AMD Ryzen 5 220 vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600X Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data splits this comparison cleanly by workload generation. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 wins in modern multi-threaded rendering and single-thread tests, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X dominates in legacy Cinebench R15, Geekbench multi-core, and the majority of Passmark workloads. The Ryzen 5 220 takes 5 of 17 head-to-head tests, the Ryzen 5 5600X takes 12. For users running current software that scales with AVX-512 or uses newer instruction sets, the Ryzen 5 220 is the stronger pick. For general productivity, data compression, and older benchmark suites, the Ryzen 5 5600X remains ahead. The Ryzen 5 220 is a mobile parts with a 28 W TDP, while the Ryzen 5 5600X is a desktop chip with 65 W TDP, so the power envelope explains part of the score gap but not the Ryzen 5 220's wins in Cinebench R23 and single-thread Passmark. The data suggests the Ryzen 5 220 offers a more future-proof architecture, while the Ryzen 5 5600X holds a lead in established multi-threaded applications.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 5 220 uses Zen 4 architecture on the Hawk Point codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC with 20,900 million transistors and a die size of 137 mm². The Ryzen 5 5600X uses Zen 3 architecture on the Vermeer codename, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC with 4,150 million transistors and a die size of 74 mm². The process node difference is substantial: 4 nm versus 7 nm, which directly impacts power efficiency and clock behavior. The Ryzen 5 220 packs more than five times the transistor count into a larger die, enabling newer instruction support and integrated graphics.

The Ryzen 5 220 includes a Radeon 740M integrated GPU, whereas the Ryzen 5 5600X has no integrated graphics. The Ryzen 5 220 supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen 5 5600X supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen 5 5600X supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen 5 220 does not.

Cache layouts differ notably. The Ryzen 5 220 has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The Ryzen 5 5600X has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 32 MB L3. The Ryzen 5 5600X has double the L3 capacity, which benefits certain workloads, but the Ryzen 5 220 has double the per-core L2.

The Ryzen 5 220 uses AMD Socket FP8 and targets the mobile market segment. The Ryzen 5 5600X uses AMD Socket AM4 and targets the desktop segment. The Ryzen 5 220 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Ryzen 5 5600X has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The Ryzen 5 220's higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.60 GHz helps explain its single-thread wins. The multiplier is unlocked on the Ryzen 5 5600X but locked on the Ryzen 5 220.

The Ryzen 5 220 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes from the CPU. The Ryzen 5 5600X offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The Ryzen 5 220 launched in 2025, while the Ryzen 5 5600X launched in 2020. The Ryzen 5 220 has a launch MSRP of none recorded, while the Ryzen 5 5600X has a launch MSRP of $299.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The single largest win for the Ryzen 5 220 comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 2188 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 1541, a 42% advantage. This is a massive gap that reflects the newer architecture's improved instruction-level parallelism and higher boost clock. The Ryzen 5 220 also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 15502 against 11838, a 31% lead. That result is surprising given the Ryzen 5 5600X's higher base clock and larger L3, but the Zen 4 architecture's efficiency at 4 nm allows sustained multi-threaded performance.

In Geekbench single-core, the Ryzen 5 220 scores 2027 versus 1989, a modest 1.9% win. In Passmark single-thread, the Ryzen 5 220 scores 3646 versus 3364, an 8.4% win. These single-thread results consistently favor the Ryzen 5 220.

The Ryzen 5 5600X wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 20.6% (1968 versus 1562) and Cinebench R15 single-core by 13.4% (254 versus 220). This is a notable reversal from the R23 results, suggesting the older benchmark does not utilize the Ryzen 5 220's architectural advantages. The Ryzen 5 5600X wins Geekbench multi-core by 13.1% (9173 versus 7974).

