AMD Athlon 220GE vs Intel Core i5-2450P Comparison

The AMD Athlon 220GE and Intel Core i5-2450P are two desktop processors from different eras, built on fundamentally different architectures. The Athlon 220GE is a modern 14nm Zen part, while the i5-2450P is a 32nm Sandy Bridge chip. Despite the Intel part having twice the physical cores, the data shows the AMD processor consistently outperforms it across every Cinebench benchmark, making this a fascinating comparison of efficiency and IPC versus raw core count.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-2450P has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Athlon 220GE has only 2 cores and 4 threads. This is a significant structural difference, with the Intel part offering double the physical core count.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Athlon 220GE has an average benchmark score of 1088, while the Intel Core i5-2450P scores 1086. The AMD part is 0.2% ahead, placing them statistically in a dead heat despite their architectural differences.

Q: Does the Intel processor have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-2450P has no integrated graphics (listed as null), meaning it requires a discrete GPU. The AMD Athlon 220GE includes Radeon Vega 3 integrated graphics, allowing for a basic display output without a separate graphics card.

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The AMD Athlon 220GE has a TDP of 35 watts, compared to the Intel Core i5-2450P's 95 watts. The AMD chip uses significantly less power, which is notable given that it also delivers better benchmark performance.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The AMD Athlon 220GE supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the Intel Core i5-2450P supports DDR3 memory, also in dual-channel. The AMD part also has a specified memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, whereas the Intel part has no bandwidth figure listed.

Q: What is the release date difference?

A: The Intel Core i5-2450P was released on 2012-01-29, while the AMD Athlon 220GE came later on 2018-12-20. The AMD chip is nearly seven years newer, which explains its architectural advantages.

Architecture Differences

The foundational architecture of these two CPUs could not be more different. The AMD Athlon 220GE is built on the Zen architecture, specifically the Raven Ridge generation, using a 14nm process node from GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,950 million transistors into a die size of 209.8 mm². In contrast, the Intel Core i5-2450P uses the Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32nm node from Intel, with just 1,160 million transistors on a slightly larger 216 mm² die.

The cache layouts diverge significantly. The AMD part has 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has smaller per-core caches at 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2, but compensates with a larger 6 MB shared L3 cache. This means the Intel chip has more total cache capacity, but the AMD architecture is designed for higher efficiency per clock.

The AMD Athlon 220GE operates at a fixed 3.40 GHz base clock with no boost capability, while the Intel i5-2450P has a 3.20 GHz base clock and can boost up to 3.50 GHz. The Intel part also offers more PCIe lanes at 16, versus 8 for the AMD chip, both at Gen 3. Neither processor is multiplier-unlocked, so overclocking is not a feature of either.

The memory controllers reflect their respective generations: the AMD part uses DDR4 while the Intel part uses DDR3. The AMD chip also has an integrated Radeon Vega 3 GPU, whereas the Intel chip has none. The AMD part is listed as Active in production, while the Intel part's production status is not specified.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Athlon 220GE wins in every single benchmark scenario recorded in the head-to-head data. It takes all 6 wins across the Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 suites, both multi-core and single-core tests. This is a clean sweep, with no benchmark where the Intel Core i5-2450P comes out ahead.

For users building a system where integrated graphics are needed, the AMD part is the only choice with its Radeon Vega 3. The Intel chip requires a dedicated GPU for any video output, which adds cost and complexity to a build. The AMD part also wins on power efficiency with its 35W TDP versus 95W, making it suitable for compact and low-power systems.

The Intel Core i5-2450P does offer a theoretical advantage in scenarios that benefit from more physical cores, but the benchmark data does not support this translating into real wins. Its 4 cores and 4 threads give it a structural edge in heavily threaded workloads, but the Cinebench multi-core results show the AMD's 2 cores with 4 threads still manage to edge ahead. The Intel part also has more PCIe lanes, which could matter for users with multiple expansion cards.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The AMD Athlon 220GE has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i5-2450P has 4 cores and 4 threads. The AMD base clock is 3.40 GHz, while the Intel base clock is 3.20 GHz with a 3.50 GHz boost. TDP figures are 35W for AMD versus 95W for Intel.

The sockets are incompatible: the AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1155. The AMD architecture is Zen on 14nm from GlobalFoundries, while the Intel is Sandy Bridge on 32nm from Intel. Transistor counts are 4,950 million versus 1,160 million, and die sizes are 209.8 mm² versus 216 mm².

Cache configurations differ, with the AMD part having 96 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core versus Intel's 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2. The L3 cache is 4 MB shared for AMD versus 6 MB shared for Intel. Memory support is DDR4 for AMD versus DDR3 for Intel, with the AMD part having a specified memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s while the Intel part has none listed.

The AMD chip includes Radeon Vega 3 integrated graphics, while the Intel chip has no integrated graphics. PCIe lanes are 8 for AMD versus 16 for Intel, both Gen 3. The release dates are 2018-12-20 for AMD and 2012-01-29 for Intel. The AMD chip has a launch MSRP of $65, while the Intel chip has no listed launch MSRP. Neither is multiplier unlocked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results tell a consistent story of AMD dominance. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Athlon 220GE scores 379 against the i5-2450P's 366, a 3.6% advantage for AMD. The single-core R15 test shows 53 versus 51, a 3.9% win for AMD. These are small but consistent margins.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The multi-core test has the AMD part scoring 1580 versus Intel's 1525, a 3.6% difference. The single-core test shows 223 versus 215, a 3.7% edge for AMD. The consistency across these tests indicates a fundamental efficiency advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The Cinebench R23 results are the most modern and demanding. The AMD Athlon 220GE scores 3764 in multi-core, beating the Intel i5-2450P's 3632 by 3.6%. In single-core, the AMD scores 531 versus 512, a 3.7% lead. The margins are remarkably stable across all six tests, ranging only from 3.6% to 3.9%.

The Intel part does have additional Geekbench scores listed, with a multi-core score of 1796 and single-core of 590, but these are not part of the head-to-head comparison data. The nearest rival data confirms the closeness of these chips: the AMD Athlon 220GE's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-3350P at 0% delta, followed by the i5-2450P at 0.2% delta. The Intel i5-2450P's nearest rival is the i3-6320 at 0.1% delta, with the Athlon 220GE at -0.2% delta.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Athlon 220GE wins every benchmark in the comparison, despite having half the physical cores of the Intel Core i5-2450P. The 35W AMD chip outperforms the 95W Intel chip by roughly 3.6-3.9% across all Cinebench tests. This is a remarkable outcome that speaks to the efficiency of the Zen architecture versus the aging Sandy Bridge design.

Users who need integrated graphics should choose the AMD Athlon 220GE without hesitation, as the Intel Core i5-2450P offers no GPU at all. The AMD part also makes sense for builds prioritizing low power consumption and modern platform features, given its AM4 socket supports DDR4 memory and newer motherboards. The launch MSRP of $65 for the AMD chip provides a reference point, though the Intel part has no listed launch price.

Users who already own a Sandy Bridge platform and have a discrete GPU might consider the i5-2450P if they need more physical cores for specific workloads that scale with core count. However, the benchmark data shows no scenario where this translates into a win. The Intel part also offers more PCIe lanes, which could be a deciding factor for users with multiple high-bandwidth expansion cards.

The practical advice is straightforward: the AMD Athlon 220GE is the better processor by every measured metric in this comparison. It wins on performance, power efficiency, and features. The Intel Core i5-2450P is a legacy part from 2012 that no longer competes effectively, even against a budget dual-core chip from 2018. For a new build, the AMD part is the clear choice. For anyone considering the Intel part, the data suggests looking elsewhere.