AMD Ryzen 5 220 vs AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 220 and AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D represent two entirely different corners of the processor market. The Ryzen 5 220 is a low-power mobile part built for thin laptops, while the Ryzen 7 9850X3D is a high-end desktop chip with a substantial L3 cache. The recorded data shows a complete sweep for the desktop part across all 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins every single recorded test, with margins ranging from modest to overwhelming. The largest gap appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Ryzen 7 scores 435 against the Ryzen 5's 65, a delta of -85.1%. This indicates a massive advantage in workloads that stress integer mathematical operations and cache residency.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen 7 scores 3551 versus the Ryzen 5's 1562, a -56% difference. The Cinebench R23 multicore test shows a similar story: 22807 for the Ryzen 7 against 15502 for the Ryzen 5, a -32% gap. These results confirm that the desktop chip's additional cores and higher clocks translate directly into sustained rendering performance.

The single-core picture is far closer. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen 7 scores 2228 against the Ryzen 5's 2188, only a -1.8% delta. This is the narrowest margin of any test in the database. The PassMark single-thread test shows a larger gap at -22.5%, with scores of 4704 and 3646 respectively, but the Cinebench result suggests that for lightly threaded workloads, the architectural IPC advantage of the Ryzen 7 is nearly neutralized by the mobile chip's respectable boost clock.

The data compression test in PassMark delivers a -55.2% delta, with the Ryzen 7 scoring 474501 against 212739 for the Ryzen 5. The floating point math test shows 81998 for the Ryzen 7 versus 35500, a -56.7% difference. Integer math follows suit: 123140 versus 57987, a -52.9% gap. The extended instructions test, which measures AVX and related workload throughput, shows a -60.5% delta with scores of 39272 and 15512.

The physics simulation test in PassMark is particularly lopsided: 4171 for the Ryzen 7 against 983 for the Ryzen 5, a -76.4% delta. This workload benefits heavily from both core count and cache size. The random string sorting test shows a -48.9% delta (49764 versus 25433), while data encryption shows -45.3% (22856 versus 12493). The PassMark multithread score confirms the overall pattern: 41318 versus 18582, a -55% delta.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data shows zero benchmark wins for the Ryzen 5 220. Every test in the database favors the Ryzen 7 9850X3D. However, the use case split is not just about raw scores. The Ryzen 5 220 operates with a 28 W TDP, while the Ryzen 7 9850X3D carries a 120 W TDP. The mobile part is built for AMD Socket FP8, which indicates a platform designed for portability and battery efficiency. The desktop part uses AMD Socket AM5, which allows for higher power delivery and the unlocked multiplier that the Ryzen 5 does not have.

For workloads that are lightly threaded, the Cinebench R23 single-core result of -1.8% suggests that the Ryzen 5 220 can hold its own in everyday responsiveness, though the PassMark single-thread test at -22.5% tells a less favorable story. The Ryzen 5 220 has integrated Radeon 740M graphics, which are likely more capable than the generic Radeon Graphics in the Ryzen 7, but the database does not record any iGPU benchmark comparisons.

The Ryzen 7 9850X3D is the clear choice for compute-heavy tasks: rendering, simulation, encryption, compression, and mathematical workloads. The Ryzen 5 220 is the clear choice for a system where power draw and platform size matter more than peak throughput. Its 28 W TDP versus 120 W means it is designed for a completely different thermal envelope.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations of AMD's design. The Ryzen 5 220 uses Zen 4 architecture on the Hawk Point codename, while the Ryzen 7 9850X3D uses Zen 5 on Granite Ridge. Both are fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC, so the node is identical. The transistor counts differ dramatically: the Ryzen 5 has 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die, while the Ryzen 7 has 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die. This appears counterintuitive, but the Ryzen 5's larger count likely reflects its integrated Radeon 740M GPU and its mobile-focused design with more on-die components.