Passmark tests heavily favor the Ryzen 5 5600X. Data compression shows a 15.7% win for the 5600X (252306 versus 212739). Data encryption shows a 20.4% win (15685 versus 12493). The largest Passmark gap is in prime number finding, where the 5600X scores 134 versus 65, a 51.5% advantage. Floating point math favors the 5600X by 10.1% (39487 versus 35500). Integer math favors the 5600X by 18.5% (71161 versus 57987). Multithread Passmark favors the 5600X by 15% (21858 versus 18582). Physics favors the 5600X by 25.3% (1316 versus 983). Extended instructions favor the 5600X by 8.7% (16991 versus 15512). Random string sorting is close, with the 5600X winning by 3.1% (26256 versus 25433).

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this split. The Ryzen 5 220 has an average benchmark score of 22289, while the Ryzen 5 5600X has 21771. The Ryzen 5 220 sits 0.3% above the Intel Core i7-10700K and 1.4% above the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X. The Ryzen 5 5600X sits 0.1% above the AMD Ryzen 7 4800H and 0.5% below the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 6650U.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several key fields. The Ryzen 5 220 has a base clock of 3.20 GHz, while the Ryzen 5 5600X has 3.70 GHz. The boost clock differs: 4.90 GHz for the 220 versus 4.60 GHz for the 5600X. TDP is 28 W for the 220 versus 65 W for the 5600X. The process node is 4 nm for the 220 versus 7 nm for the 5600X.

Transistor count is 20,900 million for the 220 versus 4,150 million for the 5600X. Die size is 137 mm² versus 74 mm². L2 cache is 1 MB per core for the 220 versus 512 KB per core for the 5600X. L3 cache is 16 MB shared for the 220 versus 32 MB for the 5600X. Memory support is DDR5 for the 220 versus DDR4 for the 5600X. Memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s. ECC support is absent on the 220 and present on the 5600X. PCIe lanes are 14 for the 220 versus 20 for the 5600X. Integrated graphics: Radeon 740M on the 220, none on the 5600X. Socket is FP8 versus AM4. Market segment is Mobile versus Desktop. Multiplier is locked on the 220, unlocked on the 5600X. Release date is 2025 for the 220 versus 2020 for the 5600X. Launch MSRP is none recorded for the 220 versus $299 for the 5600X.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 220 has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz.

Q: Which CPU wins Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 220 wins by 31%, scoring 15502 versus 11838 for the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X have integrated graphics?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has no integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 includes a Radeon 740M integrated GPU.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 220 has a TDP of 28 W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has a TDP of 65 W.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X has 32 MB of L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 5 220 has 16 MB of shared L3 cache.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 220 wins in modern rendering and single-thread tasks. Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core are its strongest results, with 31% and 42% leads respectively. Geekbench single-core also favors the 220, as does Passmark single-thread. These wins point toward software that uses current compiler optimizations and benefits from higher boost clocks and newer instruction sets. The 220's 4 nm process and higher transistor count deliver efficiency that matters in sustained workloads, explaining its R23 dominance. Users running current video encoding, browser workloads, or light productivity that relies on single-thread responsiveness will see the 220 ahead in these measurements.

The Ryzen 5 5600X wins in legacy benchmarks and most Passmark sub-tests. Its double L3 cache and higher base clock help in data-heavy tasks like compression, encryption, and integer math. The 51.5% lead in prime number finding suggests strong branch prediction and memory latency characteristics. The 25.3% win in physics and 20.4% win in encryption indicate workloads that do not benefit from the 220's architectural changes. The 5600X also holds the Geekbench multi-core lead, meaning general multi-threaded productivity still favors the older desktop chip. The 5600X supports ECC memory and has an unlocked multiplier, which are advantages for specific professional and enthusiast use cases. Its PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes offers more expansion headroom for desktop systems.

The data shows a split based on software generation. The Ryzen 5 220 is the choice for current and future workloads that leverage Zen 4 features. The Ryzen 5 5600X remains viable for established applications and memory-sensitive tasks. The 5600X's larger L3 cache and higher base clock keep it competitive in traditional benchmarks, but the 220's architectural lead shows up where it matters most for modern performance. The Ryzen 5 220 achieves its wins at 28 W TDP, which is remarkable compared to the 5600X's 65 W TDP. The 5600X still holds the overall win count at 12 versus 5, but the 220's wins are in the tests that align with newer software expectations.