AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT vs Intel Core Ultra 5 135H Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT are a study in contrasts: a 14-core mobile Meteor Lake chip facing a 6-core desktop Zen 3 part. The benchmark data shows a genuine split, with each processor dominating distinct workloads. The Intel chip claims 7 wins, while the AMD chip takes 10, but the margins in those victories tell a more nuanced story about where each processor's architecture shines.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic divergence appears in Cinebench R23. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT posts a multicore score of 18724, which is 36.6% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H's 11875.5. The single-core gap is nearly as stark, with AMD leading by 35.7% (2643 versus 1700). This is not a minor edge; it is a generational chasm in sustained rendering workloads. The earlier Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore tests tell a different story, however. In R15 multicore, AMD wins by 9% (1887 versus 1718), and in R20 multicore the gap shrinks to just 0.4% (7864 versus 7834). The R23 result suggests that the AMD chip scales much better under prolonged, heavier multi-threaded loads, likely due to its larger 32 MB L3 cache.

The PassMark suite reveals where Intel fights back. The Core Ultra 5 135H wins floating point math by a massive 35.4% (54867 versus 40537). This is the single largest Intel victory in the entire dataset. The Intel part also takes integer math by 3.4% (73509 versus 71063), physics by 12.1% (1482 versus 1322), and random string sorting by 8.6% (28980 versus 26693). The multithread score is nearly a tie, with Intel edging ahead by 0.6% (22422 versus 22283). Single-thread performance also slightly favors Intel, at 1.5% (3521 versus 3469).

AMD's PassMark wins are more consistent but less extreme. Data compression goes to AMD by 2.1% (257118 versus 251651), data encryption by 5.8% (15944 versus 15026), and extended instructions by 13.9% (17450 versus 15028). The find prime numbers test is a decisive AMD victory at 37.8% (143 versus 89), which aligns with the R23 pattern of AMD dominating certain integer-heavy workloads. The data suggests that while AMD wins more tests, Intel's wins in floating point and physics are substantial enough to keep the overall average benchmark score nearly identical: 29093 for Intel versus 28940 for AMD, a spread of just 0.5%.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is fundamental. Intel's Core Ultra 5 135H is built on Meteor Lake, a 7 nm process from Intel's own foundry. It packs 14 cores and 18 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost of 4.60 GHz. The cache hierarchy is unusual: 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 18 MB L3. This is a mobile part, socketed into Intel BGA 2049, with a 28 W TDP. It also integrates Arc Xe-LPG 96EU graphics, making it a self-contained mobile solution.

AMD's Ryzen 5 5600XT is a desktop processor on the AM4 socket, using the Zen 3 architecture codenamed Vermeer. It is also on a 7 nm node, but fabricated by TSMC. The chip has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost of 4.70 GHz. Its cache layout is different: 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and a larger 32 MB shared L3. The TDP is 65 W, more than double Intel's. The AMD part has no integrated graphics, relies on DDR4 memory, and supports ECC memory, which Intel does not. AMD also offers a PCIe Gen 4 interface with 20 lanes, while Intel provides PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes.

The transistor counts and die sizes are telling. AMD lists 4,150 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. Intel does not provide these figures in the data. The memory bandwidth also differs sharply: Intel supports 89.6 GB/s, while AMD is limited to 51.2 GB/s. This bandwidth advantage may explain Intel's strong floating point and physics results, which often benefit from higher memory throughput. AMD's larger L3 cache, however, likely underpins its Cinebench R23 dominance, as more data can be held closer to the cores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H has 14 cores and 18 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite Intel's core advantage, AMD wins the majority of head-to-head benchmark tests (10 out of 17).

Q: Why does the AMD chip win Cinebench R23 by such a large margin?

A: AMD leads by 36.6% in R23 multicore (18724 versus 11875.5) and by 35.7% in single-core (2643 versus 1700). This is likely tied to its larger 32 MB L3 cache, which is double Intel's 18 MB, and its higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz versus Intel's 4.60 GHz.

