AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX vs Intel Core i5-13500 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-13500 and AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX are separated by a razor-thin average benchmark margin of 0%, with the Intel chip scoring 31510 and the AMD chip 31495. However, this near-identical overall average conceals a dramatic split in workload-specific performance, where the Intel desktop part dominates multi-threaded throughput while the AMD mobile chip claims victory in certain single-threaded rendering tests. The data reveals that the i5-13500 wins 16 of the 19 head-to-head benchmarks, while the 5980HX takes only 3.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-13500's most decisive victory comes in Geekbench multicore, where it scores 14116 against the AMD's 7723, a massive 82.8% advantage. This is the single largest delta in the comparison, underscoring how the Intel chip's higher core count translates into overwhelming parallel performance in this particular workload.

Passmark physics also heavily favors Intel, with a score of 1645 compared to 881 for the AMD, a 86.7% lead. Similarly, the passmark find prime numbers test shows Intel at 102 versus AMD's 53, a 92.5% advantage. These results point to the i5-13500's superiority in computation-heavy tasks that scale with core count.

The floating-point math test reinforces this trend, with Intel scoring 80198 against AMD's 50223, a 59.7% lead. Intel also wins passmark multithread with 31285 versus 23356, a 33.9% margin. In Cinebench R20 multicore, Intel is ahead by 31.8% with 10990 versus 8337, and in Cinebench R15 multicore, the lead is 20.3% (2405 vs 2000).

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX's wins are concentrated in Cinebench R23. In R23 multicore, AMD scores 19850 versus Intel's 14573, a 26.6% lead for AMD. The R23 singlecore result is even more lopsided in AMD's favor: 2802 versus 1780, a 36.5% advantage. AMD also edges out Intel in Cinebench R15 singlecore with 282 versus 256, a 9.2% lead.

Despite these AMD wins, the overall pattern is clear. In Geekbench singlecore, Intel wins with 2188 versus 1930 (13.4%), and in passmark singlethread, Intel leads 3865 versus 3326 (16.2%). Intel also wins passmark data compression (391249 vs 310694, 25.9%), data encryption (22333 vs 19221, 16.2%), extended instructions (23956 vs 21209, 13%), integer math (108320 vs 89772, 20.7%), and random string sorting (42759 vs 32238, 32.6%).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-13500 is the clear winner in applications that exploit many threads. Its 82.8% lead in Geekbench multicore and 33.9% lead in passmark multithread indicate that heavily parallel workloads, such as video rendering, data compression, and scientific computing, will finish substantially faster on the Intel chip. The 92.5% advantage in find prime numbers and 86.7% in physics further confirm this pattern.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX's wins are specific to Cinebench's R23 rendering engine, where it leads by 26.6% in multicore and 36.5% in singlecore. This suggests that for users running Cinebench R23 specifically, the AMD chip delivers superior results, despite losing to Intel in other multi-threaded tests. The R15 singlecore win (282 vs 256) is a smaller 9.2% margin, indicating a more narrow advantage.

For general-purpose single-threaded tasks, the i5-13500 is the better choice, as shown by its wins in Geekbench singlecore (13.4%) and passmark singlethread (16.2%). The data indicates that the Intel chip is more consistent across a broad range of workloads, whereas the AMD chip excels in a narrower set of rendering benchmarks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-13500 is built on Raptor Lake architecture using a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry, with a die size of 215 mm². It features 14 cores and 20 threads, a configuration that leverages a hybrid design. The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX uses Zen 3 architecture (codenamed Cezanne) on a 7 nm process from TSMC, with a smaller 180 mm² die and 10,700 million transistors.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD's design uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. This means Intel has both larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, as well as a larger total L3 pool.

Memory support also separates the pair. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, while AMD is limited to DDR4. AMD does list a memory bandwidth figure of 68.3 GB/s, which Intel does not specify. Intel supports ECC memory, while AMD does not. For PCIe, Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while AMD is limited to Gen 3 with 16 lanes.

The integrated graphics also differ: Intel includes UHD Graphics 770, while AMD pairs the CPU with Radeon Vega 8. Intel's chip is a desktop part on Socket 1700 with a 65 W TDP, while AMD's is a mobile part on Socket FP6 with a 45 W TDP. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, whereas Intel's is locked. Intel's launch MSRP is $242, while AMD has no listed launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-13500 has an average benchmark score of 31510, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX scores 31495, a difference of 0%.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The biggest gap is in Geekbench multicore, where the Intel Core i5-13500 scores 14116 against AMD's 7723, an 82.8% advantage for Intel.

Q: In which benchmark does the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX achieve its biggest win?

A: The AMD chip's largest lead is in Cinebench R23 singlecore, where it scores 2802 against Intel's 1780, a 36.5% advantage.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-13500 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX supports only DDR4.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each?

A: The Intel Core i5-13500 has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which chip has a larger shared L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-13500 has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX has 16 MB.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-13500 | AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX |

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

| Cores | 14 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Zen 3 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | 180 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 | DDR4 |

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

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

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

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

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear split: the Intel Core i5-13500 is the superior processor for the vast majority of workloads, winning 16 of 19 head-to-head tests. Its 82.8% lead in Geekbench multicore, 33.9% in passmark multithread, and 59.7% in floating-point math make it the obvious choice for users prioritizing parallel processing power, data-heavy tasks, or scientific computations.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX is the pick only for those specifically targeting Cinebench R23 performance, where it leads by 26.6% in multicore and 36.5% in singlecore. Its singlecore win in Cinebench R15 (9.2%) is a minor consolation, but it loses single-threaded tests in Geekbench and passmark. Since the average benchmark scores are essentially tied (31510 vs 31495), the choice comes down to workload. For general desktop use, rendering outside of Cinebench R23, or any heavily threaded application, the Intel Core i5-13500 is the data-backed winner. The AMD chip's niche advantage in one rendering suite does not offset its losses across the broader benchmark suite.