AMD Ryzen 7 5825C vs Intel Core i5-10600K Comparison

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 7 5825C wins every single head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i5-10600K, taking all six Cinebench tests by a consistent margin of roughly 2.2 percent. This is a sweeping victory for AMD’s mobile part, but the Intel chip is not without its own advantages in specific workloads. The Ryzen 7 5825C dominates multi-threaded rendering, while the Core i5-10600K holds its own in synthetic thread-scaling tests that are not part of the direct comparison. The data shows a clear split: the AMD processor is the better all-around performer in the tested Cinebench suite, while the Intel chip’s 3DMark results suggest it handles thread-count scaling differently, which could matter for certain software.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 5825C wins every Cinebench test, making it the definitive choice for CPU-bound rendering and multi-threaded productivity tasks. Its lead is narrow but consistent: 2.2 percent in Cinebench R20 multi-core (5197 vs 5084), 2.2 percent in R23 multi-core (12376 vs 12106), and 2.2 percent in R15 multi-core (1247 vs 1220). The pattern holds across single-core tests as well, with the AMD part ahead by 1.7 percent in R15 single-core (175 vs 172) and 2.2 percent in both R20 (733 vs 717) and R23 (1747 vs 1709) single-core. This means the Ryzen 7 5825C is the faster chip for Cinebench workloads, regardless of thread count.

The Intel Core i5-10600K does not win any of the six head-to-head benchmarks, but it has a separate set of 3DMark scores that reveal a different strength. Its 3DMark results show strong scaling from 2 threads (1553) to 4 threads (2970) to 8 threads (4504) and up to 16 threads (5378), with a max-thread score of 5377. These figures are not directly compared to the AMD part, but they indicate that the Intel chip handles multi-threaded 3DMark workloads efficiently. The AMD processor has no 3DMark data in the fact pack, so the Intel chip wins by default in that category based on available information.

In terms of average benchmark score, the AMD Ryzen 7 5825C has a higher figure at 3579, compared to the Intel’s 3533. This puts the AMD part roughly 1.3 percent ahead on average, reinforcing its overall performance edge. Both processors sit at the 55th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are statistically equivalent in overall standing despite the AMD’s small average score advantage.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The AMD Ryzen 7 5825C is built on a 7 nm process at TSMC, while the Intel Core i5-10600K uses a 14 nm process at Intel. This process node difference explains much of the efficiency and performance characteristics. The AMD chip is based on the Zen 3 architecture with the Cezanne-U codename, while the Intel part uses the older Comet Lake architecture. The AMD processor packs 8 cores and 16 threads, compared to the Intel’s 6 cores and 12 threads, giving AMD a raw thread-count advantage.

Cache configurations also differ significantly. The AMD Ryzen 7 5825C has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core i5-10600K has 64 KB of L1 per core, but only 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. This means AMD has double the L2 cache per core and 4 MB more L3 cache overall, which can help with data-heavy workloads. The transistor count is also a major difference: the AMD processor has 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die, while the Intel chip has no listed transistor or die size data.

The memory subsystems are similar but not identical. Both support DDR4 with dual-channel memory buses, but the AMD part has a higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, compared to the Intel’s 42.7 GB/s. This is a 20 percent advantage for AMD in theoretical memory throughput. Neither processor supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity also differs: the AMD chip offers Gen 3 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), giving Intel double the CPU-attached PCIe lanes.

Integrated graphics are another differentiator. The AMD Ryzen 7 5825C includes Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Intel Core i5-10600K has UHD Graphics 630. The fact pack does not provide benchmark scores for these iGPUs, so no direct performance comparison is possible. The market segments also tell a story: the AMD chip is a mobile processor on AMD Socket FP6, while the Intel chip is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1200. The AMD part has a 15 W TDP, while the Intel part has a 125 W TDP, a massive difference that reflects their intended platforms.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The six head-to-head Cinebench tests all favor the AMD Ryzen 7 5825C. The largest margins are all 2.2 percent, appearing in Cinebench R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. The R20 multi-core result shows the AMD part scoring 5197 against Intel’s 5084, a lead of 113 points. The R23 multi-core result shows 12376 versus 12106, a lead of 270 points. The R23 single-core result is 1747 versus 1709, a lead of 38 points. These are consistent, repeatable margins across different Cinebench versions.

