AMD Ryzen 7 260 vs Intel Core 5 211TE Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 260 and Intel Core 5 211TE present a stark contrast in design goals and benchmark outcomes. The recorded data shows the AMD part winning 14 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, with the Intel processor securing a single narrow victory. This split defines their distinct personalities: the Ryzen 7 260 is a mobile-class processor built for high throughput, while the Core 5 211TE is a desktop part tuned for a specific workload.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 260 dominates across nearly every measured category, making it the clear choice for multi-threaded production work. Its lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, with a score of 17211.5 against the Intel's 12201, confirms that applications using many cores will finish substantially faster on the AMD platform. The gap widens further in PassMark integer math, where the AMD scores 96737 versus the Intel's 33991, a delta of 184.6%. This pattern repeats in floating-point math, extended instructions, data encryption, and random string sorting, all areas where the AMD processor delivers between 127.4% and 208.1% higher scores.

The Intel Core 5 211TE wins exactly one test: PassMark physics, scoring 1278 versus the AMD's 1218, a 4.7% advantage. This single result suggests the Intel architecture handles a specific physics simulation workload more efficiently. The data does not support broader conclusions from this lone win, as the Intel part trails massively elsewhere. For users running physics-heavy applications that mirror this benchmark, the Intel processor offers a modest edge, but it is the exception rather than the rule.

The AMD part also excels in single-threaded performance. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 3736 against the Intel's 1408, a 165.3% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a smaller but still decisive gap: 1770.5 versus 1722, a 2.8% lead. This indicates the Ryzen 7 260 handles both lightly threaded and heavily threaded workloads with superior responsiveness.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 scores 17211.5, which is 41.1% higher than the Intel Core 5 211TE's 12201.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 211TE win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins PassMark physics with a score of 1278, beating the AMD Ryzen 7 260's 1218 by 4.7%. It loses the other 14 head-to-head comparisons.

Q: How do the two compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 leads in PassMark single-thread with 3736 versus 1408, a 165.3% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the lead narrows to 2.8% (1770.5 versus 1722).

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 211TE has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 211TE supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 does not.

Q: What is the difference in data encryption performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 scores 20267 in PassMark data encryption, which is 180.3% higher than the Intel Core 5 211TE's 7231.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest victory for the AMD Ryzen 7 260 occurs in PassMark extended instructions, where it scores 26544 versus the Intel's 8615, a delta of 208.1%. This test often reflects SIMD and specialized instruction handling, suggesting the AMD architecture processes such workloads more than three times faster. Data encryption shows a similar pattern: the AMD scores 20267, beating the Intel's 7231 by 180.3%. Random string sorting yields a 185.6% lead for the AMD (42383 versus 14838), and integer math shows a 184.6% advantage (96737 versus 33991).

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test produces the second-largest gap in the dataset. The AMD scores 2747.5, while the Intel manages 1221, resulting in a 123.6% difference. This older benchmark still reflects heavily threaded rendering performance, and the AMD part nearly doubles the Intel's output. PassMark multithread shows a 140.3% lead for the AMD (28078 versus 11685), while floating-point math delivers a 127.4% advantage (59462 versus 26150).

Data compression is another decisive win for the AMD, scoring 351517 versus 133434, a 163.4% gap. Single-thread PassMark results show a 165.3% lead for the AMD (3736 versus 1408). The smallest AMD wins are in Cinebench R23 single-core (2.8%) and PassMark find prime numbers (6.9%, 77 versus 72). The Intel's only victory, PassMark physics (1278 versus 1218, a 4.7% edge), is the sole data point where the Intel part demonstrates superiority.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge in several fundamental specifications. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 uses 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 211TE uses 10 cores and 16 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD part achieves higher multi-core scores, indicating that its core efficiency outweighs the Intel's core count advantage. The base clocks differ substantially: the AMD runs at 3.80 GHz, while the Intel idles at 1.70 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with the AMD reaching 5.10 GHz and the Intel 4.80 GHz.

Both processors have a 45 TDP, placing them in the same power envelope. The AMD uses an AMD Socket FP8, while the Intel uses an Intel Socket 1700. Memory support differs: the AMD supports DDR5 only, while the Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD achieves 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, whereas the Intel manages 76.8 GB/s. ECC memory is supported only on the Intel. PCIe capabilities also differ: the AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD uses a Radeon 780M, while the Intel uses UHD Graphics 730. The market segments are distinct: the AMD is classified as Mobile, while the Intel is Desktop. Release dates are close, with the AMD launching on 2025-01-05 and the Intel on 2025-01-12. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $221, a detail not recorded for the AMD.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 260 is built on the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Hawk Point, using a 4 nm process from TSMC. This process node is significantly smaller than the Intel's 10 nm node, which likely contributes to the AMD's efficiency and higher clock speeds. The AMD die size is 178 mm², while the Intel is larger at 215 mm². The AMD packs 25,000 million transistors, a figure not recorded for the Intel.

Cache configurations show clear differences. The AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. While the Intel has more cache per core and a larger L3 pool, the benchmark data indicates the AMD's smaller cache arrangement does not hinder its performance.

The Intel part, codenamed Bartlett Lake, does not have a listed architecture in the database. Its 10 nm process and Intel foundry represent an older manufacturing generation compared to the AMD's 4 nm TSMC process. The AMD's higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz versus 4.80 GHz, combined with its smaller process node, helps explain its substantial performance advantages. The AMD also supports Gen 4 PCIe, while the Intel supports Gen 5, a newer standard, though this does not appear in the benchmark results.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 is the superior processor for virtually all measured workloads. Its 14 benchmark wins, including leads of over 100% in eight tests, establish it as the faster part for multi-threaded rendering, encryption, compression, and integer math. The AMD's 88th percentile versus all CPUs, compared to the Intel's 69th percentile, reinforces this conclusion. The average benchmark score of 43717 for the AMD versus 15370 for the Intel shows a processor that operates in a different performance class.

The Intel Core 5 211TE offers one specific advantage: PassMark physics. For workloads that resemble that benchmark, the Intel's 4.7% edge may be relevant. Its support for ECC memory and Gen 5 PCIe, along with its dual DDR4/DDR5 support, provide platform-level features the AMD lacks. However, these do not translate into benchmark victories.

The Ryzen 7 260 is the choice for users prioritizing raw speed across a broad range of tasks, from content creation to data processing. The Core 5 211TE is the choice for users who require ECC memory support, Gen 5 connectivity, or who run physics-based applications where its single win suggests an advantage. The AMD's higher boost clock, smaller process node, and superior benchmark results make it the dominant performer in this comparison.