AMD Ryzen 5 220 vs Intel Core 5 320 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 220 and Intel Core 5 320 are both mobile processors aimed at thin-and-light laptops, but the benchmark data reveals two very different design philosophies. The AMD part is a 6-core, 12-thread processor built on a 4 nm process, while the Intel part is a 6-core, 6-thread chip on a 3 nm node. The recorded benchmarks show a clear split: the AMD Ryzen 5 220 dominates in multi-threaded and heavily parallel workloads, while the Intel Core 5 320 takes the lead in several single-threaded and specialized math tests. The database records 11 benchmark wins for the AMD chip and 6 for the Intel chip, which sets the stage for a nuanced analysis of where each processor fits.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 220 is the clear winner in multi-threaded productivity. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 15502 against Intel's 6197, a massive 150.2% advantage. This pattern holds across Cinebench R15 multi-core, where AMD leads 1562 to 1054 (48.2% ahead), and Cinebench R20 multi-core, where AMD scores 6510 versus 5462 (19.2% ahead). The PassMark multi-thread test also favors AMD, with scores of 18582 and 15450 respectively, a 20.3% delta. The data indicates that any workload that scales with threads, such as video rendering, code compilation, or batch photo processing, will be significantly faster on the AMD Ryzen 5 220.

The Intel Core 5 320 wins in several single-threaded and specialized tasks. In Cinebench R15 single-core, Intel scores 276 against AMD's 220, a 20.3% advantage. The PassMark single-thread test shows Intel at 4045 versus AMD's 3646, a 9.9% lead. More interestingly, Intel wins in prime number finding, scoring 110 against AMD's 65 (40.9% ahead), and in floating-point math, scoring 42440 versus 35500 (16.4% ahead). The PassMark physics test also goes to Intel, 1221 to 983, a 19.5% margin. These wins suggest the Intel chip has a stronger per-core execution engine for certain integer and floating-point operations, despite having fewer threads.

The split is not perfectly clean, though. The AMD chip also wins Cinebench R20 single-core (918 versus 771, 19.1% ahead) and Cinebench R23 single-core (2188 versus 1926, 13.6% ahead), which complicates the single-thread narrative. The Intel part wins only the older Cinebench R15 single-core test and the PassMark single-thread tests. The data suggests that AMD has the better single-core performance in the newer Cinebench versions, while Intel retains an edge in the PassMark suite. For data compression, AMD wins decisively, 212739 to 148779 (43% ahead), and for integer math, AMD scores 57987 against Intel's 32323, a 79.4% lead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 uses Zen 4 architecture under the codename Hawk Point, manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 5 320 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, manufactured on a 3 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The process node difference is notable: Intel's 3 nm is a newer node, but the AMD chip is built by TSMC, which historically offers different transistor density characteristics.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 has 6 cores and 12 threads, meaning it supports simultaneous multithreading (SMT). The Intel Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads, with no SMT capability. This explains the AMD chip's dominance in multi-threaded tests: it can process twice as many threads simultaneously. The cache hierarchy also differs. AMD uses 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel uses a combined 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2, and only 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip's larger L3 cache, 16 MB versus 6 MB, likely helps in workloads with large working sets.

Memory support is another differentiator. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 supports DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, delivering 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 320 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but uses a single-channel memory bus, capping bandwidth at 59.7 GB/s. This is a substantial gap: AMD has about 50% more memory bandwidth, which can matter in memory-bound tasks. PCIe connectivity also differs, with AMD offering Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes versus Intel's Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes.

The integrated graphics are different as well. AMD includes a Radeon 740M, while Intel includes Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The database does not provide graphics benchmarks, so the comparison is limited to their existence. The AMD chip has a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz and boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the Intel chip has a much lower base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost of 4.60 GHz. The Intel chip has a lower TDP of 15 watts versus AMD's 28 watts, which could influence thermal design in thin laptops. The AMD chip is also physically larger, with a die size of 137 mm² and 20,900 million transistors, while the Intel chip's die size and transistor count are not recorded.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 220 has 12 threads across 6 cores, while the Intel Core 5 320 has 6 threads across 6 cores. The AMD chip supports simultaneous multithreading, the Intel chip does not.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 220 wins all multi-threaded benchmarks. The largest margin is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where AMD scores 15502 against Intel's 6197, a 150.2% difference. PassMark multi-thread shows AMD ahead 18582 to 15450, a 20.3% delta.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 320 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Intel chip wins 6 benchmarks: Cinebench R15 single-core, PassMark find prime numbers, floating-point math, physics, single-thread, and singlethread tests. The largest win is in prime number finding, where Intel scores 110 versus AMD's 65, a 40.9% margin.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 220 uses a dual-channel DDR5 bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 320 uses a single-channel bus supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X, with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which chip has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 220 has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 320 has a boost of 4.60 GHz. The AMD chip also has a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz versus 1.50 GHz for Intel.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 220 has an average benchmark score of 22289, while the Intel Core 5 320 averages 18023. The AMD chip sits at the 75th percentile of all CPUs, the Intel chip at the 72nd percentile.

