AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U vs Intel Core i5-13490F Comparison

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-13490F defeats the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U in every single head-to-head comparison, winning all 15 contested benchmarks. The only question is the magnitude of the defeat, which ranges from a narrow 5.1% gap in integer math to a devastating 55.8% margin in multi-core rendering. This is not a close contest; it is a systematic performance sweep by the desktop-focused Intel chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel Core i5-13490F scores 22,747 against the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U’s 10,047. That translates to a 55.8% advantage for Intel, the largest delta in the entire comparison. The single-core R23 test tells a similar story, with Intel’s 3,211 score beating AMD’s 1,501 by 53.3%. These are not marginal differences; they represent a full performance tier of separation.

The gap narrows somewhat in less demanding workloads but remains consistently in Intel’s favor. In Cinebench R15, Intel leads by 22.9% in multi-core (2,292 vs 1,766) and by 26.3% in single-core (323 vs 238). PassMark’s physics test shows Intel doubling AMD’s score (1,915 vs 989), a 48.4% margin, while the prime number search test shows Intel at 114 versus AMD’s 56, a 50.9% advantage. Even in floating-point math, where AMD’s integrated Radeon 680M might suggest some strength, Intel wins decisively: 60,273 vs 42,999, or 28.7% ahead.

The closest result is PassMark integer math, where Intel’s 83,723 only narrowly beats AMD’s 79,479 by 5.1%. Similarly, data encryption shows Intel ahead by 10.7% (17,902 vs 15,995), and single-thread PassMark scores have Intel at 3,828 versus 3,234, a 15.5% edge. The mid-range gaps are consistent: data compression (23.9%), extended instructions (23%), multithread (22%), and random string sorting (21.5%) all fall in the 20-24% band, confirming that Intel’s advantage is broad-based rather than workload-specific.

The aggregate benchmark scores reflect this dominance. Intel’s average benchmark score is 28,185, slightly above AMD’s 28,379? No—the data shows AMD’s average is 28,379, which is actually 0.7% higher than Intel’s 28,185. This apparent contradiction is explained by the fact that AMD’s average is drawn from a different benchmark suite that includes Geekbench scores (8,037 multi-core, 1,578 single-core), while Intel’s suite includes 3DMark results (7,556 max threads, 1,002 single thread). The head-to-head tests, however, use only overlapping workloads, and there Intel wins every one.

The Verdict

The verdict is straightforward: the Intel Core i5-13490F is the superior processor for any compute-heavy task. Its 55.8% lead in multi-core rendering and 53.3% lead in single-core rendering make it the clear choice for content creation, 3D rendering, and any workload that scales with CPU horsepower. The data shows no scenario in the head-to-head benchmarks where the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U wins, so there is no performance-based argument for choosing AMD.

However, context matters. The Intel chip is a desktop processor with a 65W TDP, while the AMD chip is a mobile processor with a 15W TDP. The AMD part is designed for laptops and ultrabooks, where its lower power draw and integrated Radeon 680M graphics are essential. The Intel part, with no integrated graphics, requires a discrete GPU and is meant for desktop builds. If the choice is between a thin-and-light laptop with the Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U and a desktop tower with the Core i5-13490F, the benchmark data says the desktop will be dramatically faster, but the laptop offers portability that the desktop cannot match. For users who need a desktop CPU, the Intel is the obvious pick. For users who need a mobile CPU, the AMD is the only viable option in this comparison, and its 80th percentile ranking versus all CPUs shows it is still a capable performer.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U is built on the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt, using a 6nm process from TSMC. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Intel Core i5-13490F uses the Raptor Lake architecture, codenamed Raptor Lake-S, built on Intel’s 10nm process. It has 10 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The extra two cores on the Intel part are a key factor in its multi-core dominance, but the architecture differences run deeper.

AMD’s Zen 3+ is a refined version of the Zen 3 design, optimized for power efficiency in mobile form factors. The 6nm process allows for a 208 mm² die size, and the chip includes a Radeon 680M integrated GPU, making it a complete system-on-chip. Intel’s Raptor Lake is a desktop-focused design with a 215 mm² die size and no integrated graphics. The cache hierarchy differs as well: AMD provides 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 24 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel’s larger L2 and L3 caches likely contribute to its lead in memory-sensitive workloads like data compression and random string sorting.

The process node difference is also significant. TSMC’s 6nm process is more advanced than Intel’s 10nm node, which explains why AMD can achieve similar clock speeds (4.70 GHz vs 4.80 GHz) while drawing only 15W compared to Intel’s 65W. This efficiency advantage is real but does not translate into performance wins in the benchmark data—Intel’s higher power budget allows it to push clocks harder and sustain higher multi-core throughput.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences are stark. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-13490F has 10 cores and 16 threads. AMD’s base clock is 2.70 GHz versus Intel’s 2.50 GHz, but Intel’s boost clock is higher at 4.80 GHz versus 4.70 GHz. The TDP difference is massive: 15W for AMD versus 65W for Intel. AMD uses the FP7 socket, while Intel uses Socket 1700. AMD supports only DDR5 memory, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. AMD’s memory bandwidth is rated at 76.8 GB/s, while Intel’s is not listed. AMD has PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while Intel has PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. AMD includes a Radeon 680M integrated GPU; Intel has none. AMD is a mobile part released on 2022-04-18, while Intel is a desktop part released on 2023-02-09 with a launch MSRP of $235. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core score?

A: The Intel Core i5-13490F scores 22,747 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 55.8% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U’s 10,047.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U better in any benchmark?

A: No. In the 15 head-to-head benchmarks, the Intel Core i5-13490F wins all 15. The AMD part does not win a single comparison.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U has a TDP of 15W, while the Intel Core i5-13490F has a TDP of 65W. This makes AMD far more power-efficient.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U supports only DDR5, while the Intel Core i5-13490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U includes a Radeon 680M integrated GPU. The Intel Core i5-13490F has no integrated graphics and requires a discrete GPU.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U has an average benchmark score of 28,379, which is 0.7% higher than the Intel Core i5-13490F’s 28,185, though the head-to-head tests favor Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-13490F wins in every measurable performance category: multi-core rendering, single-core rendering, physics simulation, data compression, encryption, extended instructions, floating-point math, integer math, multithread, random string sorting, and single-thread tasks. Its largest margins are in multi-core rendering (55.8%) and single-core rendering (53.3%), making it the definitive choice for video editing, 3D modeling, and software compilation. Its smallest margin is in integer math (5.1%), where the two are nearly tied, but Intel still comes out ahead.

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U has no benchmark wins, but its strengths lie outside the performance metrics. Its 15W TDP and integrated Radeon 680M graphics make it suitable for fanless or low-power laptop designs, and its 6nm process from TSMC enables this efficiency. The data shows it is competitive in integer math (5.1% behind) and data encryption (10.7% behind), suggesting that in mixed workloads, the gap narrows. For mobile users who prioritize battery life and portability over raw compute, the AMD part is the logical choice, even though it loses every performance comparison. For desktop users who need maximum throughput, the Intel Core i5-13490F is the only choice based on this data.