Q: Where does Intel outperform AMD?

A: Intel wins floating point math by 35.4% (54867 versus 40537) and physics by 12.1% (1482 versus 1322). It also takes integer math, random string sorting, and single-thread tests, albeit by smaller margins of 3.4%, 8.6%, and 1.5% respectively.

Q: Are these processors in the same performance tier?

A: Yes. Both sit at the 81st percentile versus all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with Intel at 29093 and AMD at 28940, a difference of only 0.5%. In each other's nearestRivals lists, the deltaPct is a mere 0.5% in favor of Intel.

Q: Do these chips support the same memory and expansion?

A: No. Intel supports DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes. AMD supports DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth and PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. AMD also supports ECC memory, which Intel does not.

Q: Which chip has integrated graphics?

A: Only Intel. The Core Ultra 5 135H includes Arc Xe-LPG 96EU graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT has no integrated graphics at all, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split by workload type. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT is the choice for Cinebench-style rendering and integer-heavy computations. Its R23 multicore score is 36.6% higher, and it wins the find prime numbers test by 37.8%. For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, or scientific simulations that scale with cache and core clock, AMD's architecture delivers decisively better results.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H, however, wins the categories that matter for floating point math and physics. A 35.4% lead in floating point math and a 12.1% lead in physics suggests Intel's memory bandwidth advantage (89.6 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s) is being put to good use. For workloads like financial modeling, signal processing, or physics simulations, Intel is the stronger option.

In terms of overall average benchmark score, the two are inseparable: 29093 versus 28940. The percentile rankings are identical at 81. The deciding factor is not raw aggregate performance but the specific nature of the tasks. If the workload is cache-sensitive and integer-bound, AMD wins. If it is bandwidth-hungry and floating-point-heavy, Intel wins. The 65 W TDP of AMD versus 28 W for Intel also indicates that AMD requires a more robust cooling solution, but the data does not quantify the performance-per-watt tradeoff directly.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every major specification. Intel offers 14 cores and 18 threads, while AMD offers 6 cores and 12 threads. Intel's base clock is 3.60 GHz versus AMD's 3.70 GHz, and Intel's boost is 4.60 GHz versus AMD's 4.70 GHz. The TDP is 28 W for Intel and 65 W for AMD. Intel uses the BGA 2049 socket, while AMD uses AM4. The cache hierarchy is different: Intel has 112 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3; AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 32 MB shared L3. Intel supports DDR5, while AMD supports DDR4. Memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s for Intel and 51.2 GB/s for AMD. Intel has no ECC support; AMD does. Intel's PCIe is Gen 5 with 8 lanes; AMD's is Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Intel has integrated Arc Xe-LPG 96EU graphics; AMD has none. Intel is a mobile part, AMD is desktop. Intel's process node is 7 nm from Intel foundry; AMD's is 7 nm from TSMC. AMD reports 4,150 million transistors on a 74 mm² die; Intel does not report these. AMD has an unlocked multiplier; Intel does not. Intel has a launch MSRP of $342; AMD's launch MSRP is not listed.

Where Each One Wins

AMD Ryzen 5 5600XT wins in: Cinebench R15 multicore (9% lead), Cinebench R15 single-core (8.3%), Cinebench R20 multicore (0.4%), Cinebench R20 single-core (0.5%), Cinebench R23 multicore (36.6%), Cinebench R23 single-core (35.7%), data compression (2.1%), data encryption (5.8%), extended instructions (13.9%), and find prime numbers (37.8%). This is a processor for rendering, compression workloads, and any task that leverages its 32 MB L3 cache.

Intel Core Ultra 5 135H wins in: floating point math (35.4%), integer math (3.4%), multithread (0.6%), physics (12.1%), random string sorting (8.6%), and single-thread (1.5%). This is a processor for physics simulations, floating-point-heavy scientific computing, and tasks that benefit from its 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth. The mobile form factor with integrated graphics also makes it viable for compact systems, whereas AMD requires a discrete GPU.