AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U vs Intel Core i5-13500T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-13500T is the decisive winner in this head-to-head matchup, taking 16 of 17 benchmark comparisons against the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U. The data shows a clear pattern: Intel leads in nearly every compute category, with its largest advantages in single-core performance and floating-point math. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U manages only a single win in data encryption, and its strengths are otherwise limited to power efficiency and integrated graphics capabilities that are not captured in these CPU benchmarks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Geekbench single-core, where the Intel Core i5-13500T scores 2279 against the AMD’s 1578, a massive 44.4% delta. This is the largest percentage gap in the entire benchmark suite and highlights a fundamental difference in architectural efficiency at lower thread counts. The Intel chip’s boost clock of 4.60 GHz is only slightly lower than the AMD’s 4.70 GHz, yet the execution efficiency per clock is substantially higher on the Raptor Lake design.

Multi-core performance also favors Intel, though by smaller margins. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-13500T scores 11028 versus 10047 for the Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U, a 9.8% advantage. The Geekbench multi-core result shows a similar 10.6% lead for Intel (8888 vs 8037). These gaps are consistent with the core-count difference: Intel fields 14 cores and 20 threads, while AMD offers 8 cores and 16 threads. However, the per-core advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core is more pronounced — Intel leads by 16.9% (1754 vs 1501) — indicating that the higher core count alone does not explain the full performance delta.

In PassMark workloads, Intel’s dominance is most evident in floating-point math, where it scores 61640 against AMD’s 42999 — a 43.4% advantage. The prime number finding test also shows a significant Intel lead of 30.4% (73 vs 56). Integer math is closer, with Intel ahead by 6.2% (84427 vs 79479), and data compression shows an 8.6% Intel edge (271348 vs 249799). The only AMD victory comes in data encryption, where the Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U scores 15995 versus Intel’s 15543, a 2.8% margin. This suggests AMD’s Zen 3+ architecture has a slight edge in cryptographic workloads, but it is an isolated result.

The overall average benchmark score reflects this distribution: Intel averages 28670, placing in the 80th percentile of all CPUs, while AMD averages 28379, also in the 80th percentile. The Intel chip sits within 0.1% of the Intel Core i5-12600 and 0.3% of the AMD EPYC 7203P, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U is effectively tied with the AMD Ryzen 7 7735U (0.1% delta) and Intel Xeon 6337P (0.2% delta). Despite the individual benchmark gaps, both processors occupy a similar overall performance tier in the broader market.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural split is process node and core topology. Intel’s Core i5-13500T uses a 10 nm process from Intel’s own fabs, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U uses a 6 nm process from TSMC. The smaller node gives AMD a theoretical density and efficiency advantage, but the benchmark results show Intel compensating with a larger die (215 mm² vs 208 mm²) and a more complex core layout.

Intel’s Raptor Lake-S design packs 14 cores (6 performance and 8 efficient) into a 20-thread configuration. The L1 cache is 80 KB per core, L2 is 1.25 MB per core, and L3 is 24 MB shared. AMD’s Rembrandt design uses Zen 3+ cores with 8 cores and 16 threads, featuring 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The larger L3 cache on Intel (24 MB vs 16 MB) likely contributes to its advantage in data-heavy workloads like compression and random string sorting.

Memory support differs significantly. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, while AMD supports only DDR5. The AMD chip’s memory bandwidth is listed at 76.8 GB/s, but no comparable figure is provided for Intel. This gives Intel more flexibility for system builders, though the benchmark data does not isolate memory-dependent performance. Both platforms offer Gen 5 PCIe on Intel versus Gen 4 on AMD, with 20 lanes (CPU only) on both sides.

Integrated graphics present a notable divergence. Intel ships UHD Graphics 770, while AMD includes Radeon 680M. The benchmark scores do not include graphics tests, so no direct comparison is possible from the data. However, the AMD Radeon 680M is widely considered a stronger iGPU, and its inclusion in a 15 W TDP package suggests AMD is targeting thin-and-light productivity scenarios where the GPU matters. Intel’s UHD 770 is a capable desktop solution, but the data does not quantify either GPU’s performance.

