AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 5945 vs Intel Core i7-13700KF Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 5945 and Intel Core i7-13700KF are both high-end desktop processors that sit in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs tested, yet their benchmark profiles diverge sharply. The AMD part averages 47,527 points across its benchmark suite, edging the Intel’s 47,334 by 0.4%, but in direct head-to-head testing Intel wins 16 of 17 comparisons. The Ryzen 9 PRO 5945 is a 12-core, 24-thread Zen 3 part built on TSMC’s 7nm node, while the Core i7-13700KF is a 16-core, 24-thread Raptor Lake chip on Intel’s 10nm process. Despite the AMD’s slight aggregate score advantage, the data shows Intel delivering decisive wins in nearly every workload category, with only a single prime-number test going AMD’s way.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are lopsided. Intel wins 16 of 17 benchmarks, and its margins are often large. The biggest gap appears in floating-point math, where AMD scores 70,291 against Intel’s 114,997, a 38.9% deficit. Physics performance is nearly as one-sided: AMD’s 1,772 trails Intel’s 2,650 by 33.1%. Random string sorting goes to Intel by 30.7% (43,447 vs 62,726), and data compression sees Intel ahead by 30.2% (416,599 vs 596,493). Extended instruction throughput is 26.3% higher on Intel (27,031 vs 36,700). All six Cinebench tests—R15, R20, and R23, each in multi-core and single-core variants—show Intel leading by exactly 24.6%. For example, Cinebench R23 multi-core scores 38,943 for Intel versus 29,366 for AMD, and single-core is 5,497 versus 4,145.

Intel also wins by smaller margins in other tests: data encryption is 21% higher (33,314 vs 26,313), single-thread performance is 19.3% ahead (4,336 vs 3,499), and integer math leads by 16% (154,507 vs 129,768). The only AMD victory comes in the find-prime-numbers test, where AMD scores 228 versus Intel’s 186, a 22.6% lead. That lone win does little to offset the overall pattern. Intel’s dominance is consistent across both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads, and the margins are substantial—often a quarter or more. The average benchmark scores, however, tell a slightly different story: AMD’s 47,527 is 0.4% above Intel’s 47,334, a statistical tie. This discrepancy arises because the head-to-head list is a subset of the full benchmark suite, and the AMD part’s strong showing in other tests (not shown here) pulls its average up.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core performance?

A: Intel wins decisively. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 38,943 against AMD’s 29,366, a 24.6% margin. The same 24.6% gap appears in Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests.

Q: Which CPU has higher single-core performance?

A: Intel again leads. Cinebench R23 single-core shows Intel at 5,497 versus AMD’s 4,145, a 24.6% difference. PassMark single-thread also favors Intel: 4,336 vs 3,499, a 19.3% gap.

Q: How many cores and threads does each CPU have?

A: Intel has 16 cores and 24 threads; AMD has 12 cores and 24 threads. Both support simultaneous multi-threading, but Intel’s core count is higher.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Which CPU has a lower TDP?

A: AMD has a 65W TDP, while Intel’s is 125W. This makes AMD the more power-efficient choice on paper.

Q: Which CPU is newer?

A: Intel was released on September 26, 2022; AMD on April 3, 2022. Intel is roughly six months newer.

Where Each One Wins

Intel’s wins are broad and cover most real-world compute scenarios. In Cinebench rendering—a proxy for 3D and video workloads—Intel leads by 24.6% in every version tested, both multi-core and single-core. Data compression and encryption, important for archiving and security tasks, go to Intel by 30.2% and 21% respectively. Floating-point math, which underpins scientific and financial simulations, sees Intel ahead by 38.9%. Physics calculations, relevant to game engines and simulation, show Intel leading by 33.1%. Random string sorting, a measure of memory and integer performance, favors Intel by 30.7%. Even integer math, a core general-purpose workload, is 16% higher on Intel. Single-threaded performance, critical for lightly threaded applications, is 19.3% better on Intel.

AMD’s only head-to-head win is in prime-number finding, a test that stresses integer division and loop overhead. AMD’s score of 228 beats Intel’s 186 by 22.6%. This suggests that for highly specialized workloads involving prime-number generation or similar algorithms, AMD’s Zen 3 architecture has an edge. Additionally, AMD’s lower TDP (65W vs 125W) makes it a more power-conscious choice for systems where thermal or energy limits are a concern, even if it loses on raw performance. For users who prioritize maximum throughput in rendering, encryption, compression, and general computation, Intel is the clear winner. For those with a specific need for prime-number workloads or who require lower power draw, AMD holds an advantage.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification. Intel has 16 cores versus AMD’s 12, though both have 24 threads. Base clocks are 3.40 GHz on Intel and 3.00 GHz on AMD; boost clocks are 5.40 GHz versus 4.70 GHz. TDP is 125W on Intel, 65W on AMD. Sockets differ: Intel uses LGA 1700, AMD uses AM4. Memory support: Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, AMD only DDR4; both are dual-channel, but AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s while Intel does not specify one. PCIe support: Intel is Gen 5 with 20 lanes, AMD is Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Cache configurations differ: Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3; AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3. Process node: Intel is 10nm, AMD is 7nm. Foundry: Intel uses Intel, AMD uses TSMC. Transistor count: AMD lists 8,300 million; Intel does not provide a figure. Die size: AMD uses two dies of 74 mm² each (2x 74 mm²), Intel uses a single 257 mm² die. Release dates: Intel on September 26, 2022; AMD on April 3, 2022. Intel has an unlocked multiplier and a launch MSRP of $384; AMD’s multiplier is locked and it has no launch MSRP listed. Both support ECC memory, both lack integrated graphics, and both are active desktop parts.

Architecture Differences

The architecture divide is fundamental. AMD’s Ryzen 9 PRO 5945 is built on Zen 3, codenamed Vermeer, and uses a chiplet design with two 74 mm² dies. This approach allows AMD to pack 64 MB of L3 cache and 8,300 million transistors on a 7nm TSMC process. Intel’s Core i7-13700KF is a monolithic Raptor Lake-S part on Intel’s 10nm process, with a single 257 mm² die and no disclosed transistor count. The cache hierarchy differs sharply: Intel gives each core 80 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2, while AMD provides 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core. Intel’s L3 is 30 MB shared, AMD’s is 64 MB—more than double. Intel compensates with higher clock speeds (5.40 GHz boost vs 4.70 GHz) and support for DDR5 memory, which can increase memory bandwidth if paired with compatible modules. AMD’s memory bandwidth is specified at 51.2 GB/s, but Intel does not list a number. PCIe support also differs: Intel is Gen 5, AMD Gen 4, both with 20 CPU lanes. The process node advantage (7nm vs 10nm) likely contributes to AMD’s lower TDP of 65W versus Intel’s 125W. Intel’s hybrid architecture—implied by its 16 cores and 24 threads—is not detailed in the data, but its higher core count and clock speeds drive its performance lead in most benchmarks. AMD’s larger L3 cache and lower power draw are its architectural highlights, yet they do not overcome Intel’s raw throughput in the head-to-head tests.