AMD Ryzen 5 3600 vs Intel Core i5-1235U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1235U and AMD Ryzen 5 3600 occupy different corners of the processor market, yet their overall benchmark averages place them nearly level. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 edges out the Intel part with an average benchmark score of 17035 compared to 16770, a difference of roughly 1.6%. However, the Intel chip counters with a single-core advantage in Geekbench and a decisive lead in several PassMark workloads. The Ryzen 5 3600 claims 14 head-to-head wins, while the Core i5-1235U secures 5. This is a tale of two very different designs: a 15-watt mobile hybrid processor versus a 65-watt desktop powerhouse. The data shows that the Ryzen dominates in multi-threaded rendering and compression, while the Intel chip wins on raw single-thread speed in specific tests and in prime number finding by an enormous margin.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has a higher average benchmark score of 17035, placing it in the 71st percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core i5-1235U trails slightly with an average score of 16770, placing it in the 70th percentile.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is significantly faster, scoring 15045 in Cinebench R23 multi-core compared to the Intel Core i5-1235U's 9774. This represents a 35% advantage for the AMD processor.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-1235U win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, the Intel chip wins in several specific tests. It leads in PassMark single-thread with a score of 3151 versus 2562, in PassMark floating point math (43303 vs 28607), and in PassMark find prime numbers (954 vs 108). It also wins Geekbench single-core with a score of 1609.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i5-1235U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the Ryzen delivers substantially higher multi-threaded scores.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-1235U supports DDR5 memory, along with DDR4. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 supports only DDR4 memory.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-1235U has a TDP of 15 watts, making it a low-power mobile part. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has a TDP of 65 watts, which is typical for a desktop processor.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is stark. The Intel Core i5-1235U is built on Alder Lake-U architecture, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process. It features a hybrid design that combines performance and efficiency cores to balance power consumption and throughput. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 uses the Zen 2 architecture, built on TSMC's 7 nm process, which is a more traditional monolithic design.

The Intel chip packs 10 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD chip offers 6 cores and 12 threads. Cache configurations differ markedly: the Intel part has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 32 MB of shared L3 cache. This larger L3 cache helps the Ryzen in data-heavy workloads.

Memory support diverges as well. The Core i5-1235U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the Ryzen 5 3600 is limited to DDR4. The Intel processor also offers more PCIe lanes, with 20 Gen 4 lanes compared to 16 on the AMD chip. The Intel part includes integrated Iris Xe graphics with 80 execution units, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has no integrated graphics at all.

The process technology and foundry also differ: Intel uses its own 10 nm process, while AMD relies on TSMC's 7 nm node. The Ryzen 5 3600 has 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die, while the Intel chip's transistor count and die size are not listed. The AMD processor is unlocked for overclocking, a feature the Intel chip lacks.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is the clear winner for multi-threaded productivity. It dominates in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, with scores of 1516, 6318, and 15045 respectively, versus the Intel's 985, 4105, and 9774. This makes it the better choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, and other heavily threaded applications. The Ryzen also leads in data compression (219774 vs 147450) and data encryption (13953 vs 9347), indicating strength in archival and security tasks.

The Intel Core i5-1235U wins where single-thread speed and specific math operations matter. It takes Geekbench single-core with a score of 1609 versus 1536, a 4.8% lead. More dramatically, it crushes the Ryzen in PassMark find prime numbers with a score of 954 versus 108, a 783.3% advantage. It also leads in floating point math (43303 vs 28607) and PassMark single-thread (3151 vs 2562). This makes the Intel chip better suited for lightly threaded workloads like legacy applications, certain simulations, and tasks that rely on fast single-core execution.

The Ryzen wins the overall multithread PassMark test with 17700 versus 12923, a 27% lead. It also takes physics (1152 vs 686) and random string sorting (23707 vs 17050). The integer math test is nearly a tie, with the AMD chip just barely ahead at 48607 versus 48553, a 0.1% margin. The clear split is that the Ryzen is for heavy multi-core work, while the Intel chip excels in niche single-thread and floating-point operations.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The Intel Core i5-1235U has 10 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clock of the Intel chip is 1300 MHz, significantly lower than the Ryzen's 3600 MHz. The boost clock is closer, with the Intel at 4400 MHz and the AMD at 4200 MHz.

