AMD Ryzen 5 4600G vs Intel Core i7-1255U Comparison

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G is the clear overall performance winner, taking 10 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks and leading by large margins in multi-threaded and memory-sensitive workloads. The Intel Core i7-1255U counters with 7 wins, but its advantages are concentrated in single-thread and specific math tests. For sustained heavy workloads, the Ryzen 5 4600G is the data-backed choice. The i7-1255U is the pick for users prioritizing single-core responsiveness and floating-point performance, but it trails significantly in raw multi-core output. Both parts sit at the 71st percentile of all CPUs, yet their average benchmark scores differ by less than 1% — the Ryzen 5 4600G at 17507 versus the i7-1255U at 17656. This parity masks the fact that the i7-1255U is a mobile chip, while the Ryzen 5 4600G is a desktop processor.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-1255U uses Alder Lake architecture built on a 10 nm process at Intel, featuring 10 cores and 12 threads. Its hybrid design combines performance and efficiency cores, though the fact pack does not specify the exact core split. The chip is a mobile part, socketed into Intel BGA 1744, and integrates Iris Xe 96EU graphics. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory across a dual-channel bus, and offers Gen 4 PCIe with 20 CPU-only lanes. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G is built on Zen 2 architecture, fabricated on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It uses 6 cores and 12 threads, with a 156 mm² die containing 9,800 million transistors. This desktop part fits AMD Socket AM4 and pairs with Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics. Memory support is limited to DDR4, running dual-channel, with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 with 20 CPU-only lanes. Its cache is smaller per core — 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 — with 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Key architectural contrasts: the i7-1255U has more cores (10 vs 6) and a larger L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), but the Ryzen 5 4600G benefits from a smaller, newer process node (7 nm vs 10 nm). The Intel part supports DDR5, while the AMD part does not. The i7-1255U is a 15 W mobile chip; the Ryzen 5 4600G is a 65 W desktop chip with an unlocked multiplier. The Ryzen 5 4600G has a higher base clock (3.70 GHz vs 1.70 GHz) and a lower boost clock (4.20 GHz vs 4.70 GHz). The Intel part's base clock is notably low, reflecting its mobile power envelope.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 5 4600G dominates in Cinebench multi-core tests. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it scores 5709 against the i7-1255U's 4635, a margin of 18.8%. The gap widens in Cinebench R23 multi-core: 13593 versus 8285, a 39% lead for AMD. This is the single largest performance gap in the entire comparison. In contrast, the i7-1255U wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by a slim 1.2% (1387 vs 1370), showing that the AMD advantage grows as the workload scales in duration and complexity.

Single-core results are split by benchmark generation. The i7-1255U wins Cinebench R15 single-core decisively, 237.5 versus 193, a 23.1% advantage. But the Ryzen 5 4600G flips the result in Cinebench R20 single-core (805 vs 654) and Cinebench R23 single-core (1919 vs 1647), leading by 18.8% and 14.2% respectively. PassMark single-thread tests favor Intel, with the i7-1255U scoring 3192 versus 2653, a 20.3% lead. The data suggests Intel's single-core advantage is most pronounced in older or lighter benchmarks, while AMD's newer architecture edges ahead in more recent tests.

The Ryzen 5 4600G wins heavily in passmark data compression (231426 vs 147320, a 36.3% lead) and data encryption (13572 vs 9262, a 31.8% lead). Extended instructions also go to AMD by a wide 46.1% (15280 vs 8231), the second-largest delta. Random string sorting follows the pattern, with AMD ahead 30.2% (24246 vs 16934). These results indicate the Ryzen 5 4600G has a substantial advantage in memory-bandwidth-sensitive and instruction-heavy workloads.

Intel recovers ground in specific math tests. The i7-1255U wins passmark find prime numbers by 25% (40 vs 32) and floating-point math by 8.9% (32618 vs 29947). Physics benchmarks also favor Intel, with a 16.7% lead (789 vs 676). Integer math is close, with AMD ahead by just 4.4% (50723 vs 48498). PassMark multithread goes to AMD, 15992 versus 13234, a 17.2% lead.

