AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE vs Intel Core 5 320 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE dominates the Intel Core 5 320 in heavily threaded and memory-sensitive workloads, while the Intel chip counters with wins in single-threaded and specialized math tests. The recorded data shows 11 benchmark wins for the AMD processor and 6 for Intel, with the AMD part holding a decisive lead in total average benchmark score: 25880 versus 18023, a 43.6% gap.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE wins every Cinebench multi-core test by a wide margin. The largest single win in the entire comparison is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the AMD part scores 15504 against 6197, a 150.2% advantage. That result indicates the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE is in a different performance class for rendering workloads that scale with thread count. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 48.2% lead (1562 versus 1054), while R20 multi-core shows a 19.2% lead (6511 versus 5462).

The AMD processor also wins integer math by a massive 109.1% (67582 versus 32323), data compression by 53.3% (228037 versus 148779), and data encryption by 32.1% (14509 versus 10984). Random string sorting goes to AMD by 31.8% (23769 versus 18038), and extended instructions by 18.5% (15714 versus 13262). The PassMark multi-thread score favors AMD by 16.9% (18057 versus 15450).

The Intel Core 5 320 wins the single-thread Cinebench R15 test by 20.3% (276 versus 220), and the PassMark single-thread test by 19.9% (4045 versus 3240). In floating-point math, Intel leads by 10% (42440 versus 38204). The largest Intel wins come in find prime numbers, where it scores 110 against 49, a 55.5% advantage, and physics, where it scores 1221 against 648, a 46.9% lead.

Interesting nuance: AMD wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 19.1% (918 versus 771) and Cinebench R23 single-core by 13.6% (2188 versus 1926), which contradicts the PassMark single-thread result. The two Cinebench single-core tests align with the AMD processor, while PassMark's single-thread test favors Intel. This split suggests the Intel chip excels at the specific instruction mix in PassMark's single-thread workload, while the AMD core is stronger in Cinebench's rendering-based single-core test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies and market segments. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE is a desktop part built on TSMC's 7 nm process with the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne. It uses AMD Socket AM4 and belongs to the 5000 series. The Intel Core 5 320 is a mobile processor built on Intel's 3 nm process, codenamed Wildcat Lake, and uses Intel BGA 1516, meaning it is soldered rather than socketed.

Core counts match at 6 each, but thread counts diverge sharply. The AMD processor has 12 threads, meaning it supports SMT, while the Intel processor has only 6 threads. This explains the AMD processor's multi-core dominance. The AMD chip runs at a base clock of 3.40 GHz and boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the Intel chip runs at a much lower 1.50 GHz base but boosts higher to 4.60 GHz. The lower base clock is typical of a mobile part designed for power efficiency, and the higher boost clock helps explain Intel's single-thread wins in some tests.

Cache layouts are entirely different. The AMD processor uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of L3. The Intel processor lists 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has 16 MB of L3 versus Intel's 6 MB, a factor of 2.67x in favor of AMD.

Memory support differs by generation and channel configuration. The AMD processor supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel processor supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a single-channel bus and 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. Despite the single-channel configuration, Intel's newer memory standard provides higher peak bandwidth. The AMD processor supports ECC memory; the Intel processor does not.

PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part integrates Radeon Vega 7 graphics; the Intel part integrates Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. Transistor count and die size are only recorded for the AMD part: 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die.

Power targets separate these parts clearly. The AMD processor has a 65 W TDP and is marked as a desktop segment product, released in 2024. The Intel processor has a 15 W TDP and is marked as a mobile segment product, released in 2026. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The AMD processor's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i7-11700K (25812 average, 0.3% behind), the AMD Ryzen 5 230 (25782, 0.4% behind), and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 (25981, 0.4% ahead). The Intel Core 5 320's nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (17994, 0.2% behind), the Intel Core 5 120U (17898, 0.7% behind), and the Intel Core i5-1334U (18154, 0.7% ahead). These groupings confirm the AMD part sits in a considerably higher performance tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE wins every multi-thread benchmark in the comparison. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 15504 is 150.2% higher than the Intel Core 5 320's 6197. The PassMark multi-thread score favors AMD by 16.9% (18057 versus 15450).

Q: Which processor has better single-thread performance?

A: The results are split. The Intel Core 5 320 wins PassMark single-thread by 19.9% (4045 versus 3240) and Cinebench R15 single-core by 20.3% (276 versus 220). The AMD processor wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 19.1% (918 versus 771) and Cinebench R23 single-core by 13.6% (2188 versus 1926).

Q: What explains the AMD processor's multi-core advantage?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE has 12 threads versus 6 threads on the Intel Core 5 320, and it carries 16 MB of L3 cache versus 6 MB on the Intel part. The data shows the AMD processor wins integer math by 109.1% and data compression by 53.3%, consistent with a strong thread-scaling advantage.

Q: Where does the Intel Core 5 320 outperform the AMD processor?

