AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 vs Intel Core i5-9600KF Comparison

The benchmark data presents an unusual outcome: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 wins every single head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i5-9600KF. This is a decisive sweep, with the AMD part outperforming Intel across all six Cinebench tests, both multi-core and single-core. The Intel i5-9600KF, despite its higher boost clock, does not secure a single win in this dataset.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most significant victories for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 come in the multi-core tests, where its 12 threads provide a clear advantage over the i5-9600KF’s 6 threads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 10058 against Intel’s 9047, a margin of 10.1%. This pattern is consistent across all multi-core workloads: Cinebench R20 shows 4224 for AMD versus 3799 for Intel (10.1% delta), and Cinebench R15 shows 1013 versus 911 (10.1% delta). The consistency of this 10.1% delta across three different Cinebench versions indicates a stable performance gap in heavily threaded tasks.

The single-core results are closer but still favor AMD. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 scores 1419, while the i5-9600KF scores 1277, a 10% difference. Similarly, Cinebench R20 single-core shows 595 for AMD versus 536 for Intel (9.9% delta), and Cinebench R15 single-core shows 142 versus 128 (9.9% delta). This is notable because Intel’s chip has a significantly higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz compared to AMD’s 3.60 GHz, yet the AMD architecture still delivers superior single-threaded performance in these tests.

The average benchmark scores confirm the overall picture. The Intel i5-9600KF has an average benchmark score of 2935, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 scores 2909. This places both CPUs in the same performance tier, with Intel at the 52nd percentile and AMD at the 51st percentile of all CPUs. The delta between their average scores is less than 1%, meaning that in a broad mix of applications, the two processors are effectively peers, even though the AMD part wins every specific Cinebench test in this comparison.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 is the clear winner in every benchmark category represented in this data. It holds a consistent 10% lead in both multi-core and single-core Cinebench tests. For workloads that rely on Cinebench-style rendering or CPU-bound calculations, the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 is the superior choice. Its 12 threads allow it to process more parallel tasks simultaneously, which is why the multi-core advantage is so pronounced.

The Intel Core i5-9600KF does not win any benchmark in this dataset. However, its performance profile is not without merit. The data shows it is within 10% of the AMD part in every test, and its average score of 2935 is actually slightly higher than AMD’s 2909. This suggests that in workloads not represented by Cinebench, the Intel chip may be competitive or even slightly ahead. The i5-9600KF also has a 4.60 GHz boost clock compared to AMD’s 3.60 GHz, which could translate to advantages in lightly threaded applications that are not captured by these specific tests.

For users focused solely on the benchmark results provided, there is no scenario where the Intel chip wins. The data is unambiguous: AMD wins six out of six comparisons. However, the near-identical average scores indicate that real-world differences may be smaller than the head-to-head deltas suggest, particularly in applications that do not scale perfectly with thread count or that favor higher clock speeds.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 is the superior processor. It wins every single-core and multi-core test in the Cinebench suite, with a consistent 10% performance advantage over the Intel Core i5-9600KF. The Ryzen’s 12 threads versus Intel’s 6 threads provide a clear multi-core benefit, and its single-core performance is also stronger despite a lower boost clock.

The Intel Core i5-9600KF should only be considered if a user has a specific need for its characteristics that are not reflected in these benchmarks. The data shows it has a higher boost clock and a slightly higher average benchmark score, but in the tests where both are measured directly, it loses every time. Its 52nd percentile ranking versus AMD’s 51st is a statistical tie, so there is no evidence of a hidden advantage.

The verdict is straightforward: for anyone choosing between these two based on the available benchmark data, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 is the better choice. It outperforms the Intel chip in every measured workload, and its 65W TDP makes it more power-efficient than Intel’s 95W TDP. The only reason to pick the Intel chip would be platform preference or a specific application that favors its higher clock speed, but no such application is represented in this data.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 scores 10058, which is 10.1% higher than the Intel Core i5-9600KF’s 9047.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmark in this comparison?

A: No. The data shows the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 wins all six head-to-head tests, with zero wins for the Intel Core i5-9600KF.

Q: How close are the average benchmark scores of these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i5-9600KF has an average score of 2935, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 scores 2909, a difference of less than 1%.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Cinebench R20?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 scores 595, while the Intel Core i5-9600KF scores 536, giving AMD a 9.9% advantage.

Q: Which CPU has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 has 12 threads, while the Intel Core i5-9600KF has 6 threads.

Q: What are the TDP values for these processors?

A: The Intel Core i5-9600KF has a TDP of 95W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 has a TDP of 65W.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs represent fundamentally different architectural approaches. The Intel Core i5-9600KF is built on the Coffee Lake architecture using a 14nm process node, fabricated by Intel. It features 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning it does not support simultaneous multithreading. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 9 MB of shared L3 cache.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 uses the Zen architecture (Summit Ridge) on a 14nm process node, but fabricated by GlobalFoundries. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, enabling simultaneous multithreading. Its cache configuration is different: 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a larger 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip also has a transistor count of 4,800 million and a die size of 192 mm², while the Intel chip’s transistor count and die size are not listed.

These architectural differences explain the performance deltas. The AMD part’s 12 threads give it a significant advantage in multi-threaded workloads, as evidenced by the consistent 10.1% lead in multi-core Cinebench tests. The larger 16 MB L3 cache may help with data reuse, while the different L1 and L2 cache sizes reflect distinct design priorities. Intel’s higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz versus AMD’s 3.60 GHz shows a focus on raw clock speed, but the benchmark results indicate this does not translate to a performance win in these tests.

Specification Differences

The most striking specification difference is in thread count: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 offers 12 threads versus 6 on the Intel Core i5-9600KF. This directly contributes to its multi-core dominance. Clock speeds also differ significantly, with Intel’s base clock at 3.70 GHz and boost clock at 4.60 GHz, compared to AMD’s 3.20 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. Despite Intel’s higher clocks, AMD wins all single-core tests.

Power consumption and platform differ as well. The Intel part has a 95W TDP and uses Intel Socket 1151, while the AMD part has a 65W TDP and uses AMD Socket AM4. The Intel chip supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD chip’s PCIe specification is not listed. Memory bandwidth is listed for Intel at 42.7 GB/s, while AMD’s memory bandwidth is not provided. Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel buses, and neither supports ECC memory.

Production status and release dates also differ. The Intel Core i5-9600KF is end-of-life and was released on 2019-01-07, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1600 is active and was released on 2017-06-28. Both have unlocked multipliers, allowing overclocking. The process nodes are identical at 14nm, but the foundries differ: Intel for the i5-9600KF and GlobalFoundries for the Ryzen 5 PRO 1600. The AMD chip’s architecture is Zen, while Intel’s is Coffee Lake, and the AMD chip has a larger shared L3 cache of 16 MB versus Intel’s 9 MB.