The core configurations differ: the Ryzen 5 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The L1 cache sizes differ per core: 64 KB for the Ryzen 5 versus 80 KB for the Ryzen 7. The L2 cache is identical at 1 MB per core. The shared L3 cache is where the X3D distinction appears: the Ryzen 5 has 16 MB, while the Ryzen 7 has 96 MB. That 80 MB difference in L3 cache is the primary driver behind the Ryzen 7's dominance in cache-sensitive tests like find prime numbers and physics simulation.

The memory support is DDR5 for both, with dual-channel buses and identical 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen 7 has ECC memory support, while the Ryzen 5 does not. PCIe capabilities differ significantly: the Ryzen 5 offers Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes, while the Ryzen 7 offers Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes. The Ryzen 7 also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the Ryzen 5 is locked.

The base clocks show a major gap: 3.20 GHz for the Ryzen 5 versus 4.70 GHz for the Ryzen 7. Boost clocks are 4.90 GHz versus 5.60 GHz. The Ryzen 7 also has a higher 120 W TDP, which enables those higher sustained clocks. The Ryzen 5's 28 W TDP is a defining characteristic, placing it in a power class far below the desktop part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher Cinebench R23 single-core score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D scores 2228, while the AMD Ryzen 5 220 scores 2188, a delta of only -1.8% in favor of the Ryzen 7.

Q: How much more L3 cache does the Ryzen 7 9850X3D have?

A: The Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 96 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Ryzen 5 220 has 16 MB, a difference of 80 MB.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The Ryzen 5 220 has a 28 W TDP, while the Ryzen 7 9850X3D has a 120 W TDP.

Q: Do both processors support DDR5 memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR5 with dual-channel memory buses and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Only the Ryzen 7 9850X3D supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The Ryzen 7 9850X3D has an unlocked multiplier, while the Ryzen 5 220 does not.

Q: What are the socket types for these CPUs?

A: The Ryzen 5 220 uses AMD Socket FP8, while the Ryzen 7 9850X3D uses AMD Socket AM5.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is the superior processor in every measured benchmark category. Its wins span single-core, multi-core, compression, encryption, physics, and mathematical workloads. The Ryzen 5 220 does not record a single victory in the head-to-head comparisons. The Ryzen 7's advantages include 2 additional cores, 4 additional threads, a 4.70 GHz base clock versus 3.20 GHz, a 5.60 GHz boost clock versus 4.90 GHz, and 96 MB of L3 cache versus 16 MB. Its percentile ranking of 92 against all CPUs confirms its position, while the Ryzen 5 sits at 75.

The Ryzen 5 220 is not without purpose. Its 28 W TDP, mobile socket, and integrated Radeon 740M graphics make it suitable for thin-and-light systems where power consumption is the dominant constraint. The average benchmark score of 22289 for the Ryzen 5 places it within 0.3% of the Intel Core i7-10700K and 1.4% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, showing that it performs competitively within its power class. The Ryzen 7's average score of 58386 is roughly 2.6 times higher, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-14900 at a 0.5% delta, indicating desktop-class performance.

The launch MSRP of the Ryzen 7 9850X3D is $499. The Ryzen 5 220 has no recorded launch MSRP. The choice between them depends on platform: the Ryzen 5 220 belongs in a laptop or compact mobile system, while the Ryzen 7 9850X3D belongs in a desktop built for maximum throughput. The recorded data does not support any scenario where the Ryzen 5 220 outperforms the Ryzen 7 in compute performance, but its drastically lower TDP and mobile platform positioning define its role.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 220 | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 5.60 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 120 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Zen 5 |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Granite Ridge |

| Transistors | 20,900 million | 8,315 million |

| Die Size | 137 mm² | 70.6 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 96 MB (shared) |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 14 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 24 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 740M | Radeon Graphics |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2025-01-05 | 2026-01-28 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | None | $499 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 75 | 92 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 22289 | 58386 |