AMD Ryzen 5 5600G vs Intel Core Ultra 7 268V Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G and Intel Core Ultra 7 268V represent two distinct approaches to x86 processing, separated by three years of silicon evolution and aimed at different market segments. The data shows a clear split: Intel dominates single-threaded and floating-point workloads, while AMD retains advantages in specific integer-heavy tasks. Their overall average benchmark scores are remarkably close—21088 for the AMD against 20897 for the Intel—placing both at the 74th percentile of all CPUs, yet the underlying architecture and performance distribution could hardly be more different.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results reveal a fragmented picture, with 10 wins for the Intel and 7 for the AMD across the shared test suite. The most decisive Intel victories come in prime number finding and physics simulations. In PassMark's find prime numbers test, the Core Ultra 7 268V scores 192 against the 5600G's 57, a 70.3% advantage—the largest delta in the entire comparison. Similarly, the PassMark physics test shows Intel leading 1617 to 900, a 44.3% gap. These results point to fundamentally superior per-clock execution efficiency in the Lunar Lake architecture.

Single-threaded performance is where the Intel part builds its strongest case. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows the Core Ultra 7 268V scoring 1921 versus 1409 for the Ryzen 5 5600G, a 26.7% lead. Geekbench single-core follows the same pattern at 2270 versus 1801, a 20.7% delta. PassMark single-thread confirms this with 4051 versus 3177, a 21.6% advantage. These are not marginal differences—they represent a generational leap in IPC and frequency capability, with the Intel part boosting to 5.00 GHz compared to the AMD's 4.40 GHz.

Floating-point math further extends the Intel lead. The PassMark floating point math test shows 57628 for Intel versus 37830 for AMD, a 34.4% delta. Cinebench R23 multi-core tells a closer story, however, with the Intel scoring 10653 against 10551 for the AMD—a mere 1% difference despite the AMD having 12 threads versus Intel's 8. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test actually favors the AMD, with 1724 versus 1616, a 6.7% win.

The AMD's wins are concentrated in integer and data-processing workloads. The PassMark integer math test delivers the largest AMD victory: 67344 versus 42669, a commanding 57.8% delta. Data compression shows a 37.4% advantage for AMD (249302 versus 181443), and data encryption a 10.7% edge (15247 versus 13779). Extended instructions and random string sorting both show 13.1% AMD leads, with scores of 17334 versus 15323 and 25354 versus 22416 respectively. The PassMark multithread test narrowly favors AMD at 19717 versus 19297, a 2.2% delta.

Architecture Differences

The two processors embody completely different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G uses the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm TSMC process, with a codename of Cezanne. It packs 6 cores and 12 threads, relying on simultaneous multithreading to handle parallel workloads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V uses the Lunar Lake architecture on a 3 nm TSMC process, with 8 cores and 8 threads—no SMT at all, relying instead on the efficiency of its core design.

Cache hierarchies diverge substantially. The AMD offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel counters with 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. This means the Intel has significantly more per-core cache capacity, which helps explain its single-threaded dominance.

The memory and I/O configurations are equally divergent. The AMD uses DDR4 memory with dual-channel support and a measured bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel's memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard, also dual-channel, but no bandwidth figure is available. The AMD runs PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Intel provides PCIe Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes. The Intel's much lower 4-lane count suggests a mobile-focused design where bandwidth is less critical.

Process node differences are stark: 7 nm versus 3 nm, both from TSMC. This explains the massive TDP divergence—the AMD draws 65 watts while the Intel is rated at just 17 watts. The AMD's die size is 180 mm² with 10,700 million transistors; the Intel's die size and transistor count are not listed in the data. Clock speeds also differ, with the AMD running at a 3.90 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost, while the Intel runs at 2.20 GHz base but boosts to 5.00 GHz.

Market positioning further separates them. The AMD is a desktop part on Socket AM4 with an unlocked multiplier, released in April 2021. The Intel is a mobile part on BGA 2833 with a locked multiplier, released in September 2024. The AMD ships with Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics, while the Intel uses Arc 140V.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V wins decisively in every single-threaded test. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1921 versus 1409 (26.7% delta), Geekbench single-core shows 2270 versus 1801 (20.7% delta), and PassMark single-thread shows 4051 versus 3177 (21.6% delta).

Q: How do the two compare in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The results are mixed. The AMD wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 6.7% (1724 versus 1616) and PassMark multithread by 2.2% (19717 versus 19297), but the Intel wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 1% (10653 versus 10551) and Geekbench multi-core by 15.4% (9963 versus 8428).

Q: What explains the AMD's large wins in integer math and data compression?

A: The AMD's 12 threads versus the Intel's 8 provide additional parallel execution capacity for certain workloads. The PassMark integer math test shows a 57.8% AMD advantage (67344 versus 42669), and data compression shows a 37.4% edge (249302 versus 181443). These workloads appear to scale well with the AMD's thread count.

Q: Is the Intel processor more power-efficient?

A: The TDP ratings suggest so. The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V is rated at 17 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G is rated at 65 watts. The Intel also uses a 3 nm process node versus the AMD's 7 nm, which typically enables higher efficiency.

Q: Which processor has higher boost clocks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600G peaks at 4.40 GHz. However, the AMD has a higher base clock at 3.90 GHz versus the Intel's 2.20 GHz.

Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?

A: They are nearly identical. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G has an average benchmark score of 21088, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V scores 20897. Both sit at the 74th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD's nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-1220P at 21066, while the Intel's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE at 20900.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 5 5600G | Intel Core Ultra 7 268V |

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

| Series | 5000 series | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.90 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 17 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Lunar Lake |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 3 nm |

| Transistors | 10,700 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 180 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | Depends on motherboard |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 7 | Arc 140V |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2021-04-12 | 2024-09-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $259 | Not listed |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V is the clear choice for any workload that prizes single-threaded execution speed. Its 26.7% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 21.6% lead in PassMark single-thread make it superior for lightly-threaded applications, interactive use, and tasks that depend on quick response to individual instructions. The 44.3% advantage in the PassMark physics test suggests strong performance in simulation and physics-based applications. The 34.4% lead in floating-point math indicates an edge for scientific computing, 3D rendering, and any task involving heavy FPU utilization. Its 70.3% dominance in prime number finding is notable for cryptography and number theory applications.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600G claims victory in workloads that benefit from its 12 threads and integer execution capabilities. The 57.8% lead in integer math is substantial, making it preferable for database operations, financial calculations, and other integer-heavy enterprise tasks. The 37.4% advantage in data compression suggests it handles archiving and file compression workloads more effectively. Its 10.7% edge in data encryption and 13.1% lead in extended instructions round out a profile suited to general-purpose productivity. The 2.2% win in PassMark multithread indicates competitive overall parallel performance despite the Intel's architectural advantages.

The decision ultimately hinges on the target workload. For mobile use, the Intel's 17-watt TDP and 3 nm process make it dramatically more efficient. For desktop builds where power draw is less critical, the AMD's unlocked multiplier and broader PCIe lane count offer different flexibility. The data shows a near-tie in overall capability, with the Intel winning 10 tests and the AMD winning 7, but the margins on each side reveal distinct specializations rather than a universal victor.