AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX vs Intel Core i5-13600 Comparison

The benchmark data presents a stark contrast between the Intel Core i5-13600, a desktop processor, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX, a mobile part. The most immediate observation is that the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX dominates the head-to-head comparison, winning 15 of the 17 benchmark tests, while the Intel Core i5-13600 manages only 2 wins. This is a decisive data point, but the two Intel victories are instructive, as they reveal the distinct architectural priorities of each chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The sheer scale of the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX's victory in multi-threaded workloads is the defining feature of this comparison. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD part scores 38232 against Intel's 26966, a delta of -29.5%. This pattern is consistent across all Cinebench versions, with the AMD chip holding the same -29.5% advantage in R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. The data suggests this is not a marginal lead but a fundamental performance gap in heavily threaded scenarios.

The single-core Cinebench results paint a similar, if slightly less dramatic, picture. The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX again takes a -29.5% lead in R23 single-core with a score of 5397 versus 3807. This consistent delta across both single and multi-core tests indicates that the AMD architecture holds a per-thread performance advantage that scales perfectly into multi-threaded scenarios. The Ryzen 9 7845HX's base clock of 3.00 GHz and boost clock of 5.20 GHz, compared to Intel's 2.70 GHz and 5.00 GHz, correlate with this observed performance edge.

The most striking discrepancy appears in the PassMark tests. While the Cinebench deltas were uniform, the PassMark suite shows a wider variance. In `find_prime_numbers`, the AMD chip scores 329 against Intel's 109, a staggering -66.9% delta. The `extended_instructions` test shows a -43.8% delta (41020 vs 23045), and `data_encryption` shows a -32.3% delta (32789 vs 22182). These tests are often sensitive to specific instruction set extensions and memory bandwidth, suggesting the AMD chip has significant advantages in these specialized workloads.

The Intel Core i5-13600's only wins come in the `passmark_single_thread` (and its duplicate `passmark_singlethread`) test, where it scores 4049 against the AMD's 3935, a 2.9% lead. This is a narrow victory, and it is the only benchmark in the entire dataset where Intel comes out ahead. It is a notable result, as it shows that despite losing in every other category, the Intel chip retains a small but measurable lead in this specific single-threaded PassMark test. This could be due to the Intel chip's higher peak boost clock or specific optimizations in the PassMark single-thread test itself.

The data shows that the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX is not just faster, but often dramatically faster. The -29.5% delta in Cinebench multi-core is a consistent and massive gap. The `find_prime_numbers` delta of -66.9% is even more extreme, representing a performance lead of more than three-fold. The Intel chip's 2.9% win in a single PassMark test is a statistical outlier in an otherwise one-sided comparison.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX is the superior processor. It wins 15 out of 17 tests, with an average benchmark score of 44141 compared to Intel's 44276. The delta between their average scores is a mere 0.3% in Intel's favor, but this is heavily influenced by the Intel chip's wins in the PassMark single-thread tests. The AMD chip's performance in multi-core and multi-threaded workloads is categorically better.

The data indicates that anyone prioritizing multi-threaded performance, such as in video rendering, 3D modeling, or data processing, should choose the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX. Its consistent -29.5% lead in Cinebench and its massive wins in PassMark's integer math (155118 vs 111044, a -28.4% delta) and multithread (45010 vs 31725, a -29.5% delta) tests make it the clear choice for these tasks. The Intel Core i5-13600's 2.9% lead in one PassMark single-thread test does not offset the AMD chip's dominance elsewhere.

The choice for a user is not about which chip is "better" overall, but about which workload profile they prioritize. The data shows a clear winner for all but the most narrowly defined single-threaded PassMark scenario. The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX is the chip to select for raw computational throughput.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and process nodes. The Intel Core i5-13600 is a desktop part based on Raptor Lake, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. It has 14 cores and 20 threads, a configuration that implies a hybrid design of performance and efficiency cores. Its die size is 215 mm². The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX is a mobile processor from the Dragon Range family, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It has 12 cores and 24 threads, indicating a more traditional homogeneous core design. Its die size is 2x 71 mm², and it has a transistor count of 13,140 million.

