AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE vs Intel Core Ultra 7 256V Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE represent two very different answers to the same question: how to build an efficient, capable processor. The data shows a clear split, with the Intel part dominating in most synthetic tests while the AMD chip counters in a few specific, but notable, workloads. This analysis relies strictly on the benchmark results and specifications provided.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the entire comparison is the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V scores 192 versus the AMD's 28, a staggering 585.7% advantage. This is not a subtle difference; it indicates a massive architectural edge in this specific integer workload. Similarly, in PassMark physics, the Intel part scores 1595 against 592, a 169.4% lead, suggesting far superior handling of physics simulation tasks. The PassMark floating point math result follows the same trend, with Intel at 58576 outpacing AMD's 27947 by 109.6%.

The Intel chip also dominates the Cinebench suite, though the margin varies. In Cinebench R15 multicore, Intel wins 1583.5 to 1213, a 30.5% advantage. The gap widens in Cinebench R20 multicore to 37.6% (6958 vs 5058). However, the newer Cinebench R23 multicore test flips the script: AMD wins 12045 to 10399, a 13.7% victory for the Ryzen part. This is the single biggest reversal in the data.

Single-core performance is a clear Intel stronghold. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, Intel leads 285.5 to 171, a 67% margin. Cinebench R20 singlecore shows a 37.5% lead (982 vs 714), and Cinebench R23 singlecore narrows to a 10.4% edge (1877.5 vs 1700). The PassMark single thread test confirms this, with Intel at 4029 against AMD's 2660, a 51.5% lead.

In other PassMark tests, Intel wins data encryption by 20.8% (13998 vs 11586) and extended instructions by 32.7% (15643 vs 11792). The PassMark multithread score also favors Intel, 19530 to 14171, a 37.8% lead. Intel also edges out AMD in random string sorting by 5.1% (22481 vs 21382).

AMD's wins beyond the R23 multicore result are in PassMark data compression (193067 vs 184985, a 4.2% edge) and PassMark integer math (48513 vs 43358, a 10.6% lead). Overall, Intel wins 14 of the 17 head-to-head tests, with AMD taking 3.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V uses the Lunar Lake architecture, fabricated on a 3 nm process by TSMC. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE is a Zen 2 part (codenamed Renoir) on a 7 nm process, also from TSMC. This process node difference of 3 nm versus 7 nm likely contributes to the Intel part's efficiency and higher transistor density.

The core configurations are also distinct. Intel has 8 cores and 8 threads, while AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads thanks to simultaneous multithreading. The Intel chip's base clock is 2.20 GHz with a boost of 4.80 GHz, whereas AMD starts higher at 3.30 GHz but boosts to a lower 4.20 GHz. The thermal design power (TDP) is another major separator: Intel is rated at 17W, while AMD is rated at 35W, more than double.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 and 2.5 MB of L2 per core, with 12 MB of shared L3. AMD's per-core L1 is 64 KB and L2 is 512 KB, with a smaller 8 MB shared L3. The Intel part also has a higher transistor count and larger die, though the exact figures are only available for AMD (9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die). Memory support diverges as well: the Intel chip supports dual-channel memory with details dependent on the motherboard, while AMD supports dual-channel DDR4 with a specified bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. AMD also supports ECC memory, which Intel does not. PCIe connectivity differs, with Intel offering Gen 5 with 4 lanes and AMD offering Gen 3 with 20 lanes (both CPU-only).

The integrated graphics are another major point: Intel uses Arc 140V, while AMD uses Radeon Vega 7. Intel's part is a mobile segment chip on an Intel BGA 2833 socket, whereas AMD is a desktop part on Socket AM4. The Intel release date is September 2024, while the AMD released in November 2022.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is decisively faster. It wins every single-core benchmark in the data, with margins ranging from 10.4% in Cinebench R23 singlecore to 67% in Cinebench R15 singlecore. The PassMark single thread test shows a 51.5% lead.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins three tests: Cinebench R23 multicore (by 13.7%), PassMark data compression (by 4.2%), and PassMark integer math (by 10.6%). These are substantial wins in those specific areas.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Intel chip has 8 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD part's extra threads allow it to win the Cinebench R23 multicore test.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has a TDP of 17W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE has a TDP of 35W. This makes the Intel part more than twice as power-efficient on paper.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel also has larger L1 and L2 caches per core.

