AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS vs Intel Core i5-10600KF Comparison

Intel Core i5-10600KF and AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS occupy very different positions in the processor landscape. The Intel part is a desktop chip built on Comet Lake, while the AMD part is a mobile processor from the 7000 series using Zen 3+. The recorded benchmark data shows a clear overall winner in the Intel Core i5-10600KF, which takes 16 of 17 head-to-head tests. However, the AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS is not without its own strengths, particularly in specific workloads where its architecture and feature set give it an edge. The following analysis breaks down where each processor wins, the architectural reasons behind those results, and what the measurements indicate for different use cases.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-10600KF dominates the majority of benchmark comparisons. In multi-threaded rendering workloads, the Intel part leads consistently. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 12003 against the AMD chip's 10418, a margin of 15.2 percent. This pattern repeats across Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests, where the Intel processor leads by 15.1 percent and 15.2 percent respectively. The Intel part also wins in single-threaded Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel chip scores 1694, while the AMD chip scores 1470, again a 15.2 percent advantage.

Beyond rendering, the Intel Core i5-10600KF shows substantial leads in several PassMark workloads. The largest gap appears in random string sorting, where the Intel chip scores 26532 versus the AMD chip's 15294, a 73.5 percent advantage. Data compression also favors Intel heavily, with a score of 211643 compared to 152168, a 39.1 percent lead. Physics calculations show a 41.1 percent advantage for Intel, with scores of 810 versus 574. Prime number finding favors Intel by 45.2 percent, and extended instruction workloads show a 30.1 percent lead. Floating point math and integer math also go to Intel, with leads of 27.8 percent and 18.3 percent respectively.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS has one clear winning area: data encryption. In the PassMark data encryption test, the AMD chip scores 9051, while the Intel chip scores only 4832. This gives AMD a 46.6 percent advantage in that specific workload. This is the only benchmark in the head-to-head comparison where the AMD processor wins. The result indicates that the AMD chip's architecture handles encryption operations more efficiently, likely due to hardware features that accelerate cryptographic tasks. For users focused on encryption-heavy workloads, this is a meaningful advantage, but it stands alone in an otherwise Intel-dominated comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing processes. The Intel Core i5-10600KF uses the Comet Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process at Intel's foundry. It features 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 4.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The thermal design power is rated at 95 watts, reflecting its desktop orientation. The chip uses the Intel Socket 1200 and supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration, providing 42.7 GB/s of memory bandwidth.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS uses the Zen 3+ architecture, specifically the Rembrandt-R codename. It is manufactured on a 6 nm process at TSMC, a significantly more advanced node compared to Intel's 14 nm. The chip has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The thermal design power is 45 watts, which is typical for a mobile processor. The AMD chip uses the AMD Socket FP7 and supports DDR5 memory with dual-channel configuration, delivering 76.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The die size is listed at 210 mm².

Cache configurations also differ. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache differs: Intel has 256 KB per core, while AMD has 512 KB per core. The L3 cache is 12 MB shared on Intel and 8 MB shared on AMD. The larger L2 cache on the AMD chip may help in certain workloads, though the benchmark data shows Intel winning most cache-sensitive tests.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The Intel chip supports DDR4, while the AMD chip supports DDR5. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, which Intel does not. PCIe capabilities differ as well: Intel provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The AMD chip includes integrated graphics in the form of Radeon 660M, whereas the Intel chip has no integrated graphics. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD chip does not.

The manufacturing process difference is notable. The 6 nm TSMC process used by AMD is more advanced than Intel's 14 nm process, which could contribute to the AMD chip's lower power consumption and higher memory bandwidth. However, the benchmark results indicate that the Intel chip's higher core count and clock speeds compensate for the older process in most workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core rendering?