Specification Differences

The two chips diverge on nearly every core specification. The i7-1255U has 10 cores and 12 threads; the Ryzen 5 4600G has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ dramatically: 1.70 GHz for Intel versus 3.70 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks are closer, with Intel at 4.70 GHz and AMD at 4.20 GHz. Thermal design power is a major split — 15 W for the i7-1255U versus 65 W for the Ryzen 5 4600G.

Process node and foundry differ: Intel uses 10 nm at its own foundry, while AMD uses 7 nm at TSMC. The Ryzen 5 4600G has published transistor count (9,800 million) and die size (156 mm²); the i7-1255U's are not listed. Cache configurations are distinct: Intel has 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core, versus AMD's 64 KB and 512 KB. L3 cache favors Intel at 12 MB shared, against AMD's 8 MB shared.

Memory support is another differentiator. The i7-1255U accepts DDR4 and DDR5; the Ryzen 5 4600G supports DDR4 only. Both run dual-channel, but AMD specifies memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s while Intel's is not listed. PCIe generation favors Intel (Gen 4) over AMD (Gen 3), both with 20 CPU-only lanes. Integrated graphics differ: Iris Xe 96EU on Intel versus Radeon Vega 7 on AMD.

Socket and market segment are fundamental: Intel BGA 1744 (mobile) versus AMD Socket AM4 (desktop). The Ryzen 5 4600G has an unlocked multiplier; the i7-1255U does not. Release dates are also apart, with Intel launching on 2022-02-22 and AMD on 2020-07-20. The Ryzen 5 4600G has a launch MSRP of $154; the i7-1255U has no listed MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i7-1255U has 10 cores versus 6 on the AMD Ryzen 5 4600G. Both have 12 threads.

Q: Which chip wins in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G wins by a substantial 39% margin, scoring 13593 versus Intel's 8285.

Q: Does the Intel chip have any single-core advantage?

A: Yes, in specific tests. The i7-1255U leads by 23.1% in Cinebench R15 single-core and by 20.3% in PassMark single-thread. However, AMD leads in Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core.

Q: What are the memory support differences?

A: The Intel i7-1255U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600G supports DDR4 only. Both use dual-channel configurations.

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-1255U has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600G has 8 MB.

Q: Are these chips in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both sit at the 71st percentile of all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with Intel at 17656 and AMD at 17507.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600G is the winner for multi-threaded productivity. Its 39% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 36.3% advantage in data compression make it the clear choice for rendering, video encoding, or batch processing. Extended instruction workloads see a massive 46.1% gap in AMD's favor, indicating better performance for scientific computing or encryption tasks. The Ryzen 5 4600G also wins in data encryption (31.8%), random string sorting (30.2%), and PassMark multithread (17.2%). Its 65 W desktop design, unlocked multiplier, and 7 nm process suggest sustained performance potential that the mobile Intel chip cannot match under heavy load.

The Intel Core i7-1255U wins where single-thread responsiveness and specific math operations matter. Its 20.3% lead in PassMark single-thread and 23.1% in Cinebench R15 single-core indicate snappy application launches and responsive UI interaction. The chip is 25% faster in prime number finding and 8.9% faster in floating-point math, making it suitable for workloads that depend on those operations. Physics simulation also favors Intel by 16.7%. For a mobile platform, the i7-1255U delivers competitive single-core performance at a 15 W power envelope, and its support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory offers flexibility in system design.

The data shows a clear split: choose the Ryzen 5 4600G for heavy, sustained multi-threaded tasks and memory-intensive operations. Choose the Intel Core i7-1255U for lightweight, single-threaded workloads, floating-point math, and mobile form factors. The i7-1255U's 10 cores and 12 MB L3 cache do not translate to multi-core wins against the Ryzen 5 4600G's higher clocks and newer process node. Benchmarks indicate the AMD chip's 65 W power budget is leveraged effectively, delivering a 39% multi-core advantage despite having fewer cores.