AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 165U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark record shows a clear split between the Intel Core Ultra 7 165U and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE, with Intel taking 12 of the 17 recorded comparisons and AMD winning 5. The margin of victory matters more than the count, and here the Intel part often wins by wide margins, while AMD's wins are mostly narrow or workload-specific.

The single biggest gap in the entire dataset belongs to Intel in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where it scores 66 against AMD's 28, a 135.7% advantage. That is a massive lead in a heavily integer-bound, low-latency workload. Intel also dominates PassMark physics, scoring 1141 versus 592, a 92.7% lead, which indicates a very strong showing in simulation-style floating point and constraint solving. In floating point math, Intel posts 40775 against 27947, a 45.9% edge, and in integer math it leads 57785 to 48513, a 19.1% gap. The PassMark multithread score follows the same pattern: Intel at 17101 versus 14171, a 20.7% win.

Cinebench results are more mixed and tell a nuanced story. In the older Cinebench R15 and R20 suites, Intel wins both single-core and multi-core. R15 multicore sees Intel at 1605 against AMD's 1213, a 32.3% lead, and R15 singlecore is 231 versus 171, a 35.1% gap. R20 multicore shows Intel ahead 5943 to 5058, a 17.5% margin, with the same 17.5% delta in singlecore (839 versus 714). However, in Cinebench R23 the tables turn. AMD wins multicore with 12045 against Intel's 10226, a 15.1% swing in AMD's favor, and also takes singlecore, 1700 to 1662, a smaller 2.2% edge. This suggests that the R23 workload, which stresses sustained power delivery and longer render times, favors the AMD part's higher base clock and desktop-oriented design.

In the PassMark data compression test, AMD edges out Intel 193067 to 188105, a 2.6% win, and in random string sorting AMD leads 21382 to 21258, a slim 0.6% margin. AMD also wins extended instructions, 11792 to 10610, a 10% advantage, which points to better efficiency in AVX-style or specialized instruction paths. Intel counters with a 2.7% win in data encryption, 11896 to 11586, and a 26.2% lead in PassMark single thread, 3357 to 2660.

The overall average benchmark scores are close: Intel sits at 20249 and AMD at 20900, a difference of about 3.2%. Both parts land at the 74th percentile against all CPUs in the database, which means the aggregate performance class is similar, but the distribution of strengths is quite different. Intel's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i7-9700K (delta of -0.1%) and the AMD EPYC 7713 (-0.6%), while AMD's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 268V (0%) and the Intel Core i5-12600T (-0.1%). This confirms that both processors sit in a competitive mid-range performance band, but their internal balance of integer, floating point, and memory-sensitive tasks diverges sharply.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests in the database?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 165U wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE wins 5.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin between the two?

A: Intel wins the PassMark find prime numbers test by 135.7%, scoring 66 versus AMD's 28.

Q: Is there any test where the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE wins by a wide margin?

A: The largest AMD win is in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it scores 12045 against Intel's 10226, a 15.1% advantage.

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

A: Intel leads in PassMark single thread by 26.2% (3357 vs 2660) and in Cinebench R15 singlecore by 35.1% (231 vs 171), but AMD wins Cinebench R23 singlecore by 2.2% (1700 vs 1662).

Q: What is the aggregate benchmark score difference?

A: The AMD part has an average benchmark score of 20900, while Intel scores 20249, a difference of roughly 3.2% in AMD's favor.

Q: Do the two processors occupy the same overall performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are at the 74th percentile against all CPUs in the database.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core Ultra 7 165U is built on Meteor Lake architecture, which uses a 7 nm process node from Intel's own foundry. It integrates Arc Xe-LPG graphics with 64 execution units, and its memory support is DDR5 with a dual-channel bus delivering 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE uses Zen 2 architecture under the Renoir codename, also on a 7 nm node, but fabricated by TSMC. AMD's integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 7, and it supports DDR4 memory over dual channels with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

The core configurations differ significantly. Intel packs 12 cores and 14 threads, while AMD offers 6 cores and 12 threads. Intel's cache hierarchy is larger per core: 112 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3. AMD uses 64 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. The process node is identical at 7 nm, but AMD's die size is recorded at 156 mm² with 9,800 million transistors, while Intel's die size and transistor count are not recorded in the database.

