AMD Ryzen 5 2600E vs Intel Core i5-1334U Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E and Intel Core i5-1334U are both 12-thread processors that land in the same performance percentile, yet they achieve that standing through entirely different strategies. The Ryzen 5 2600E is a desktop part from the 2000 series built on the older Zen architecture, while the Core i5-1334U is a mobile Raptor Lake-U chip. Despite the Intel part's newer design and lower power envelope, the data shows a near-total split: the Intel wins on raw single-thread and most multi-thread workloads, but the AMD counters with decisive victories in specific memory-sensitive tasks and longer multi-threaded renders. The head-to-head benchmark results show Intel taking 12 of 17 tests, but the AMD chip's five wins are often by larger margins than many of Intel's narrow victories.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-1334U is the clear winner for everyday responsiveness and lightly-threaded applications. Its advantage in single-core performance is substantial and consistent across every relevant benchmark. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Intel scores 241 against the AMD's 149, a 38.2% lead. The gap narrows in newer tests but remains decisive: Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 14.2% advantage (1727 vs 1481), and PassMark single-thread shows a 31.3% lead (3345 vs 2297). This makes the Intel part the obvious choice for tasks like web browsing, office productivity, and any software that relies heavily on one or two threads.

The Intel also dominates in math-heavy workloads. It wins floating-point math by 39.2% (34474 vs 20970), integer math by 21% (50374 vs 39781), and extended instructions by 24% (8563 vs 6509). For scientific computing, financial modeling, or any number-crunching task that leverages SIMD instructions, the i5-1334U is significantly faster. The Intel chip also takes the PassMark multithread test (13410 vs 12346, a 7.9% lead) and the Find Prime Numbers test (39 vs 32, a 17.9% lead).

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E wins in a narrower but specialized set of workloads. Its most significant victory is in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it scores 10494 against the Intel's 8641, a 21.4% lead. This suggests that in sustained, heavily-threaded rendering workloads, the AMD chip can outperform the Intel despite the Intel's newer architecture. The AMD also wins in memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks: data compression (173653 vs 150568, a 15.3% lead), data encryption (12146 vs 9377, a 29.5% lead), and random string sorting (20918 vs 16933, a 23.5% lead). Finally, the AMD narrowly wins the PassMark physics test (752 vs 722, a 4.2% lead), which is the only benchmark where the two are close.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies and manufacturing generations. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E uses the Zen architecture on a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 192 mm² and 4,800 million transistors. The Intel Core i5-1334U uses the newer Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process from Intel. The AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel has 10 cores and 12 threads, meaning the Intel relies on a hybrid configuration to reach its thread count.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The AMD provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, a larger 1.25 MB of L2 per core, but only 12 MB of shared L3. The larger L2 on the Intel likely contributes to its single-threaded advantage, while the AMD's larger L3 pool helps in the memory-heavy workloads where it wins.

Clock speeds tell a story of trade-offs. The AMD has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost of 4.00 GHz, while the Intel has a much lower base of 1300.00 MHz but a much higher boost of 4.60 GHz. The Intel's design allows it to burst to high frequencies for short single-threaded tasks, while the AMD maintains a higher sustained base clock. The TDP reflects this: the Intel is rated at 15 W versus the AMD's 65 W, making the Intel far more power-efficient on paper.

The platforms are incompatible. The AMD uses Socket AM4 and is a desktop part, while the Intel uses BGA 1744 and is a mobile part. The AMD supports DDR4 memory only, while the Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel also includes integrated Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the AMD has no integrated graphics listed. The AMD has no PCIe information provided, while the Intel has PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes from the CPU. The Intel is also a newer product, released in January 2023, versus the AMD's September 2018 release.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single benchmark gap favors the Intel in floating-point math. The Core i5-1334U scores 34474 against the AMD's 20970, a 39.2% advantage. This is followed by the Intel's 38.2% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core (241 vs 149) and a 31.3% lead in PassMark single-thread (3345 vs 2297). The Intel also wins Cinebench R20 multicore, but by only 5% (4638 vs 4407), showing that its advantage shrinks as thread counts rise.

