AMD Ryzen 5 220 vs Intel Core 9 273PQE Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core 9 273PQE is the overwhelmingly faster processor in every recorded benchmark. The data shows a clean sweep: 17 wins for Intel, zero for the AMD Ryzen 5 220. The Intel part lands in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the AMD chip sits in the 75th percentile. That gap in percentile ranking is the first clue that these are not competing in the same weight class.

The Ryzen 5 220 is a 6-core, 12-thread mobile chip built for efficiency, with a 28 W TDP and a 4 nm process. The Core 9 273PQE is a 12-core, 24-thread desktop processor with a 125 W TDP and a 10 nm process. Anyone picking between these two is really choosing between two completely different usage models, not two similar parts with a slight performance gap.

For users who need maximum compute throughput, the Intel Core 9 273PQE is the only rational choice. Its average benchmark score of 66099 dwarfs the Ryzen's 22289. The nearest rivals to the Intel part include the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, which trails by just 0.3%, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, which leads by 1.1%. That places the Core 9 273PQE firmly in flagship-adjacent territory.

For users constrained by power, thermals, or chassis size, the Ryzen 5 220 still makes sense. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Core i7-10700K (0.3% ahead), the Intel Core i5-13500H (0.8% behind), and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X (1.4% ahead). The Ryzen 5 220 is competitive with older desktop parts while consuming a fraction of the power. The data does not show any scenario where the Ryzen wins on performance, but it does show a part that delivers respectable scores within a 28 W envelope.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 5 220 uses the Zen 4 architecture on TSMC's 4 nm node, codenamed Hawk Point. It is a monolithic design with 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die. The Intel Core 9 273PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on Intel's 10 nm process, with no transistor or die size figures recorded in the database.

Core counts differ substantially. The AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel chip has 12 cores and 24 threads. That is exactly double in both categories. Clock speeds also favor Intel: the Ryzen 5 220 has a 3.20 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost, while the Core 9 273PQE runs at 3.40 GHz base and 5.90 GHz boost.

Cache layouts are not directly comparable. The Ryzen 5 220 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel Core 9 273PQE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The Intel part has more than double the L3 capacity and double the L2 per core.

Memory support differs as well. The Ryzen 5 220 supports DDR5 only, while the Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory and show identical memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s in the database. The Intel part supports ECC memory; the AMD part does not.

PCIe capabilities are different. The Ryzen 5 220 provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes. That gives Intel a generational advantage in available bandwidth for discrete GPUs and NVMe storage.

Integrated graphics are present on both. The AMD chip uses the Radeon 740M, while the Intel chip uses UHD Graphics 770. The database does not record comparative graphics benchmarks, so no performance conclusion can be drawn.

Sockets and market segments are completely different. The Ryzen 5 220 uses AMD Socket FP8 and is classified as a mobile part. The Intel Core 9 273PQE uses Intel Socket 1700 and is classified as a desktop part. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $589; no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD chip.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 9 273PQE wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head set. There is no recorded test where the Ryzen 5 220 comes out ahead. The closest margin for AMD is in PassMark single-thread tests, where the Intel part leads by only 20.3%. The largest margin for Intel is in PassMark floating-point math, where it leads by 71.7%.

The Ryzen 5 220 does not win on performance, but it wins on efficiency by the numbers available. Its 28 W TDP versus the Intel part's 125 W TDP means the AMD chip can operate in thin-and-light laptops, compact systems, and fanless or low-noise designs. The Intel part, with a desktop socket and 125 W TDP, requires a substantial cooling solution and a chassis that can handle the heat output.

For productivity workloads that scale with cores and threads, the Intel part has a structural advantage. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 39190 for Intel versus 15502 for AMD, a 60.4% lead. PassMark multithread shows 46107 versus 18582, a 59.7% lead. Any rendering, compiling, or heavy batch workload will strongly favor Intel.

For lightly threaded tasks, the Intel part still leads, but by a smaller margin. PassMark single-thread shows 4573 versus 3646, a 20.3% lead. Cinebench R23 singlecore shows 5532 versus 2188, a 60.4% lead. The single-core advantage in Cinebench is larger than in PassMark, which suggests the Intel part's higher boost clock helps in bursty single-thread workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE is substantially faster. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 39190 versus the Ryzen 5 220's 15502, a 60.4% lead. In PassMark multithread, it scores 46107 versus 18582, a 59.7% lead.

