CPU Comparison

# Intel Core 5 221TE vs AMD EPYC 9374F

The Intel Core 5 221TE and AMD EPYC 9374F occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum, yet both land at the 71st percentile among all CPUs tracked. The Core 5 221TE is a 10-core, 16-thread desktop part with a 45 W TDP, while the EPYC 9374F is a 32-core, 64-thread server processor with a 320 W TDP. Benchmark results show a complete sweep for the AMD chip, but the story is more nuanced when considering the intended workloads and platform requirements.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD EPYC 9374F wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons by a staggering margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the EPYC 9374F scores 69,707 against the Core 5 221TE's 11,305, a delta of -83.8% from the Intel part's perspective. That means the EPYC delivers roughly six times the multi-threaded rendering performance. The gap persists across every Cinebench iteration: R15 multi-core shows 7,026 versus 1,139, and R20 multi-core shows 29,276 versus 4,748, both with the same -83.8% delta.

Single-core results tell a similar story, albeit with less dramatic separation. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the EPYC 9374F scores 9,841 versus 1,596 for the Core 5 221TE, again a -83.8% delta. The R15 single-core test shows 991 versus 160, and R20 single-core shows 4,133 versus 670. These are not marginal differences; the EPYC leads by roughly 6.2x in every single test.

The average benchmark score narrative adds context. The Core 5 221TE averages 17,860 across its benchmark suite, while the EPYC 9374F averages 17,693, nearly identical overall averages despite the lopsided head-to-head results. This occurs because the Intel chip's benchmark pool includes PassMark tests like data compression (156,682), integer math (42,303), and floating-point math (31,661), which boost its average. The EPYC's average comes from a smaller set of Cinebench and Geekbench tests, where it scores 18,263 in Geekbench multi-core and 2,306 in Geekbench single-core.

The nearest rivals for each chip further illustrate their positioning. The Core 5 221TE sits within 0.7% of the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (17,994), Intel Core 5 120U (17,898), AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (17,891), and Intel Core 7 350 (17,779). The EPYC 9374F, despite its server pedigree, lands within 0.4% of the Intel Core i3-14100T (17,648), Intel Core i3-13100F (17,653), Intel Core i7-1255U (17,656), and AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE (17,614). This suggests the EPYC's raw compute power is offset by its benchmark selection, making average-score comparisons misleading.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 215 mm². It features 10 cores and 16 threads, with base and boost clocks of 1.80 GHz and 5.00 GHz respectively. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. Memory support spans both DDR4 and DDR5 across a dual-channel bus, with 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth. It also includes integrated UHD Graphics 730 and runs on Intel Socket 1700.

The AMD EPYC 9374F is a Zen 4 architecture part from the Genoa codename, built on a 5 nm process by TSMC. It packs 32 cores and 64 threads, with a base clock of 3.85 GHz and boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The chip uses 52,560 million transistors across eight chiplets, each measuring 72 mm². Its cache configuration provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a massive 256 MB of shared L3. Memory support is DDR5 only, but across a twelve-channel bus delivering 460.8 GB/s, six times the Intel part's bandwidth. The EPYC runs on AMD Socket SP5 and offers 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, compared to 16 lanes on the Intel chip.

The production status for both is Active, but their release dates differ significantly. The EPYC 9374F launched on 2022-11-09, while the Core 5 221TE arrived on 2025-01-12. The Intel part's launch MSRP is $232, whereas the EPYC carries a $4,850 launch MSRP, a 20x difference that reflects their market segments.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload. For multi-threaded compute tasks like rendering, scientific simulation, or heavy virtualization, the EPYC 9374F is the definitive winner. Its 69,707 Cinebench R23 multi-core score is more than six times the Core 5 221TE's 11,305, and its 256 MB of L3 cache paired with 460.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth makes it a server-class powerhouse. The 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes also enable massive I/O expansion that the Intel part's 16 lanes cannot match.

However, the Core 5 221TE is not without merit. Its 45 W TDP makes it dramatically more power-efficient on paper, and its integrated UHD Graphics 730 means it can function without a discrete GPU. The dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support offers platform flexibility, and the 5.00 GHz boost clock is higher than the EPYC's 4.30 GHz, though single-core benchmarks show the EPYC still wins decisively, 9,841 versus 1,596 in R23 single-core.

The percentile ranking of 71 for both chips is coincidental, driven by different benchmark pools. The Core 5 221TE's PassMark scores, including 42,303 in integer math and 31,661 in floating-point math, show it handles desktop workloads competently. The EPYC's Geekbench multi-core score of 18,263 confirms its server orientation.

Choose the EPYC 9374F for any workload where core count, memory bandwidth, or PCIe expansion dominates. Choose the Core 5 221TE for a low-power desktop system where integrated graphics and DDR4 compatibility matter, and where the 16-thread count is sufficient.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 5 221TE | AMD EPYC 9374F |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 10 | 32 |

| Threads | 16 | 64 |

| Base Clock | 1.80 GHz | 3.85 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 320 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket SP5 |

| Codename | Bartlett Lake | Genoa |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 5 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | N/A | 52,560 million |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | 8x 72 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 256 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Twelve-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | 460.8 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes | Gen 5, 128 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | None |

| Release Date | 2025-01-12 | 2022-11-09 |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 9374F has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The EPYC 9374F scores 69,707 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, versus 11,305 for the Core 5 221TE, representing a -83.8% delta for the Intel part.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth differences?

A: The EPYC 9374F provides 460.8 GB/s across a twelve-channel DDR5 bus, while the Core 5 221TE offers 76.8 GB/s over a dual-channel bus supporting both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 221TE include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD EPYC 9374F has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are the launch MSRP values for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232, while the AMD EPYC 9374F has a launch MSRP of $4,850.

Q: Which chip has higher single-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The EPYC 9374F scores 9,841 in Cinebench R23 single-core, compared to 1,596 for the Core 5 221TE, a -83.8% delta for the Intel part.