integer-centric, memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks where its extra threads and dual-channel memory provide tangible gains. Both processors sit at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, indicating comparable overall capability, but they achieve that standing through different strengths. The data does not support a universal winner; it supports a workload-dependent recommendation.