AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

The Intel Core 5 221TE and AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE are two desktop processors that, despite landing in the same 71st percentile of all CPUs, take fundamentally different paths to similar average scores. The Intel part, with 10 cores and 16 threads, posts an average benchmark score of 17860, while the AMD chip, with just 4 cores and 8 threads, achieves 17614. The head-to-head data reveals a split personality: AMD wins 11 of 17 benchmarks, but Intel wins 6, with the victories heavily skewed toward specific workload types. The Core 5 221TE edges out in raw compute tasks like floating-point math and prime number finding, while the Ryzen 3 8300GE dominates in single-threaded tests and extended instruction sets. This is not a simple "one is better" story; it is a tale of architectural philosophy meeting real-world workload demands.

The Verdict

The data suggests two distinct buyers for these chips. Choose the AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE if your priority is single-thread responsiveness and modern instruction efficiency. It wins every Cinebench test, from R15 single-core (166 vs 160) to R23 multi-core (11705 vs 11305), and its Passmark single-thread score of 3644 is more than double the Intel's 1734. This processor also delivers a 19% lead in extended instructions (11923 vs 9655), indicating superior execution of AVX-512 or similar workloads. Its 35W TDP and 4nm TSMC process make it the more power-efficient option.

Choose the Intel Core 5 221TE if your workload involves heavy integer math, floating-point calculations, or prime number searches. It wins Passmark integer math by 8% (42303 vs 39163), floating-point math by 28.3% (31661 vs 24681), and prime number finding by a massive 34.1% (59 vs 44). It also leads in data encryption by 4.2% (8963 vs 8603) and physics simulation by 30.3% (977 vs 750). Its 10 cores provide a multitasking buffer that the AMD part lacks, even if the raw multi-thread scores are close. The Intel part's launch MSRP is $232.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE is the clear winner in rendering and general productivity. Across all three Cinebench generations (R15, R20, R23), it holds a consistent 3.3-3.6% lead in both single and multi-core tests. This translates to faster video rendering, 3D modeling, and code compilation. It also wins Passmark multithread (13507 vs 13301) and random string sorting (18010 vs 16929) by 1.5% and 6%, respectively, suggesting better memory access patterns for sorting algorithms. The 52.4% lead in Passmark single-thread (3644 vs 1734) is the largest gap in the entire comparison, indicating superior per-core performance for legacy or poorly threaded applications.

The Intel Core 5 221TE wins where raw arithmetic throughput matters more than core efficiency. Its 34.1% lead in prime number finding (59 vs 44) points to strong integer division and branch prediction. The 28.3% lead in floating-point math (31661 vs 24681) makes it superior for scientific computing, financial modeling, or any workload leveraging double-precision calculations. The 30.3% lead in physics simulation (977 vs 750) suggests better performance in physics engines for engineering software. Data compression (156682 vs 155164) and encryption (8963 vs 8603) also favor Intel, though by smaller margins of 1% and 4.2%. The 8% integer math lead (42303 vs 39163) reinforces its strength in general-purpose computing.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent opposite design strategies. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses a 10nm process from Intel with a die size of 215 mm², while the AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE uses a 4nm process from TSMC with a much smaller 137 mm² die. The Intel part is based on Bartlett Lake, a desktop-oriented architecture, and packs 10 cores and 16 threads. The AMD part uses Zen 4 architecture with a Phoenix2 codename, containing just 4 cores and 8 threads but running at higher base clocks (3.50 GHz vs 1.80 GHz) and nearly matching boost clocks (4.90 GHz vs 5.00 GHz).

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a large 24 MB shared L3 cache. AMD offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and only 8 MB of shared L3. This 3x difference in L3 cache (24 MB vs 8 MB) likely explains Intel's lead in data compression and physics simulation, where larger working sets fit in cache. However, AMD's smaller 4nm process and higher transistor density (20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die) enable faster clock speeds per watt, explaining its single-thread dominance.

