AMD Ryzen 7 260 vs Intel Core 7 350 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 260 and the Intel Core 7 350 are both active mobile processors, but the benchmark data shows they are built for distinctly different workloads. The Ryzen 7 260, with its 8 cores and 16 threads, dominates in almost every multi-threaded and throughput-intensive test, while the Intel Core 7 350, a 6-core, 6-thread design, takes a clear lead in single-threaded responsiveness. The recorded measurements indicate a massive gap in overall performance, with the AMD chip placing in the 88th percentile of all CPUs compared to Intel's 71st percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 260 claims victory in 10 of the 15 head-to-head benchmarks, establishing itself as the definitive choice for parallel processing workloads. The most extreme example is in PassMark integer math, where the AMD chip scores 96,737 against Intel's 33,734, a lead of 186.8%. This pattern continues through data compression (145.6% ahead), random string sorting (145.9% ahead), and extended instructions (120.4% ahead). These results indicate that the Ryzen 7 260 is exceptionally well-suited for content creation, code compilation, and any task that can utilize its 16 threads.

The Intel Core 7 350 wins the remaining 5 tests, all of which are single-threaded or lightly threaded. Its victories include Cinebench R23 single-core (2,046 vs. 1,770.5, a 13.5% advantage) and PassMark single-thread (4,100 vs. 3,736, an 8.9% advantage). The Intel chip also wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test (292 vs. 276.5) and the PassMark find prime numbers test (107 vs. 77). This suggests that for everyday tasks like web browsing, office productivity, and other applications that rely on a single fast core, the Intel processor will deliver snappier performance.

The split is clear: the AMD Ryzen 7 260 is for heavy, multi-threaded lifting, while the Intel Core 7 350 is for lighter, single-threaded workloads. The data shows a 125.2% lead for AMD in Cinebench R15 multi-core and a 114.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, making the performance differential in professional rendering tasks decisive.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different designs and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 is built on TSMC's 4 nm process node and uses the Zen 4 architecture, with a codename of Hawk Point. It integrates 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel Core 7 350, in contrast, uses Intel's 3 nm process node and the Wildcat Lake codename. The data does not list a transistor count or die size for the Intel chip.

Core configurations differ significantly. The AMD chip has 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The Intel chip has 6 cores and 6 threads, with a much lower base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Intel chip does not support simultaneous multithreading, which explains its 6-thread count. Cache layouts also diverge. The AMD processor uses 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel processor uses a larger 192 KB L1 per core and 2.5 MB L2 per core, but only 6 MB of shared L3.

Memory architecture is another major differentiator. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel Core 7 350 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but only in a single-channel configuration, capping bandwidth at 59.7 GB/s. The AMD chip also provides more PCIe connectivity with Gen 4, 20 lanes (CPU only), compared to Intel's Gen 4, 6 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics also differ: the AMD chip uses the Radeon 780M, while the Intel chip uses Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe). The thermal design power ratings reflect their intended use cases, with the AMD chip rated at 45 W and the Intel chip at 15 W.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite highlights the stark contrast between the chips. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 7 260 scores 17,211.5, which is 114.3% higher than the Intel Core 7 350's 8,030. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test tells a similar story, with AMD scoring 2,747.5 against Intel's 1,220, a 125.2% difference. These results confirm that the AMD processor's additional cores and threads translate into a massive advantage in rendering performance.

The single-core results flip the narrative. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel Core 7 350 scores 2,046, beating the AMD Ryzen 7 260's 1,770.5 by 13.5%. The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows a smaller but still notable Intel advantage of 5.3%, with scores of 292 and 276.5, respectively. The PassMark single-thread test confirms this trend, with Intel scoring 4,100 against AMD's 3,736, an 8.9% lead.

The PassMark suite shows the AMD chip's dominance in most compute-heavy tasks. In data compression, AMD scores 351,517 versus Intel's 143,123, a 145.6% advantage. Data encryption shows AMD ahead by 85.4% (20,267 vs. 10,933). Floating point math is closer but still favors AMD, with a 38.9% lead (59,462 vs. 42,809). The physics test is nearly tied, with AMD winning by just 3.8% (1,218 vs. 1,173). The only PassMark test Intel wins is find prime numbers, where Intel scores 107 against AMD's 77, a 28% difference. The overall PassMark multithread score reinforces the pattern: AMD scores 28,078, an 85.1% improvement over Intel's 15,170.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 7 350 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen 7 260 in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 7 260 scores 17,211.5, which is 114.3% higher than the Intel Core 7 350's score of 8,030.

Q: Is the Intel Core 7 350 better for single-threaded tasks?

A: Yes, the benchmark data shows the Intel Core 7 350 wins all single-threaded tests. It scores 2,046 in Cinebench R23 single-core, 13.5% higher than the AMD chip's 1,770.5.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 supports dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core 7 350 uses single-channel memory with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 is manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 7 350 is built on Intel's 3 nm process.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 has a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The Intel Core 7 350 has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 is the superior processor for multi-threaded performance, with decisive wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core (114.3% ahead), PassMark integer math (186.8% ahead), and PassMark multithread (85.1% ahead). Its dual-channel memory, larger L3 cache, and 16 threads make it the appropriate choice for users running demanding applications like video encoding, 3D rendering, and large data processing.

The Intel Core 7 350, while trailing in overall throughput, has the edge in single-threaded performance. Its 13.5% win in Cinebench R23 single-core and 8.9% win in PassMark single-thread indicate it will provide faster response in applications that are not well-optimized for multiple cores. Its 15 W TDP also positions it for systems where power efficiency is a primary concern, such as thin and light laptops.

The average benchmark scores reflect the overall performance gap. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 has an average benchmark score of 43,717 and sits in the 88th percentile, while the Intel Core 7 350 has an average score of 17,779 and sits in the 71st percentile. The nearest rivals for the AMD chip include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 with a delta of 0%, while the Intel chip's nearest rival is the Intel Core 5 221TE with a delta of -0.5%. The Intel Core 7 350 has a launch MSRP of $469. For users prioritizing raw compute power, the AMD Ryzen 7 260 is the clear winner. For users prioritizing single-thread speed and minimal power draw, the Intel Core 7 350 is the better fit.