AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE vs Intel Core i7-1280P Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core i7-1280P and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE reveals a clear split across workload types. The Intel part secures 12 wins, while the AMD processor takes 5 wins, but the margins tell a more nuanced story.

The Intel Core i7-1280P dominates in several multi-threaded and math-heavy tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel chip scores 2112 against the AMD's 1562, a decisive 35.2% advantage. The gap remains substantial in Cinebench R20 multicore, where Intel leads 7153 to 6511, a 9.9% margin. The PassMark physics test shows the largest divergence: Intel scores 1411 versus AMD's 648, a massive 117.7% difference. Similarly, floating-point math strongly favors Intel, with scores of 51355 against 38204, a 34.4% lead. Integer math also goes Intel's way at 75485 versus 67582, an 11.7% margin. The PassMark multithread test mirrors that result, with Intel at 20168 and AMD at 18057, also an 11.7% difference.

Single-threaded and efficiency-oriented tasks tell a different story. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, Intel edges AMD 238 to 220, an 8.2% win. The Cinebench R20 singlecore test shows Intel ahead 1009 to 918, a 9.9% margin. PassMark single-thread results are close, with Intel scoring 3316 and AMD 3240, a 2.3% difference. Random string sorting also shows a narrow Intel lead, 24308 to 23769, a 2.3% margin.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE counterattacks in the newer Cinebench R23 workloads. In Cinebench R23 multicore, AMD wins decisively with 15504 against Intel's 11666, a 24.8% advantage. The R23 singlecore test shows AMD ahead at 2188 versus 1651, a 24.5% margin. Data compression slightly favors AMD, 228037 to 220621, a 3.3% edge. Data encryption also goes AMD's way at 14509 versus 13179, a 9.2% difference. Extended instruction workloads show AMD leading 15714 to 12897, a 17.9% margin.

The prime number finding test is an outlier in Intel's favor, with Intel scoring 86 against AMD's 49, a 75.5% delta. This pattern suggests Intel's hybrid architecture excels at certain integer-heavy algorithms, while AMD's Zen 3 design handles sustained multi-core rendering and cryptographic workloads more efficiently.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-1280P is built on Alder Lake-P architecture using a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry. It packs 14 cores and 20 threads, leveraging a hybrid design that combines performance and efficiency cores. The die size measures 217 mm². Cache allocation includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support spans both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. PCIe connectivity reaches Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics come in the form of Iris Xe with 96 execution units. The socket is Intel BGA 1744, and the processor targets the mobile segment. The base clock is 1800 MHz with a boost clock of 4.8 GHz, all within a 28 W TDP.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE takes a more traditional approach. It uses Zen 3 architecture under the Cezanne codename, fabricated on a 7 nm process by TSMC. The chip contains 6 cores and 12 threads, with 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. Cache amounts to 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of L3. Memory support is limited to DDR4, running dual-channel with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. ECC memory is supported. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics feature Radeon Vega 7. The socket is AMD Socket AM4, and this is a desktop part. Base clock sits at 3.4 GHz with a boost of 4.4 GHz, consuming 65 W TDP.

The core count disparity is stark: the Intel chip offers 14 cores versus 6 for AMD, and 20 threads against 12. However, the AMD chip compensates with higher base clocks and a more efficient process node. The Intel part's hybrid layout allows for a lower TDP while still delivering competitive multi-threaded performance in certain tests. The AMD part's higher power envelope and simpler core topology help it sustain higher all-core workloads, as evidenced by the Cinebench R23 results. Cache hierarchies also differ, with Intel opting for larger per-core L2 but a bigger shared L3 pool, while AMD uses a more compact design.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-1280P has 14 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How do the Cinebench R23 results compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE wins both R23 tests. In multicore, it scores 15504 versus Intel's 11666, a 24.8% advantage. In singlecore, AMD leads 2188 to 1651, a 24.5% margin.

Q: Which processor is better for floating-point math?

