AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 vs Intel Core i5-13600KF Comparison

The Intel Core i5-13600KF and AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 are two very different processors that happen to land in the same performance tier. The data shows a clear split: the Intel desktop chip wins 18 of 23 head-to-head benchmarks, while the AMD mobile chip takes 5. However, the nature of those wins tells the real story. The i5-13600KF dominates heavily threaded workloads and Cinebench tests with massive margins, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 counters with efficiency and a few specific wins in short-burst and extended instruction tests. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 38103 for Intel versus 37904 for AMD — and both sit at the 86th percentile of all CPUs. This is not a contest of overall speed, but a choice between two distinct design philosophies.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result in the entire comparison is Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Intel Core i5-13600KF scores 4479 against the AMD’s 2018 — a 122% lead. That is an enormous gap, not a marginal edge. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where Intel wins 451 to 306.5, a 47.1% advantage. These are not subtle differences; the Raptor Lake architecture simply dominates in these specific legacy single-threaded tests.

Multi-core performance tells a similar story, but with less extreme margins. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 31727 versus 21761 for the AMD, a 45.8% lead. Cinebench R15 multi-core is one of the few AMD wins, with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 scoring 3409.5 against Intel’s 3198, a 6.2% advantage. Geekbench multi-core also favors Intel, with a 17933 to 15242 result — a 17.7% margin. The 3DMark suite is mostly Intel territory: a 7.9% win in 4-thread, a 1.2% win in 8-thread, a 5% win in max-thread, and a 0.4% win in 16-thread. The only AMD win there is 2-thread, where it edges ahead 2179 to 2166, a 0.6% margin.

The single-thread picture is more nuanced. In 3DMark single-thread, AMD wins 1153 to 1084, a 6% advantage. However, in Geekbench single-core, Intel wins 2487 to 2407, a 3.3% margin. PassMark single-thread also goes Intel’s way, 4118 to 3973, a 3.6% lead. So the single-thread crown depends entirely on the benchmark suite.

PassMark results are a mixed bag. Intel wins data compression (475505 to 445719, 6.7%), data encryption (26957 to 22252, 21.1%), find prime numbers (152 to 126, 20.6%), floating point math (90424 to 76892, 17.6%), multithread (37488 to 35148, 6.7%), physics (2226 to 1881, 18.3%), and random string sorting (50851 to 48723, 4.4%). AMD wins extended instructions (31653 to 28865, 8.8%) and integer math (122933 to 122169, 0.6%). The extended instructions win is notable, as it suggests the Zen 5 core handles newer instruction sets more efficiently.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-13600KF has an average benchmark score of 38103, while the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 scores 37904. The difference is less than 1%, and both sit at the 86th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 ever faster than the Intel chip?

A: Yes, in 5 of 23 head-to-head benchmarks. It wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (3409.5 vs 3198), 3DMark 2-thread (2179 vs 2166), 3DMark single-thread (1153 vs 1084), PassMark extended instructions (31653 vs 28865), and PassMark integer math (122933 vs 122169).

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest margin is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where Intel leads by 122% (4479 vs 2018). The second largest is Cinebench R15 single-core at 47.1% (451 vs 306.5).

Q: How do their core and thread counts compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-13600KF has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 has 12 cores and 24 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD chip has more threads.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The AMD chip also has a specified memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel chip does not have one listed.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-13600KF has a base clock of 3.50 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 has a base clock of 2.00 GHz. Their boost clocks are identical at 5.10 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is fundamental. The Intel Core i5-13600KF uses the Raptor Lake architecture, built on a 10 nm process by Intel, with a die size of 257 mm². The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 uses the Zen 5 architecture, built on a 4 nm process by TSMC, with a smaller die size of 233 mm². This process advantage is significant — the AMD chip achieves comparable performance in a smaller physical package with a dramatically lower TDP.

Cache configurations differ substantially. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but the Intel chip has 2 MB of L2 cache per core, while the AMD chip has 1 MB per core. For L3 cache, the Intel chip offers 24 MB shared, while the AMD chip has 16 MB total. The Intel chip’s larger L2 and L3 caches likely contribute to its dominance in cache-sensitive workloads like Cinebench.

The AMD chip uses a hybrid core design with Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores, as indicated by its generation label. The Intel chip uses a unified Raptor Lake design. Neither chip has 3D V-Cache, and both are currently in active production.