Memory bandwidth is a major architectural differentiator. Intel's 89.6 GB/s is about 75% higher than AMD's 51.2 GB/s, which helps explain Intel's strong showing in memory-sensitive integer and physics workloads. PCIe support also differs: Intel provides Gen 4 with 12 lanes from the CPU, while AMD provides Gen 3 with 20 lanes. AMD supports ECC memory, while Intel does not. Intel's socket is BGA 2049, a mobile package, whereas AMD uses Socket AM4, a desktop platform.

The production status for both is Active, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. Intel's release date is recorded as 2023-12-13, while AMD's is 2022-11-10. Intel's part number is SRN6D, and AMD's is 100-000001156100-100001156MPK. Intel's launch MSRP is $448; no launch MSRP is recorded for AMD.

Specification Differences

The most direct specification split is in core and thread counts: Intel has 12 cores and 14 threads, AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ sharply, with AMD at 3.30 GHz versus Intel's 1.70 GHz, but Intel boosts higher to 4.90 GHz against AMD's 4.20 GHz. TDP is another clear divide: Intel is rated at 15 watts, AMD at 35 watts, reflecting their mobile versus desktop market segments.

Cache configurations diverge at every level. Intel's L1 is 112 KB per core, AMD's is 64 KB per core. Intel's L2 is 2 MB per core, AMD's is 512 KB per core. Intel's shared L3 is 12 MB, AMD's is 8 MB. Memory support is DDR5 for Intel and DDR4 for AMD, with bandwidth figures of 89.6 GB/s and 51.2 GB/s respectively. ECC memory is supported only on the AMD part.

The integrated graphics are different: Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG with 64 EU, AMD uses Radeon Vega 7. PCIe generation and lane counts differ, with Intel at Gen 4 with 12 lanes and AMD at Gen 3 with 20 lanes. The sockets are incompatible: Intel uses BGA 2049, AMD uses AM4. The market segment is mobile for Intel and desktop for AMD. Process node is the same at 7 nm, but the foundries differ (Intel for Intel, TSMC for AMD).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 165U wins decisively in workloads that stress integer throughput, single-thread latency, and floating point math. Its 135.7% lead in prime number finding and 92.7% lead in physics are the standout results. It also wins floating point math by 45.9%, integer math by 19.1%, and multithread by 20.7%. In single-thread tests, Intel leads by 26.2% in PassMark and by 35.1% in Cinebench R15. Encryption is also an Intel win, at 2.7%. The higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s likely supports these results, as does the larger L2 cache per core.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE wins in Cinebench R23, both multicore by 15.1% and singlecore by 2.2%. It also wins data compression by 2.6%, extended instructions by 10%, and random string sorting by 0.6%. These wins cluster around longer sustained workloads and specialized instruction execution. The higher base clock of 3.30 GHz and the desktop socket with a 35 watt TDP allow AMD to maintain performance over time, which shows up in the R23 render test. The extended instructions win suggests AMD's Zen 2 handles AVX or similar instruction streams efficiently.

The Verdict

The data points to two different use cases. The Intel Core Ultra 7 165U is the better choice for interactive, latency-sensitive tasks, heavy single-thread work, and math-heavy applications. Its wins in physics, floating point, integer math, and prime number finding are all large, and its 12-core, 14-thread configuration with higher memory bandwidth gives it a broad edge in most PassMark sub-tests. It also wins 12 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, making it the more consistent performer across the database.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE is preferable for sustained multi-core rendering and workloads that run long enough to benefit from its higher base clock and desktop platform. Its Cinebench R23 multicore win by 15.1% is the most significant sustained-load result in the dataset, and its wins in data compression and extended instructions show strength in data manipulation and specialized math. The 35 watt TDP and AM4 socket indicate a desktop-oriented design that can sustain higher power draw.

For mobile or power-constrained systems, the Intel part's 15 watt TDP and mobile segment designation make it the clear fit. For a desktop system where sustained render performance matters more than peak single-thread speed, the AMD part's R23 result and higher base clock are compelling. Both sit at the 74th percentile, so neither is a class above the other; the choice depends entirely on workload pattern. If the workload is interactive, mixed, or math-heavy, Intel wins. If the workload is long-running render or compression tasks, AMD wins.