A: The Intel Core i7-1280P wins the PassMark floating-point math test with a score of 51355, compared to AMD's 38204, a 34.4% lead.

Q: What are the memory support differences?

A: The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration. The AMD chip supports only DDR4, also dual-channel, with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The Intel Core i7-1280P has a TDP of 28 W. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE has a TDP of 65 W.

Q: How does the single-thread performance compare?

A: The Intel chip wins the PassMark single-thread test with 3316 versus AMD's 3240, a 2.3% margin. However, in Cinebench R23 singlecore, AMD wins 2188 to 1651, a 24.5% advantage.

Specification Differences

The most significant specification differences between the two processors are as follows:

• Cores: 14 (Intel) versus 6 (AMD)
• Threads: 20 (Intel) versus 12 (AMD)
• Base clock: 1800 MHz (Intel) versus 3400 MHz (AMD)
• Boost clock: 4.8 GHz (Intel) versus 4.4 GHz (AMD)
• TDP: 28 W (Intel) versus 65 W (AMD)
• Socket: Intel BGA 1744 versus AMD Socket AM4
• Architecture: Alder Lake (Intel) versus Zen 3 (AMD)
• Process node: 10 nm (Intel) versus 7 nm (AMD)
• Foundry: Intel versus TSMC
• Transistors: Not listed (Intel) versus 10,700 million (AMD)
• Die size: 217 mm² (Intel) versus 180 mm² (AMD)
• L1 cache: 80 KB per core (Intel) versus 64 KB per core (AMD)
• L2 cache: 1.25 MB per core (Intel) versus 512 KB per core (AMD)
• L3 cache: 24 MB shared (Intel) versus 16 MB (AMD)
• Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 (Intel) versus DDR4 (AMD)
• Memory bandwidth: Not listed (Intel) versus 51.2 GB/s (AMD)
• ECC memory: Not supported (Intel) versus supported (AMD)
• PCIe: Gen 4, 20 lanes (Intel) versus Gen 3, 16 lanes (AMD)
• Integrated graphics: Iris Xe 96EU (Intel) versus Radeon Vega 7 (AMD)
• Market segment: Mobile (Intel) versus Desktop (AMD)
• Release date: 2022-02-22 (Intel) versus 2024-05-06 (AMD)

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-1280P is the stronger choice for workloads that depend on raw core count and specific math operations. Its 14 cores and 20 threads provide a clear advantage in PassMark physics testing, where it leads by 117.7%. It also excels in floating-point math (34.4% lead), integer math (11.7% lead), and the PassMark multithread test (11.7% lead). The prime number finding test, with a 75.5% advantage, indicates that the Intel part handles certain algorithmic loops more efficiently. For users running physics simulations, heavy number crunching, or parallel integer workloads, the Intel processor delivers measurable performance gains. Its dual-channel memory support for both DDR4 and DDR5 offers flexibility, and the 28 W TDP makes it suitable for thermally constrained mobile environments.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE wins in sustained rendering and modern Cinebench workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 15504, which is 24.8% higher than Intel's, suggests superior long-duration multi-core performance despite having fewer cores. The R23 singlecore result (24.5% lead) indicates better per-thread efficiency in that benchmark generation. Data compression (3.3% lead) and data encryption (9.2% lead) workloads favor AMD, making it the better option for file archiving and cryptographic tasks. Extended instruction workloads, with a 17.9% advantage, point to stronger SIMD or specialized instruction handling. The 7 nm process and 65 W TDP allow for higher sustained clocks, which benefits rendering and compression tasks that run for extended periods. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, making it attractive for reliability-sensitive desktop builds. Its desktop socket and higher base clock (3.4 GHz) provide a more straightforward upgrade path in AM4 systems.

In summary, the Intel Core i7-1280P wins on multi-threaded math, physics, and integer-heavy tasks, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE wins on Cinebench R23, encryption, compression, and extended instructions. The choice depends on whether the workload prioritizes the Intel hybrid core advantage or the AMD Zen 3 efficiency in sustained and cryptographic operations.