A: The Intel Core i5-10600KF is consistently faster in multi-core rendering. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 12003 versus 10418 for the AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS, a 15.2 percent advantage. Similar margins appear in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the AMD chip wins the PassMark data encryption test with a score of 9051, compared to 4832 for the Intel chip. This represents a 46.6 percent advantage for AMD in that specific workload. It is the only benchmark in the head-to-head comparison where AMD comes out ahead.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-10600KF leads in single-threaded tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 1694 versus 1470 for AMD, a 15.2 percent margin. In PassMark single-thread, the lead narrows to just 1.2 percent, with Intel scoring 2908 and AMD scoring 2873.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-10600KF has 6 cores and 12 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS has 4 cores and 8 threads. The higher core count on the Intel chip contributes to its multi-threaded performance advantage.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS supports DDR5 memory with dual-channel configuration and 76.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Intel Core i5-10600KF supports DDR4 memory with 42.7 GB/s of memory bandwidth.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS includes integrated graphics in the form of Radeon 660M. The Intel Core i5-10600KF does not have integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification. The Intel Core i5-10600KF has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 4.10 GHz for Intel and 3.20 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks are 4.80 GHz for Intel and 4.20 GHz for AMD. Thermal design power is 95 watts for Intel and 45 watts for AMD. The Intel chip uses the Intel Socket 1200, while the AMD chip uses the AMD Socket FP7.

The manufacturing process differs significantly: Intel uses 14 nm, while AMD uses 6 nm. The foundry also differs, with Intel using its own foundry and AMD using TSMC. The L2 cache is 256 KB per core on Intel and 512 KB per core on AMD. The L3 cache is 12 MB shared on Intel and 8 MB shared on AMD. Memory support differs: Intel uses DDR4, AMD uses DDR5. Memory bandwidth is 42.7 GB/s for Intel and 76.8 GB/s for AMD. ECC memory support is present on AMD but not on Intel. PCIe configuration differs: Intel has Gen 3 with 16 lanes, AMD has Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics are present on AMD (Radeon 660M) but absent on Intel. The multiplier is unlocked on Intel but locked on AMD. The market segment is desktop for Intel and mobile for AMD.

The die size is listed only for AMD at 210 mm². The release date is listed only for Intel, dated 2020-04-29. The part numbers also differ: SRH6S for Intel and 100-000001507 for AMD. Both processors have an active production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data reveals a clear pattern of Intel dominance, with one notable exception. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Core i5-10600KF scores 1209 against the AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS's 1050, a 15.1 percent lead. Cinebench R15 single-core shows Intel winning 170 to 148, a 14.9 percent margin. Cinebench R20 multi-core goes to Intel at 5041 versus 4375, a 15.2 percent lead. Cinebench R20 single-core also favors Intel, with 711 versus 617, another 15.2 percent margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core both show Intel winning by 15.2 percent, with scores of 12003 versus 10418 and 1694 versus 1470 respectively.

In PassMark workloads, the margins vary widely. Data compression heavily favors Intel, with a score of 211643 versus 152168, a 39.1 percent lead. Data encryption is the exception, with AMD winning 9051 to 4832, a 46.6 percent advantage for AMD. Extended instructions favor Intel at 14167 versus 10887, a 30.1 percent lead. Prime number finding goes to Intel at 45 versus 31, a 45.2 percent margin. Floating point math favors Intel at 29521 versus 23091, a 27.8 percent lead. Integer math goes to Intel at 47508 versus 40174, an 18.3 percent margin. Multi-thread performance favors Intel at 14169 versus 12243, a 15.7 percent lead. Physics shows Intel winning 810 to 574, a 41.1 percent margin. Random string sorting is the largest Intel win, with 26532 versus 15294, a 73.5 percent lead. Single-thread tests show the smallest margin, with Intel winning 2908 to 2873, just 1.2 percent ahead.

The overall benchmark score averages place the AMD chip slightly ahead at 16902, compared to Intel's 16228. Both processors sit at the 70th percentile among all CPUs. The nearest rivals for the Intel chip include the Intel Core i7-10850H, which scores 16204, and the Intel Core 3 100U, which scores 16148. For the AMD chip, the nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7702, which scores 16932, and the Intel Core i3-12100E, which scores 16853.

The data shows that the Intel Core i5-10600KF is the stronger processor in almost every measured workload. Its advantages in rendering, math, compression, and physics make it suitable for general productivity and content creation. The AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS, despite its lower core count and clock speeds, offers competitive single-thread performance and a significant edge in encryption, along with advantages in memory bandwidth and integrated graphics. The choice between the two depends on the specific workload, but the benchmark record clearly favors the Intel part in most scenarios.