Memory support and PCIe generations also differ. The Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, while the AMD chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. For PCIe, the Intel chip offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the AMD chip offers Gen 4 with 16 lanes. This means the Intel platform has access to newer, faster PCIe devices.

The integrated graphics situation is also different. The Intel chip has no integrated graphics listed, while the AMD chip includes Radeon 890M integrated graphics. This is a critical difference for systems without a discrete GPU.

Specification Differences

The most striking difference is TDP. The Intel Core i5-13600KF has a TDP of 125 watts, while the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 has a TDP of just 28 watts. That is a 97-watt gap, and it reflects their intended platforms: desktop versus mobile.

Core and thread counts differ, with Intel at 14 cores and 20 threads, and AMD at 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks differ significantly, with Intel at 3.50 GHz and AMD at 2.00 GHz, but boost clocks are identical at 5.10 GHz. The AMD chip’s lower base clock is typical for a mobile part designed for power efficiency.

The socket is completely different: Intel uses Socket 1700, while AMD uses Socket FP8. The Intel chip is unlocked for overclocking, while the AMD chip is not. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory, while the AMD chip does not.

Memory bandwidth is listed for the AMD chip at 89.6 GB/s, but not for the Intel chip. The Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The AMD chip’s memory support includes low-power variants, which is appropriate for mobile use.

Release dates are far apart: the Intel chip launched on September 26, 2022, while the AMD chip launched on June 30, 2024. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $294; the AMD chip has no listed MSRP. The Intel chip’s part number is SRMBE, while the AMD chip’s is 100-000000994.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on use case. The Intel Core i5-13600KF is the stronger performer in the majority of benchmarks, winning 18 of 23 tests. Its victories are often decisive, particularly in Cinebench R23 multi-core (45.8% ahead), Cinebench R23 single-core (122% ahead), and Geekbench multi-core (17.7% ahead). If raw compute performance is the only metric, the Intel chip wins.

However, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is not a weak processor. It matches the Intel chip’s average score within 1%, and it does so with a TDP of 28 watts versus 125 watts. That is a massive efficiency advantage. The AMD chip also includes integrated graphics, which the Intel chip lacks entirely. For a system without a discrete GPU, the AMD chip is the only viable option between the two.

The Intel chip is a desktop processor with a 125-watt TDP, an unlocked multiplier, and support for DDR4 and DDR5. It is built for high-performance desktop builds where power draw is not a primary concern. The AMD chip is a mobile processor with a 28-watt TDP, no overclocking, and support for DDR5 and LPDDR5X. It is built for laptops and compact systems where efficiency and integrated graphics are priorities.

The verdict is not about which is better, but which fits the intended platform. For a desktop workstation or gaming rig with a discrete GPU, the Intel chip offers superior performance in most workloads. For a mobile workstation or a compact system relying on integrated graphics, the AMD chip is the practical choice despite its lower benchmark scores.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-13600KF wins decisively in content creation and compute-heavy tasks. Cinebench R23 multi-core (31727 vs 21761) and Geekbench multi-core (17933 vs 15242) show a 45.8% and 17.7% lead respectively. For video editing, 3D rendering, and software compilation, the Intel chip is the stronger pick. It also wins data encryption (21.1% ahead) and floating point math (17.6% ahead), which are relevant for scientific computing and financial modeling.

The Intel chip is also the better choice for single-threaded legacy workloads. Its 122% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 47.1% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core are enormous margins that will show up in older software. PassMark single-thread (3.6% ahead) and Geekbench single-core (3.3% ahead) also favor Intel, though by smaller margins.

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 wins where efficiency and specific instruction sets matter. Its 8.8% lead in PassMark extended instructions suggests better handling of modern SIMD workloads. Its 0.6% win in integer math is small but consistent. In 3DMark single-thread, it leads by 6%, and in 2-thread by 0.6%, indicating strong short-burst performance.

For mobile use, the AMD chip is the only real option due to its 28-watt TDP and integrated Radeon 890M graphics. The Intel chip’s 125-watt TDP and lack of integrated graphics make it unsuitable for laptop or compact builds. The AMD chip also supports LPDDR5X memory, which is common in thin-and-light laptops.

The AMD chip wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 6.2%, which is its only multi-core victory. Combined with its extended instructions win, this suggests the Zen 5 architecture is particularly strong in certain rendering and simulation tasks, even if it loses the larger Cinebench R23 multi-core test. For users running software that leverages these specific strengths, the AMD chip can be competitive despite its lower overall multi-core scores.