AMD Ryzen 5 220 vs AMD Ryzen 7 5800H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800H and the AMD Ryzen 5 220 represent two distinct generations of AMD mobile silicon, with the data showing a clear split between multi-threaded might and modern single-core efficiency. The 5800H, a Zen 3 part from the 5000 series, wins 10 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the newer Zen 4-based Ryzen 5 220 takes 7. The decisive factor is workload type: the older chip dominates heavily threaded tasks, while the newer one excels in single-thread and specific math tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Ryzen 5 220 scores 15502 against the 5800H’s 12091.5, a 22% advantage. This is a significant generational leap, as the newer 4 nm process and Zen 4 architecture deliver higher efficiency per core, allowing the 6-core, 12-thread chip to outperform the 8-core, 16-thread processor in this modern rendering workload. The single-core Cinebench R23 result is even more lopsided: the Ryzen 5 220 scores 2188 versus 1416, a 35.3% delta, which is the largest single-thread gap in the entire comparison.

However, the Ryzen 7 5800H fights back decisively in older and more parallel benchmarks. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 5800H scores 2005 against 1562, a 28.4% win, showing that the older test scales better with raw core count. The 5800H also wins Geekbench multi-core by a narrow 3.2% margin (8230 vs 7974), despite losing Geekbench single-core by 17.7% (1669 vs 2027). This pattern suggests the 5800H’s extra two cores and four threads provide a buffer that partially compensates for its older architecture.

PassMark results reinforce the 5800H’s multi-threaded dominance. The biggest win for the 5800H is in integer math, where it scores 80786 versus 57987, a 39.3% advantage. Data encryption follows at 35.8% (16962 vs 12493), and data compression shows a 27.2% lead (270608 vs 212739). Floating point math favors the 5800H by 25.3% (44479 vs 35500), and extended instructions by 17.3% (18203 vs 15512). The multithread score is 11.9% higher for the 5800H (20789 vs 18582), and random string sorting goes to the 5800H by 10.7% (28144 vs 25433).

The Ryzen 5 220’s wins outside of Cinebench are more specialized. In PassMark find prime numbers, it scores 65 versus 49, a 24.6% advantage. Physics simulation favors the newer chip by 15.6% (983 vs 830). Single-thread PassMark scores show a 17.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 220 (3646 vs 3021), which aligns with its Geekbench single-core advantage. These results indicate that the Ryzen 5 220 is better suited for latency-sensitive, single-threaded workloads, while the 5800H is a brute-force multi-threaded workhorse.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800H wins 10 of the 17 comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 5 220 wins 7.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Ryzen 5 220 leads by 35.3% (2188 vs 1416).

Q: Does the Ryzen 7 5800H have any clear advantage in multi-threaded workloads?

A: Yes, it wins PassMark integer math by 39.3% (80786 vs 57987), data encryption by 35.8% (16962 vs 12493), and Cinebench R15 multi-core by 28.4% (2005 vs 1562).

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Ryzen 7 5800H has an average benchmark score of 23277, while the Ryzen 5 220 scores 22289, a difference of about 4.4% in favor of the 5800H.

Q: Which chip has a higher single-thread score in Geekbench?

A: The Ryzen 5 220 scores 2027 versus 1669 for the 5800H, a 17.7% advantage.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: They are close: the 5800H sits at the 76th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen 5 220 sits at the 75th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The Ryzen 7 5800H uses the Zen 3 architecture, code-named Cezanne, while the Ryzen 5 220 uses Zen 4, code-named Hawk Point. This generational gap is reflected in the process node: the 5800H is manufactured on TSMC’s 7 nm process, whereas the Ryzen 5 220 uses the newer 4 nm process, also from TSMC. The transistor counts tell a compelling story: the Ryzen 5 220 packs 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die, while the 5800H has 10,700 million on a larger 180 mm² die. This means the Zen 4 chip achieves nearly double the transistor density, which explains its superior single-thread performance and efficiency.

Core configuration differs as well. The 5800H has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 220 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Both share the same base clock of 3.20 GHz, but the boost clocks diverge: the 5800H boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the Ryzen 5 220 reaches 4.90 GHz. This 500 MHz boost advantage for the newer chip contributes to its single-thread wins.

