AMD Ryzen 5 3600X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 228V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data splits these two processors into clear, distinct profiles. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600X takes 7 wins, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V takes 10, but the margins tell the real story.

The single largest victory for the AMD chip comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 15430 against the Intel's 9932. That is a 55.4% lead, an enormous gap that reflects the AMD's 6 cores and 12 threads working in tandem. The Intel part, despite having 8 cores, runs only 8 threads, and the multi-threaded workload exposes that limitation.

The AMD also wins decisively in PassMark integer math, scoring 49934 against 39679, a 25.8% advantage. Data compression follows the same pattern: 224318 versus 173924, a 29% lead. Random string sorting favors the AMD by 14.5% (24343 vs 21254), and data encryption goes to the AMD by 9.4% (14255 vs 13032).

The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V answers with its own set of wins, most of them in single-thread and specialized math workloads. PassMark single-thread shows the biggest gap: 3836 versus 2649, a 30.9% advantage for Intel. Floating point math is even more lopsided in raw terms: 53310 versus 29339, a 45% lead. The Intel chip also wins PassMark physics by 22.9% (1538 vs 1186) and find prime numbers by 34.5% (168 vs 110).

In several tests the two are effectively tied. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows the Intel ahead by just 0.2% (6491 vs 6480), and R20 single-core is also a 0.2% Intel win (916 vs 914). PassMark extended instructions is a 0.2% Intel win (14801 vs 14773), and PassMark multithread is a 0.4% Intel win (18227 vs 18154). Cinebench R15 multi-core goes to the AMD by 3.5% (1555 vs 1502.5), but R15 single-core swings hard to Intel by 18% (267 vs 219).

The average benchmark scores place the AMD at 21992 and the Intel at 21440, a difference of roughly 2.5% in favor of the AMD. Both sit in the 75th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3600X wins by a wide margin, scoring 15430 versus 9932 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V, a 55.4% lead.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any single-thread tests?

A: Yes, and by substantial margins. PassMark single-thread favors Intel at 3836 versus 2649, a 30.9% lead, and Cinebench R15 single-core favors Intel by 18% (267 vs 219).

Q: How close are the overall average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3600X has an average benchmark score of 21992, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V sits at 21440. The AMD is ahead by roughly 2.5%.

Q: Which chip wins the floating point math test?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V dominates, scoring 53310 against 29339, a 45% advantage over the AMD.

Q: Are there any tests where the two are nearly identical?

A: Yes. Cinebench R20 multi-core is a 0.2% Intel win (6491 vs 6480), R20 single-core is a 0.2% Intel win (916 vs 914), and PassMark multithread is a 0.4% Intel win (18227 vs 18154).

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V has 8 cores but only 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X has 6 cores and 12 threads. The AMD's simultaneous multi-threading gives it more thread count despite fewer cores.

The Verdict

Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X if your workloads are heavily multi-threaded. The 55.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the single clearest signal in this comparison. Integer math, data compression, random string sorting, and data encryption all go to the AMD, making it the stronger choice for compilation, archiving, database work, and any task that scales with thread count.

Choose the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V if single-thread performance and specialized math matter more. The 30.9% lead in PassMark single-thread, the 45% lead in floating point math, and the 22.9% lead in physics indicate this chip handles interactive workloads, scientific calculations, and lightly threaded applications with more agility. The 8 cores also help in lightly threaded scenarios even without hyper-threading.

The average benchmark scores favor the AMD by about 2.5%, but the profile of wins matters more than the aggregate. Anyone running long multi-threaded renders should take the AMD. Anyone working in float-heavy simulation or single-thread-bound applications should take the Intel.

Specification Differences

The two chips come from different eras and different market segments. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600X is a desktop part on AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V is a mobile part on Intel BGA 2833.

Clock speeds tell part of the story. The AMD runs a base clock of 3.80 GHz with a boost of 4.40 GHz. The Intel runs 2.10 GHz base with a 4.50 GHz boost. The Intel chip boosts higher but idles lower.

Thermal design power differs enormously: the AMD is rated at 95 watts, the Intel at 17 watts. The Intel is an ultra-low-power mobile chip, while the AMD is a mainstream desktop processor.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD uses DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel's memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard, also dual-channel, with no bandwidth figure recorded.

PCIe generation differs: the AMD supports Gen 4, while the Intel supports Gen 5 with 4 lanes on the CPU only. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier, the Intel does not.

Release dates are far apart: the AMD launched in July 2019 with a launch MSRP of $249. The Intel launched in September 2024 with no recorded launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600X is built on Zen 2, codenamed Matisse, using a 7 nm process from TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V is built on Lunar Lake, using a 3 nm process, also from TSMC. The process node advantage goes to Intel, which partially explains its efficiency and single-thread performance.

Core and cache layouts diverge sharply. The AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel has 8 cores and 8 threads, with 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and only 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD has four times the L3 cache, which helps in workloads that thrash shared data.

The transistor counts and die sizes are only recorded for the AMD: 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. No such figures exist in the database for the Intel part.

The Intel chip includes integrated graphics, specifically Arc 130V. The AMD Ryzen 5 3600X has no integrated graphics listed, meaning it requires a discrete GPU to output video.

The AMD belongs to the 3000 series generation, described as Ryzen 5 with Zen 2 (Matisse). The Intel belongs to Core Ultra Series 2, described as Ultra 5 with Lunar Lake. Both are listed as Active production parts.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 3600X wins in multi-threaded throughput. Cinebench R23 multi-core is its crown jewel at 55.4% ahead. It also wins integer math, data compression, data encryption, and random string sorting. This makes it the pick for batch rendering, code compilation, file compression workflows, and encrypted data handling. The 32 MB of shared L3 cache and 12 threads give it staying power in sustained parallel work.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V wins in single-thread and floating point performance. Its PassMark single-thread score is 30.9% higher, its floating point math score is 45% higher, and its physics score is 22.9% higher. The find prime numbers test also goes to Intel by 34.5%. This makes it the pick for interactive applications, spreadsheet recalculation, scientific modeling, and any software that relies on float-heavy crunching. The 3 nm process and higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz support this profile.

In the near-tie tests, the Intel takes narrow wins in Cinebench R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, PassMark extended instructions, and PassMark multithread, though all by less than 1%. The AMD takes Cinebench R15 multi-core by 3.5%. These margins are small enough that real-world differences would be difficult to notice.

The Intel chip also offers integrated graphics, which the AMD lacks entirely, and a much lower 17 watt TDP versus 95 watts. For a compact or fanless system, the Intel is the only viable choice from this pair. For a desktop tower with a discrete GPU and heavy multi-threaded workloads, the AMD is the stronger option. The data does not show a single winner across all categories; it shows two specialized tools.