AMD Ryzen 5 2600E vs Intel Core i7-1355U Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded benchmark data splits these two processors into clearly different roles. The Intel Core i7-1355U wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E wins 4. This is not a close overall contest. The Intel part leads in nearly every single-threaded and math-oriented workload, often by large margins. The AMD part takes its wins in specific memory-heavy or multi-core rendering tasks.

For users who prioritize raw single-core responsiveness, encryption, compression, or floating-point math, the Intel Core i7-1355U is the stronger choice from the data. Its single-core scores are consistently far ahead. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E, however, shows a clear advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core and in PassMark data compression and encryption, which suggests it handles sustained all-core loads and certain data-processing tasks better. The database also places both chips at nearly the same overall percentile: the Intel part sits at the 73rd percentile, the AMD part at the 72nd. Their average benchmark scores are 18730 for Intel and 18230 for AMD, a difference of only about 2.7%. So while the Intel chip wins more individual tests, the aggregate picture is much closer than the win count implies.

The practical verdict: choose the Intel Core i7-1355U for general productivity, single-threaded applications, and math-heavy workloads. Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E if your work leans on Cinebench R23 multi-core rendering, data compression, or data encryption, where it posts the better numbers in this comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design eras and target different market segments. The Intel Core i7-1355U is a mobile part built on Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-U, using Intel's 10 nm process. It has 10 cores and 12 threads. Its base clock is 1700.00 MHz and its boost clock reaches 5.00 GHz. The chip carries 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel mode. It includes integrated Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, and it uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket. The processor is rated at a 15 W TDP, and it was released in early 2023. Its launch MSRP is $469.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E is a desktop chip from the 2000 series, built on the Zen architecture, specifically Zen+ (Pinnacle Ridge), using GlobalFoundries' 12 nm process. It has 6 cores and 12 threads. Its base clock is 3.10 GHz and its boost clock is 4.00 GHz. The cache layout differs notably: 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. It supports only DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode. There is no integrated graphics listed. It uses the AMD Socket AM4 and is rated at a 65 W TDP. The transistor count is 4,800 million on a 192 mm² die. It was released in September 2018.

The architectural split is stark: Intel uses a smaller 10 nm node with a higher boost clock and a larger core count, while AMD uses a 12 nm node with fewer cores but a larger shared L3 cache. The Intel chip also brings PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), whereas the AMD part has no PCIe field recorded. The Intel part's integrated graphics give it an advantage for systems without a discrete GPU, while the AMD part relies on a separate graphics card.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-1355U dominates single-threaded performance. In Cinebench R15 single-core it leads by 71.5%, in R23 single-core by 23.2%, and in PassMark single-thread by 49.9%. It also wins heavily in floating-point math (66.7% ahead), integer math (30.7% ahead), extended instructions (34.1% ahead), and prime number finding (59.4% ahead). These are workloads that reward high clock speeds and efficient per-core execution. The Intel part's boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus the AMD part's 4.00 GHz aligns with these results.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core by 21%, in PassMark data compression by 10.3%, in data encryption by 19.1%, and in random string sorting by 15.7%. These wins suggest that the AMD chip's larger 16 MB L3 cache and its 65 W desktop power envelope help in sustained multi-threaded and data-intensive tasks. The Intel chip still wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 31.8% and R20 multi-core by 12.3%, so the AMD advantage is not universal across all multi-core tests. But in the R23 test, the most recent of the three Cinebench versions recorded, the AMD part pulls clearly ahead.

For users who run many short, single-threaded operations or math-heavy simulations, the Intel part is the clear pick. For users who run longer rendering jobs or handle large data streams, the AMD part's wins in compression and encryption make it competitive.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-1355U. It leads in Cinebench R15 single-core by 71.5%, in R20 single-core by 12.2%, in R23 single-core by 23.2%, and in PassMark single-thread by 49.9%.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E win any multi-core test?

A: Yes. It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 21% (10494 versus 8286). It also wins PassMark data compression, data encryption, and random string sorting.

Q: How do their overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i7-1355U has an average benchmark score of 18730, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E scores 18230. The Intel part sits at the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, and the AMD part at the 72nd.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i7-1355U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E has 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core i7-1355U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Does the Intel part include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i7-1355U includes Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the entire comparison belongs to the Intel Core i7-1355U in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 255.5 against the AMD part's 149, a delta of 71.5%. That is a dominant result for any single-threaded workload. The next biggest Intel win is in PassMark floating-point math, 34965 versus 20970, a 66.7% advantage. PassMark find prime numbers follows at 59.4% (51 versus 32), and PassMark single-thread is up 49.9% (3444 versus 2297). PassMark extended instructions also goes to Intel by 34.1% (8726 versus 6509), and integer math by 30.7% (52002 versus 39781). Cinebench R15 multi-core gives Intel a 31.8% win (1393 versus 1057), and PassMark physics adds an 18.1% win (888 versus 752). Cinebench R20 multi-core is closer, with Intel ahead 12.3% (4949 versus 4407), and R20 single-core is tighter still at 12.2% (698 versus 622). PassMark multithread goes to Intel by 15.8% (14299 versus 12346).

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E's biggest win is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 10494 against Intel's 8286, a 21% advantage. That is a substantial reversal from the R15 and R20 multi-core results, and it is the only multi-core Cinebench test the AMD part wins. PassMark data encryption goes to AMD by 19.1% (12146 versus 9831), random string sorting by 15.7% (20918 versus 17631), and data compression by 10.3% (173653 versus 155727). These four wins are the complete set of AMD victories in the head-to-head table.

The pattern is consistent: Intel wins every single-thread test and most math and physics tests, often by wide margins. AMD wins the newest multi-core render test and three PassMark data-streaming tests. The aggregate average scores are close, but the distribution of wins is lopsided.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every recorded hardware field. The Intel Core i7-1355U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 1700.00 MHz for Intel and 3.10 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks are 5.00 GHz for Intel and 4.00 GHz for AMD. TDP ratings are 15 W for Intel and 65 W for AMD. The Intel part uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket; the AMD part uses AMD Socket AM4. The process nodes are 10 nm (Intel) and 12 nm (GlobalFoundries). L1 cache is 80 KB per core for Intel and 96 KB per core for AMD. L2 cache is 1.25 MB per core for Intel and 512 KB per core for AMD. L3 cache is 12 MB shared for Intel and 16 MB shared for AMD. Memory support is DDR4 and DDR5 for Intel, DDR4 only for AMD. The Intel part lists PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only); the AMD part has no PCIe field. Integrated graphics are present on the Intel part (Iris Xe Graphics 96EU) and absent on the AMD part. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $469; the AMD part has no launch MSRP recorded. Release dates are January 2023 for Intel and September 2018 for AMD. The AMD part has a recorded transistor count of 4,800 million and a die size of 192 mm², while the Intel part has neither field. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory.