AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 vs Intel Core i7-9700E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive sweep for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 across every Cinebench iteration in the comparison. The largest margin comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD part scores 162 against Intel's 150, an 8% advantage. That same test in multi-core shows a 7.7% gap, with AMD at 1151 and Intel at 1069. These are not narrow wins; every benchmark in the head-to-head table lands in AMD's favor.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. AMD leads multi-core with 4796 versus 4457, a 7.6% delta. Single-core shows 677 against 629, also 7.6%. The consistency is striking: the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 maintains nearly the exact same percentage advantage across both R20 subtests. Cinebench R23 repeats the story. AMD scores 11420 in multi-core, Intel 10613, again a 7.6% gap. Single-core sees 1612 versus 1498, once more 7.6%. When a processor wins six consecutive benchmark comparisons with margins between 7.6% and 8%, the result is not noise; it is a systematic performance edge.

The Intel Core i7-9700E does have additional Geekbench entries in the database, with 5661 multi-core and 1497 single-core. However, no corresponding Geekbench results exist for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 in this dataset, so a direct head-to-head comparison on that test cannot be made. For the benchmarks where both chips have recorded scores, the AMD processor wins every single one.

Where Each One Wins

Looking strictly at the head-to-head results, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 wins every workload category represented. That includes both single-threaded and multi-threaded Cinebench tests across three different versions of the benchmark. The AMD chip's 6 cores and 12 threads clearly handle threaded rendering workloads effectively, as shown by its multi-core wins in R15, R20, and R23. The single-core wins are more surprising given the Intel chip's higher boost clock, but the data is unambiguous.

The Intel Core i7-9700E shows no wins in the head-to-head benchmark set. Its only recorded advantages lie in areas outside the benchmark comparisons: it includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and lists a memory bandwidth figure of 42.7 GB/s. The AMD chip has no integrated graphics listed and no PCIe or memory bandwidth data in the database. For a builder who needs a basic display output without a discrete GPU, the Intel part has a functional edge, but that is not reflected in any compute benchmark.

The Intel processor also carries a higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz versus 3.90 GHz for AMD, yet the benchmark results show the AMD chip still wins single-core tests. This suggests the Ryzen's per-core efficiency or cache configuration compensates for the clock disadvantage. The AMD chip's L1 cache is 96 KB per core versus 64 KB for Intel, and its L2 is 512 KB per core versus 256 KB. Those differences may explain why the lower-clocked AMD part wins single-threaded workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 uses the Zen architecture, specifically the Zen+ (Pinnacle Ridge) refinement, built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,800 million transistors into a 192 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-9700E uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically Coffee Lake Refresh, on Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 180.3 mm². Intel does not list a transistor count in the database.

Core and thread configurations differ sharply. AMD provides 6 cores with 12 threads, enabling simultaneous multithreading. Intel provides 8 cores but only 8 threads, with no hyper-threading support. This is a classic trade-off: Intel has more physical cores, but AMD can process two threads per core. The benchmark data suggests AMD's threading advantage outweighs Intel's two extra physical cores in Cinebench workloads.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. AMD allocates 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, plus a shared 16 MB L3 pool. Intel uses 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with a smaller 12 MB shared L3. The AMD chip has both larger per-core caches and a larger last-level cache. Memory support is DDR4 dual-channel for both, but Intel specifies 42.7 GB/s of memory bandwidth while AMD leaves that field unrecorded. AMD supports ECC memory; Intel does not.

Socket platforms are incompatible. AMD uses Socket AM4, while Intel uses Socket 1151. The AMD multiplier is unlocked for overclocking; the Intel multiplier is locked. Intel integrates UHD Graphics 630, while AMD has no integrated graphics listed. Intel's production status is end-of-life, while AMD's is active. Intel's PCIe configuration is documented as Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes; AMD's PCIe support is not listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons. The Intel Core i7-9700E wins zero.

Q: How large is AMD's biggest performance advantage?

A: The largest margin is 8% in Cinebench R15 single-core, where AMD scores 162 versus Intel's 150.

Q: Does the Intel chip's higher boost clock help it win single-threaded tests?

A: No. Despite boosting to 4.40 GHz versus AMD's 3.90 GHz, Intel loses every single-core test, with margins of 7.6% to 8% against AMD.

Q: Can the Intel Core i7-9700E output video without a discrete graphics card?

A: Yes, it includes integrated UHD Graphics 630. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 lists ECC memory support as true. The Intel part does not.

Q: Is the Intel chip still in production?

A: No, the database marks it as end-of-life. The AMD chip is listed as active production.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 | Intel Core i7-9700E |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.90 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Zen (Zen+, Pinnacle Ridge) | Coffee Lake (Coffee Lake Refresh) |

| Process node | 12 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,800 million | Not listed |

| Die size | 192 mm² | 180.3 mm² |

| L1 cache | 96 KB per core | 64 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 512 KB per core | 256 KB per core |

| L3 cache | 16 MB shared | 12 MB shared |

| Memory bandwidth | Not listed | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Not listed | Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Not listed | UHD Graphics 630 |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release date | 2018-09-18 | 2019-04-22 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $323 |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part number | Not listed | SRGDX |

The two chips share identical 65 W TDP ratings, dual-channel DDR4 memory support, and both target the desktop market segment. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $323, while AMD has no launch price recorded.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for compute performance: the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600. It wins every Cinebench test in the head-to-head comparison, with margins ranging from 7.6% to 8%. Its 12 threads give it a substantial advantage in multi-threaded rendering, and its larger per-core caches appear to compensate for its lower boost clock in single-threaded work. The AMD chip is also still in active production, supports ECC memory, and has an unlocked multiplier. For a workstation or content-creation build where CPU rendering matters, the AMD part is the stronger choice based on measured results.

The Intel Core i7-9700E has its own reasons to exist. It includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, which means a system can be built without a discrete GPU. It documents PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes and a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. Its 8 physical cores without hyper-threading still deliver respectable Cinebench scores, just lower than AMD's. For a builder who needs integrated graphics, a locked platform, or the specific Socket 1151 ecosystem, the Intel chip remains a functional option, but the benchmark data does not favor it in raw compute.

The percentile rankings reinforce the closeness of this matchup. Both processors sit at the 53rd percentile against all CPUs in the database. AMD's average benchmark score is 3303, while Intel's is 3197. AMD's closest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 5300G at a 0% delta, the Intel Core i5-11400T at -0.2%, and the Intel Core i5-11500T at 0.5%. Intel's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-13100T at 0% and the Intel Xeon E-2136 at 0.1%. Neither chip dominates its peer group, but the direct comparison between these two specific processors lands firmly in AMD's favor.

The practical recommendation is straightforward. Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 if the workload is compute-heavy and you want the higher measured Cinebench scores, ECC support, active production status, and overclocking headroom. Choose the Intel Core i7-9700E if you specifically need integrated graphics, a documented PCIe Gen 3 lane configuration, or the Socket 1151 platform, and you can accept the lower benchmark results. The recorded data does not support choosing Intel on performance grounds alone.