AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX vs Intel Core 5 210H Comparison

The Intel Core 5 210H and AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX land nearly on top of each other in aggregate performance. The average benchmark score for the Intel part is 24872, while the AMD chip scores 24822, a difference of just 0.2% in Intel’s favor. Both processors occupy the same 77th percentile against all CPUs. Despite this near-identical overall standing, the head-to-head data reveals a stark split: the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX wins 9 of the 15 direct comparisons, while the Intel Core 5 210H takes 6. The nature of those wins, however, tells a more nuanced story about workload suitability.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin in the entire comparison belongs to the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX in PassMark data encryption. Here, the AMD part scores 18188 against Intel’s 12187, a 33% advantage. This is not an isolated anomaly; AMD also dominates PassMark extended instructions with a score of 19488 versus 13370, a 31.4% lead. These two results suggest a substantial efficiency advantage in specific instruction-heavy workloads for the Zen 3 architecture.

The AMD processor continues its multi-core dominance in Cinebench R15 multicore, scoring 2106 against Intel’s 1757, a 16.6% margin. The gap narrows in Cinebench R23 multicore, where AMD scores 12845 versus 11830, a 7.9% lead. PassMark integer math shows another decisive AMD win: 86735 versus 61503, a 29.1% difference. Similarly, PassMark data compression favors AMD at 287793 against 217805, a 24.3% margin. PassMark random string sorting goes to AMD at 30042 versus 23451, a 21.9% edge. PassMark multithread also favors AMD at 22326 versus 18252, an 18.2% difference. Even PassMark floating point math, a closer contest, goes to AMD at 47556 versus 45057, a 5.3% margin.

The Intel Core 5 210H counters with its own set of wins, all in single-threaded or lightly-threaded scenarios. The most striking result is Cinebench R23 single-core, where Intel scores 1771 against AMD’s 1488, a 19% advantage. PassMark single-thread shows Intel ahead at 3539 versus 3178, an 11.4% margin. Cinebench R15 single-core is closer, with Intel winning 247 to 240, a 2.9% edge. PassMark physics also goes to Intel, scoring 1040 against AMD’s 909, a 14.4% lead. The two chips tie exactly in PassMark find prime numbers, both scoring 53, with the head-to-head table awarding the win to Intel at a 0% delta.

Where Each One Wins

The data points to a clear workload split. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX is the definitive multi-threaded performer. Its wins in Cinebench R15 and R23 multicore, PassMark multithread, integer math, data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, random string sorting, and floating point math cover the broad spectrum of parallel processing tasks. For rendering, video encoding, code compilation, or any workload that scales across cores, the benchmark results consistently favor AMD. The 33% lead in encryption and 31.4% lead in extended instructions are particularly notable for security-related or cryptography-heavy applications.

The Intel Core 5 210H wins exclusively in single-threaded or latency-sensitive tasks. Its 19% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is the largest single-thread margin in the comparison. PassMark single-thread confirms this with an 11.4% advantage. PassMark physics, often associated with gaming performance or simulation workloads, also favors Intel by 14.4%. For applications that rely primarily on one or two fast cores, such as many legacy games or lightly-threaded productivity tools, the Intel part holds a measurable edge.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core 5 210H is built on Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-H codename, using a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It features 8 cores and 12 threads, indicating a hybrid arrangement of performance and efficiency cores. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX uses Zen 3 architecture with the Cezanne codename, built on a 7 nm process node from TSMC. It also has 8 cores but supports 16 threads, meaning all cores are full-fledged with simultaneous multithreading. The AMD chip contains 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die, while the Intel part does not report transistor count or die size in the available data.

Cache configurations differ markedly. The Intel Core 5 210H has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX has 64 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a larger 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L3 on the AMD part may contribute to its multi-threaded performance in workloads that benefit from shared data access.

Memory support also diverges. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The AMD chip supports only DDR4, also dual-channel, but reports a specific memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s. The Intel part does not list a bandwidth figure. PCIe capabilities differ as well: Intel offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes for the CPU, while AMD provides Gen 3 without a lane count specified in the data.

Integrated graphics differ between the two. The Intel Core 5 210H includes Iris Xe Graphics with 48 execution units. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX includes Radeon Vega 8. The Intel socket is BGA 1744, while AMD uses Socket FP6. The Intel part is not multiplier unlocked, whereas the AMD part is unlocked for overclocking. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX was released in January 2021, while the Intel Core 5 210H launched in December 2024.

The Verdict

The choice between these two processors depends entirely on workload priorities. For users focused on multi-threaded performance, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX is the clear winner. The benchmark data shows consistent and often large advantages in rendering, data processing, encryption, and general parallel workloads. The 16-thread configuration and larger L3 cache appear to provide a real benefit in these scenarios. The AMD part’s wins in 9 of 15 head-to-head benchmarks, including the most decisive margins, make it the stronger all-around performer for demanding compute tasks.

For users who prioritize single-threaded speed, the Intel Core 5 210H is the better option. Its 19% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 11.4% lead in PassMark single-thread are substantial. The Intel chip also wins in PassMark physics, which may matter for certain gaming or simulation uses. The near-identical average benchmark scores, however, mean that the Intel part does not lose much ground overall when accounting for its single-thread strengths.

The production status of both parts is Active, meaning both remain available. The Intel Core 5 210H has a launch MSRP of $342. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX does not have a listed launch MSRP. The AMD part offers an unlocked multiplier for enthusiasts, while the Intel part does not. Given the data, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX provides the broader performance envelope, while the Intel Core 5 210H serves as a specialized choice for single-thread-sensitive applications.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 210H has an average benchmark score of 24872, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX scores 24822. The Intel part leads by 0.2%.

Q: How many threads does each processor support?

A: The Intel Core 5 210H supports 12 threads from its 8 cores. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX supports 16 threads from its 8 cores.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark data encryption, where the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX scores 18188 against Intel’s 12187, a 33% advantage.

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core 5 210H wins all single-threaded comparisons, with its largest edge being 19% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1771 versus 1488).

Q: Do both processors support DDR5 memory?

A: No. The Intel Core 5 210H supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX supports only DDR4.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core 5 210H and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX have an Active production status.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 210H | AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX |

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

| Series | null | 5000 series |

| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-H | Cezanne |

| Generation | Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) | Ryzen 9 (Zen 3 (Cezanne)) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | null | 10,700 million |

| Die Size | null | 180 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | null | 68.3 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 48EU | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Release Date | 2024-12-17 | 2021-01-11 |

| Launch MSRP | $342 | null |

| Multiplier Unlocked | false | true |

| Part Number | SRQ6RQ5MN | 100-000000300 |