Memory support also diverges. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD is DDR5-only. Both are dual-channel, but AMD's memory bandwidth is higher at 83.2 GB/s versus Intel's 76.8 GB/s. This 8.4% bandwidth advantage may contribute to AMD's wins in random string sorting and multithread tests. Both support ECC memory, but their PCIe implementations differ: Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while AMD provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes. Integrated graphics also differ, with Intel using UHD Graphics 730 and AMD using Radeon 740M.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests, though by slim margins. In R23 multi-core, it scores 11705 versus Intel's 11305, a 3.4% lead. Passmark multithread also favors AMD at 13507 vs 13301, a 1.5% difference.

Q: Why does the Intel chip win so many Passmark tests if it loses Cinebench?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE wins 6 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including all the arithmetic-heavy Passmark tests. Its 10 cores and 24 MB L3 cache provide advantages in prime number finding (34.1% lead), floating-point math (28.3%), and physics (30.3%). Cinebench appears to favor AMD's higher clock speeds and Zen 4 architecture.

Q: Which processor is better for single-threaded applications?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE is dramatically better. Its Passmark single-thread score of 3644 is 52.4% higher than Intel's 1734. It also leads in Cinebench R23 single-core (1652 vs 1596) and all other single-thread tests.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE has a 35W TDP, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has a 45W TDP. This 10W difference, combined with AMD's 4nm process versus Intel's 10nm, suggests significantly better energy efficiency for the AMD part.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel Core 5 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD Ryzen 3 8300GE supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory, but AMD's bandwidth is higher at 83.2 GB/s versus Intel's 76.8 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has significantly more L3 cache at 24 MB shared, compared to AMD's 8 MB. However, the AMD part has a slightly higher memory bandwidth, which may compensate in some workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Passmark single-thread, where AMD scores 3644 against Intel's 1734 — a 52.4% advantage. This is not a marginal difference; it is a generational gap. The Ryzen 3 8300GE's 4.90 GHz boost clock and Zen 4 architecture clearly deliver far superior per-core performance. This explains its wins in all Cinebench single-core tests, though those margins are much smaller (3.3-3.6%).

In multi-threaded Cinebench, AMD maintains a consistent 3.4% lead across R15 (1179 vs 1139), R20 (4916 vs 4748), and R23 (11705 vs 11305). This is notable because Intel has 10 cores and 16 threads versus AMD's 4 cores and 8 threads. The Ryzen's higher clock speeds and memory bandwidth overcome Intel's core count advantage. Passmark multithread tells a similar story, with AMD leading 13507 vs 13301.

The Intel wins are concentrated in arithmetic workloads. Prime number finding shows Intel at 59 versus AMD's 44 — a 34.1% blowout. Floating-point math follows with Intel at 31661 vs 24681 (28.3% lead). Physics simulation gives Intel a 30.3% edge (977 vs 750). Integer math is closer at 8% (42303 vs 39163), while data encryption (8963 vs 8603) and compression (156682 vs 155164) show smaller Intel leads of 4.2% and 1%.

The extended instructions test is the outlier on AMD's side, with a 19% lead (11923 vs 9655). This suggests AMD's Zen 4 handles AVX-512 or similar vector instructions far more efficiently. Random string sorting also favors AMD by 6% (18010 vs 16929), indicating better memory latency handling for random access patterns.

Specification Differences

The core counts differ drastically: Intel has 10 cores and 16 threads, while AMD has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks favor AMD at 3.50 GHz versus Intel's 1.80 GHz, but boost clocks are nearly identical at 4.90 GHz for AMD and 5.00 GHz for Intel. The TDP differs by 10W, with AMD at 35W and Intel at 45W.

Process technology is a major differentiator: Intel uses 10nm from its own foundry, while AMD uses 4nm from TSMC. The die sizes reflect this, with Intel at 215 mm² and AMD at 137 mm². AMD packs 20,900 million transistors into its smaller die, while Intel's transistor count is not listed.

Cache configurations are completely different. Intel provides 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. AMD offers 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and only 8 MB shared L3. Memory support sees Intel accepting both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD is DDR5-only. Both are dual-channel, but AMD's memory bandwidth is higher at 83.2 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s.

PCIe capabilities differ: Intel has Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while AMD has Gen 4 with 14 lanes. Both support ECC memory and are socket-specific, with Intel using Socket 1700 and AMD using AM5. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730 for Intel and Radeon 740M for AMD. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. Release dates differ by about nine months, with Intel launched in January 2025 and AMD in April 2024.