Cache layouts are similar in total L3 (16 MB shared on both), but the L2 cache differs significantly. The 5800H has 512 KB per core, while the Ryzen 5 220 has 1 MB per core, doubling the per-core L2. L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core. Memory support is another major divider: the 5800H uses DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while the Ryzen 5 220 uses DDR5 with dual-channel support and a higher bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, a 31% improvement.

The integrated graphics also differ. The 5800H features Radeon Vega 8, while the Ryzen 5 220 has the newer Radeon 740M. PCIe support is another distinction: the 5800H runs PCIe Gen 3, while the Ryzen 5 220 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only). The sockets are different too (FP6 for the 5800H, FP8 for the Ryzen 5 220), which means they are not interchangeable in a system. The TDP rating is substantially lower for the Ryzen 5 220 at 28 watts versus 45 watts for the 5800H, indicating better power efficiency for the newer part.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the Ryzen 7 5800H is the superior choice for multi-threaded productivity, while the Ryzen 5 220 is the better option for single-thread responsiveness and modern efficiency. With 10 wins versus 7, the 5800H has the edge in raw benchmark count, and its average benchmark score of 23277 is about 4.4% higher than the Ryzen 5 220’s 22289. The 5800H also sits at the 76th percentile versus the 75th for the Ryzen 5 220.

However, the nature of the wins matters more than the count. The 5800H’s victories are dominated by heavy compute tasks like integer math, encryption, and floating point, where its 8-core, 16-thread design shines. The Ryzen 5 220’s wins are in single-thread tests and Cinebench R23 multi-core, which suggests that modern software that leverages newer instruction sets and higher boost clocks will favor the Zen 4 chip.

For users running older multi-threaded benchmarks or highly parallel workloads that scale with core count, the 5800H is the better pick. For those prioritizing single-thread performance, lighter-threaded applications, or lower power consumption, the Ryzen 5 220 is the data-supported choice. The 5800H’s 45 W TDP versus 28 W also indicates that the Ryzen 5 220 is more suited for thinner, more power-conscious laptops.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The Ryzen 7 5800H has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 220 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are identical at 3.20 GHz, but boost clocks differ: 4.40 GHz for the 5800H and 4.90 GHz for the Ryzen 5 220. TDP is 45 W versus 28 W. The architectures are Zen 3 (Cezanne) versus Zen 4 (Hawk Point), built on 7 nm versus 4 nm processes respectively. Transistor counts are 10,700 million versus 20,900 million, and die sizes are 180 mm² versus 137 mm². L2 cache is 512 KB per core on the 5800H and 1 MB per core on the Ryzen 5 220; L1 and L3 are the same (64 KB per core and 16 MB shared). Memory support is DDR4 versus DDR5, with bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 3 versus Gen 4 with 14 lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 8 versus Radeon 740M. Sockets are FP6 versus FP8. Both lack ECC support and unlocked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 7 5800H wins in tasks that demand raw parallel throughput. Its 39.3% lead in integer math and 35.8% lead in data encryption make it a strong choice for software development, database operations, and any workload that involves heavy arithmetic or cryptographic processing. The 28.4% win in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 27.2% in data compression suggest it handles legacy rendering pipelines and file archiving well. Floating point math, up 25.3%, and extended instructions, up 17.3%, add to its credential for scientific computing and media encoding. The 5800H also wins the PassMark multithread test by 11.9%, confirming its overall multi-threaded superiority.

The Ryzen 5 220 wins in scenarios where single-thread speed and modern instruction efficiency matter most. Its 35.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 17.7% lead in Geekbench single-core make it ideal for everyday applications, web browsing, and office productivity where individual core speed dictates responsiveness. The 24.6% win in PassMark find prime numbers indicates a mathematical advantage in certain algorithms, and the 15.6% win in physics simulation points to better performance in game physics or simulation software. The 17.1% advantage in PassMark single-thread further validates its single-core strength. Its higher boost clock (4.90 GHz vs 4.40 GHz) and larger L2 cache (1 MB vs 512 KB per core) support these wins, while its lower TDP and newer 4 nm process make it the more efficient choice for battery-conscious mobile users.