AMD Ryzen 5 5600 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 125U Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has 12 cores and 14 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What are the socket types for these two processors?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U uses Intel BGA 2049, which is a mobile socket, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 uses AMD Socket AM4, which is a desktop socket.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 has a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, which is slightly higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U's boost clock of 4.30 GHz.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U does not.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 has a TDP of 65 watts.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows a clear split between these two processors. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 dominates the majority of tests, winning 16 out of 19 head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U manages to secure wins in only 3 tests.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 wins across all Cinebench versions, both single-core and multi-core. It also wins in Geekbench multicore and singlecore, plus all PassMark tests except floating point math and single-threaded performance. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U wins specifically in PassMark floating point math and PassMark single-thread tests, with the latter being a narrow margin.

The use-case split is fairly straightforward. The Ryzen 5 5600 is the stronger choice for heavily threaded workloads, rendering, and general compute tasks where its higher core clock and larger L3 cache deliver consistent advantages. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U shows its strength in floating point calculations and single-threaded PassMark tests, making it competitive for specific math-heavy applications and lightly threaded tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is built on the Meteor Lake architecture, representing Intel's first generation of Core Ultra processors. It uses a 7 nm process node manufactured by Intel. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer, also on a 7 nm process node but manufactured by TSMC.

The transistor counts differ significantly. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 contains 4,150 million transistors on a die size of 74 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U does not have transistor or die size data recorded in the database.

Cache configurations are notably different. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen's L3 cache is more than double the Intel's, which contributes to its performance advantage in many workloads.

The Intel processor features integrated Arc Xe-LPG graphics with 64 execution units, while the AMD processor has no integrated graphics at all. This makes the Intel chip a self-contained solution for systems without a discrete GPU, whereas the AMD chip requires a separate graphics card.

Memory support also differs. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 supports DDR4 memory, also dual-channel, but with a lower memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel chip's memory bandwidth advantage is notable, although it does not translate into overall benchmark wins.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 |

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

| Cores | 12 | 6 |

| Threads | 14 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 1.30 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2049 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Meteor Lake | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Meteor Lake | Vermeer |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 4,150 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 74 mm² |

| 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 |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe Lanes | 12 (Gen 4) | 20 (Gen 4) |

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

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2023-12-13 | 2022-04-19 |

| Launch MSRP | $363 | $199 |

| Unlocked Multiplier | No | Yes |

The base clock difference is substantial, with the AMD processor starting at 3.50 GHz versus the Intel's 1.30 GHz. The Intel chip compensates with a higher core count and boost clock, but the AMD's higher base clock contributes to its consistent wins.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single benchmark gap appears in Cinebench R23 multicore. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 scores 18,309 points against the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U's 9,799 points, a delta of -46.5%. This means the AMD processor delivers nearly double the multicore performance in this test.

Cinebench R20 multicore shows a similar pattern. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 scores 7,689 versus the Intel's 5,982, a 22.2% difference. The R15 multicore test shows the AMD chip ahead by 11.1%, scoring 1,845 against 1,640.

Single-core Cinebench results also favor the AMD processor. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, the Ryzen 5 5600 scores 2,584 versus 1,561 for the Intel, a 39.6% advantage. The R20 singlecore test shows a 22.2% lead for AMD (1,085 versus 844), and R15 singlecore shows a 12.7% lead (260 versus 227).

Geekbench results reinforce this pattern. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600 scores 9,158 in multicore versus 6,308 for the Intel, a 31.1% difference. In singlecore, the AMD chip scores 1,936 versus 1,493, a 22.9% advantage.

The PassMark suite shows the AMD processor winning in most tests. Data compression favors AMD by 21% (251,687 versus 198,858). Data encryption favors AMD by 21.2% (15,531 versus 12,231). Extended instructions favor AMD by 33.3% (16,993 versus 11,340). Find prime numbers shows the largest PassMark gap, with AMD scoring 137 versus Intel's 64, a 53.3% difference. Integer math favors AMD by 16.6% (68,396 versus 57,046). Multithread favors AMD by 19.1% (21,541 versus 17,417). Physics favors AMD by 15.8% (1,285 versus 1,082). Random string sorting favors AMD by 15.7% (25,943 versus 21,872).

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U wins in PassMark floating point math, scoring 41,331 versus AMD's 38,778, a 6.6% advantage. It also wins in PassMark single-thread tests, scoring 3,296 versus 3,256, a narrow 1.2% margin. These are the only two benchmark wins for the Intel chip, plus a duplicate single-thread result.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 for most users. It wins 16 of 19 benchmark comparisons, often by large margins. The 46.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and the 53.3% lead in PassMark find prime numbers are particularly decisive. Users who prioritize heavy compute workloads, rendering, or multi-threaded applications should choose the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 based on these benchmark results.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is the choice for specific scenarios. Its 6.6% win in floating point math makes it suitable for workloads that rely heavily on floating point calculations. Its 1.2% win in PassMark single-thread tests is marginal but could matter for certain lightly threaded applications. Additionally, the Intel chip includes integrated Arc Xe-LPG graphics, which is essential for systems without a discrete GPU. Its 15-watt TDP makes it suited for mobile platforms, whereas the AMD chip's 65-watt TDP targets desktop systems.

The Intel processor also offers higher memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s for AMD, though this does not translate into benchmark wins. The AMD processor supports ECC memory and has an unlocked multiplier, which the Intel chip lacks.

For desktop users with a discrete GPU, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600 is the stronger performer across nearly every recorded benchmark. For mobile users or those needing integrated graphics, the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U provides a capable alternative with specific strengths in floating point and single-threaded tasks.