AMD Ryzen 3 30 vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 30 and Intel Core 5 221E occupy opposite ends of the performance spectrum in the recorded benchmark data. The Intel part wins all 11 shared tests in the head-to-head comparison, while the AMD processor shows no victories in that direct matchup. However, the two chips serve different market segments entirely: the Ryzen 3 30 is a mobile processor with a 15 W TDP, while the Core 5 221E is a desktop processor with a 65 W TDP. The data reveals a clear performance hierarchy, but the context of power envelopes and platform requirements matters for interpretation.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E dominates every benchmark category recorded in the head-to-head comparison. Its largest margins appear in compute-heavy workloads: prime number finding shows an 88.4% deficit for the AMD chip, floating point math shows an 81.7% deficit, and physics shows an 80.4% deficit. The Intel processor also leads by 74.7% in integer math and 70.4% in multithreaded performance. These results indicate the Intel part is designed for sustained, multi-core workloads typical of desktop computing.

The AMD Ryzen 3 30 has no wins in the direct comparison, but its strengths emerge from its efficiency profile rather than raw throughput. With a 15 W TDP and a 6 nm process node from TSMC, the AMD chip targets low-power mobile scenarios. The data shows the Ryzen 3 30 still delivers a respectable 2465 single-thread score and 9027 multithread score, which places it in the 74th percentile of all CPUs in the database. For context, that percentile puts it near the Intel Core Ultra 7 165U (0.6% lower average score) and AMD EPYC 7713P (0.6% higher average score), suggesting the mobile chip competes with larger desktop parts from earlier generations.

The Intel Core 5 221E reaches the 87th percentile, with nearest rivals including the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (0.2% higher average score) and AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (0.2% higher average score). The 221E's average benchmark score of 40144 is roughly double the Ryzen 3 30's 20137, reinforcing the performance gap.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different design approaches. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 leverages Zen 2 architecture with the Mendocino codename, built on a 6 nm process at TSMC with a 100 mm² die size. It contains 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and boost clock of 4.10 GHz. Cache configuration includes 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. The AMD chip supports LPDDR5 memory with dual-channel configuration and 88.0 GB/s bandwidth, but lacks ECC support.

The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel with a 257 mm² die size. It packs 14 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and boost clock of 5.20 GHz. Cache is substantially larger: 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. Memory support covers both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, and ECC memory is supported.

The platform differences are stark. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket FT6 and integrates Radeon 610M graphics, with PCIe Gen 3 limited to 4 CPU lanes. The Intel processor uses Intel Socket 1700 and integrates UHD Graphics 730, with PCIe Gen 5 offering 16 CPU lanes. The Intel part supports ECC memory, which the AMD part does not. These architectural choices align with the intended use cases: the AMD chip for thin-and-light mobile devices, the Intel chip for desktop workstations that may require ECC.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates the Intel Core 5 221E is the superior processor for raw performance in every measured category. Its multithread score of 30510 versus 9027 for the AMD part represents a 70.4% advantage, and the single-thread score of 4147 versus 2465 shows a 40.6% edge. For workloads like data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, physics, and random string sorting, the Intel processor delivers anywhere from 58.1% to 88.4% higher scores.

However, the verdict depends on the use case. The AMD Ryzen 3 30 operates at a 15 W TDP, which suits battery-powered mobile systems where power efficiency is paramount. The Intel Core 5 221E operates at a 65 W TDP, requiring more substantial cooling and power delivery, appropriate for desktop systems that can accommodate the thermal load. The AMD chip's 6 nm process and smaller die size (100 mm² versus 257 mm²) indicate a focus on efficiency, while the Intel chip's larger die and 10 nm process prioritize performance density.

The data also shows the Ryzen 3 30 sits near the Intel Core i7-9700K in average benchmark score (0.7% lower) and the Intel Core i7-11800H (0.7% higher), meaning the mobile chip delivers performance comparable to older desktop processors. The Core 5 221E, conversely, sits near the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 and Ryzen AI 9 365, both within 0.2% of its average score, indicating it competes with modern high-end desktop parts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread score?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E achieves 4147 in the passmark single-thread test, compared to 2465 for the AMD Ryzen 3 30, a 40.6% advantage for Intel.

Q: What is the multithread performance difference?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E scores 30510 in passmark multithread, while the AMD Ryzen 3 30 scores 9027, giving Intel a 70.4% lead.

Q: Does the AMD processor support ECC memory?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen 3 30 does not support ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 221E does support ECC memory.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 30 supports LPDDR5 memory only, with 88.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: How do the core and thread counts differ?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 30 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking in the database?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E ranks in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen 3 30 ranks in the 74th percentile.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 221E wins all 11 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The smallest margin is in single-thread performance: Intel scores 4147 versus AMD's 2465, a 40.6% difference. The largest margin is in prime number finding: Intel scores 173 versus AMD's 20, an 88.4% difference. This pattern suggests the Intel processor's advantage grows with workload complexity and parallelism.

In data compression, Intel scores 324285 versus AMD's 135834, a 58.1% lead. Data encryption shows Intel at 19205 versus AMD's 6461, a 66.4% lead. Extended instructions favor Intel at 18216 versus 6075, a 66.7% lead. Floating point math shows Intel at 79028 versus 14448, an 81.7% lead. Integer math shows Intel at 117813 versus 29846, a 74.7% lead. Physics favors Intel at 2230 versus 436, an 80.4% lead. Random string sorting shows Intel at 37686 versus 14431, a 61.7% lead.

The AMD Ryzen 3 30's best relative showing is in single-thread performance, where the 40.6% gap is the smallest across all tests. This aligns with the chip's higher boost clock relative to its base clock: 4.10 GHz versus 2.40 GHz, a ratio of 1.71. The Intel chip has a boost ratio of 1.93 (5.20 GHz versus 2.70 GHz), indicating both processors use aggressive boosting for single-threaded tasks. The average benchmark scores reflect the overall disparity: Intel at 40144 versus AMD at 20137, nearly a 2x difference.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. Core count: 4 versus 14. Thread count: 8 versus 20. Base clock: 2.40 GHz versus 2.70 GHz. Boost clock: 4.10 GHz versus 5.20 GHz. TDP: 15 W versus 65 W. Socket: AMD Socket FT6 versus Intel Socket 1700. Process node: 6 nm versus 10 nm. Die size: 100 mm² versus 257 mm².

Cache configurations diverge significantly. L1 cache: 64 KB per core versus 80 KB per core. L2 cache: 512 KB per core versus 2 MB per core. L3 cache: 4 MB shared versus 24 MB shared. The Intel processor's L3 cache is 6 times larger, which contributes to its performance advantage in multi-threaded workloads.

Memory support differs: LPDDR5 only versus DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is similar: 88.0 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s, a 1.8% difference. ECC memory support: absent versus present. PCIe capability: Gen 3 with 4 lanes versus Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics: Radeon 610M versus UHD Graphics 730. Market segment: Mobile versus Desktop. Release date: 2025-09-30 versus 2025-01-12. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $232.