Specification Differences

The recorded data shows several specification differences between the two processors. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 has 12 threads, while the Intel Core 5 320 has only 6. The base clocks are 3.20 GHz for AMD and 1.50 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 4.90 GHz and 4.60 GHz respectively. TDP differs at 28 watts for AMD and 15 watts for Intel. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP8, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1516.

Cache configurations are distinct. The AMD chip uses 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The Intel chip uses 192 KB total L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support sees AMD on DDR5 dual-channel with 89.6 GB/s, while Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s. PCIe lanes are 14 for AMD and 6 for Intel, both Gen 4. The integrated graphics are Radeon 740M for AMD and Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores for Intel. The process nodes are 4 nm for AMD and 3 nm for Intel. The release dates are 2025-01-05 for AMD and 2026-04-15 for Intel. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $340. The AMD chip has a part number of 100-000001611, while Intel uses SAE3H.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the AMD Ryzen 5 220 comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 15502 versus Intel's 6197, a 150.2% delta. This is the largest margin in the entire benchmark set, and it reflects the AMD chip's ability to use its 12 threads effectively. The second largest AMD win is in PassMark integer math, where AMD scores 57987 against Intel's 32323, a 79.4% lead. Data compression also favors AMD heavily, 212739 versus 148779, a 43% delta. Random string sorting goes to AMD, 25433 to 18038, a 41% margin. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows AMD ahead by 48.2%, and PassMark multi-thread shows a 20.3% lead for AMD.

The Intel Core 5 320's biggest win is in PassMark find prime numbers, scoring 110 against AMD's 65, a 40.9% delta. This is a highly specialized test, but the margin is substantial. The second largest Intel win is in PassMark physics, 1221 to 983, a 19.5% lead. Floating-point math goes to Intel, 42440 to 35500, a 16.4% delta. Cinebench R15 single-core shows Intel ahead 276 to 220, a 20.3% margin. PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests both show Intel at 4045 versus AMD's 3646, a 9.9% lead.

The Cinebench R20 results are mixed. AMD wins multi-core, 6510 to 5462, a 19.2% delta, and also wins single-core, 918 to 771, a 19.1% delta. This is noteworthy because the Intel chip wins Cinebench R15 single-core but loses the newer R20 and R23 single-core tests. The data suggests that AMD's single-core performance has improved relative to Intel in newer benchmark versions. Cinebench R23 single-core confirms this, with AMD at 2188 versus Intel's 1926, a 13.6% delta.

The PassMark extended instructions test goes to AMD, 15512 to 13262, a 17% delta. Data encryption also favors AMD, 12493 to 10984, a 13.7% delta. Across the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, AMD wins 11 and Intel wins 6. The average benchmark scores reflect this overall trend: AMD averages 22289, Intel averages 18023. The Intel chip's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 1600, with a 0.2% delta, while AMD's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-10700K, with a 0.3% delta.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the AMD Ryzen 5 220 is the stronger processor for multi-threaded workloads, with a 150.2% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 79.4% lead in integer math. Its 12 threads, larger 16 MB L3 cache, and dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth give it a decisive edge in productivity tasks. The AMD chip also wins 11 of 17 benchmarks and has a higher average score of 22289 versus 18023 for Intel.

The Intel Core 5 320 has a narrower set of strengths. It wins in prime number finding, floating-point math, physics, and the PassMark single-thread tests, with a best margin of 40.9% in prime numbers. Its lower 15-watt TDP and support for LPDDR5X memory could appeal to designs prioritizing power efficiency, but the recorded benchmarks show it trailing in most multi-threaded scenarios. The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 and Intel Core 5 120U, while the AMD chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-10700K and AMD Ryzen 5 3600X.

For users running heavily threaded applications, the AMD Ryzen 5 220 is the choice based on the recorded data. For workloads that depend on specific single-threaded math operations, the Intel Core 5 320 shows advantages, but those wins are fewer and often smaller in magnitude. The AMD chip also has a higher 75th percentile ranking versus Intel's 72nd percentile. The database does not record any benchmark where the Intel chip wins by a margin larger than AMD's biggest win, which reinforces the overall picture of AMD dominance in this comparison.