The AMD's largest victory is in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it leads by 21.4% (10494 vs 8641). This is a significant reversal from the R20 result, suggesting the R23 workload benefits from the AMD's larger L3 cache or sustained clock behavior. The AMD also wins data encryption by 29.5% (12146 vs 9377) and random string sorting by 23.5% (20918 vs 16933). In data compression, the AMD leads by 15.3% (173653 vs 150568). The physics test is the closest result, with the AMD winning by just 4.2% (752 vs 722).

The mixed results across Cinebench versions are notable. In R15 multicore, the Intel wins by 32.6% (1569 vs 1057), but in R23 multicore, the AMD wins by 21.4%. This indicates that the Intel's advantage is strongest in older, shorter workloads, while the AMD's larger thread pool and cache configuration win out in longer, more sustained renders. The single-core results are more consistent, with the Intel winning by 38.2% in R15, 4.9% in R20, and 14.2% in R23.

Specification Differences

The two parts differ in nearly every core specification. The AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel has 10 cores and 12 threads. The AMD's base clock is 3.10 GHz versus the Intel's 1300.00 MHz, but the Intel's boost clock is 4.60 GHz versus the AMD's 4.00 GHz. The AMD has a TDP of 65 W, while the Intel is rated at 15 W. The process nodes are 12 nm (AMD) and 10 nm (Intel).

Cache configurations are different: the AMD has 96 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core, while the Intel has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core. The AMD has 16 MB of shared L3, while the Intel has 12 MB of shared L3. The AMD supports only DDR4 memory, while the Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel has a PCIe Gen 4 interface with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD has no PCIe information. The Intel has integrated Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, while the AMD has no integrated graphics. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $340 and a part number of SRML5, while the AMD has no MSRP listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-1334U has 10 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E has 6 cores. Both have 12 threads.

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-1334U wins every single-threaded benchmark. It leads by 38.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 14.2% in Cinebench R23 single-core, and 31.3% in PassMark single-thread.

Q: How do the two compare in the Cinebench R23 multicore test?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E wins by 21.4%, scoring 10494 against the Intel's 8641.

Q: Does the Intel processor have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-1334U includes Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E does not have integrated graphics listed.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-1334U supports DDR5. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E supports DDR4 only.

Q: What is the performance percentile for each processor?

A: Both the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E and the Intel Core i5-1334U are in the 72nd percentile against all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E has a TDP of 65 W, while the Intel Core i5-1334U has a TDP of 15 W.

The Verdict

The benchmark data supports a clear split: the Intel Core i5-1334U is the better choice for users who prioritize single-threaded speed, floating-point math, and overall multi-threaded throughput in short bursts. Its wins in integer math (21% ahead), floating-point math (39.2% ahead), and PassMark multithread (7.9% ahead) make it the stronger all-rounder for general-purpose computing. The Intel also offers integrated graphics, DDR5 support, and a much lower TDP, which are significant advantages for mobile or power-constrained systems.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E is the better choice for specific workloads where its larger L3 cache and sustained multicore performance shine. Its 21.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore indicates a clear advantage in long rendering sessions. Its wins in data compression (15.3%), data encryption (29.5%), and random string sorting (23.5%) point to strengths in data-heavy, memory-bandwidth-intensive tasks. For users running these specific workloads on a desktop platform with an AM4 socket, the AMD part holds its own despite being four years older.

The data does not support a universal winner. The Intel wins 12 of 17 benchmarks, but the AMD wins the most important sustained multicore test. The Intel's single-threaded dominance (31.3% in PassMark) makes it the default recommendation for most users, especially those in mobile form factors. The AMD's specific wins make it a niche but valid option for desktop users running compression, encryption, or long Cinebench-style renders. Choose the Intel for general performance and efficiency; choose the AMD for its specific cache-dependent workload wins.