A: The Intel chip wins find prime numbers by 55.5% (110 versus 49), physics by 46.9% (1221 versus 648), floating-point math by 10% (42440 versus 38204), PassMark single-thread by 19.9%, and Cinebench R15 single-core by 20.3%.

Q: Are these processors in the same performance class?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE has an average benchmark score of 25880 and sits at the 78th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 320 has an average benchmark score of 18023 and sits at the 72nd percentile. The AMD processor's nearest rivals average around 25800 to 26000, while the Intel chip's nearest rivals average around 17900 to 18150.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 320 boosts to 4.60 GHz, slightly higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE's 4.40 GHz. The Intel chip also has a much lower base clock at 1.50 GHz versus 3.40 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE | Intel Core 5 320 |

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

| Threads | 12 | 6 |

| Base clock | 3.40 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Not recorded |

| Codename | Cezanne | Wildcat Lake |

| Process node | 7 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 cache | 64 KB per core | 192 KB |

| L2 cache | 512 KB per core | 2.5 MB |

| L3 cache | 16 MB | 6 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 lanes | Gen 4, 6 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Vega 7 | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2024 | 2026 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $340 |

The two processors share 6 cores, dual-channel versus single-channel memory aside, and both lack an unlocked multiplier. The specification table shows the AMD part as a higher-power desktop component with more threads and more cache, while the Intel part is a lower-power mobile component with a newer process node and higher boost clock.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R23 multi-core result is the defining measurement of this comparison. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE scores 15504, which is 150.2% higher than the Intel Core 5 320's 6197. No other benchmark in the dataset approaches that margin. The AMD processor's 12 threads and 16 MB of L3 cache deliver a crushing result in a workload that scales aggressively with both resources.

Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a similar pattern in miniature: AMD wins 1562 to 1054, a 48.2% margin. Cinebench R20 multi-core narrows the gap to 19.2% (6511 versus 5462), but the AMD part still wins decisively. PassMark multi-thread confirms the trend at 16.9% (18057 versus 15450).

Integer math is the second-largest AMD win. The Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE scores 67582 versus 32323, a 109.1% advantage. Data compression follows at 53.3% (228037 versus 148779), and data encryption at 32.1% (14509 versus 10984). Random string sorting goes to AMD by 31.8% (23769 versus 18038), and extended instructions by 18.5% (15714 versus 13262).

The Intel Core 5 320's wins are concentrated in single-thread and specialized math. Find prime numbers shows the largest Intel margin at 55.5% (110 versus 49). Physics follows at 46.9% (1221 versus 648). PassMark single-thread shows a 19.9% Intel lead (4045 versus 3240), matching the Cinebench R15 single-core result of 20.3% (276 versus 220). Floating-point math goes to Intel by 10% (42440 versus 38204).

The single-thread picture is inconsistent across tests. AMD wins Cinebench R20 single-core by 19.1% (918 versus 771) and Cinebench R23 single-core by 13.6% (2188 versus 1926), yet loses Cinebench R15 single-core by 20.3%. The PassMark single-thread test aligns with the R15 result. The data suggests the Intel core's higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz helps in certain short, low-complexity workloads, while the AMD core's architecture is stronger in sustained single-thread rendering.

Multithreaded aggregate measures favor AMD. The average benchmark score of 25880 versus 18023 places the AMD part 43.6% higher overall. The percentile ranking confirms the separation: 78th percentile for AMD versus 72nd for Intel. The nearest-rival groups show no overlap in performance tier, as the AMD part competes with the Intel Core i7-11700K and AMD Ryzen 5 230, while the Intel Core 5 320 competes with the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 and Intel Core i5-1334U.

The Verdict

The benchmark data supports a clear split by workload type. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE is the processor for multi-threaded, cache-sensitive, and integer-heavy tasks. Its 150.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 109.1% lead in integer math, and 53.3% lead in data compression make it the stronger choice for rendering, compilation, and data processing workloads. The 12-thread configuration and 16 MB of L3 cache drive these results.

The Intel Core 5 320 wins the workloads that favor high boost clocks and specific instruction patterns. Its 55.5% lead in find prime numbers, 46.9% lead in physics, and 19.9% lead in PassMark single-thread indicate strengths in light, latency-sensitive tasks. The 15 W TDP and mobile BGA socket also position it for power-constrained systems, though the database records no efficiency benchmarks to quantify that trade-off.

The overall average benchmark score difference is decisive: 25880 versus 18023, a 43.6% gap. The AMD part's nearest rivals average above 25700, while the Intel part's nearest rivals average below 18200. For users comparing these two specific chips, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE delivers the higher performance in the majority of recorded tests, winning 11 of 17 benchmarks. The Intel Core 5 320 wins 6 benchmarks, all in single-thread or specialized math categories, and offers the advantages of a newer 3 nm process, DDR5 memory support, and a higher boost clock. The choice depends on whether the workload is multi-threaded, where AMD dominates, or single-threaded and math-specific, where Intel holds the edge.