The cache hierarchies are notably different. The Intel chip has a 24 MB shared L3 cache, while the AMD chip has a 64 MB shared L3 cache. This larger L3 cache is a significant advantage for the AMD chip, likely contributing to its superior performance in data-intensive PassMark tests. The L1 and L2 caches are also different, with Intel having 80 KB and 1.25 MB per core, respectively, and AMD having 64 KB and 1 MB per core.

The memory support also diverges. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD chip supports only DDR5. The AMD chip has a specified memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, a figure not provided for the Intel chip. The PCIe support is also different: the Intel chip has Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD chip has Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only). Both support ECC memory.

The integrated graphics differ, with the Intel chip featuring UHD Graphics 770 and the AMD chip featuring Radeon 610M. The Intel chip is a desktop part, while the AMD chip is a mobile part. The Intel chip has a locked multiplier, while the AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX is significantly faster, scoring 38232 compared to the Intel Core i5-13600's 26966, a delta of -29.5%.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-13600 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 4049 versus the AMD's 3935, a 2.9% advantage.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i5-13600 has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX has a significantly larger L3 cache at 64 MB shared, compared to the Intel Core i5-13600's 24 MB shared.

Q: What process node is each processor built on?

A: The Intel Core i5-13600 is built on a 10 nm process at Intel, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX is built on a 5 nm process at TSMC.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX has a higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz, compared to the Intel Core i5-13600's 5.00 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX wins in every benchmark category except for the PassMark single-thread test. Its wins are particularly pronounced in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, it holds a consistent -29.5% lead. In PassMark, its wins range from a -13.1% delta in floating point math to a -66.9% delta in find prime numbers. It also wins in data compression (-29.4%), data encryption (-32.3%), extended instructions (-43.8%), integer math (-28.4%), multithread (-29.5%), physics (-24%), and random string sorting (-33.5%). This makes it the clear choice for any workload that can utilize multiple cores, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, scientific simulations, and data analysis.

The Intel Core i5-13600's only win is in the PassMark single-thread test, with a 2.9% lead over the AMD chip. This suggests that in a narrowly defined scenario where a single thread is the primary bottleneck, the Intel chip may have a slight edge. However, this is a single test, and given that the AMD chip wins the Cinebench R23 single-core test by -29.5%, the Intel win appears to be an anomaly specific to the PassMark test methodology. For general single-threaded performance, the AMD chip appears to be the stronger choice based on the Cinebench data.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 14 (Intel) vs 12 (AMD)
• Threads: 20 (Intel) vs 24 (AMD)
• Base Clock: 2.70 GHz (Intel) vs 3.00 GHz (AMD)
• Boost Clock: 5.00 GHz (Intel) vs 5.20 GHz (AMD)
• TDP: 65 W (Intel) vs 55 W (AMD)
• Socket: Intel Socket 1700 (Intel) vs AMD Socket FL1 (AMD)
• Architecture: Raptor Lake (Intel) vs Zen 4 (AMD)
• Process Node: 10 nm (Intel) vs 5 nm (AMD)
• Foundry: Intel (Intel) vs TSMC (AMD)
• Die Size: 215 mm² (Intel) vs 2x 71 mm² (AMD)
• Transistors: Not specified (Intel) vs 13,140 million (AMD)
• L1 Cache: 80 KB (per core) (Intel) vs 64 KB (per core) (AMD)
• L2 Cache: 1.25 MB (per core) (Intel) vs 1 MB (per core) (AMD)
• L3 Cache: 24 MB (shared) (Intel) vs 64 MB (shared) (AMD)
• Memory Support: DDR4, DDR5 (Intel) vs DDR5 (AMD)
• Memory Bandwidth: Not specified (Intel) vs 83.2 GB/s (AMD)
• PCIe Lanes: Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) (Intel) vs Gen 5, 28 Lanes (CPU only) (AMD)
• Integrated Graphics: UHD Graphics 770 (Intel) vs Radeon 610M (AMD)
• Market Segment: Desktop (Intel) vs Mobile (AMD)
• Multiplier Unlocked: No (Intel) vs Yes (AMD)