AMD Ryzen 5 8600G vs Intel Core 5 211E Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-threaded performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G leads in Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 21503, compared to 20389 for the Intel Core 5 211E, a 5.5% advantage.

Q: Which processor is better for integer-heavy workloads?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E wins PassMark integer math with 88117 versus 77042 for the AMD, a 12.6% lead in that specific test.

Q: How do the two compare in single-threaded PassMark testing?

A: Intel leads narrowly in PassMark single-thread with 4006 versus 3878 for AMD, a 3.2% difference.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Core 5 211E supports ECC memory; the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G does not.

Q: What integrated graphics does each processor use?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G uses Radeon 760M graphics, while the Intel Core 5 211E uses UHD Graphics 730.

Q: What is the difference in their launch MSRPs?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G has a launch MSRP of $229, and the Intel Core 5 211E has a launch MSRP of $221.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G takes the majority of the head-to-head benchmark comparisons, winning 11 of the 17 recorded tests. Its dominance is most pronounced in Cinebench across every version and thread count. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 2167 against 2055 for Intel, and the same 5.5% margin repeats in R15 single-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. The consistency of that 5.5% delta across all six Cinebench tests indicates a stable architectural advantage in rendering and general CPU compute rather than a workload-specific quirk.

AMD also wins in more specialized PassMark tests. The find-prime-numbers workload shows the largest gap of any benchmark, with AMD at 96 versus Intel at 43, a 123.3% difference. PassMark physics similarly favors AMD by 106.6%, with scores of 1450 and 702. Extended instructions go to AMD at 22610 versus 21592, a 4.7% margin, and random string sorting goes to AMD at 35067 versus 34308, a 2.2% edge. PassMark multithread also lands in AMD's favor at 25294 versus 23833, a 6.1% win.

The Intel Core 5 211E wins 6 of the 17 tests, and its victories cluster in integer, floating-point, and encryption workloads. The largest Intel win is PassMark floating-point math, 66402 versus 47919, a 27.8% margin. PassMark data compression goes to Intel by 15.4%, 346757 versus 293306. Integer math favors Intel by 12.6%, 88117 versus 77042. Data encryption is a closer Intel win, 17938 versus 17181, a 4.2% gap. In PassMark single-thread, Intel edges AMD 4006 to 3878, a 3.2% margin.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Phoenix codename, fabricated on a 4 nm process by TSMC. Intel's Core 5 211E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, fabricated on a 10 nm process by Intel. The process difference is substantial, and the transistor counts reflect it: AMD lists 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die, while Intel does not list a transistor count but carries a 257 mm² die.

Core configurations differ sharply. AMD uses 6 cores and 12 threads, while Intel uses 10 cores and 16 threads. That gives Intel four extra physical cores and four extra threads, yet AMD still wins most multi-threaded benchmarks due to its higher per-core efficiency and clock speeds.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The AMD chip allocates 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Intel allocates 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. Intel's larger cache per core and larger L3 pool support its compression and integer math strengths.

Memory support differs as well. AMD supports only DDR5, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both run dual-channel memory, but AMD's maximum memory bandwidth is 83.2 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for Intel. ECC memory is supported only on the Intel part. PCIe connectivity also diverges: AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Clock speeds separate the two further. AMD runs a 4.30 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost, while Intel runs a 2.70 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost. Both have a 65 W TDP. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking; the Intel multiplier is locked. AMD's integrated graphics is Radeon 760M, Intel's is UHD Graphics 730. AMD uses Socket AM5, Intel uses Socket 1700. AMD released on 2024-01-07, Intel on 2025-01-12.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every core specification. AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads; Intel has 10 cores and 16 threads. AMD's base clock is 4.30 GHz versus 2.70 GHz for Intel, and AMD's boost clock is 5.00 GHz versus 4.90 GHz. Both share a 65 W TDP.

Cache sizes differ at every level. AMD uses 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Intel uses 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3.

Memory specifications split cleanly. AMD supports DDR5 only; Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. Both are dual-channel, but AMD's bandwidth is 83.2 GB/s and Intel's is 76.8 GB/s. ECC memory is absent on AMD and present on Intel.

PCIe generation and lane counts differ: AMD is Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), Intel is Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The socket differs, with AMD on AM5 and Intel on Socket 1700. Process node differs, 4 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel. Die size differs, 178 mm² versus 257 mm². AMD lists 25,000 million transistors; Intel does not list a transistor count.

Integrated graphics differ: Radeon 760M on AMD versus UHD Graphics 730 on Intel. The AMD multiplier is unlocked; Intel's is locked. Release dates are 2024-01-07 for AMD and 2025-01-12 for Intel. Launch MSRP is $229 for AMD and $221 for Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench series is a clean sweep for AMD, with the same 5.5% delta in every test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 2167 and Intel 2055. In R15 single-core, AMD scores 305 and Intel 289. In R20 multi-core, AMD scores 9031 and Intel 8563. In R20 single-core, AMD scores 1274 and Intel 1208. In R23 multi-core, AMD scores 21503 and Intel 20389. In R23 single-core, AMD scores 3035 and Intel 2878. That uniform margin across single and multi-threaded render tests suggests the AMD core design delivers a consistent per-thread advantage that scales cleanly.

PassMark multithread confirms the broad multi-core picture, with AMD at 25294 and Intel at 23833, a 6.1% win. PassMark physics is another large AMD win at 1450 versus 702, a 106.6% margin. PassMark find-prime-numbers shows the most extreme divergence, 96 for AMD versus 43 for Intel, a 123.3% gap. PassMark extended instructions favor AMD 22610 to 21592, a 4.7% margin, and random string sorting favors AMD 35067 to 34308, a 2.2% edge.

Intel takes its largest win in PassMark floating-point math, 66402 versus 47919, a 27.8% margin. PassMark data compression goes to Intel 346757 versus 293306, a 15.4% win. PassMark integer math favors Intel 88117 versus 77042, a 12.6% margin. Data encryption is closer, with Intel at 17938 versus 17181, a 4.2% win. PassMark single-thread goes to Intel 4006 versus 3878, a 3.2% margin.

The overall average benchmark scores present a different perspective from the head-to-head wins. Intel's average benchmark score is 37829, while AMD's is 24089. Intel sits at the 86th percentile versus all CPUs, while AMD sits at the 76th percentile. Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 at a 0.1% delta, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 at 0.2%, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 at -0.2%, and the Intel Core i9-14901E at -0.2%. AMD's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 7540U at -0.4%, the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U at 0.4%, the Intel Core i5-13400 at -0.8%, and the Intel Core i7-1360P at -1%. The head-to-head tests favor AMD on count, but the average score and percentile ranking favor Intel, reflecting the heavier weight of Intel's integer, floating-point, and compression wins in the aggregate metric.