AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX vs Intel Core i7-13620H Comparison

The Intel Core i7-13620H and AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX are both 45-watt mobile processors aimed at high-performance laptops, and benchmark data shows a clear, though not absolute, victor. The Intel chip wins 16 of 21 head-to-head comparisons, with its most decisive advantages in single-threaded and heavily multithreaded workloads. However, the AMD processor demonstrates specific strengths in integer-heavy and security-related tasks, preventing a complete sweep.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking divergence between the two processors appears in single-threaded performance. In the Cinebench R23 single-core test, the Intel Core i7-13620H scores 1833 against the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX’s 1488, a delta of 23.2%. This advantage is consistent across other single-threaded tests: the 3DMark single-thread score shows Intel ahead by 14.4% (1008 vs. 881), and PassMark single-thread results show a 12.9% lead (3589 vs. 3178). The data indicates that the Intel architecture delivers substantially higher per-core throughput, which is critical for lightly threaded applications like legacy games or everyday productivity.

The gap widens further in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel chip achieves 15176 versus 12845 for the AMD part, representing an 18.1% advantage. The 3DMark max-threads test shows a 10.7% lead for Intel (7178 vs. 6487), and PassMark multithread scores favor Intel by 8.4% (24192 vs. 22326). Interestingly, the 3DMark 8-thread test is nearly a tie, with Intel winning by only 0.7% (5443 vs. 5406). This suggests that the Intel processor’s advantage scales with thread count beyond eight, likely due to its higher core count.

The single most lopsided result is in PassMark’s find prime numbers test, where Intel wins by 86.8% (99 vs. 53). This is a highly specialized integer workload, but the magnitude is notable. Similarly, PassMark physics shows an 83.8% advantage for Intel (1671 vs. 909), and floating-point math favors Intel by 25.7% (59762 vs. 47556).

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX, however, is not without its own victories. Its largest win is in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 18188 against Intel’s 15568, a 14.4% advantage. It also leads in PassMark extended instructions by 10.1% (19488 vs. 17513) and in integer math by 6.7% (86735 vs. 80948). Smaller wins for AMD appear in data compression (287793 vs. 281335, a 2.2% lead) and random string sorting (30042 vs. 29395, also 2.2%). These results indicate that for specific cryptographic or heavily integer-based workloads, the AMD chip offers tangible benefits. Overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical: Intel’s average is 24911, and AMD’s is 24822, placing them both in the 77th percentile of all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different designs. The Intel Core i7-13620H is a Raptor Lake-H part manufactured on Intel’s 10 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX is a Zen 3 (Cezanne) chip built on TSMC’s 7 nm process. This process difference is significant, as the AMD chip features 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die, though the Intel part’s transistor count and die size are not specified in the data.

Core configurations differ markedly. The Intel processor has 10 cores and 16 threads, whereas the AMD processor has 8 cores and 16 threads. This two-core advantage for Intel is likely a primary driver of its multi-threaded performance lead. Cache hierarchies also diverge: Intel provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel’s larger L3 cache and larger per-core L2 cache give it a memory hierarchy advantage.

Clock speeds tell a mixed story. The AMD chip has a higher base clock at 3.30 GHz versus Intel’s 2.40 GHz, but Intel’s boost clock is higher at 4.90 GHz versus AMD’s 4.60 GHz. This implies that AMD sustains higher performance at lower power states, while Intel bursts higher when demanded. Memory support also differs: Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD is limited to DDR4. Both support dual-channel memory, but AMD’s memory bandwidth is listed at 68.3 GB/s, while Intel’s is not specified.

Platform features are distinct. Intel uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket with PCIe Gen 5 (8 lanes CPU-only), while AMD uses the AMD Socket FP6 with PCIe Gen 3. Intel’s integrated graphics is UHD Graphics 770, whereas AMD uses Radeon Vega 8. Notably, the AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while Intel’s is locked. Release dates show a two-year gap: Intel launched on 2023-01-03, and AMD on 2021-01-11.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-threaded score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-13620H scores 1833 in Cinebench R23 single-core, compared to the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX’s 1488, giving Intel a 23.2% advantage.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, AMD wins 5 of 21 head-to-head tests. Its largest win is in PassMark data encryption (18188 vs. 15568, a 14.4% lead), and it also leads in extended instructions, integer math, data compression, and random string sorting.

Q: How do the core counts and cache sizes compare?

A: Intel has 10 cores and 16 threads, while AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads. Intel’s L3 cache is 24 MB shared, and AMD’s is 16 MB shared. Intel also has 2 MB of L2 per core, versus AMD’s 512 KB per core.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-13620H has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-13620H supports DDR5 memory. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX supports only DDR4.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-13620H and AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX are in the 77th percentile of all CPUs according to the benchmark data.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous for users prioritizing raw computational speed. The Intel Core i7-13620H is the superior choice for nearly all general-purpose, multi-threaded, and single-threaded tasks. Its 18.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 23.2% lead in single-core are decisive. For gaming, physics simulation, and floating-point math, Intel’s advantages are substantial, with 83.8% and 25.7% leads respectively. The Intel chip also holds a 0.4% average score advantage over the AMD chip (24911 vs. 24822), despite both sitting at the 77th percentile.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX remains relevant for specific professional workloads. If your primary tasks involve data encryption, extended instruction sets, or integer-heavy math, the AMD chip’s 14.4% and 10.1% leads in those areas make it a viable option. Its unlocked multiplier also offers flexibility for users who plan to overclock, which is not possible on the locked Intel part. However, for a general-purpose mobile processor, the Intel Core i7-13620H’s broader performance profile across 16 of 21 tests makes it the recommended pick based on benchmark data alone.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-13620H | AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX |

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

| Cores | 10 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-H | Cezanne |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not specified | 10,700 million |

| Die Size | Not specified | 180 mm² |

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

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 68.3 GB/s |

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

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2021-01-11 |

| Launch MSRP | $502 | Not specified |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |