AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G vs Intel Core i5-14500HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive overall performance advantage for the Intel Core i5-14500HX across the shared PassMark workload set. Of the 11 head-to-head comparisons, Intel wins nine, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G claims two wins, both in single-threaded tests.

The most significant gap appears in the `passmark_find_prime_numbers` test, where Intel scores 130 against AMD's 55, a delta of -57.7% for the AMD part. This test heavily favors the Intel's larger core count and higher thread count. The `passmark_physics` test shows a similar pattern: Intel scores 1911 versus AMD's 999, a -47.7% difference. Both of these workloads scale with parallel execution resources, which is where the Intel chip holds its largest structural advantage.

Data encryption also shows a substantial Intel lead. Intel scores 19502, while AMD manages 12111, which is -37.9% relative to Intel. Floating-point math follows closely: Intel's 69442 beats AMD's 43494 by -37.4%. Integer math shows a -33.3% gap, with Intel at 95584 and AMD at 63707. Multi-threaded performance, measured by `passmark_multithread`, favors Intel at 28508 versus AMD's 20285, a -28.8% difference.

The remaining Intel wins are narrower but consistent. Random string sorting goes to Intel 36219 versus 27407, a -24.3% gap. Data compression favors Intel 333851 versus 253484, -24.1%. Extended instructions show the smallest Intel advantage: 20019 versus 18697, a -6.6% margin.

The AMD part's wins are modest but meaningful. In `passmark_single_thread`, AMD scores 3829 against Intel's 3629, a 5.5% advantage. The duplicate `passmark_singlethread` test confirms the same result. This indicates that the AMD architecture, despite having fewer physical cores, delivers a higher peak performance per thread.

Looking at the aggregate scores, the AMD part achieves an average benchmark score of 40718 with an 87th percentile ranking among all CPUs. The Intel part averages 35094 with an 84th percentile ranking. The average score difference appears to be driven by the different test suites available for each processor, as the head-to-head PassMark comparisons show Intel with a clear lead. The AMD part's nearest rivals in the database are all Intel server or professional parts with average scores between 40518 and 40630, placing it in a higher aggregate bracket than its head-to-head performance against the i5-14500HX would suggest.

Architecture Differences

The two processors occupy different design spaces. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G is a desktop part built on TSMC's 4 nm process, with a 6-core, 12-thread configuration. The Intel Core i5-14500HX is a mobile part on Intel's 10 nm process, featuring 14 cores and 20 threads. The Intel die measures 257 mm², while the AMD die size is not recorded. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but AMD supports DDR5 only, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s; Intel's memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. Both parts have 80 KB of L1 per core. AMD provides 1 MB of L2 per core, totaling 6 MB, while Intel provides 2 MB per core, totaling 28 MB. The L3 cache shows a major divergence: AMD has 4 MB total, while Intel has 24 MB shared. This larger cache pool on Intel likely contributes to its strong performance in data compression and sorting workloads, where larger working sets can be retained on-chip.

The process nodes are distinct: TSMC 4 nm for AMD versus Intel 10 nm for the Core i5. The AMD part uses a hybrid architecture from the Ryzen AI PRO 400 generation, based on Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores, under the codename Gorgon Point. Intel uses the Raptor Lake-HX architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-HX Refresh, from the Core 14th Gen series. The Intel part has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD part does not.

PCIe support differs: AMD provides Gen 4 with 10 CPU lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. This gives Intel a clear advantage for high-bandwidth expansion devices. Integrated graphics also differ: AMD uses Radeon 840M, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. Both support ECC memory. The AMD part is socketed on AM5, while Intel uses BGA 1964, reflecting its mobile-oriented design.

Base and boost clocks show Intel with a higher ceiling: 2.60 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost versus AMD's 2.00 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost. The TDP values are similar, with AMD at 65 watts and Intel at 55 watts. The Intel part's higher boost clock and larger core count are the primary architectural drivers of its multi-threaded benchmark wins.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14500HX wins in every parallel workload recorded in the head-to-head set. Its 14 cores and 20 threads provide a 2.33x core count advantage over the AMD part's 6 cores and 12 threads. Workloads that scale with thread count, such as prime number finding, physics simulation, encryption, and integer math, all show Intel leading by margins from -6.6% to -57.7%. The Intel part also wins in memory-intensive tasks like data compression and random string sorting, where its 24 MB L3 cache likely helps keep larger datasets resident.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G wins only in single-threaded performance. The 5.5% lead in `passmark_single_thread` suggests that its Zen 5 / Zen 5c cores deliver higher instructions per clock, at least in the tested workload. This is a narrow but clear advantage for tasks that cannot use multiple cores effectively. Single-threaded performance is often relevant for legacy software, certain scripting workloads, and latency-sensitive interactive applications.

For the desktop user, the AMD part's advantage in single-thread performance is offset by its substantial deficits in all multi-threaded tests. For the mobile user, the Intel part's higher thread count and larger cache make it the stronger choice for rendering, compilation, and data processing. The AMD part's lower core count and smaller cache suggest it is better suited for lightweight desktop workloads where peak single-thread speed matters more than raw throughput.

The percentile rankings provide context: AMD sits at the 87th percentile among all CPUs, while Intel sits at the 84th percentile. This ranking, based on the average benchmark score across each part's respective test suite, places AMD slightly higher overall despite losing the head-to-head. This discrepancy is explained by the different test sets: the AMD part's suite includes only PassMark tests, while the Intel part's suite includes Cinebench and Geekbench results, which may weight differently.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-14500HX has 14 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the single-threaded performance comparison?

A: The AMD part leads in `passmark_single_thread` with a score of 3829 versus Intel's 3629, a 5.5% advantage for AMD.

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

A: In `passmark_multithread`, Intel scores 28508 versus AMD's 20285, a -28.8% difference favoring Intel.

Q: Which processor supports PCIe Gen 5?

A: The Intel Core i5-14500HX supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The AMD part supports PCIe Gen 4 with 10 CPU lanes.

Q: What are the cache sizes?

A: The AMD part has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 4 MB L3 total. The Intel part has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB L3 shared.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel part has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the AMD part has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear split in usage scenarios. The Intel Core i5-14500HX dominates in every multi-threaded workload recorded, with margins ranging from 6.6% to 57.7% across nine head-to-head tests. Its 14 cores, 20 threads, and 24 MB L3 cache provide a structural advantage for any parallel workload, including data compression, encryption, physics simulation, and floating-point math. The Intel part also offers PCIe Gen 5 support and a higher boost clock, making it the more capable processor for heavy compute tasks.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G wins only in single-threaded performance, with a 5.5% lead over Intel. That makes it the better choice for workloads that are latency-bound and cannot use multiple cores. Its smaller 4 MB L3 cache and 6-core configuration limit its parallel throughput, but its 4 nm process and Zen 5 / Zen 5c hybrid architecture deliver strong per-thread efficiency. The AMD part also supports ECC memory and uses the AM5 socket, which may matter for specific desktop system requirements.

For a user prioritizing raw multi-core throughput, the Intel part is the clear winner based on the recorded benchmarks. For a user whose primary workloads are single-threaded, the AMD part offers a small but measurable advantage. The aggregate benchmark scores place AMD at the 87th percentile and Intel at the 84th percentile, but the head-to-head PassMark results favor Intel in nine of eleven tests. The choice between these two processors hinges on whether the application mix leans toward parallel or single-threaded execution.