AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX vs Intel Core 5 320 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The AMD part supports simultaneous multithreading, whereas the Intel part does not.

Q: How do their single-threaded scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX scores 4461 in PassMark single-thread, which is 10.3% higher than the Intel Core 5 320's 4045. This is the closest benchmark between the two.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in the head-to-head results?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX scores 172943 versus 32323 for the Intel Core 5 320, a difference of 435%.

Q: Do both processors use the same memory configuration?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX uses dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel Core 5 320 uses single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX has an average benchmark score of 106413, placing it in the 97th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 320 has an average score of 18023, placing it in the 72nd percentile.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX boosts to 5.20 GHz, compared to 4.60 GHz for the Intel Core 5 320. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 3.00 GHz versus 1.50 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX is built on the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Fire Range, produced on TSMC's 4 nm process. It contains 16,630 million transistors across a dual-die design with each die measuring 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 5 320 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on Intel's 3 nm process, with no transistor count or die size recorded in the database.

Cache organization differs substantially. The AMD part provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a 64 MB L3 cache. The Intel part lists 192 KB of L1 total, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. This gives the AMD processor a far larger pool of fast memory for workloads that repeatedly access large datasets.

The Ryzen 9 9850HX supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth and ECC capability. The Core 5 320 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but only through a single-channel bus, delivering 59.7 GB/s. ECC is not supported on the Intel part. PCIe connectivity also differs: the AMD processor provides Gen 5 with 28 CPU lanes, while the Intel processor provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD chip uses the Radeon 610M, while the Intel chip uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, the Intel one does not. The AMD part is a 55 W TDP design on AMD Socket FL1; the Intel part is a 15 W TDP design on Intel BGA 1516.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX wins every head-to-head benchmark in the database, 11 out of 11. Its advantages are most pronounced in compute-heavy and multi-threaded workloads. The 435% lead in integer math and 345.2% lead in data compression point to strong performance in compilation, scientific computing, and general productivity tasks that rely on parallel integer operations.

Data encryption shows a 192.6% advantage for the AMD part, indicating faster handling of cryptographic workloads. Extended instructions show a 305.8% lead, which suggests an advantage in workloads using SIMD and specialized instruction sets. Floating-point math is 171.1% higher, which benefits simulation, rendering, and analytical applications.

The Intel Core 5 320 does not win any recorded benchmark. Its closest result is single-thread performance, where it trails by only 10.3%. The data indicates that in lightly threaded applications, the Intel chip is competitive but still behind. In multi-threaded scenarios, the gap widens dramatically, with the AMD part delivering 234.8% higher multithread scores.

The Intel processor's lower TDP of 15 W versus 55 W suggests it is positioned for power-constrained mobile designs. Its single-channel memory and smaller cache align with a lighter workload profile. The AMD processor, with 24 threads and 64 MB of L3, is built for sustained high throughput.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification category.

• Cores: AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX has 12 cores; Intel Core 5 320 has 6 cores.
• Threads: AMD has 24 threads; Intel has 6 threads.
• Base clock: AMD at 3.00 GHz; Intel at 1.50 GHz.
• Boost clock: AMD at 5.20 GHz; Intel at 4.60 GHz.
• TDP: AMD at 55 W; Intel at 15 W.
• Socket: AMD Socket FL1 versus Intel BGA 1516.
• Process node: 4 nm TSMC versus 3 nm Intel.
• L1 cache: 80 KB per core versus 192 KB total.
• L2 cache: 1 MB per core versus 2.5 MB total.
• L3 cache: 64 MB versus 6 MB shared.
• Memory support: DDR5 dual-channel versus DDR5/LPDDR5X single-channel.
• Memory bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s.
• ECC memory: Supported versus not supported.
• PCIe: Gen 5, 28 lanes versus Gen 4, 6 lanes.
• Integrated graphics: Radeon 610M versus Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe).
• Multiplier unlocked: Yes versus no.
• Launch MSRP: Intel Core 5 320 listed at $340; AMD has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX dominates the PassMark suite. In data compression, it scores 662381 against 148779, a 345.2% advantage. This suggests a major edge in archiving, database workloads, and file system operations that depend on fast compression and decompression.

Integer math shows the largest relative gap. The AMD part scores 172943, which is 435% higher than the Intel's 32323. Integer operations form the backbone of most general-purpose computing, so this gap implies broad superiority in everyday computational tasks.

Extended instructions results show 53817 for AMD versus 13262 for Intel, a 305.8% difference. This affects workloads that use advanced CPU instruction sets, such as multimedia encoding, cryptographic hashing, and certain scientific calculations.

Random string sorting goes to the AMD part at 70175 versus 18038, a 289% lead. This benchmark is relevant for database sorting, text processing, and any workload that frequently orders variable-length data.

Data encryption shows 32139 for AMD versus 10984 for Intel, a 192.6% difference. The AMD processor handles encryption and decryption tasks with substantially more throughput.

Prime number finding shows 323 for AMD versus 110 for Intel, a 193.6% gap. This is a pure integer workload that stresses the core pipeline and cache hierarchy.

Floating-point math scores 115062 for AMD versus 42440 for Intel, 171.1% higher. This affects scientific simulations, 3D rendering, and engineering analysis.

The multithread score of 51722 for AMD versus 15450 for Intel represents a 234.8% advantage. With 24 threads against 6, the AMD part scales far better in parallel workloads.

Physics simulation shows 3054 for AMD versus 1221 for Intel, a 150.1% lead. This reflects performance in physics engines used by games and engineering tools.

The single-thread score of 4461 for AMD versus 4045 for Intel is the narrowest margin at 10.3%. Even in the category most favorable to the Intel chip, the AMD processor still comes out ahead.

The average benchmark score places the AMD part at 106413, which puts it 0.2% above the Intel Xeon w7-3555 and 0.5% above the Intel Xeon 6521P. It sits 2.1% below the Intel Xeon w7-2595X and 3% above the AMD EPYC 8324P. The Intel Core 5 320 averages 18023, which is 0.2% above the AMD Ryzen 5 1600, 0.7% above the Intel Core 5 120U, 0.7% above the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, and 0.7% below the Intel Core i5-1334U.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX as the clear performance leader in every measured category. Its 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with a 64 MB L3 cache and dual-channel memory, produce benchmark results that place it in the 97th percentile of all CPUs. The 435% lead in integer math and 345.2% lead in data compression are not marginal wins; they represent a different performance class entirely.

The Intel Core 5 320, with 6 cores and 6 threads, occupies a different market position. Its 15 W TDP and single-channel memory indicate a design focused on efficiency rather than raw throughput. Its nearest rivals in the database, including the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 and Intel Core 5 120U, are older or lower-power parts, confirming its placement in the mainstream mobile segment.

For buyers prioritizing maximum compute performance, the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX is the only choice supported by the measurements. The data shows no workload in the benchmark suite where the Intel part wins. The single-thread gap, at 10.3%, is small enough that the Intel chip could feel responsive in basic tasks, but the multithread gap of 234.8% means any parallel workload will heavily favor the AMD processor.

For buyers prioritizing low power consumption, the Intel Core 5 320 has a clear specification advantage at 15 W versus 55 W. The database does not include battery life or thermal measurements, so the practical impact of that TDP difference cannot be quantified here. What the data does show is that this efficiency comes with a substantial performance tradeoff across all 11 recorded benchmarks.