The power envelopes are starkly different. Intel’s TDP is 35 W, while AMD’s is 15 W. This 20 W difference is the largest single architectural gap between the two and explains why AMD can be deployed in fanless or passively cooled designs. The Intel chip is a desktop part (Socket 1700), while AMD uses the FP7 mobile socket, reinforcing that these are built for different physical environments despite similar benchmark scores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-13500T wins every single-core test. The largest margin is in Geekbench single-core (2279 vs 1578, a 44.4% delta), and the smallest is in Cinebench R15 single-core (247 vs 238, a 3.8% delta).

Q: How much faster is the Intel chip in multi-core workloads?

A: Intel leads by 10.1% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (1945 vs 1766) and 9.8% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (11028 vs 10047). The Geekbench multi-core advantage is 10.6% (8888 vs 8037).

Q: Is there any benchmark where the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U wins?

A: Yes, in PassMark data encryption, AMD scores 15995 against Intel’s 15543, a 2.8% advantage. This is the only one of 17 head-to-head tests that AMD wins.

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: Intel has 14 cores and 20 threads, while AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads. Intel’s extra cores and threads are the primary driver of its multi-core wins, though its single-core edge shows architectural efficiency beyond raw count.

Q: How do the power requirements compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-13500T has a 35 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U has a 15 W TDP. AMD’s lower power draw is its primary advantage for mobile applications.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: Intel has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while AMD has 16 MB. Intel also has more L2 cache per core (1.25 MB vs 512 KB) and more L1 cache per core (80 KB vs 64 KB).

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-13500T | AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 14 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 1600 MHz | 2700 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 15 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 6 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | 208 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 76.8 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Radeon 680M |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2022-04-18 |

The base clock difference is notable: AMD starts at 2.70 GHz versus Intel’s 1.60 GHz, yet Intel still wins single-core tests. This indicates the Raptor Lake architecture extracts more instructions per clock at boost frequencies, despite starting from a much lower idle state. Intel’s launch MSRP is $232, while AMD has no listed launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-13500T is the superior processor for raw compute performance, winning 16 of 17 benchmarks with an average score of 28670 versus 28379 for the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U. The data shows Intel leads by double digits in Geekbench single-core (44.4%), PassMark floating-point math (43.4%), and PassMark prime number finding (30.4%). These are not marginal wins; they represent a generational gap in execution efficiency that no AMD clock-speed advantage can offset.

However, the primary differentiator is not performance but power. Intel’s 35 W TDP makes it suitable for compact desktops and all-in-one systems where some cooling is available, while AMD’s 15 W TDP enables fanless laptops and ultra-portable designs. The benchmark scores are close enough at the aggregate level — a 1.0% average delta — that a system designer choosing between them should prioritize the physical and thermal constraints of the target device. For a desktop replacement or mini-PC with active cooling, Intel is the clear pick. For a thin-and-light notebook where battery life and thermals dominate, AMD’s lower TDP and mobile socket make it the only viable option despite the performance deficit.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-13500T wins in every compute category except data encryption. Its largest victories are in floating-point math (43.4% ahead), single-core Geekbench (44.4% ahead), and prime number finding (30.4% ahead). These workloads are typical of scientific computing, financial modeling, and single-threaded legacy applications. The Intel chip also leads in multi-threaded productivity tasks like Cinebench R23 (9.8% ahead) and PassMark multithread (9.4% ahead), making it the better choice for video encoding, 3D rendering, and compilation workloads. Its support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory gives it broader system compatibility, and its Gen 5 PCIe interface future-proofs storage and GPU connectivity.

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850U wins only in data encryption (2.8% ahead), suggesting a slight advantage in security-focused workloads like VPN tunneling or full-disk encryption. Its 15 W TDP is the defining feature for mobile deployments, enabling longer battery life and quieter operation in ultrabooks. The Radeon 680M integrated graphics, while not benchmarked here, is a notable inclusion for casual gaming or GPU-accelerated media playback. For users who prioritize encryption throughput or need a processor that can operate in a completely fanless chassis, the AMD chip has a specific, if narrow, appeal. For everyone else, the Intel Core i5-13500T delivers more performance across a broader range of tasks.