AMD Ryzen 5 5600U vs Intel Core i5-9600KF Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head results split evenly, with each processor taking three wins. However, the margins tell a more nuanced story than the win count alone.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600U dominates the Cinebench R15 tests. In multi-core, the AMD scores 1321 against Intel's 911, a 31% advantage. The single-core gap is even wider: 223 versus 128, a 42.6% deficit for the Intel part. These are substantial margins, indicating the Zen 3 architecture's efficiency advantage in this older benchmark generation.

The Intel Core i5-9600KF strikes back in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 9047 versus 7792.5, a 16.1% lead. This reversal suggests that the newer R23 workload scales differently, favoring the Intel chip's higher sustained clock capability under desktop power limits. In single-core R23, however, the AMD still leads, 1371 versus 1277, though the margin narrows to 6.9%.

The Geekbench results favor Intel but by much smaller margins. Multi-core shows 6184 for Intel versus 6043 for AMD, a 2.3% difference. Single-core is closer still: 1595 versus 1567, a 1.8% edge for Intel. These near-parity results indicate that in some workloads, the two processors are effectively equivalent despite their architectural differences.

The average benchmark scores place the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U slightly ahead overall, at 3053 versus 2935 for Intel. Both sit at the 52nd percentile among all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for Intel include the Intel Core i7-9850H with an average score of 2934 (0% delta), the AMD Ryzen Embedded V3C14 at 2921 (0.5% higher), and the Intel Xeon E-2278GEL at 2956 (0.7% lower). For AMD, the closest competitors are the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 7330U at 3063 (0.3% higher), the Intel Xeon E5-2618L v3 at 3066 (0.4% higher), the AMD Ryzen 7 4980U at 3066 (0.4% higher), and the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X at 3068 (0.5% higher).

What emerges from the data is a workload-dependent picture. The AMD chip wins decisively in R15, while Intel wins decisively in R23 multi-core. The Geekbench results are effectively a tie. This pattern suggests that neither processor has a universal performance advantage; the outcome depends heavily on the benchmark's characteristics and the underlying architectural differences.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600U leads with a score of 1371, which is 6.9% higher than the Intel Core i5-9600KF's 1277.

Q: How does the Intel processor perform in Cinebench R23 multi-core relative to the AMD?

A: The Intel Core i5-9600KF scores 9047, which is 16.1% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U's 7792.5 in this test.

Q: What is the largest performance gap recorded between the two processors?

A: The biggest gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U scores 223 versus 128 for the Intel, a 42.6% advantage.

Q: Are the Geekbench results close between the two?

A: Yes, the multi-core scores are 6184 for Intel and 6043 for AMD, a 2.3% difference. The single-core scores are 1595 versus 1567, a 1.8% difference in Intel's favor.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600U has an average benchmark score of 3053, while the Intel Core i5-9600KF averages 2935.

Q: How do the win counts compare in the head-to-head benchmarks?

A: They are tied at three wins each. The AMD wins Cinebench R15 multi-core, R15 single-core, and R23 single-core, while Intel wins R23 multi-core, Geekbench multi-core, and Geekbench single-core.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-9600KF is built on a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry, using the Coffee Lake architecture. It is a desktop part with a 95 W TDP, designed for high sustained power delivery. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600U uses a 7 nm process from TSMC, employs the Zen 3 architecture under the Cezanne-U codename, and is a mobile part with a 15 W TDP, designed for power efficiency in laptops.

The transistor counts differ substantially. The AMD chip integrates 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. The Intel processor's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database, but the node difference alone suggests a significant density advantage for the AMD part.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 differs: Intel provides 256 KB per core while AMD provides 512 KB per core. The shared L3 cache is also different, with Intel offering 9 MB shared versus AMD's 16 MB shared. This larger cache pool on the AMD side can benefit workloads with high data reuse.

Thread support is another major distinction. The Intel Core i5-9600KF has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600U has 6 cores and 12 threads, effectively doubling the thread count through SMT. This directly explains the AMD's strong multi-threaded performance in R15, where thread scaling is more pronounced.

Integrated graphics are present only on the AMD side, with Radeon Vega 7. The Intel part has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output. The Intel multiplier is unlocked, while the AMD multiplier is locked, reflecting their different target markets.

Specification Differences

The socket and platform targets are entirely different. Intel uses Socket 1151 for desktop systems, while AMD uses Socket FP6 for mobile laptops. The memory bandwidth figures differ: Intel lists 42.7 GB/s versus AMD's 51.2 GB/s, both over dual-channel DDR4. Neither supports ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs in lane count and configuration. Intel provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only). This gives the Intel desktop part more room for expansion cards, though the mobile AMD part has less need for it.

Clock speeds are notably different. The Intel base clock is 3.70 GHz with a boost of 4.60 GHz. The AMD base clock is 2.30 GHz with a boost of 4.20 GHz. The Intel part has a higher base clock by 1.40 GHz and a higher boost by 0.40 GHz, which helps explain its competitive performance despite the architectural differences.

The production status differs: Intel is end-of-life, while AMD is active. The release dates are also different, with Intel launching in January 2019 and AMD in January 2021, a two-year gap. The AMD belongs to the 5000 series, while the Intel has no series designation in the database.

The market segments are opposite: Intel is a desktop processor, AMD is a mobile processor. The TDP difference of 80 W (95 W versus 15 W) reflects this fundamental positioning. The Intel part is designed for systems with robust cooling and power delivery, while the AMD is designed for battery-powered laptops.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but complex picture. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600U wins in Cinebench R15 by wide margins and takes the R23 single-core test, while the Intel Core i5-9600KF wins R23 multi-core decisively and edges out Geekbench results by small amounts.

For users prioritizing older benchmark workloads, particularly those that scale well with threads, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600U is the stronger choice. Its 31% lead in R15 multi-core and 42.6% lead in R15 single-core are the largest margins recorded in the entire head-to-head set. The 12 threads versus 6 threads likely contribute significantly to the multi-core advantage.

For users whose workloads resemble Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i5-9600KF is preferable. Its 16.1% advantage in that test is substantial, and the higher base and boost clocks (3.70 GHz and 4.60 GHz versus 2.30 GHz and 4.20 GHz) likely support sustained performance in longer rendering tasks.

The Geekbench results suggest that for general-purpose computing, the two processors are nearly interchangeable. The Intel leads by 2.3% in multi-core and 1.8% in single-core, margins that fall within normal run-to-run variance for many workloads.

The average benchmark score slightly favors AMD, 3053 versus 2935, a 4% difference. However, both sit at the same 52nd percentile, indicating similar overall standing among all CPUs in the database.

The choice ultimately depends on the target platform and workload profile. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600U is a mobile processor with integrated graphics, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where power efficiency matters. The Intel Core i5-9600KF is a desktop processor with no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU and a more robust cooling solution. The Intel's unlocked multiplier offers overclocking potential, while the AMD's locked multiplier does not.

For mobile users running a mix of productivity and lighter multi-threaded tasks, the AMD's combination of thread count, cache size, and efficiency makes it the data-supported pick. For desktop users with dedicated graphics and workloads that stress sustained multi-core performance, particularly in R23-style rendering, the Intel part holds the advantage. The split decision in wins and the workload-dependent margins mean there is no universal winner, only the right tool for the right job.