The Cinebench R15 tests show slightly smaller margins. In R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 1247 versus Intel’s 1220, a lead of 27 points or 2.2 percent. In R15 single-core, the AMD part scores 175 versus Intel’s 172, a lead of 3 points or 1.7 percent. This single-core R15 margin is the smallest of the entire set, but it still favors AMD. The consistency of the 2.2 percent delta across most tests suggests a structural advantage for AMD, likely stemming from the Zen 3 architecture and higher memory bandwidth.

The Intel Core i5-10600K’s own benchmark results outside the head-to-head set show its strengths. Its 3DMark multi-threaded scores are notable: 5378 for 16 threads, 5377 for max threads, 4504 for 8 threads, 2970 for 4 threads, 1553 for 2 threads, and 799 for single thread. These figures show a strong scaling curve from 2 to 8 threads, then a plateau from 8 to 16 threads. The Intel chip also has Geekbench scores of 6393 multi-core and 1477 single-core, which are not part of the head-to-head comparison but indicate solid general-purpose performance.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every key specification. The AMD Ryzen 7 5825C has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-10600K has 6 cores and 12 threads. The AMD base clock is 2000 MHz, while the Intel base clock is 4100 MHz. The AMD boost clock is 4500 MHz, while the Intel boost clock is 4800 MHz. The Intel chip has higher clocks, but the AMD chip has more cores and threads.

The TDP difference is extreme: the AMD chip is rated at 15 W, while the Intel chip is rated at 125 W. This is an 8-fold difference in power envelope. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP6, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1200. The AMD chip is based on Zen 3 architecture with a 7 nm process, while the Intel chip uses Comet Lake architecture with a 14 nm process. The AMD chip has 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die, while the Intel chip has no listed transistor count or die size.

Cache differences are notable: the AMD chip has 512 KB L2 per core versus Intel’s 256 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB L3 shared versus Intel’s 12 MB L3 shared. Memory bandwidth also favors AMD at 51.2 GB/s versus Intel’s 42.7 GB/s. PCIe lanes favor Intel at 16 lanes versus AMD’s 8 lanes. The AMD chip has Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Intel chip has UHD Graphics 630. The AMD chip is locked (multiplierUnlocked: false), while the Intel chip is unlocked (multiplierUnlocked: true). The AMD part number is 100-000000xxx, while the Intel part number is SRH6R. The AMD chip was released in 2022-05-04, while the Intel chip was released in 2020-04-29.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks in this comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5825C wins all 6 head-to-head benchmarks, with a 100 percent win rate against the Intel Core i5-10600K.

Q: What is the biggest performance lead in the head-to-head tests?

A: The biggest lead is 2.2 percent, achieved by the AMD Ryzen 7 5825C in Cinebench R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5825C has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-10600K has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5825C has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Intel Core i5-10600K has a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-10600K has a higher boost clock at 4800 MHz, compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 5825C’s 4500 MHz.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both processors are at the 55th percentile of all CPUs, despite the AMD chip having a higher average benchmark score of 3579 versus Intel’s 3533.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for most workloads: the AMD Ryzen 7 5825C. It wins every Cinebench test, has a higher average benchmark score (3579 vs 3533), more cores and threads (8/16 vs 6/12), more L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB), and higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s). For anyone running Cinebench or similar multi-threaded rendering workloads, the AMD chip is the better choice based on the available evidence.

The Intel Core i5-10600K is not without merit. It has a higher boost clock (4800 MHz vs 4500 MHz), more PCIe lanes (16 vs 8), and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Its 3DMark scores show strong multi-threaded scaling, with a 16-thread score of 5378 and a max-thread score of 5377. However, with zero head-to-head wins, the Intel chip cannot be recommended over the AMD part based on direct comparisons.

The TDP difference is the defining context. The AMD Ryzen 7 5825C achieves its performance at 15 W, while the Intel Core i5-10600K requires 125 W. This means the AMD chip delivers comparable or better Cinebench performance at a fraction of the power draw, making it the more efficient choice. For desktop users who need PCIe lane count or overclocking, the Intel chip has specific advantages. For everyone else, the AMD Ryzen 7 5825C is the data-backed winner.