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

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G and Intel Core Ultra 5 125U are both 74th-percentile CPUs, but they achieve parity through entirely different strategies. The Ryzen 5 5600G wins 11 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Core Ultra 5 125U takes 6, yet the Intel part counters with superior single-thread performance in several tests and a significantly lower 15W TDP. The data indicates a clear split: the AMD chip dominates heavily in multi-threaded and integer workloads, while the Intel chip excels in specific floating-point and physics tasks, making the choice dependent on whether the user prioritizes raw desktop throughput or mobile efficiency.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G has an average benchmark score of 21088, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U scores 20826. The difference is small, with the AMD part leading by roughly 1.3%.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G scores 10551, defeating the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U’s 9799 by a margin of 7.7%. This is one of the AMD chip's largest wins in the head-to-head data.

Q: Where does the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U outperform the Ryzen 5 5600G?

A: Intel wins in Cinebench R23 single-core (1561 vs 1409, a 9.7% advantage), Passmark single-thread (3296 vs 3177, a 3.6% edge), Passmark floating-point math (41331 vs 37830, an 8.5% lead), and Passmark physics (1082 vs 900, a 16.8% margin). Intel also wins in Passmark find prime numbers (64 vs 57).

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth support?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U supports 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G supports 51.2 GB/s. Intel's figure is 75% higher, reflecting its support for DDR5 memory.

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 5600G has 6 cores and 12 threads. Intel has double the core count but only two additional threads.

Q: Do both processors have the same production status?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G and the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U are listed as "Active" in production status, meaning both are currently available.

The Verdict

The data points to a simple conclusion: pick the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G for desktop workloads that favor raw multi-core power, and pick the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U for mobile systems or tasks that value single-thread speed and energy efficiency. The AMD chip wins the overall benchmark war with 11 victories, including decisive wins in Geekbench multi-core (8428 vs 6308, a 33.6% lead) and Passmark extended instructions (17334 vs 11340, a 52.9% advantage). These are not marginal gains; they indicate a substantial performance gap in heavy compute tasks.

However, the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U is not without merit. Its 15W TDP versus the AMD's 65W TDP makes it the obvious choice for laptops and portable devices. The Intel part also demonstrates superior single-core performance in Cinebench R23 (1561 vs 1409, a 9.7% edge) and better floating-point math (41331 vs 37830), which could matter for specific scientific or media applications. The AMD chip, with its 74th percentile ranking and higher average score, is the stronger overall performer, but the Intel chip's efficiency and targeted wins make it the right pick for power-constrained environments.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head data is the Geekbench multi-core test, where the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G scores 8428 against Intel’s 6308, a 33.6% advantage. This is the single largest delta between the two processors in any benchmark. The AMD chip extends its lead in Passmark extended instructions, where it scores 17334 versus 11340, a 52.9% margin that highlights its efficiency in AVX-style workloads. In Passmark data compression, the AMD part wins 249302 to 198858, a 25.4% lead, and in data encryption it takes 15247 against 12231, a 24.7% edge.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U fights back in several single-threaded metrics. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 1561 against AMD’s 1409, a 9.7% win. The Intel chip also wins Passmark physics with 1082 against 900, a 16.8% margin, and Passmark floating-point math with 41331 against 37830, an 8.5% lead. In Passmark find prime numbers, Intel takes 64 versus AMD’s 57, a 10.9% advantage. The single-thread Passmark tests show a narrower Intel win: 3296 versus 3177, a 3.6% difference.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ fundamentally in core configuration and power. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 125U has 12 cores and 14 threads. Base clocks diverge sharply: AMD runs at 3.90 GHz, while Intel sits at 1300.00 MHz. Boost clocks are closer, with AMD at 4.40 GHz and Intel at 4.30 GHz. The TDP gap is significant: AMD draws 65W, while Intel is rated at 15W. AMD uses the AMD Socket AM4, while Intel uses Intel BGA 2049. AMD's memory support is DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel supports DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s. PCIe lanes also differ: AMD offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while Intel provides Gen 4 with 12 lanes. Notably, the AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel chip is locked.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is stark. AMD's Ryzen 5 5600G is built on Zen 3 architecture with the Cezanne codename, fabricated on a 7 nm process by TSMC. Intel's Core Ultra 5 125U uses Meteor Lake architecture with the same codename, also on a 7 nm process but fabricated by Intel. The cache structures differ considerably: AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a 16 MB L3 cache. Intel offers 112 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, but only 12 MB of shared L3. AMD's die size is 180 mm² with 10,700 million transistors, while Intel's die size and transistor count are not provided. Integrated graphics also differ: AMD uses Radeon Vega 7, while Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG 64EU. The release dates show AMD launched on 2021-04-12, while Intel launched on 2023-12-13.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G is the clear winner for multi-threaded productivity. Its Geekbench multi-core score (8428) is 33.6% higher, and its Passmark multithread score (19717) beats Intel’s 17417 by 13.2%. It also wins in integer math (67344 vs 57046, an 18.1% lead), data compression (25.4% edge), and data encryption (24.7% edge). This makes it the stronger choice for video rendering, code compilation, and any workload that scales across cores. Its 65W TDP and AM4 socket also position it as a desktop part designed for sustained performance.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U wins in efficiency and specific single-thread tasks. Its 15W TDP makes it the only viable option for thin-and-light laptops. In terms of performance, it takes Passmark physics (1082 vs 900, a 16.8% win) and floating-point math (41331 vs 37830, an 8.5% win), suggesting an edge in physics simulations and certain scientific calculations. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score (1561) is 9.7% higher, and its Passmark single-thread score (3296) is 3.6% higher, making it slightly better for lightly-threaded applications like web browsing or office suites. The Intel chip also supports DDR5 memory with higher bandwidth (89.6 GB/s), which could benefit memory-sensitive tasks. For users who need a chip that sips power and handles single-threaded tasks efficiently, the Intel part wins. For everything else, the AMD chip is the data-backed choice.