AMD Ryzen 5 3600X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 135U Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U and AMD Ryzen 5 3600X represent two fundamentally different approaches to computing, and the benchmark data reflects that split clearly. The Intel part is a mobile-first Meteor Lake processor with 12 cores and a 15 W TDP, while the AMD chip is a desktop Zen 2 design with 6 cores and a 95 W TDP. The result is a head-to-head record of 11 wins for the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus 6 wins for the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U, but the victories are not evenly distributed. The AMD chip dominates multi-threaded and legacy single-core workloads, while the Intel chip wins decisively in single-threaded PassMark tests and floating-point math. The data shows that these processors are not direct competitors in the traditional sense, but rather tools for different scenarios.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600X wins the majority of the head-to-head benchmarks, taking 11 of 17 tests. Its strongest territory is sustained multi-core rendering, where it leads in Cinebench R20 multi-core by 8.4% and in Cinebench R23 multi-core by a massive 39.6%. The AMD chip also wins in data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, multithreaded PassMark, physics simulation, and random string sorting. These are all workloads that benefit from the chip's 32 MB of shared L3 cache and its higher base clock of 3.80 GHz. The AMD processor's wins are often substantial, with margins ranging from 4.4% in PassMark multithread to 41.8% in prime number finding.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U, despite losing the overall count, wins in areas that matter for specific use cases. Its most significant victory is in PassMark floating-point math, where it scores 40.5% higher than the AMD chip. It also wins in PassMark integer math by 13.9%, in PassMark single-thread by 26.2%, and in the older Cinebench R15 tests, both multi-core and single-core, by 5.1% and 4.1% respectively. These results indicate that the Intel chip has strong per-core performance in certain synthetic workloads, particularly those that leverage its newer architecture. The data suggests that the Intel chip is better suited for tasks that rely on high-frequency single-thread execution, while the AMD chip excels in heavily threaded workloads.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is stark. The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U uses the Meteor Lake architecture, built on Intel's 7 nm process, and features a hybrid core layout with 12 total cores and 14 threads. Its cache hierarchy includes 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600X uses the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Matisse, built on TSMC's 7 nm process, and features 6 cores and 12 threads. Its cache is configured differently, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 32 MB of shared L3.

The Intel chip's memory support is DDR5, with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the AMD chip uses DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. This gives the Intel part a theoretical memory bandwidth advantage. The Intel chip has an integrated graphics unit, the Arc Xe-LPG 64EU, while the AMD chip has no integrated graphics. The Intel chip is a mobile part with a 15 W TDP and a BGA 2049 socket, while the AMD chip is a desktop part with a 95 W TDP and an AM4 socket. The AMD chip has a transistor count of 3,800 million and a die size of 74 mm², while the Intel chip's transistor count and die size are not listed.

The production status of both is active, but their release dates differ significantly. The Intel chip was released in December 2023, while the AMD chip was released in July 2019. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel chip does not. The Intel part also has a different PCIe configuration, with Gen 4 and 12 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD chip supports Gen 4 without a lane count specified.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single victory in the head-to-head set belongs to the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 15,430 versus the Intel chip's 9,315, a delta of -39.6% in Intel's favor. That is a dominant margin in a modern rendering benchmark. The AMD chip also wins Cinebench R20 multi-core with a score of 6,480 versus 5,934, an 8.4% lead, and Cinebench R20 single-core with 914 versus 837, also an 8.4% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD chip scores 2,178 versus 1,563, a 28.2% advantage.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U counters with a decisive win in PassMark floating-point math, scoring 41,232 versus 29,339, a 40.5% lead. It also wins PassMark single-thread with a score of 3,343 versus 2,649, a 26.2% margin. In PassMark integer math, the Intel chip scores 56,864 versus 49,934, a 13.9% lead. The Intel chip's wins in the older Cinebench R15 tests are narrower, with a 5.1% lead in multi-core (1,634 versus 1,555) and a 4.1% lead in single-core (228 versus 219).

Other notable AMD wins include PassMark data compression (224,318 versus 196,712, a 12.3% lead), PassMark data encryption (14,255 versus 12,195, a 14.5% lead), PassMark extended instructions (14,773 versus 11,144, a 24.6% lead), and PassMark random string sorting (24,343 versus 21,620, an 11.2% lead). The AMD chip also wins PassMark multithread (18,154 versus 17,359, a 4.4% lead) and PassMark physics (1,186 versus 1,122, a 5.4% lead). The AMD chip's largest win is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 110 versus 64, a 41.8% lead.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload and platform. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600X is the superior choice for multi-threaded rendering, content creation, and compute-heavy tasks that scale with core count and cache size. Its 39.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and its wins in data compression and encryption make it the stronger performer for batch workloads. It is also a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier, meaning it is intended for systems where power draw is less of a concern.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U is the better option for single-threaded performance in synthetic tests and for floating-point math. Its 26.2% lead in PassMark single-thread and 40.5% lead in floating-point math show that its newer architecture has strengths in specific instruction paths. As a mobile part with a 15 W TDP and integrated graphics, it is designed for laptops and compact systems. The data shows that for users who need a chip for a desktop workstation where multi-threading is paramount, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X is the clear winner. For users who need a mobile processor with strong single-threaded performance and integrated graphics, the Intel part is the appropriate choice.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3600X wins 11 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U wins 6.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X scores 110 versus the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U's 64, a 41.8% difference.

Q: Does the Intel chip have any significant advantages?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U leads by 40.5% in PassMark floating-point math and by 26.2% in PassMark single-thread performance.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3600X scores 15,430, which is 39.6% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U's score of 9,315.

Q: What are the core counts and TDPs of each chip?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U has 12 cores and a 15 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X has 6 cores and a 95 W TDP.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U has integrated Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X has no integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 5 135U | AMD Ryzen 5 3600X |

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

| Process Node | 7 nm (Intel) | 7 nm (TSMC) |

| Cores | 12 | 6 |

| Threads | 14 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 1.60 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| L1 Cache | 112 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

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

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 32 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2049 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| TDP | 15 W | 95 W |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG 64EU | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2023-12-13 | 2019-07-06 |

| Launch MSRP | $332 | $249 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |