AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 represent two very different philosophies in desktop computing. The Ryzen 5 PRO is a 6-core, 12-thread Zen 3 part built for a mature platform, while the Core Ultra 9 285 is a 24-core, 24-thread Arrow Lake flagship. The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel part wins all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, often by substantial margins. The Core Ultra 9 285 posts an average benchmark score of 75,488, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G scores 28,032 on average, sitting in the 80th percentile. This comparison is less about whether the Intel chip is faster, and more about the scale of that advantage and what it means for different workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data shows a complete sweep for the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 across every benchmark category. In Cinebench tests, which stress both multi-threaded rendering and single-thread responsiveness, the Intel processor dominates. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 48,945 versus the AMD's 17,249 shows a massive gap for heavily threaded workloads. The single-core results tell a similar story, with the Intel chip scoring 6,909 compared to 2,435 in Cinebench R23 single-core, a 64.8% delta in Intel's favor. This suggests the Core Ultra 9 285 is the stronger choice for any application that relies on raw CPU throughput, from rendering to compilation.

The Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G, despite losing every benchmark, has a clear place in the ecosystem. It operates on the AMD Socket AM4 platform with DDR4 memory support, which represents a more accessible and established ecosystem compared to the Intel Socket 1851 platform with DDR5. The Ryzen part also runs at a 65 TDP, matching the Intel chip's 65 TDP, meaning it delivers its performance within the same power envelope. The data does not show any workload where the AMD wins, so its advantage lies entirely in platform compatibility and the lower complexity of a 6-core, 12-thread design, not in measured performance.

PassMark tests reveal where the Intel chip's architecture pulls furthest ahead. The find prime numbers test shows the Intel part scoring 459 against the AMD's 49, an 89.3% delta, the largest gap in the entire dataset. Floating point math also shows a huge divide, with Intel scoring 194,988 versus 38,649, an 80.2% delta. These results indicate the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 excels in mathematical and scientific workloads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G remains a functional entry-level option for basic desktop tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and process nodes. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne, fabricated on a 7 nm process by TSMC. It houses 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 uses the Arrow Lake architecture, codenamed Arrow Lake-S, on a 3 nm process, also from TSMC. It contains 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The process node advantage for Intel is clear, and the transistor count is 66% higher, enabling a much more complex design.

Core and cache configurations diverge sharply. The Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G offers 6 cores and 12 threads with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 offers 24 cores and 24 threads, which means it does not use simultaneous multithreading. Its cache hierarchy is far larger, with 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The lack of hyperthreading on the Intel part is notable; it achieves its multi-threaded scores through sheer core count rather than additional threads per core.

Memory and I/O capabilities also separate the two. The AMD chip supports dual-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Intel chip supports dual-channel DDR5 with a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs as well, with the AMD part providing Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the Intel part provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics also differ, with the AMD using Radeon Vega 7 and the Intel using Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

Clock speeds tell a story of different design priorities. The Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has a lower base clock of 2.50 GHz but a much higher boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The Intel chip's lower base clock across 24 cores is balanced by its ability to boost single cores aggressively. The AMD chip's higher base clock reflects its simpler 6-core design.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has an average benchmark score of 75,488, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G has an average score of 28,032. The Intel chip sits in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the AMD's 80th percentile.

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 scores 4,881 in PassMark single-thread testing, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G scores 3,241. This represents a 33.6% delta in favor of Intel. The Cinebench R23 single-core results show a 64.8% delta, with Intel at 6,909 and AMD at 2,435.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has 24 cores and 24 threads, meaning it does not use simultaneous multithreading.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 support ECC memory. They differ in memory type, with AMD using DDR4 and Intel using DDR5.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two in any benchmark?

A: The largest gap is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 scores 459 and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G scores 49, an 89.3% delta. Floating point math shows an 80.2% delta, with Intel at 194,988 and AMD at 38,649.

Q: Which processor uses a newer manufacturing process?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 uses a 3 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G uses a 7 nm process. Both are fabricated by TSMC.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G is a 6-core, 12-thread processor with a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 is a 24-core, 24-thread processor with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. Both have a TDP of 65.

The AMD chip uses the Zen 3 architecture with the Cezanne codename, while the Intel chip uses Arrow Lake with the Arrow Lake-S codename. The process node differs, with AMD on 7 nm and Intel on 3 nm. Transistor counts are 10,700 million for AMD and 17,800 million for Intel, with die sizes of 180 mm² and 243 mm² respectively.

Cache configurations are markedly different. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of L3. The Intel part has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. Memory support sees AMD using DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel uses DDR5 with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe support differs, with the AMD chip offering Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the Intel chip offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 7 on the AMD and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU on the Intel. The sockets are also different, with AMD using Socket AM4 and Intel using Socket 1851. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $579, while the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data confirms a consistent pattern of Intel dominance, but the margins vary significantly by workload. The Cinebench suite shows a uniform 64.8% delta in Intel's favor across R15, R20, and R23, for both multi-core and single-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 4,933 against the AMD's 1,738. The single-core result is 696 versus 245. These numbers indicate that the Intel architecture provides a substantial generational uplift in both threaded and unthreaded performance.

The PassMark suite reveals where the Intel chip's advantages are most pronounced. The find prime numbers test shows the largest delta at 89.3%, with Intel scoring 459 and AMD scoring 49. Physics testing shows an 80.9% delta, with Intel at 3,598 and AMD at 686. Floating point math shows an 80.2% delta, with Intel at 194,988 and AMD at 38,649. These three tests highlight the Intel chip's strength in heavy computational tasks.

Data encryption and compression show large but slightly smaller gaps. The encryption test shows a 67.5% delta, with Intel at 46,949 and AMD at 15,253. Data compression shows a 57.5% delta, with Intel at 602,121 and AMD at 255,608. The multithread test shows a 66.2% delta, with Intel at 56,602 and AMD at 19,129. Integer math shows a 59% delta, with Intel at 164,869 and AMD at 67,561.

The smallest gap in the entire dataset is in the PassMark single-thread test, where the Intel chip leads by 33.6%, scoring 4,881 against the AMD's 3,241. This is still a clear victory for Intel, but it shows that the AMD Zen 3 core is comparatively more competitive in single-threaded scenarios than in multi-threaded or math-heavy workloads. Random string sorting shows a 65.7% delta, with Intel at 73,651 and AMD at 25,253. Extended instructions show a 60.4% delta, with Intel at 45,357 and AMD at 17,944.

The data confirms that the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 is the stronger processor in every measured category. The Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G, with its 6-core design and DDR4 support, remains a viable option for users on the AM4 platform, but its performance ceiling is far below the Intel flagship. The 24-core Intel chip, with its 3 nm process and 36 MB of L3 cache, delivers a level of performance that the AMD part cannot approach.