CPU Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 and the Intel Core 5 221TE occupy surprisingly close positions in the overall performance hierarchy, with average benchmark scores of 17,994 and 17,860 respectively. However, these two desktop processors achieve their similar standings through radically different approaches, one leveraging an older, higher-clocked six-core design while the other relies on a newer, more numerous core configuration. The data reveals a clear split: the Intel part dominates in raw multi-threaded throughput and modern instruction workloads, while the AMD part maintains decisive leads in specific memory-latency-sensitive and single-threaded tasks.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221TE establishes its advantage in heavily threaded, compute-intensive workloads that scale with core count and modern architecture. It wins 10 of the 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, including the most significant multi-threaded tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 11,305 against the AMD’s 6,468, a massive 42.8% lead. This pattern repeats across floating-point math, physics simulation, and extended instruction sets, where the newer Intel design’s 10 cores and 16 threads provide a substantial throughput advantage over the Ryzen 5 1600’s 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel processor also wins in integer math, though by a narrow margin, and in the find-prime-numbers test, where it leads 59 to 35.

The AMD Ryzen 5 1600, despite its older Zen architecture, wins 5 of the 15 benchmarks, and these victories cluster around specific memory and single-threaded operations. Its most impressive win comes in data encryption, where it scores 11,683 versus Intel’s 8,963, a 30.3% advantage. The AMD chip also leads in random string sorting by 19.6% (20,240 vs 16,929) and in data compression by 9.8% (172,053 vs 156,682). Perhaps surprisingly, the Ryzen 5 1600 wins the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 2,066 against Intel’s 1,734, a 19.1% margin. These wins suggest the AMD processor retains an edge in workloads that benefit from its higher base clock of 3.20 GHz and particular cache behavior, despite the Intel part’s much higher 5.00 GHz boost clock.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 1600, released in April 2017, uses the original Zen architecture on a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 213 mm² containing 4,800 million transistors. It features 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. It supports DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, and it has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

The Intel Core 5 221TE, released in January 2025, uses the Bartlett Lake architecture on Intel’s 10 nm process, with a die size of 215 mm². It has 10 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of just 1.80 GHz but a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The cache configuration differs significantly: 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, achieving 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth, which is 80% higher than the AMD part. The Intel chip also features Gen 5 PCIe with 16 lanes, integrated UHD Graphics 730, and a locked multiplier. Both processors have a TDP of 65W (AMD) and 45W (Intel) respectively, and both support ECC memory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic divergence appears in Cinebench R23. In multi-core, the Intel Core 5 221TE scores 11,305 versus the Ryzen 5 1600’s 6,468, a 42.8% difference. The single-core result follows a similar pattern: Intel’s 1,596 beats AMD’s 915 by 42.7%. These are the largest margins in the entire comparison. The older Cinebench R15 shows a smaller gap, with Intel leading multi-core 1,139 to 1,129 (0.9%) and single-core 160 to 147 (8.1%), indicating that the newer benchmark amplifies the architectural advantage.

The PassMark suite reveals a more nuanced picture. Intel wins the extended instructions test by 30.9% (9,655 vs 6,667), floating-point math by 32.4% (31,661 vs 21,402), physics by 34.2% (977 vs 643), and find-prime-numbers by 40.7% (59 vs 35). However, AMD strikes back decisively in data encryption, winning 30.3% (11,683 vs 8,963), and in random string sorting, winning 19.6% (20,240 vs 16,929). The single-thread PassMark result is notable: AMD’s 2,066 beats Intel’s 1,734 by 19.1%, which is counterintuitive given the Intel chip’s much higher boost clock but reflects the Ryzen’s superior per-thread performance in this specific test. The multithread PassMark shows Intel ahead 13,301 to 12,270 (7.8%), while integer math is nearly tied at 42,303 to 41,470 (2% for Intel).

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE is significantly faster, scoring 11,305 compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 1600’s 6,468, a 42.8% lead.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins 5 of the 15 head-to-head tests, including data encryption (by 30.3%), random string sorting (by 19.6%), data compression (by 9.8%), and the PassMark single-thread test (by 19.1%).

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel part’s extra cores contribute to its multi-threaded dominance.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel chip supports 76.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth, which is 80% higher than the AMD part’s 42.7 GB/s, due to its support for DDR5 alongside DDR4.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE boosts to 5.00 GHz, substantially higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 1600’s 3.60 GHz, yet the AMD chip still wins the PassMark single-thread test.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 and the Intel Core 5 221TE support ECC memory, making them suitable for error-sensitive workloads.

The Verdict

The benchmark data directs different users toward each processor. The Intel Core 5 221TE is the clear choice for multi-threaded, compute-heavy workloads: it leads by 42.8% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 30.9% in extended instructions, 32.4% in floating-point math, and 34.2% in physics. Its 10 cores, 24 MB of L3 cache, and 76.8 GB/s memory bandwidth make it the stronger option for rendering, scientific computing, and any task that scales across threads. The Intel chip also benefits from integrated UHD Graphics 730 and PCIe Gen 5 support, which the AMD part lacks.

The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 is the better choice for specific single-threaded and memory-sensitive operations. It wins the PassMark single-thread test by 19.1% and leads in data encryption by 30.3%, random string sorting by 19.6%, and data compression by 9.8%. These wins suggest the AMD chip handles certain latency-sensitive or single-thread-bound tasks more efficiently, despite its older architecture and lower core count. Its unlocked multiplier also permits overclocking, which the Intel chip’s locked multiplier does not allow.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the AMD part at 17,994 and the Intel part at 17,860, a difference of 0.8%. Both processors sit at the 71st-72nd percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are comparable in overall capability. The decision rests on workload: choose the Intel Core 5 221TE for maximum multi-threaded throughput and modern features, or the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 for its specific single-threaded and encryption/compression strengths and overclocking headroom.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 1600 | Intel Core 5 221TE |

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

| Cores | 6 | 10 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 1.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,800 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 213 mm² | 215 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $219 | $232 |

| Release Date | 2017-04-10 | 2025-01-12 |