AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 228V Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V and AMD Ryzen 5 5600X represent two very different philosophies in processor design. The Ultra 5 228V is a low-power mobile chip built on a leading-edge 3 nm process, while the 5600X is a desktop part from 2020 built on 7 nm. The benchmark data shows a fascinating split: AMD dominates heavily threaded workloads, while Intel counters with commanding single-thread and floating-point victories. The overall win count is nearly even at 7 vs 8, but the magnitude of the wins tells a more nuanced story about which processor excels in which environment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X holds a slight edge in average benchmark score at 21771, compared to the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V's 21440. This places both chips at the 75th percentile of all CPUs, making them statistically similar in overall performance.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V is the clear winner in single-threaded tests. It leads by 14.1% in Passmark's single-thread test (3836 vs 3364) and by 14.1% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1758 vs 1541). In Cinebench R15 single-core, the margin narrows to 5.1% (267 vs 254).

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X dominates multi-core benchmarks. It leads by 16.1% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (11838 vs 9932) and by 23.7% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (1968 vs 1502.5). The Passmark multi-thread test shows a 16.6% advantage for AMD (21858 vs 18227).

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer physical cores, the 5600X's simultaneous multithreading allows it to process more threads simultaneously.

Q: Do these processors use the same manufacturing process?

A: No. The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V is built on a 3 nm process at TSMC, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X uses a 7 nm process, also at TSMC. The 228V's smaller process node is a key factor in its dramatically lower 17 W TDP compared to the 5600X's 65 W TDP.

Q: Which chip has faster memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has a listed memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s with DDR4 support. The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V's memory bandwidth is not specified in the data, and its memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial, reflecting their different target markets and release timelines. The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V is part of the Lunar Lake family, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. It features 8 cores and 8 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. The chip has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The 228V features integrated Arc 130V graphics and uses the Intel BGA 2833 socket, clearly targeting the mobile segment. It supports PCIe Gen 5 with 4 lanes for the CPU.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is a desktop processor based on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer. It uses a 7 nm process with 4,150 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. The chip has 6 cores and 12 threads, enabling simultaneous multithreading. Clocks are higher at 3.70 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost. The cache layout differs significantly: 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and a much larger 32 MB shared L3 cache. The 5600X uses the AMD Socket AM4 and supports ECC memory, which the Intel chip does not. It also has PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, and its 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth is explicitly stated.

The TDP figures are starkly contrasting: the Intel chip sips power at 17 W, while the AMD part draws 65 W. The 5600X has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclocking-friendly, while the 228V is locked. The 5600X launched on November 4, 2020, nearly four years before the 228V's September 23, 2024 release date. Both chips are actively in production, but they serve entirely different form factors and use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear pattern of dominance in different workload types. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X takes the lead in 8 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V wins 7. However, the margin of victory varies dramatically between the two.

Starting with the AMD wins, the largest gap appears in Passmark integer math, where the 5600X scores 71161 versus the 228V's 39679, a massive 44.2% advantage. Data compression also heavily favors AMD, with a score of 252306 compared to 173924, a 31.1% lead. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows AMD ahead by 23.7% (1968 vs 1502.5). In Cinebench R23 multi-core, AMD leads 11838 to 9932, a 16.1% margin. The Passmark multi-thread test shows a 16.6% advantage for AMD (21858 vs 18227). Data encryption favors AMD by 16.9% (15685 vs 13032), while random string sorting shows a 19.1% lead for AMD (26256 vs 21254). Extended instructions also go to AMD with a 12.9% margin (16991 vs 14801).

The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V's victories are equally decisive in their respective categories. The most striking win is in Passmark floating-point math, where Intel scores 53310 against AMD's 39487, a 35% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel leads 1758 to 1541, a 14.1% margin. The Passmark single-thread test mirrors this exactly, with Intel winning 3836 to 3364, also a 14.1% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a narrower 5.1% win for Intel (267 vs 254). Passmark physics goes to Intel by 16.9% (1538 vs 1316), and the find prime numbers test shows Intel ahead by 25.4% (168 vs 134).

The aggregate picture shows AMD's multi-threaded and integer-heavy workloads winning by large margins, while Intel's single-thread, floating-point, and physics scores dominate. The 5600X's 12 threads clearly give it an advantage in parallel workloads, while the 228V's newer architecture excels in tasks that benefit from higher instructions per clock.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has 6 cores but 12 threads. Base clocks differ, with Intel at 2.10 GHz and AMD at 3.70 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, at 4.50 GHz for Intel and 4.60 GHz for AMD. The TDP is a major differentiator: 17 W for Intel versus 65 W for AMD.

Cache configurations are distinctly different. The Intel chip has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of L3. Manufacturing process differs as well, with Intel on 3 nm and AMD on 7 nm, both at TSMC. The AMD chip has stated transistor count of 4,150 million and die size of 74 mm², while these figures are not provided for the Intel part.

Socket and platform support are entirely different: Intel uses BGA 2833, while AMD uses Socket AM4. The Intel chip has integrated Arc 130V graphics, while the AMD chip has no integrated graphics. PCIe support differs, with Intel offering Gen 5 with 4 lanes and AMD offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Memory support also diverges, with AMD explicitly supporting DDR4 at 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel's memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard. ECC memory is supported on AMD but not on Intel. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel chip is locked. The 5600X has a launch MSRP of $299, while the 228V has no listed MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is the clear choice for multi-threaded productivity workloads. Its 12 threads deliver a 16.1% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 23.7% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core. The 44.2% margin in integer math and 31.1% lead in data compression make it the superior option for number-crunching applications, database operations, and file compression tasks. The 16.9% advantage in data encryption also positions it well for security-related workloads. Random string sorting, a task often used in data processing, shows a 19.1% lead for AMD. Users running heavily threaded rendering, video encoding, or scientific simulations will find the 5600X substantially faster.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V is the winner in scenarios that favor single-thread performance and floating-point calculations. Its 14.1% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and matching 14.1% advantage in Passmark single-thread show it is the better chip for lightly threaded applications. The 35% lead in floating-point math is the largest of any benchmark in the comparison, making the 228V ideal for scientific computing, financial modeling, and other FPU-intensive tasks. The 25.4% advantage in finding prime numbers indicates superior performance in certain algorithmic workloads. The 16.9% lead in physics simulation makes it a candidate for gaming and physics-based applications. Its 17 W TDP versus 65 W for AMD, combined with integrated graphics, makes it the only viable option for thin-and-light laptops where power efficiency is paramount.

The choice ultimately comes down to form factor and workload. For a desktop user focused on heavily threaded productivity, the 5600X offers superior raw throughput. For a mobile user needing strong single-thread and floating-point performance in an ultra-low-power package, the 228V is the clear winner. The 5600X's unlocked multiplier also appeals to enthusiasts, while the 228V's integrated graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems.