AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 135U Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U and AMD Ryzen 5 5600X are fundamentally different processor classes, one a low-power mobile part and the other a desktop enthusiast chip. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X dominates in almost every multi-threaded and legacy workload, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U secures narrow wins in specific modern single-core and floating-point tests. The recorded win count is 13 for the AMD and 2 for the Intel, a decisive margin, but the nature of those wins tells the full story.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is the clear winner for sustained, heavy, and parallel workloads. It takes the Cinebench R15 multicore test with a score of 1968 against 1634, a 17% advantage, and extends that lead in Cinebench R23 multicore with 11838 versus 9315, a 21.3% gap. The PassMark suite reinforces this pattern: the AMD wins data compression (252306 vs 196712, 22% ahead), data encryption (15685 vs 12195, 22.3% ahead), integer math (71161 vs 56864, 20.1% ahead), and multithread (21858 vs 17359, 20.6% ahead). Its largest victory is in find prime numbers, where it scores 134 versus 64, a 52.2% lead, showing a massive advantage in this specific integer-heavy task. The AMD also wins extended instructions by 34.4%, physics by 14.7%, and random string sorting by 17.7%.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U wins only two recorded benchmarks, but both are meaningful. It wins Cinebench R23 singlecore with 1563 versus 1541, a slim 1.4% edge, and PassMark floating point math with 41232 versus 39487, a 4.4% advantage. These wins point to the Intel part having a slight edge in lightly-threaded modern rendering and in floating-point throughput, but the margin is small. The single-thread PassMark score is nearly a tie, with AMD ahead by just 0.6% (3364 vs 3343), so the Intel lead in Cinebench R23 singlecore is not part of a broader single-thread dominance. The data shows the AMD chip is the workhorse, while the Intel chip has isolated strengths that do not translate into overall performance leadership.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on the same 7 nm process node but come from different foundries, Intel for the Core Ultra 5 135U and TSMC for the Ryzen 5 5600X. The Intel part uses the Meteor Lake architecture, a hybrid design with 12 cores and 14 threads, while the AMD uses the older but efficient Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer, with 6 cores and 12 threads. The core count difference is significant, Intel has double the cores but only two extra threads, indicating a mix of performance and efficiency cores. The AMD part has fewer cores but each is a full performance core, which is reflected in its higher base clock of 3.70 GHz versus 1.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz versus 4.40 GHz.

The cache layout is a major differentiator. The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U has 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 12 MB L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has a smaller 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, but a much larger 32 MB shared L3 cache. This larger L3 cache is a hallmark of the Zen 3 design and contributes to the AMD's dominance in many multi-threaded tasks, as it reduces memory latency for frequently accessed data. The Intel part has a higher memory bandwidth rating of 89.6 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s, but this is offset by the AMD's larger cache and higher clocks in practice.

The Intel part supports DDR5 memory, with support depending on the motherboard, while the AMD part is limited to DDR4. The Intel chip integrates Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has no integrated graphics at all. This is a critical distinction for system builders. The Intel part is a mobile BGA 2049 socket chip with a 15 W TDP, while the AMD is a desktop AM4 socket chip with a 65 W TDP. The AMD also supports ECC memory, which the Intel does not, and has more PCIe lanes, 20 versus 12, both Gen 4. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, while the Intel does not.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded data, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is the superior processor for performance-critical applications. It wins 13 out of 15 head-to-head benchmarks, with margins ranging from 0.6% to 52.2%. The largest wins are in compute-heavy tasks like prime number finding, extended instructions, and data encryption, where it leads by 20% or more. For anyone building a desktop system for rendering, compression, or heavy multitasking, the AMD chip is the only choice from this comparison. Its higher TDP of 65 W versus 15 W reflects its desktop positioning and ability to sustain high clocks across all cores.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U is not a performance leader, but it is a mobile processor with integrated graphics. Its 12 cores and 14 threads do not overcome the AMD's higher clock speeds and larger cache. The Intel part wins only in Cinebench R23 singlecore and floating point math, with margins of 1.4% and 4.4% respectively. These are narrow wins that do not compensate for the 21.3% deficit in Cinebench R23 multicore or the 20.6% deficit in PassMark multithread. The Intel chip is for a thin-and-light laptop where power consumption and integrated graphics are priorities, not for maximizing raw throughput. The data shows a clear verdict: pick the AMD for performance, pick the Intel only if the mobile form factor and iGPU are non-negotiable.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is significantly faster in multi-core tests. It scores 11838 in Cinebench R23 multicore versus 9315 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U, a 21.3% lead. In PassMark multithread, the AMD scores 21858 versus 17359, a 20.6% advantage.

