AMD Ryzen 5 2600E vs Intel Core i5-13420H Comparison

The Intel Core i5-13420H and AMD Ryzen 5 2600E are both active processors, but they come from different eras and target different segments. The data shows a decisive overall victory for the Intel part, which wins 16 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. However, the AMD chip is not entirely without merit, holding one notable win and demonstrating that its older architecture still has specific strengths. This analysis breaks down the benchmark results, architectural differences, and practical implications for a builder.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided results appear in compute-heavy workloads. In PassMark floating point math, the Intel Core i5-13420H scores 42806 against the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E’s 20970, a delta of 104.1%. This is the single largest percentage gap in the comparison, indicating a massive advantage in raw floating-point throughput. Similarly, in PassMark extended instructions, Intel leads with 12897 versus 6509, a 98.1% advantage. These results suggest that the Intel core architecture handles advanced instruction sets far more efficiently.

Multi-threaded performance also favors Intel, but the margin varies significantly depending on the test. In Cinebench R15 multicore, Intel scores 1738 versus AMD’s 1057, a 64.4% lead. The gap narrows to 36.4% in Cinebench R20 multicore (6013 vs 4407) and shrinks further to just 5.6% in Cinebench R23 multicore (11084 vs 10494). This trend is notable: as the Cinebench version becomes more demanding, the relative advantage of the Intel chip diminishes. The Ryzen 5 2600E’s Zen architecture appears to scale better with sustained multi-threaded loads, even though it still loses.

Single-core performance tells a clearer story. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, Intel scores 1689 versus AMD’s 1481, a 14% lead. The margin expands in Cinebench R20 singlecore (848 vs 622, 36.3%) and Cinebench R15 singlecore (238 vs 149, 59.7%). PassMark single-thread results show Intel at 3396 versus 2297, a 47.8% advantage. The Intel chip’s higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz, compared to AMD’s 4.00 GHz, likely contributes to this consistent single-thread superiority.

In integer math, Intel scores 58156 versus AMD’s 39781, a 46.2% lead. Prime number finding shows Intel at 52 versus AMD’s 32, a 62.5% advantage. The Intel part also wins in data compression (209450 vs 173653, 20.6%), multithread (17475 vs 12346, 41.5%), and physics (1012 vs 752, 34.6%). Random string sorting is close, with Intel at 22045 versus AMD’s 20918, a 5.4% margin.

The single benchmark victory for AMD is in data encryption. The Ryzen 5 2600E scores 12146, while the Intel Core i5-13420H scores 11559, giving AMD a 4.8% advantage. This is a specific, narrow win that indicates AMD’s encryption routines are slightly more efficient in this workload.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-13420H wins in nearly every category, making it the clear choice for general productivity, software compilation, video encoding, and any task that benefits from high single-thread speed. Its 4.60 GHz boost clock and 12 MB of shared L3 cache provide a strong foundation for responsive everyday use and lightly-threaded applications. The data shows it is particularly strong in floating-point math and extended instructions, which are critical for scientific computing, 3D rendering, and complex simulations.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E’s only win is in data encryption. For users who handle heavy encryption or decryption workloads, such as disk encryption or secure communications processing, the Ryzen 5 2600E offers a slight edge. However, this is a niche advantage. In every other measured workload, the Intel chip is faster, often by a significant margin. The AMD part’s 6-core, 12-thread configuration is still capable, but it cannot match the Intel part’s performance in the vast majority of scenarios.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core i5-13420H uses Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-H variant, and is fabricated on Intel’s 10 nm process node. It has 8 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The cache layout is notable: 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E uses the original Zen architecture, with the codename Zen+ (Pinnacle Ridge). It is built on GlobalFoundries’ 12 nm process and integrates 4,800 million transistors on a 192 mm² die. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. Its cache structure is different: 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 16 MB of shared L3 cache.

The process node difference is significant. Intel’s 10 nm node is denser than GlobalFoundries’ 12 nm node, which likely contributes to the Intel chip’s higher clock speeds and better power efficiency. The Intel part also has a larger L2 cache per core (2 MB vs 512 KB), which can reduce latency for frequently accessed data.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-13420H | AMD Ryzen 5 2600E |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 12 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Not specified |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU | None |

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2018-09-18 |

The Intel part has more cores, a higher boost clock, a lower TDP, and supports newer memory standards. The AMD part has a higher base clock, a larger L3 cache, and a different socket. The Intel chip is a mobile part, while the AMD chip is a desktop part, which explains the BGA socket versus AM4. The Intel part includes integrated graphics, while the AMD part has none.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-13420H has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E’s 4.00 GHz.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E have any benchmark win over the Intel Core i5-13420H?

A: Yes, the AMD chip wins in the PassMark data encryption test, scoring 12146 versus Intel’s 11559, a 4.8% advantage.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two in any test?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark floating point math, where the Intel chip scores 42806 versus AMD’s 20970, a 104.1% difference.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Core i5-13420H supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E supports only DDR4.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i5-13420H scores 11084, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E scores 10494, giving Intel a 5.6% lead.

Q: What are the thread counts for each processor?

A: Both processors have 12 threads. The Intel Core i5-13420H has 8 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E has 6 cores.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i5-13420H is the faster processor in 16 of 17 benchmark comparisons, with wins that range from a narrow 5.4% in random string sorting to a dominant 104.1% in floating-point math. Its higher boost clock, newer architecture, and larger L2 cache make it the superior choice for nearly all workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E retains a single, specific advantage in data encryption, where it outperforms Intel by 4.8%. For users who prioritize that specific workload, the AMD chip is a valid option. However, for general use, content creation, gaming, or productivity, the Intel Core i5-13420H is the clear winner. Its 8-core, 12-thread configuration and support for DDR5 memory also make it a more future-proof platform, despite being a mobile part. The Intel chip’s lower TDP of 45 W, compared to AMD’s 65 W, also suggests better power efficiency in sustained loads. A builder should pick the Intel Core i5-13420H unless their primary workload is exclusively encryption-heavy, in which case the Ryzen 5 2600E’s niche win might be relevant.