AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX vs Intel Core 5 320 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a decisive hierarchy between these two mobile processors. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX wins all 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons, with the Intel Core 5 320 failing to claim a single test. The average benchmark score gap is substantial: the AMD part records an average score of 91,199 against Intel's 18,023, a difference that places them in entirely different performance tiers.

The Ryzen 9 9955HX sits at the 96th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Core 5 320 lands at the 72nd percentile. In terms of nearest rivals, the AMD processor trades closely with the Intel Xeon 654 (0.5% faster) and AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 (0.7% faster), while trailing the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Intel Xeon 6520P by 2.8% each. The Intel Core 5 320, by contrast, sits within a tight cluster around the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (0.2% faster), Intel Core 5 120U (0.7% faster), Intel Core i5-1334U (0.7% slower), and AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (0.7% faster).

The verdict from the data is straightforward: the Ryzen 9 9955HX is a high-end, multi-threaded workhorse for demanding mobile workloads, while the Core 5 320 is an efficiency-oriented part with modest throughput. The 16-core, 32-thread AMD chip with a 55 W TDP is designed for sustained heavy compute. The 6-core, 6-thread Intel chip with a 15 W TDP targets power-constrained designs where raw performance is secondary. No benchmark result suggests overlap in their intended use cases.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX dominates every measured category, but the margins vary considerably by workload type. The smallest advantage appears in single-threaded tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD part scores 2,174 against 1,926, a 12.9% lead. PassMark single-thread shows 4,393 versus 4,045, an 8.6% edge. These results indicate that while the AMD architecture carries a single-thread advantage, it is not overwhelming.

The multi-threaded gap is where the two processors separate completely. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 37,159 for AMD versus 6,197 for Intel, a 499.6% difference. Cinebench R15 multi-core delivers a 460.2% margin (5,905 versus 1,054). PassMark integer math shows the largest relative gap at 557.7% (212,598 versus 32,323). These numbers reflect both the core count disparity and the thread-count advantage: 32 threads versus 6.

Memory-sensitive and encryption workloads also favor AMD heavily. PassMark data compression records 731,998 versus 148,779, a 392% lead. Data encryption shows 37,330 versus 10,984, a 239.9% margin. Extended instructions (57,946 versus 13,262) and random string sorting (77,890 versus 18,038) follow the same pattern, with leads of 336.9% and 331.8% respectively. Floating-point math (136,682 versus 42,440) gives AMD a 222.1% advantage.

The Intel Core 5 320 does not win any category, but its relative competitiveness in single-thread tests suggests that for lightly threaded, short-duration tasks, the gap narrows considerably. The data shows the Intel part is closer to the AMD chip in single-core performance than in any other metric, but it still trails by 8.6% to 21.7% depending on the test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different foundries, use different process nodes, and implement fundamentally different designs. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX uses Zen 5 architecture under the Fire Range codename, fabricated by TSMC on a 4 nm process. It contains 16,630 million transistors across a dual-chiplet design with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 5 320 uses the Wildcat Lake codename with a 3 nm process fabricated by Intel.

Core configurations differ sharply. The AMD part provides 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel part offers 6 cores and 6 threads. The Intel chip has no hyper-threading, which explains its thread count equaling its core count. Clock speeds also differ: AMD's base clock is 2.50 GHz with a 5.40 GHz boost, while Intel's base is 1.50 GHz with a 4.60 GHz boost.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 64 MB of shared L3. Intel lists 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The L3 disparity is particularly significant for workloads that repeatedly access large datasets.

Memory support diverges as well. AMD supports DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth, plus ECC memory support. Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X but uses a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth and no ECC. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD provides Gen 5 with 28 CPU lanes, while Intel provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes.

Power envelopes are fundamentally different. The AMD part has a 55 W TDP, while the Intel part draws only 15 W. This explains the Intel chip's lower clocks and reduced core count. The integrated graphics also differ: AMD uses Radeon 610M, while Intel uses Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, while the Intel multiplier is locked. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $340. The AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads, with no hyper-threading.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX scores 37,159 versus 6,197 for the Intel Core 5 320, a 499.6% difference. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 460.2% gap (5,905 versus 1,054).

Q: Is the Intel Core 5 320 competitive in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel part is closer in single-thread tests but still loses. PassMark single-thread shows 4,045 versus 4,393 for AMD, an 8.6% deficit. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1,926 versus 2,174, a 12.9% gap.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has a 55 W TDP, while the Intel Core 5 320 has a 15 W TDP. This 40 W difference reflects the AMD part's higher core count and clock speeds.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 320 does not.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each processor provide?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX provides 89.6 GB/s over a dual-channel DDR5 bus. The Intel Core 5 320 provides 59.7 GB/s over a single-channel bus supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite establishes the overall performance hierarchy. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX scores 5,905 against 1,054 for the Intel Core 5 320, a 460.2% advantage. Cinebench R23 multi-core widens this to 499.6%, with scores of 37,159 and 6,197 respectively. Single-core results are closer but still favor AMD: Cinebench R15 single-core shows 336 versus 276 (21.7% lead), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2,174 versus 1,926 (12.9% lead).

PassMark integer math produces the largest recorded gap. The AMD part scores 212,598 against 32,323, a 557.7% difference. This test benefits directly from the AMD chip's 16 cores, 32 threads, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. Data compression follows at 392%, with scores of 731,998 versus 148,779. The compression workload also responds well to large caches and wide multi-threading.

Encryption and instruction-heavy workloads show similarly lopsided results. Data encryption gives AMD a 239.9% lead (37,330 versus 10,984). Extended instructions show a 336.9% margin (57,946 versus 13,262). Random string sorting delivers 77,890 versus 18,038, a 331.8% advantage. Floating-point math records 136,682 versus 42,440, a 222.1% lead.

The PassMark multi-thread test scores 56,171 for AMD and 15,450 for Intel, a 263.6% difference. Physics simulation shows 2,720 versus 1,221, a 122.8% margin. Find prime numbers gives AMD a 160.9% edge (287 versus 110). The smallest recorded gap across all tests is PassMark single-thread at 8.6% (4,393 versus 4,045), followed by Cinebench R23 single-core at 12.9% and Cinebench R15 single-core at 21.7%.

The data confirms a consistent pattern: the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX leads in every recorded benchmark, with margins ranging from 8.6% in single-threaded PassMark to 557.7% in integer math. The Intel Core 5 320 remains competitive only in single-thread scenarios, and even there it trails by a measurable margin. For workloads that scale across cores, the AMD part's 16-core, 32-thread configuration with 64 MB of L3 cache provides an insurmountable advantage.