Q: Are these processors from the same generation?

A: No. The Intel part is from the Core Ultra Series 2 (Lunar Lake), released in September 2024. The AMD part is from the 4000 series (Zen 2, Renoir), released in November 2022. The Intel part is on a 3 nm process, while AMD is on 7 nm.

Specification Differences

• Cores: Intel has 8, AMD has 6.
• Threads: Intel has 8, AMD has 12.
• Base Clock: Intel is 2.20 GHz, AMD is 3.30 GHz.
• Boost Clock: Intel is 4.80 GHz, AMD is 4.20 GHz.
• TDP: Intel is 17W, AMD is 35W.
• Process Node: Intel is 3 nm, AMD is 7 nm.
• L1 Cache (per core): Intel is 192 KB, AMD is 64 KB.
• L2 Cache (per core): Intel is 2.5 MB, AMD is 512 KB.
• L3 Cache (shared): Intel is 12 MB, AMD is 8 MB.
• Memory Support: Intel is unknown/depends on motherboard, AMD is DDR4.
• Memory Bandwidth: Intel is not specified, AMD is 51.2 GB/s.
• ECC Memory: Intel does not support it, AMD does.
• PCIe: Intel is Gen 5, 4 Lanes; AMD is Gen 3, 20 Lanes.
• Integrated Graphics: Intel uses Arc 140V, AMD uses Radeon Vega 7.
• Socket: Intel is Intel BGA 2833, AMD is AMD Socket AM4.
• Market Segment: Intel is Mobile, AMD is Desktop.
• Release Date: Intel is September 2024, AMD is November 2022.
• Transistors: Intel is not specified, AMD is 9,800 million.
• Die Size: Intel is not specified, AMD is 156 mm².

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is the superior processor for the vast majority of workloads. It wins 14 of 17 tests, often by large margins. Its single-core dominance is absolute, and its leads in floating-point math, physics, and encryption are enormous. The Intel chip achieves this while having a TDP of 17W, less than half of the AMD's 35W, making it the far more efficient choice for mobile or low-power systems.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE is not without merit. Its win in Cinebench R23 multicore, despite having fewer cores, shows that its 12 threads can be leveraged effectively in certain long-running, heavily threaded workloads. Its victories in integer math and data compression are also meaningful for specific professional tasks. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, which is a critical feature for reliability-focused builds that the Intel chip lacks.

For anyone building a thin-and-light laptop or a compact, low-power system where performance per watt is paramount, the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is the obvious choice. Its performance in nearly every benchmark category is superior. The AMD part is a viable option only for desktop users who prioritize its specific strengths—ECC support, the R23 multicore workload, and integer-heavy tasks—and who are building on the mature AM4 platform. However, the sheer breadth of Intel's wins makes it the default recommendation based on this data.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core Ultra 7 256V Wins:

• All single-core tests (Cinebench R15, R20, R23, PassMark single thread).
• Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore tests.
• PassMark multithread.
• PassMark data encryption.
• PassMark extended instructions.
• PassMark find prime numbers.
• PassMark floating point math.
• PassMark physics.
• PassMark random string sorting.

This makes the Intel chip the winner for general productivity, single-threaded applications, scientific computing with floating-point math, encryption tasks, and physics simulations. Its low TDP also makes it the winner for battery-powered devices.

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655GE Wins:

• Cinebench R23 multicore.
• PassMark data compression.
• PassMark integer math.

This makes the AMD chip the winner for specific use cases like long-running video rendering (as simulated by R23), file compression/decompression workloads, and integer-heavy data processing. Its ECC memory support also makes it the winner for tasks requiring data integrity, such as file servers or workstations where a bit-flip is unacceptable.