AMD Ryzen 7 260 vs Intel Core 5 320 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a clear split between the AMD Ryzen 7 260 and the Intel Core 5 320, with the AMD part dominating multi-threaded workloads while the Intel part claims the single-thread victories. Out of the 15 head-to-head benchmarks, the AMD Ryzen 7 260 wins 10, while the Intel Core 5 320 wins 5.

The largest margin of victory belongs to the AMD Ryzen 7 260 in passmark_integer_math, where it scores 96,737 against the Intel Core 5 320's 32,323, a delta of 199.3%. This is not an isolated result; the AMD processor also leads in cinebench_r23_multicore with a score of 17,211.5 versus 6,197, a 177.7% advantage. The cinebench_r15_multicore test shows a similar pattern, with AMD at 2,747.5 and Intel at 1,054, representing a 160.7% lead. In passmark_data_compression, the AMD part reaches 351,517 compared to 148,779, a 136.3% margin, and in passmark_random_string_sorting it scores 42,383 against 18,038, a 135% difference.

The AMD Ryzen 7 260 also wins decisively in passmark_extended_instructions, scoring 26,544 versus 13,262, a 100.2% lead. In passmark_data_encryption, it posts 20,267 against 10,984, an 84.5% advantage. The passmark_multithread score of 28,078 versus 15,450 gives AMD an 81.7% lead. Finally, in passmark_floating_point_math, the AMD chip scores 59,462 against 42,440, a 40.1% margin. Even in the closest AMD win, cinebench_r15_singlecore, the margin is narrow but real: 276.5 versus 276, a 0.2% difference.

The Intel Core 5 320 takes the remaining five benchmarks, but with much smaller margins. In passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, it scores 4,045 against 3,736, a 7.6% advantage in both tests. In cinebench_r23_singlecore, the Intel part records 1,926 versus 1,770.5, an 8.1% lead. The passmark_find_prime_numbers test shows Intel ahead at 110 versus 77, a 30% margin. The passmark_physics result is nearly identical: 1,221 for Intel and 1,218 for AMD, a 0.2% difference.

The aggregate benchmark data reinforces this split. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 holds an average benchmark score of 43,717 and sits in the 88th percentile among all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 320 has an average score of 18,023 and is in the 72nd percentile. The nearest rivals for AMD include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 with an average score of 43,704 (0% delta), the AMD Ryzen 7 170 at 43,689 (0.1% delta), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 at 43,431 (0.7% delta), and the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 at 43,326 (0.9% delta). For Intel, the closest competitors are the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17,994 (0.2% delta), the Intel Core 5 120U at 17,898 (0.7% delta), the Intel Core i5-1334U at 18,154 (-0.7% delta), and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17,891 (0.7% delta).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It contains 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 320 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3 nm process manufactured at Intel, with no transistor count or die size recorded in the database.

The core configuration differs sharply. The AMD part has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel part has 6 cores and 6 threads. This means AMD offers simultaneous multithreading, while Intel does not. The cache hierarchy also diverges. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 320 lists 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Clock speeds tell a story of trade-offs. The AMD processor has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The Intel processor has a much lower base clock of 1.50 GHz but a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The thermal design power reflects this difference, with AMD rated at 45 W and Intel at 15 W. Both parts are locked, meaning the multiplier is not unlocked on either.

Memory support is another clear differentiator. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 supports DDR5 over a dual-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel Core 5 320 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but only over a single-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. Neither processor supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes.

Integrated graphics are present on both. The AMD part uses the Radeon 780M, while the Intel part uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The sockets are not interchangeable: AMD uses AMD Socket FP8, and Intel uses Intel BGA 1516.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results indicate that the AMD Ryzen 7 260 is the stronger choice for multi-threaded and throughput-oriented tasks. The 177.7% lead in cinebench_r23_multicore and the 160.7% lead in cinebench_r15_multicore point to substantial rendering capability. The 199.3% margin in integer math and the 136.3% advantage in data compression suggest heavy number-crunching workloads, such as video encoding, code compilation, and database operations, will favor the AMD part. The 100.2% lead in extended instructions and the 84.5% advantage in encryption further support this, as these workloads benefit from more cores and threads.

The Intel Core 5 320 wins where per-thread performance matters most. Its 7.6% lead in passmark_single_thread and 8.1% lead in cinebench_r23_singlecore indicate that lightly threaded applications, such as many productivity tools or older games that rely on one or two threads, will see a modest performance advantage. The 30% lead in passmark_find_prime_numbers is a specific case where Intel's architecture appears to excel in a serial, latency-sensitive workload. The passmark_physics result is effectively a tie, with Intel ahead by only 0.2%, so neither processor has a meaningful edge in that simulated physics workload.

The wider average benchmark gap is substantial. The AMD processor's average score of 43,717 is roughly 2.4 times the Intel processor's 18,023. This places the AMD part in the 88th percentile versus the Intel part's 72nd percentile. However, the Intel part's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 and the Intel Core 5 120U, which means it competes in a lower performance tier than the AMD Ryzen 7 260.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks are 3.80 GHz for AMD and 1.50 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.10 GHz for AMD and 4.60 GHz for Intel. Thermal design power is 45 W versus 15 W, favoring Intel for low-power scenarios.

The process node differs: AMD uses 4 nm at TSMC, Intel uses 3 nm at Intel. The cache configurations are not directly comparable due to different reporting methods. AMD lists L1 as 64 KB per core, L2 as 1 MB per core, and L3 as 16 MB shared. Intel lists L1 as 192 KB, L2 as 2.5 MB, and L3 as 6 MB shared. Memory support shows AMD with DDR5 dual-channel at 89.6 GB/s and Intel with DDR5 and LPDDR5X single-channel at 59.7 GB/s. PCIe lanes are 20 for AMD and 6 for Intel, both Gen 4.

The integrated graphics differ in name and configuration. AMD uses Radeon 780M, while Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe. The sockets are different, and the part numbers are distinct: AMD lists 100-000001724, Intel lists SAE3H. The release dates are separated, with AMD dated 2025-01-05 and Intel dated 2026-04-15. Intel has a recorded launch MSRP of $340; AMD has no launch MSRP in the database. Both are active production parts, both are mobile segments, and neither supports ECC memory.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 wins 10 of the 15 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core 5 320 wins 5.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in passmark_integer_math, where the AMD Ryzen 7 260 leads by 199.3%, scoring 96,737 versus 32,323.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 320 beat the AMD Ryzen 7 260 in any single-core test?

A: Yes. The Intel Core 5 320 leads by 8.1% in cinebench_r23_singlecore (1,926 versus 1,770.5) and by 7.6% in passmark_single_thread (4,045 versus 3,736).

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 has an average benchmark score of 43,717, while the Intel Core 5 320 has an average score of 18,023.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher thermal design power?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 is rated at 45 W, while the Intel Core 5 320 is rated at 15 W.