AMD Ryzen 7 250 vs Intel Core i5-13600HX Comparison

The Intel Core i5-13600HX and AMD Ryzen 7 250 are remarkably close in overall average benchmark scores, with the Intel part scoring 38261 and the AMD part scoring 38221, a difference of just 0.1%. However, this overall parity masks a starkly different performance profile. The data shows the Intel chip wins 14 of 15 head-to-head tests, often by significant margins, while the AMD chip wins only one test by a smaller margin. This makes the choice between them less about raw capability and more about specific workload priorities.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the comparison is the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where the Intel Core i5-13600HX scores 23422 against the AMD Ryzen 7 250's 14676. That is a 59.6% lead for Intel, a massive advantage in heavily threaded rendering workloads. The gap is even larger in the single-core portion of the same test: Intel scores 3306 while AMD scores 1715, a 92.8% difference. This is not a marginal victory; it is a dominant performance in both metrics of this benchmark.

The pattern continues in older Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel leads with 2360 versus 2302, a 2.5% edge. The single-core test shows a larger divergence, with Intel at 333 and AMD at 269, a 23.8% advantage for Intel. These results indicate that the Intel processor's architecture is far more efficient at executing the instructions used in these specific rendering tasks, both when using one core and when scaling across all cores.

PassMark results tell a similar story, though with varying degrees of separation. The Intel chip wins the multithread test with 28280 versus 25089, a 12.7% lead. In floating-point math, Intel is ahead by 32.5%, scoring 70618 to AMD's 53285. The physics test shows a 57.8% advantage for Intel (1810 vs 1147). Even in integer math, where the scores are closer, Intel still wins with 97126 versus 91565, a 6.1% margin. Data compression and encryption also favor Intel, with leads of 9.3% and 9.2% respectively. The smallest win for Intel is in the PassMark single-thread test, where it scores 3684 versus 3678, a negligible 0.2% edge.

The single win for the AMD Ryzen 7 250 comes in the PassMark extended instructions test, where it scores 21613 against Intel's 19720. This is an 8.8% advantage for AMD. This specific test often measures performance on specialized instruction sets, suggesting that AMD's implementation is more efficient for certain types of computational tasks, even though it loses in more general-purpose tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different designs. The Intel Core i5-13600HX uses the Raptor Lake architecture, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process node. It features 14 cores and 20 threads, which indicates a hybrid design of performance and efficiency cores. The AMD Ryzen 7 250 uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, built on a 4 nm process from TSMC. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, a more traditional homogeneous core layout. The Intel chip has a die size of 257 mm², while the AMD chip is smaller at 178 mm² and contains 25,000 million transistors.

Cache configurations also differ significantly. The Intel part has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger cache hierarchy on the Intel chip likely contributes to its performance advantage in many of the benchmark tests. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory and has a multi-core TDP of 55 watts, whereas the AMD chip does not support ECC and has a lower TDP of 28 watts. The Intel processor is unlocked for overclocking, while the AMD processor is locked.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-13600HX is the clear winner for almost any compute-intensive task. It dominates in rendering workloads, as shown by its massive leads in all Cinebench tests. For users who do video editing, 3D modeling, or software compilation, the Intel chip's 59.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core translates to significantly faster completion times. Its advantages in PassMark multithread (12.7%), physics (57.8%), and floating-point math (32.5%) also make it the better choice for scientific computing, simulations, and any application that relies heavily on number crunching.

The AMD Ryzen 7 250 finds its niche in a narrower set of scenarios. Its only benchmark win is in the extended instructions test, where it is 8.8% ahead. This suggests it may be better suited for workloads that use specific vector or cryptographic instruction sets. However, its lower TDP of 28 watts versus Intel's 55 watts could also make it a more attractive option for systems where power efficiency is a primary concern, even if that efficiency comes at the cost of performance in most tests. The AMD chip's integrated Radeon 780M graphics is also a notable feature, though the benchmark data provided does not compare iGPU performance directly.

Specification Differences

The core specifications paint a clear picture of two different design goals. The Intel Core i5-13600HX has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 250 has 8 cores and 16 threads. Intel's base clock is 2.60 GHz and its boost clock is 4.80 GHz, while AMD's base clock is higher at 3.30 GHz and its boost clock is 5.10 GHz. The Intel chip has a TDP of 55 watts, compared to AMD's 28 watts. The Intel part uses an Intel BGA 1964 socket, while the AMD part uses an AMD Socket FP8. The Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD chip only supports DDR5. The Intel chip has a PCIe Gen 5 interface with 20 lanes, while the AMD chip has a PCIe Gen 4 interface with 20 lanes. The Intel chip features UHD Graphics 770, while the AMD chip features Radeon 780M. The Intel part was released on 2023-01-03, while the AMD part was released on 2025-01-05.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-13600HX is faster. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 3306 versus the AMD Ryzen 7 250's 1715, a 92.8% advantage. In PassMark single-thread, the difference is negligible, with Intel at 3684 and AMD at 3678.

Q: How do they compare in multi-core rendering?

A: The Intel chip is far ahead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 23422 against AMD's 14676, a 59.6% lead. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a smaller 2.5% advantage for Intel (2360 vs 2302).

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 250 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins the PassMark extended instructions test with a score of 21613, which is 8.8% higher than the Intel chip's 19720. This is its only win out of 15 head-to-head tests.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i5-13600HX has 14 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 250 has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 250 has a higher boost clock at 5.10 GHz, compared to the Intel Core i5-13600HX's 4.80 GHz. The AMD chip also has a higher base clock at 3.30 GHz versus 2.60 GHz.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The Intel Core i5-13600HX has a TDP of 55 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 7 250 has a TDP of 28 watts.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i5-13600HX is the superior performer for the vast majority of tasks. It wins 14 out of 15 tests, with particularly dominant leads in Cinebench R23 multi-core (59.6%) and single-core (92.8%). Anyone prioritizing raw CPU performance for rendering, simulation, or heavy multitasking should choose the Intel part. Its higher core count and larger cache contribute to these results.

The AMD Ryzen 7 250 is only the better choice for a very specific user. Its single win in the extended instructions test makes it a potential pick for workloads that are heavily optimized for those specific instructions. Furthermore, its significantly lower TDP of 28 watts, compared to Intel's 55 watts, makes it the more power-efficient option. For a user building a system where energy consumption is the top priority and who does not need the high multi-core performance of the Intel chip, the AMD part is the sensible choice. For any other purpose, the data supports selecting the Intel Core i5-13600HX. The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical, but that parity is misleading; the Intel chip's wins are decisive, while the AMD chip's single win is moderate.