AMD Ryzen 5 150 vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data presents a decisive sweep for the Intel Core 5 221E. Across all eleven head-to-head comparisons, the Intel part records the higher score, with the AMD Ryzen 5 150 trailing by margins that range from roughly one-fifth to nearly three-quarters in specific workloads.

The largest single gap appears in the prime number search test. The Intel Core 5 221E scores 173 against 47 for the AMD Ryzen 5 150, a delta of 72.8 percent. This workload is highly sensitive to core count and memory latency, and the Intel part's 14 cores against 6 provide an overwhelming advantage. The floating-point math test shows a similar pattern: Intel scores 79028 versus 35118, a 55.6 percent deficit for AMD. Integer math follows at 47.2 percent behind, with scores of 117813 and 62151 respectively. These three results indicate that the Intel processor's additional cores translate directly into heavy parallel throughput advantages.

The physics test, which typically scales with both thread count and clock speed, shows Intel ahead by 63.9 percent (2230 versus 806). The multithread PassMark score confirms the trend: 30510 for Intel versus 17492 for AMD, a 42.7 percent lead. Data compression and random string sorting, both memory and cache intensive, favor Intel by 34.8 percent (324285 versus 211289) and 40.6 percent (37686 versus 22382) respectively. Data encryption shows a 30.1 percent gap (19205 versus 13425), while extended instruction throughput is closer but still clearly Intel's, at 19.4 percent (18216 versus 14675).

Single-thread performance is the narrowest margin on the board. The Intel Core 5 221E scores 4147 in the PassMark single-thread test, against 3155 for the AMD Ryzen 5 150, a 23.9 percent lead. The AMD part's boost clock of 4.55 GHz is lower than Intel's 5.20 GHz, which explains part of this gap, although architecture efficiency also plays a role. No benchmark in the recorded set favors the AMD Ryzen 5 150, so the head-to-head section contains no positive delta for the AMD side.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multithread benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E records 30510 in the PassMark multithread test, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 records 17492, giving Intel a 42.7 percent lead.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance difference?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E scores 4147 in the PassMark single-thread test versus 3155 for the AMD Ryzen 5 150, a 23.9 percent advantage for Intel.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Do the two processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 supports DDR5 only, while the Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: What is the difference in their 84th and 87th percentile rankings?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 150 sits at the 84th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Intel Core 5 221E sits at the 87th percentile.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has an average benchmark score of 40144, compared to 34881 for the AMD Ryzen 5 150.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data does not show a single benchmark category where the AMD Ryzen 5 150 outperforms the Intel Core 5 221E. Every head-to-head test, from compression to encryption to floating-point math, records a win for Intel. This makes the use-case split straightforward: the Intel Core 5 221E is the stronger choice for any workload represented in the benchmark set.

The closest margin is in extended instructions, where Intel leads by 19.4 percent. Even here, the AMD part does not close the gap to a competitive level. The largest margins are in prime number finding (72.8 percent), physics (63.9 percent), and floating-point math (55.6 percent), all of which are heavily multithreaded. For applications that rely on integer math, data compression, or encryption, the Intel part also holds a substantial lead, ranging from 30.1 to 47.2 percent.

The AMD Ryzen 5 150 does carry a lower TDP of 35 watts versus 65 watts for the Intel part, which suggests it may fit into more power-constrained designs. The database does not record any performance test where that power advantage translates into a benchmark win, however. In the measured results, the Intel Core 5 221E is the exclusive winner.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 uses 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221E uses 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 3.30 GHz for AMD and 2.70 GHz for Intel, but boost clocks reverse the order: 4.55 GHz for AMD and 5.20 GHz for Intel. The Intel part boosts higher, which contributes to its single-thread advantage.

Thermal design power differs substantially. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 is rated at 35 watts, while the Intel Core 5 221E is rated at 65 watts. The Intel part uses more power but also delivers higher performance in every recorded benchmark.

Memory support diverges. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 supports DDR5 only, with a dual-channel bus and 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with a higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported by the Intel part but not by the AMD part.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core 5 221E provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel part offers a newer PCIe generation but fewer lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 includes a Radeon 660M, while the Intel Core 5 221E includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD part is a mobile processor on AMD Socket FP7, while the Intel part is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 150 is built on Zen 3+ architecture with the Rembrandt-R codename, fabricated on a 6 nm process by TSMC. The die size is 210 mm². Cache is organized as 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3.

The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, fabricated on a 10 nm process by Intel. The die size is 257 mm². Cache is organized as 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Intel part has a larger die, a larger L2 cache per core, and a larger total L3 cache.

The AMD part's smaller process node (6 nm versus 10 nm) allows for a smaller die despite the architectural differences. The Intel part's larger cache hierarchy, combined with more cores, supports its higher multithreaded scores in the benchmark data. The AMD part's 6 nm process and 35 watt TDP suggest a focus on efficiency, but the measured performance data does not record any efficiency-based benchmark win.

The integrated graphics differ in architecture as well. The AMD part uses a Radeon 660M, while the Intel part uses UHD Graphics 730. Neither part has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported according to the specifications.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core 5 221E wins every single head-to-head test recorded in the database, with margins that range from 19.4 percent in extended instructions to 72.8 percent in prime number finding. The average benchmark score for the Intel part is 40144, versus 34881 for the AMD Ryzen 5 150, a difference of roughly 15 percent. The Intel part also ranks at the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD part sits at the 84th percentile.

The AMD Ryzen 5 150 does offer a lower 35 watt TDP, a smaller 6 nm process, and a mobile socket, which may suit specific platform requirements. It also supports DDR5 memory, though the Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5. For any workload represented in the benchmark set, however, the Intel Core 5 221E delivers the higher score.

The Intel Core 5 221E also carries a launch MSRP of $232, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. The Intel part's 14 cores, 20 threads, 5.20 GHz boost clock, 24 MB of L3 cache, and support for ECC memory make it the stronger option across the recorded metrics. The AMD part's strengths, namely its lower TDP and smaller process node, do not appear in the benchmark results as wins.

Buyers selecting strictly on measured performance should choose the Intel Core 5 221E. Those constrained by power limits or mobile form factors may consider the AMD Ryzen 5 150, but the data shows no performance category where it leads. The verdict, based solely on the recorded numbers, is a full sweep for Intel.