The TDP is a major differentiator: the Intel part draws 15 watts, while the AMD part draws 65 watts. This reflects their different market segments, with the Intel being a mobile processor and the AMD being a desktop processor. The sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1744 for the Core i5-1235U versus AMD Socket AM4 for the Ryzen 5 3600.

Cache hierarchies differ in size and allocation. The Intel chip has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core, while the AMD chip has 64 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core. The L3 cache favors AMD significantly, with 32 MB shared versus Intel's 12 MB shared.

Memory support and PCIe also differ. The Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD chip supports only DDR4. The Intel part offers 20 Gen 4 PCIe lanes, while the AMD part offers 16 Gen 4 lanes. The Intel processor includes integrated Iris Xe 80EU graphics, while the AMD processor has none. The AMD chip is multiplier unlocked, while the Intel is not. The release dates are also distinct, with the Intel launching in 2022 and the AMD in 2019.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest wins for the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 come in the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 15045 against the Intel's 9774, a 35% advantage. The single-core R23 test shows the same pattern: 2124 for the AMD versus 1379 for the Intel, also a 35.1% gap. These margins are consistent across Cinebench R15 and R20, where the Ryzen leads by roughly 35% in both multi-core and single-core tests.

The Ryzen also dominates in Geekbench multi-core, scoring 7372 versus the Intel's 5308, a 28% difference. In PassMark data compression, the AMD chip scores 219774 against 147450, a 32.9% lead. Data encryption shows a similar story, with the Ryzen at 13953 versus the Intel's 9347, a 33% advantage. The extended instructions test is the largest multi-core gap, with the Ryzen scoring 14442 against 8176, a 43.4% lead.

The Intel Core i5-1235U has its own decisive victories. The most striking is the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Intel scores 954 versus the Ryzen's 108, a staggering 783.3% advantage. This indicates a fundamental difference in how the two chips handle this specific workload. In PassMark floating point math, the Intel wins with 43303 against 28607, a 51.4% lead. The Intel also wins PassMark single-thread with 3151 versus 2562, a 23% advantage.

The Geekbench single-core test is closer, with the Intel winning 1609 versus 1536, a 4.8% margin. The PassMark integer math test is nearly a dead heat, with the AMD winning 48607 versus 48553, a 0.1% difference. The PassMark multithread test goes to AMD with 17700 versus 12923, a 27% lead. Overall, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 wins 14 of the 19 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i5-1235U wins 5.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for different use cases. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is the superior processor for multi-threaded workloads. Its 35% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 27% lead in PassMark multithread make it the obvious choice for video editing, 3D rendering, and software compilation. The Ryzen's 32 MB of L3 cache and higher TDP allow it to sustain heavy workloads, and its 71st percentile ranking among all CPUs reflects its strong overall performance. For users building a desktop system where power consumption is not a primary concern, the Ryzen 5 3600 is the data-backed winner.

The Intel Core i5-1235U is the better choice for specific single-thread tasks and mobile environments. Its 23% lead in PassMark single-thread and 4.8% lead in Geekbench single-core show that it can handle lightly threaded applications faster. The 783.3% advantage in find prime numbers and 51.4% lead in floating point math make it suitable for scientific calculations and simulations that rely on these operations. Its 15-watt TDP and integrated Iris Xe graphics make it viable for thin-and-light laptops, something the Ryzen cannot offer due to its lack of integrated graphics and higher power draw.

Ultimately, the choice depends on the workload and platform. For desktop users prioritizing multi-core performance, the Ryzen 5 3600 is the clear pick, with a higher average benchmark score of 17035 and wins in 14 out of 19 direct comparisons. For mobile users or those running specific single-thread and floating-point tasks, the Core i5-1235U offers distinct advantages, despite its lower overall average score of 16770. The data does not lie: the Ryzen is for heavy lifting, and the Intel chip is for specialized speed.