AMD Athlon 220GE vs Intel Core i5-3470S Comparison

FAQ

Q: How does the AMD Athlon 220GE compare to the Intel Core i5-3470S in multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Athlon 220GE wins in every recorded multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3764 against the Intel's 3711, a 1.4% advantage. The gap is similar in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where AMD leads 1580 to 1558 (1.4% ahead).

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score?

A: The AMD Athlon 220GE holds the single-core lead across all measured benchmarks. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 531 versus the Intel Core i5-3470S's 524, a 1.3% margin. The delta is slightly larger in Cinebench R15 single-core, with AMD at 53 and Intel at 52 (1.9% ahead).

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores between the two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S has an average benchmark score of 1095, while the AMD Athlon 220GE averages 1088. Despite AMD winning all head-to-head tests, the overall average is only 0.6% apart, placing both processors at the 30th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: How do the two chips compare in power consumption?

A: The AMD Athlon 220GE has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel Core i5-3470S is rated at 65 watts. This makes the AMD part significantly more power-efficient on paper, which is notable given that it wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison.

Q: What memory technologies do these processors support?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S supports DDR3 memory, while the AMD Athlon 220GE supports DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the AMD part records a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, a figure not listed for the Intel chip.

Q: Which processor has the larger cache configuration?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S features 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD Athlon 220GE has a larger per-core footprint: 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, but its shared L3 is smaller at 4 MB.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-3470S is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, fabricated on a 22 nm process at Intel. It belongs to the Core i5 generation and uses the Intel Socket 1155 platform. The AMD Athlon 220GE, by contrast, is based on the Zen architecture, specifically the Raven Ridge family, and is produced on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It uses the AMD Socket AM4 platform.

Core counts differ substantially. The Intel chip offers 4 physical cores and 4 threads, while the AMD part provides only 2 physical cores but 4 threads via simultaneous multithreading. This means the AMD processor relies on thread scheduling to match the Intel's parallel throughput, yet benchmark data shows it still edges ahead in multi-core workloads.

The integrated graphics solutions are another key differentiator. The Intel Core i5-3470S ships with Intel HD 2500, while the AMD Athlon 220GE includes Radeon Vega 3 graphics. The database does not record performance metrics for either iGPU, so the comparison is limited to feature presence.

The manufacturing and packaging details also diverge. The AMD Athlon 220GE has a transistor count of 4,950 million and a die size of 209.8 mm², whereas the Intel processor lists a die size of 133 mm² with no transistor count recorded. The larger AMD die reflects the integrated Vega graphics and the newer process node, though process scaling does not directly translate to performance in the recorded benchmarks.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The Intel part provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD chip offers Gen 3 with 8 lanes from the CPU. This could matter for discrete GPU bandwidth, but no expansion performance data is captured in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a clean sweep for the AMD Athlon 220GE, though the margins are uniformly narrow. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 379 against Intel's 373, a 1.6% difference. The single-core test in the same suite sees AMD at 53 versus Intel's 52, a 1.9% edge. These are the largest deltas in the entire comparison.

Cinebench R20 results follow the same pattern. The multi-core test has AMD at 1580 and Intel at 1558, with AMD ahead by 1.4%. In single-core, AMD scores 223 versus Intel's 220, a 1.3% margin. The consistency across different Cinebench versions is notable: the relative gap remains between 1.3% and 1.9% regardless of workload or rendering engine.

Cinebench R23, the most recent test in the set, confirms the trend. AMD leads multi-core 3764 to 3711 (1.4%) and single-core 531 to 524 (1.3%). The Intel Core i5-3470S also has Geekbench scores recorded: 1726 multi-core and 599 single-core. The AMD Athlon 220GE does not have Geekbench entries in the database, so cross-suite comparison is limited to Cinebench.

The win tally is decisive: the AMD Athlon 220GE wins 6 out of 6 head-to-head tests. However, the average benchmark scores tell a slightly different story. Intel's average is 1095, while AMD's is 1088. This discrepancy arises because the Intel part has Geekbench scores included in its average, which are relatively strong compared to its Cinebench results. The nearest rivals for the Intel chip include the Core i7-2670QM at 1096 (0.1% higher) and the Core i7-4600M at 1093 (0.2% lower), indicating the i5-3470S sits in a tight cluster of mobile and desktop parts. The AMD Athlon 220GE's nearest rivals include the Core i5-3350P at 1088 (0% delta) and the Pentium Gold G5400 at 1091 (0.3% higher), again showing a dense competitive field.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every core specification except for thread count. The Intel Core i5-3470S has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Athlon 220GE has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clock speeds differ: Intel runs at 2.90 GHz, AMD at 3.40 GHz. The Intel part has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, while the AMD chip lists no boost clock in the database, meaning its maximum frequency is effectively its base clock.

TDP is a major differentiator. Intel is rated at 65 watts, AMD at 35 watts. This makes the AMD part far more suitable for low-power or compact builds, assuming the performance gap remains as narrow as the benchmarks indicate.

Memory support is split by generation. Intel uses DDR3, AMD uses DDR4. Both are dual-channel, but only the AMD part has a recorded memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The Intel chip's memory bandwidth is not listed.

Cache hierarchy differs in both size and organization. Intel provides 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with 6 MB shared L3. AMD provides 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with 4 MB shared L3. The larger per-core caches on the AMD side may contribute to its single-core advantage, though the database does not provide direct causality.

Socket and platform compatibility are entirely different: Intel Socket 1155 versus AMD Socket AM4. The Intel part uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while AMD uses Gen 3 with 8 lanes. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD part has a launch MSRP of $65, which can be stated once as a reference point, while the Intel part has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data points to the AMD Athlon 220GE as the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 1.3% to 1.9% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. It also does so at a substantially lower TDP: 35 watts versus 65 watts. For workloads that rely on Cinebench-style rendering, the AMD chip is the clear pick.

The Intel Core i5-3470S, however, is not without merit. Its average benchmark score is slightly higher (1095 versus 1088), driven by Geekbench results that are not available for the AMD part. The Intel chip also offers more physical cores (4 versus 2), which may provide headroom in scenarios that do not scale well with simultaneous multithreading, though the recorded benchmarks do not show such an advantage.

For users prioritizing raw benchmark wins and power efficiency, the AMD Athlon 220GE is the better choice. For those who need a processor with more physical cores and a platform that supports Geekbench-verified performance, the Intel Core i5-3470S remains viable. The database's percentile ranking places both at the 30th percentile, indicating they are entry-level performers in the broader CPU landscape. The AMD part edges ahead in the render tests, but the Intel part holds its own in the overall average, making this a close contest where the AMD chip's lower power draw and newer platform give it the final edge.