AMD Ryzen 5 2600E vs Intel Core i7-1365U Comparison

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-1365U wins every single-core benchmark in the comparison. It leads by 43.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 9.7% in R20 single-core, 21.5% in R23 single-core, and 32.7% in PassMark single-thread. The data is unambiguous: Intel holds a commanding lead in lightly-threaded tasks.

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

A: Yes, but only in four of the seventeen head-to-head tests. The AMD wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 17.3%, PassMark data compression by 16.1%, data encryption by 27.4%, and random string sorting by 23.2%. These are specialized workloads, not general-purpose wins.

Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E averages 18,230 across all benchmarks, while the Intel Core i7-1365U averages 18,177. That is a difference of only 0.3% in AMD's favor. Both sit at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, making them statistically equivalent in aggregate performance.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each chip?

A: The AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel has 10 cores and 12 threads. Despite having four fewer physical cores, the AMD matches the Intel in thread count, which explains why multi-threaded results are so close in several tests.

Q: Are these processors aimed at the same market segment?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E is a desktop part for Socket AM4, while the Intel Core i7-1365U is a mobile processor for BGA 1744. The Intel's 15W TDP versus AMD's 65W TDP reflects their different design targets.

Q: Does either chip support ECC memory?

A: Neither processor supports ECC memory. Both are listed with "false" for ECC support in the specification data.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E is built on the Zen architecture, specifically the Zen+ refinement known as Pinnacle Ridge. It uses a 12nm process from GlobalFoundries, with 4,800 million transistors on a 192 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-1365U uses Raptor Lake-U, built on Intel's 10nm process. The die size and transistor count for Intel are not listed in the data, so no direct comparison is possible there.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The AMD allocates 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, but a much larger 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. This means the Intel has substantially more private cache per core, which likely contributes to its single-core advantage, while the AMD has a larger aggregate L3 pool.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD supports only DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration. The Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel. The Intel additionally lists PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD's PCIe information is not provided. Both chips have integrated graphics — the Intel comes with Iris Xe Graphics 96EU, while the AMD's iGPU is not specified in the data.

The release dates are far apart: the AMD launched on 2018-09-18, and the Intel on 2023-01-03. That gap explains the architectural generation difference — Zen+ versus Raptor Lake — and the resulting performance characteristics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-1365U wins 13 of the 17 direct comparisons, and several wins are decisive. In Cinebench R15 single-core, Intel scores 265.5 against AMD's 149, a 43.9% lead. The same pattern appears in PassMark single-thread: 3,411 versus 2,297, a 32.7% margin. Floating-point math shows Intel ahead by 37.8% (33,689 versus 20,970), and integer math by 21.8% (50,881 versus 39,781). Prime number finding is another big Intel win at 44.8% (58 versus 32). Extended instructions also favor Intel by 21.8% (8,321 versus 6,509).

Multi-core results are closer but still lean Intel. Cinebench R15 multi-core goes to Intel by 27.9% (1,466.5 versus 1,057), and PassMark multithread by 12.1% (14,045 versus 12,346). Cinebench R20 multi-core is a narrow Intel win at 9.7% (4,882 versus 4,407), and physics follows at 22.2% (966 versus 752).

The AMD's four wins are concentrated in specific workloads. Cinebench R23 multi-core is the biggest: AMD scores 10,494 against Intel's 8,946, a 17.3% advantage. Data encryption shows AMD ahead by 27.4% (12,146 versus 9,531). Random string sorting favors AMD by 23.2% (20,918 versus 16,977), and data compression by 16.1% (173,653 versus 149,585).

Notably, the two chips trade wins across different Cinebench versions. Intel wins R15 and R20 multi-core, but AMD wins R23 multi-core. This suggests the AMD's advantage appears under longer or more demanding multi-threaded loads, while the Intel's higher boost clock (5.20 GHz versus 4.00 GHz) dominates shorter bursts.

Specification Differences

• Cores: AMD 6, Intel 10
• Threads: Both 12
• Base clock: AMD 3.10 GHz, Intel 1800.00 MHz (1.80 GHz)
• Boost clock: AMD 4.00 GHz, Intel 5.20 GHz
• TDP: AMD 65W, Intel 15W
• Socket: AMD Socket AM4, Intel BGA 1744
• Process node: AMD 12nm, Intel 10nm
• Foundry: GlobalFoundries, Intel
• L1 cache: AMD 96 KB/core, Intel 80 KB/core
• L2 cache: AMD 512 KB/core, Intel 1.25 MB/core
• L3 cache: AMD 16 MB shared, Intel 12 MB shared
• Memory support: AMD DDR4 only, Intel DDR4 and DDR5
• Integrated graphics: AMD not listed, Intel Iris Xe Graphics 96EU
• PCIe: AMD not listed, Intel Gen 4, 8 lanes (CPU only)
• Launch MSRP: Intel $426, AMD not listed
• Release date: AMD 2018-09-18, Intel 2023-01-03

The Verdict

The data supports different picks depending on the workload. The Intel Core i7-1365U is the better all-round performer, winning 13 of 17 benchmarks and dominating every single-threaded test by double digits. Its 5.20 GHz boost clock and larger L2 cache give it a clear edge in any task that responds to per-core speed. The 43.9% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 32.7% in PassMark single-thread are decisive margins.

However, the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E is not obsolete. It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 17.3%, and its PassMark wins in encryption, compression, and string sorting show strength in data-handling workloads. The AMD's 16 MB of L3 and desktop-class 65W TDP likely explain these wins — the chip has more thermal headroom and shared cache for sustained multi-threaded tasks.

For a desktop builder, the AMD offers a mature AM4 platform and competitive multi-threaded performance in specific areas. For a mobile user, the Intel provides superior single-thread speed, a much lower 15W TDP, and integrated Iris Xe graphics. The Intel's launch MSRP is $426, while the AMD has no listed MSRP.

The aggregate scores are nearly identical (18,230 versus 18,177), so neither chip is categorically faster overall. The choice depends on whether single-thread responsiveness or specific multi-threaded workloads matter more.

Where Each One Wins

AMD Ryzen 5 2600E wins when:

• The workload is sustained multi-core rendering, as shown by its 17.3% Cinebench R23 multi-core victory.
• Data encryption is involved — 27.4% ahead of Intel.
• Random string sorting matters — 23.2% ahead.
• Data compression is the task — 16.1% ahead.
• You need a desktop processor on the AM4 platform with DDR4 memory support.

Intel Core i7-1365U wins when:

• Single-thread performance is critical — it leads by 43.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 21.5% in R23 single-core, and 32.7% in PassMark single-thread.
• Floating-point math dominates the workload — 37.8% ahead.
• Integer math is the bottleneck — 21.8% ahead.
• Prime number calculations are frequent — 44.8% ahead.
• Power efficiency matters, given its 15W TDP versus AMD's 65W.
• You need a mobile processor with integrated Iris Xe Graphics 96EU.
• You want DDR5 memory support and PCIe Gen 4 connectivity.
• A short multi-core burst is required — Intel wins Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core by 27.9% and 9.7% respectively.