Q: Is the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U better for single-threaded tasks?

A: The Intel chip wins Cinebench R23 singlecore with 1563 versus 1541, a 1.4% margin. However, in PassMark single thread, the AMD wins with 3364 versus 3343, a 0.6% lead. The Intel advantage is limited to that one test, not a general single-thread superiority.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X scores 134 versus 64 for the Intel, a 52.2% advantage. This indicates a massive difference in this specific integer workload.

Q: Does the Intel processor have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U includes Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has no integrated graphics, meaning a discrete GPU is required for any display output.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 135U does not. This makes the AMD more suitable for workstation or server environments where error correction is critical.

Q: How do the memory bandwidth ratings compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U has a higher rated memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is rated at 51.2 GB/s. Despite this, the AMD achieves higher scores in memory-sensitive benchmarks like data compression, due to its larger 32 MB L3 cache.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive benchmark is PassMark find prime numbers, where the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X scores 134 against the Intel's 64, a 52.2% lead. This is not a close contest and highlights the AMD's superior integer execution. The extended instructions test shows a similar story, with AMD scoring 16991 versus 11144, a 34.4% gap. These are the two largest deltas in the entire comparison, and they show the AMD chip is vastly more efficient at these specific math operations.

In the Cinebench suite, the AMD wins multicore tests by large margins but loses singlecore R23 by a hair. The R15 multicore score is 1968 for AMD versus 1634 for Intel, a 17% deficit for the Intel part. The R23 multicore score is 11838 for AMD versus 9315 for Intel, a 21.3% deficit. Conversely, the R23 singlecore score is 1563 for Intel versus 1541 for AMD, a 1.4% win for Intel. This shows that Intel's hybrid architecture can keep up in lightly-threaded modern workloads, but falls apart when all cores are engaged.

The PassMark multithread and integer math tests confirm the AMD's dominance in parallel processing. The AMD scores 21858 in multithread versus 17359, a 20.6% win, and 71161 in integer math versus 56864, a 20.1% win. The data compression and encryption tests follow suit, with AMD ahead by 22% and 22.3% respectively. The only Intel win outside of Cinebench R23 singlecore is floating point math, where it scores 41232 versus 39487, a 4.4% lead. This is a notable victory, but it is isolated and does not offset the broader pattern. The AMD also wins the smaller tests: physics by 14.7%, random string sorting by 17.7%, and single thread by 0.6%. The overall head-to-head record is 13 wins for AMD and 2 for Intel, a clear statement of performance hierarchy.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135U and AMD Ryzen 5 5600X differ on nearly every core specification. The Intel part has 12 cores and 14 threads, while the AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clock is 1.60 GHz for Intel versus 3.70 GHz for AMD, and the boost clock is 4.40 GHz for Intel versus 4.60 GHz for AMD. The TDP is 15 W for Intel versus 65 W for AMD, reflecting their mobile and desktop designs respectively. The Intel processor uses the Intel BGA 2049 socket, while the AMD uses AMD Socket AM4.

The cache hierarchy is different: Intel has 112 KB L1 per core and 2 MB L2 per core, while AMD has 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2. The L3 cache is 12 MB shared for Intel versus 32 MB for AMD. Memory support differs, with Intel supporting DDR5 and AMD supporting DDR4, both dual-channel. The memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s for Intel and 51.2 GB/s for AMD. ECC memory is supported only on the AMD. PCIe lanes are 12 for Intel and 20 for AMD, both Gen 4. The Intel part has integrated Arc Xe-LPG 64EU graphics, while the AMD has none. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier, but the Intel does not. The process node is 7 nm for both, but the foundry is Intel for the former and TSMC for the latter. The AMD has 4,150 million transistors on a 74 mm² die, while the Intel die size and transistor count are not recorded.