AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G and Intel Core 5 330 are both six-core processors, but they target different segments: the AMD part is a desktop chip on Socket AM4, while the Intel part is a mobile chip on BGA 1516. The benchmark data shows a clear split in workload types, with the AMD winning 12 of 17 head-to-head tests and the Intel winning 5. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G holds a substantial lead in multi-threaded and memory-intensive tasks, while the Intel Core 5 330 counters with wins in single-threaded throughput and specific math workloads. The average benchmark scores reinforce this gap: the AMD part scores 28032 against the Intel part's 18345, placing them at the 80th and 72nd percentiles of all CPUs respectively.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G dominates in productivity and content-creation style workloads. Its 12 threads, backed by 16 MB of L3 cache, give it a decisive edge in every Cinebench test, with margins consistently around 31.2%. In PassMark's integer math test, the AMD part nearly doubles the Intel score, posting 67561 against 33258, a 103.1% advantage. Data compression also heavily favors AMD: 255608 versus 145287, a 75.9% lead. These results indicate the AMD processor is the stronger choice for video encoding, 3D rendering, and any application that scales with core count and memory bandwidth. The AMD part also wins in data encryption (15253 vs 11076, up 37.7%), extended instructions (17944 vs 12808, up 40.1%), and random string sorting (25253 vs 17771, up 42.1%).

The Intel Core 5 330 wins in a narrower set of tests, but they are meaningful. Its single-thread PassMark score of 4088 beats the AMD's 3241 by 20.7%, indicating better per-core performance in lightly threaded applications. The Intel part also wins in PassMark physics (1201 vs 686, a 42.9% advantage), floating point math (43885 vs 38649, up 11.9%), and find prime numbers (114 vs 49, up 57%). These wins suggest that the Intel chip handles certain scientific or simulation workloads more efficiently, despite having only 6 threads and no simultaneous multithreading. For users whose primary tasks are single-threaded or involve specific math functions, the Intel part has a measurable advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G has 12 threads from its 6 cores, while the Intel Core 5 330 has only 6 threads from its 6 cores. This thread advantage is a major reason for AMD's multi-core wins.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G scores 17249 in multi-core and 2435 in single-core. The Intel Core 5 330 scores 13150 in multi-core and 1856 in single-core. The AMD part leads by 31.2% in both tests.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 330 have any benchmark wins?

A: Yes, the Intel part wins in PassMark single-thread (4088 vs 3241), floating point math (43885 vs 38649), physics (1201 vs 686), and find prime numbers (114 vs 49).

Q: Which chip supports faster memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G supports DDR4. The Intel part has a higher memory bandwidth rating at 59.7 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s for AMD.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel Core 5 330 has a TDP of 15 watts. The Intel part is designed for mobile use with much lower power draw.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 boosts to 4.60 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G's 4.40 GHz boost. This helps explain Intel's single-thread win.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result is PassMark integer math. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G scores 67561, the Intel Core 5 330 scores 33258, and the AMD part is 103.1% faster. This is a direct result of the thread count difference: integer math scales almost linearly with available threads, and the AMD part has twice as many. Data compression is similarly one-sided: 255608 for AMD versus 145287 for Intel, a 75.9% gap. These two tests alone define the AMD chip as the better all-core workhorse.

The Cinebench suite shows consistent 31.2% margins in favor of AMD across R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core variants. For example, Cinebench R15 multi-core has AMD at 1738 and Intel at 1325, while R23 multi-core has AMD at 17249 and Intel at 13150. The single-core Cinebench scores also favor AMD, with R23 single-core at 2435 versus 1856. This is notable because it contradicts the PassMark single-thread result, showing that the AMD architecture handles Cinebench's specific workload better.

The Intel Core 5 330's wins are concentrated in PassMark tests. Its single-thread score of 4088 beats the AMD's 3241 by 20.7%. The physics test shows a 42.9% lead for Intel (1201 vs 686), and the find prime numbers test shows a 57% lead (114 vs 49). Floating point math is closer, with Intel ahead by 11.9% (43885 vs 38649). These results indicate that the Intel chip's higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz and its newer 3 nm process give it an edge in certain latency-sensitive or single-threaded calculations, even though it lacks the AMD chip's thread count.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ significantly in memory support and PCIe capabilities. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G uses dual-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 330 uses single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X with a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s and no ECC support. The Intel part's higher bandwidth is notable, but its single-channel bus may limit real-world throughput compared to AMD's dual-channel setup.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The AMD chip provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Intel chip provides PCIe Gen 4 with only 6 CPU lanes. The AMD part is better suited for desktop builds with multiple expansion cards or a high-end GPU. The Intel part's fewer lanes reflect its mobile design, where connectivity is more limited.

The base clocks are far apart: AMD runs at 3.90 GHz, Intel at 1.50 GHz. However, the Intel chip boosts to 4.60 GHz, which is higher than AMD's 4.40 GHz boost. The TDPs reflect the intended use cases: 65 watts for AMD desktop, 15 watts for Intel mobile. The AMD chip has a larger L3 cache at 16 MB compared to Intel's 6 MB, though the Intel part has a larger L2 cache at 2.5 MB total versus AMD's 512 KB per core.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G uses the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm TSMC process, with the Cezanne codename. It integrates Radeon Vega 7 graphics and is built for the AM4 socket. The Intel Core 5 330 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3 nm Intel process, with Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe cores) and a BGA 1516 socket. The process node difference is significant: 3 nm versus 7 nm, which explains the Intel part's lower TDP and higher boost clock.

The AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel chip has 6 cores and 6 threads. This is the core architectural distinction: AMD uses simultaneous multithreading, Intel does not in this part. The cache layouts differ as well. AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 total, 2.5 MB L2 total, and 6 MB shared L3. The AMD chip's larger L3 cache benefits multi-threaded workloads that reuse data.

Both processors have integrated graphics, but they are different generations. AMD's Radeon Vega 7 is a mature design, while Intel's Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) is newer. The Intel part also supports newer memory types (DDR5, LPDDR5X) compared to AMD's DDR4. The release dates differ by about two years: AMD launched in May 2024, Intel in April 2026. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $309, while the AMD part has no listed MSRP.

The Verdict

The data directs a clear choice based on workload. For multi-threaded rendering, data compression, encryption, and integer math, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G is the superior processor. Its 12 threads and 16 MB L3 cache deliver 31.2% leads across all Cinebench versions and a 103.1% lead in integer math. Users running video encoders, 3D renderers, or database workloads should select the AMD part.

For single-threaded applications and specific math functions, the Intel Core 5 330 is better. Its PassMark single-thread score is 20.7% higher, and it wins in physics, floating point, and prime number tests. The Intel part also uses far less power at 15 watts versus 65 watts, making it appropriate for compact or battery-powered systems. Its support for DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, along with PCIe Gen 4, gives it a modern connectivity edge.

The AMD chip sits at the 80th percentile of all CPUs, the Intel at the 72nd. The average benchmark scores confirm the overall performance gap: 28032 for AMD versus 18345 for Intel. The Intel Core 5 330 is not a competitor in raw throughput; its advantages are specific to single-thread and low-power scenarios. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G is the better all-around processor for desktop use, while the Intel Core 5 330 fits a mobile or power-constrained build where its single-thread speed and efficiency matter more.