Q: Does the Ryzen 5 220 win anywhere?

A: No. The recorded head-to-head data shows 17 benchmark wins for the Intel Core 9 273PQE and 0 wins for the Ryzen 5 220. The smallest Intel lead is 20.3% in PassMark single-thread tests.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Ryzen 5 220 has a TDP of 28 W, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE has a TDP of 125 W. The AMD part is designed for mobile systems, while the Intel part is a desktop processor.

Q: Can the Intel Core 9 273PQE use the same memory as the Ryzen 5 220?

A: No. The Ryzen 5 220 supports DDR5 only. The Intel Core 9 273PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory and show the same 89.6 GB/s bandwidth figure in the database.

Q: Which CPU has better PCIe support?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Ryzen 5 220 provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes. The Intel part offers a newer PCIe generation and more lanes.

Q: Does the Intel Core 9 273PQE support ECC memory?

A: Yes. The database records ECC memory support as true for the Intel part. The Ryzen 5 220 does not support ECC memory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest Intel victories come in math-heavy and compression workloads. PassMark floating-point math shows 125546 for Intel versus 35500 for AMD, a 71.7% lead. PassMark find prime numbers shows 198 versus 65, a 67.2% lead. PassMark integer math shows 164629 versus 57987, a 64.8% lead. PassMark data compression shows 585752 versus 212739, a 63.7% lead.

Cinebench results are consistent across the board. Every Cinebench test shows roughly a 60.4% to 60.5% Intel lead. Cinebench R15 multicore: 3950 versus 1562, 60.5% lead. Cinebench R15 singlecore: 557 versus 220, 60.5% lead. Cinebench R20 multicore: 16459 versus 6510, 60.4% lead. Cinebench R20 singlecore: 2323 versus 918, 60.5% lead. Cinebench R23 multicore: 39190 versus 15502, 60.4% lead. Cinebench R23 singlecore: 5532 versus 2188, 60.4% lead.

PassMark results are more varied. PassMark data encryption shows 29636 versus 12493, a 57.8% lead. PassMark extended instructions shows 38743 versus 15512, a 60% lead. PassMark physics shows 2754 versus 983, a 64.3% lead. PassMark random string sorting shows 53167 versus 25433, a 52.2% lead. The smallest margin in the entire set is PassMark single-thread (and the duplicate PassMark singlethread), where Intel leads 4573 versus 3646, a 20.3% lead.

The pattern is clear: Intel wins by roughly 60% in most tests, but the margin narrows to about 20% in single-thread PassMark tests and widens to over 70% in floating-point math. The Ryzen 5 220's best relative showing is in the PassMark single-thread tests, which suggests its Zen 4 cores are comparatively strong per-thread, just not enough to overcome the Intel part's higher boost clock and larger core count.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in almost every recorded specification. The Ryzen 5 220 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 3.20 GHz versus 3.40 GHz, and boost clocks are 4.90 GHz versus 5.90 GHz, both favoring Intel.

TDP is a major differentiator: 28 W for AMD versus 125 W for Intel. The process nodes differ as well, with AMD using 4 nm and Intel using 10 nm. The AMD chip is fabricated by TSMC, while Intel uses its own foundry. The AMD part has 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die; no transistor or die size data is recorded for the Intel part.

Cache configurations differ in every level. L1 per core is 64 KB for AMD versus 80 KB for Intel. L2 per core is 1 MB for AMD versus 2 MB for Intel. L3 shared cache is 16 MB for AMD versus 36 MB for Intel.

Memory support shows AMD limited to DDR5, while Intel accepts both DDR4 and DDR5. Both have the same 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth and dual-channel bus. ECC memory is supported only on the Intel part.

PCIe support differs by generation and lane count: AMD offers Gen 4 with 14 lanes, Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are the Radeon 740M on AMD and UHD Graphics 770 on Intel.

The sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket FP8 versus Intel Socket 1700. The market segments are mobile versus desktop. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $589, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD chip. The Intel part releases with part number SA4Q9; the AMD part uses part number 100-000001611. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.