AMD Ryzen 5 220 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data shows a one-sided contest. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 wins zero of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins all 17. That is a clean sweep, so the use-case split is defined entirely by the Intel part's dominance across every workload category measured, not by any particular strength of the AMD chip.

For single-threaded tasks, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus leads by 22.4% in PassMark single-thread (4698 versus 3646). That margin is the narrowest of any comparison in the set, which suggests the AMD part is comparatively less disadvantaged in lightly threaded work than in heavily threaded work. Still, the Intel part holds the lead.

For multi-threaded and content-creation workloads, the Intel part is decisively ahead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 42718 versus 15502 for the Ryzen 5 220, a 63.7% gap. PassMark multi-thread shows 50146 versus 18582, a 62.9% deficit for the AMD part. The pattern repeats across PassMark integer math (123030 versus 57987, a 52.9% gap), floating-point math (159824 versus 35500, a 77.8% gap), and prime number finding (452 versus 65, an 85.6% gap). The latter is the largest single deficit in the entire dataset.

Specialized workloads follow the same direction. Data compression favors the Intel part by 61.5% (553155 versus 212739). Data encryption favors it by 69.7% (41292 versus 12493). Extended instruction performance favors it by 63.8% (42880 versus 15512). Random string sorting favors it by 62.2% (67209 versus 25433). Physics simulation favors it by 69.1% (3183 versus 983). In every measured category, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is the winner, and the AMD Ryzen 5 220 has no winning use case in this dataset.

The Verdict

The database records show that the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus should be selected for any workload represented in these benchmarks. It is faster in every single comparison, from single-thread responsiveness to heavy multi-core rendering and math workloads. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 cannot be recommended on performance grounds from this data, as it trails in all 17 tests.

The Intel part sits at the 93rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 66159. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core 9 273PQE at 66099 (0.1% ahead of the 250KF Plus) and the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D at 65914 (0.4% behind). The AMD Ryzen 5 220, by contrast, sits at the 75th percentile with an average score of 22289, placing it near the Intel Core i7-10700K at 22230 (0.3% behind) and the Intel Core i5-13500H at 22468 (0.8% ahead). These percentile positions confirm the class gap: the 250KF Plus competes with top-end desktop processors, while the 220 competes with older mid-range desktop and mobile parts.

The Intel part also offers an unlocked multiplier and supports ECC memory, making it the more flexible choice for overclocking and error-checking workloads. The AMD part has neither feature. The AMD part does include integrated graphics (Radeon 740M), which the Intel part lacks (N/A), so for systems without a discrete GPU, the AMD part has an advantage in basic display output. But for raw compute performance, the data points entirely to the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the dataset is PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 452 versus 65 for the Ryzen 5 220, a deficit of 85.6% for the AMD part. This workload is heavily dependent on integer throughput and cache behavior, and the Intel part's 18 cores and larger cache structure dominate.

Floating-point math shows a 77.8% gap, with the Intel part at 159824 and the AMD part at 35500. Data encryption shows a 69.7% gap (41292 versus 12493). Physics simulation shows a 69.1% gap (3183 versus 983). These are all large, consistent margins.

The Cinebench suite tells the same story across every version. R15 multi-core: 4305 versus 1562, a 63.7% gap. R15 single-core: 607 versus 220, a 63.8% gap. R20 multi-core: 17941 versus 6510, a 63.7% gap. R20 single-core: 2532 versus 918, a 63.7% gap. R23 multi-core: 42718 versus 15502, a 63.7% gap. R23 single-core: 6030 versus 2188, a 63.7% gap. The consistency of the 63.7% to 63.8% deltas across all six Cinebench tests indicates a uniform performance advantage that does not depend on thread count or workload type within that benchmark family.

PassMark integer math shows the smallest multi-core-style gap at 52.9% (123030 versus 57987). PassMark single-thread shows the smallest overall gap at 22.4% (4698 versus 3646). The single-thread margin, while still a clear Intel win, is far narrower than the multi-core margins. This suggests the Ryzen 5 220's Zen 4 cores are comparatively more competitive on a per-thread basis, but the Intel part's higher core count and higher clocks overwhelm it in parallel work.

Data compression (553155 versus 212739, a 61.5% gap), extended instructions (42880 versus 15512, a 63.8% gap), random string sorting (67209 versus 25433, a 62.2% gap), and multi-thread overall (50146 versus 18582, a 62.9% gap) all fall in the same range. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins every head-to-head benchmark recorded, and the AMD Ryzen 5 220 records zero wins.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 4698 versus 3646 for the AMD Ryzen 5 220, a 22.4% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 6030 versus 2188, a 63.7% advantage.

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 220 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Radeon 740M integrated graphics. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics (listed as N/A).

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 does not.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each CPU?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has an average benchmark score of 66159, placing it at the 93rd percentile. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 has an average score of 22289, placing it at the 75th percentile.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus boosts to 5.30 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 boosts to 4.90 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 220 uses the Zen 4 architecture on the Hawk Point codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The transistor count is 20,900 million on a die size of 137 mm². It supports DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe connectivity is Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only). The socket is AMD Socket FP8, and the market segment is mobile.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename on the Core Ultra Series 2 platform, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. It has 18 cores and 18 threads, with 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The transistor count is 17,800 million on a die size of 243 mm². It supports DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The socket is Intel Socket 1851, and the market segment is desktop.

The Intel part uses a smaller process node (3 nm versus 4 nm) but a larger die (243 mm² versus 137 mm²) with fewer transistors (17,800 million versus 20,900 million). The AMD part has more transistors per square millimeter, but the Intel part has significantly more cores and more cache at every level. The Intel part also has higher memory bandwidth (115.2 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s) and newer PCIe generation (Gen 5 versus Gen 4) with more lanes (20 versus 14).

The Intel part supports ECC memory and has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD part does not support ECC and has a locked multiplier. The AMD part includes integrated graphics (Radeon 740M), while the Intel part has none. The Intel part targets desktop use, while the AMD part targets mobile use.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification field recorded.

Core and thread counts: Intel has 18 cores and 18 threads. AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Clock speeds: Intel has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. AMD has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz.

Power: Intel has a TDP of 125 watts. AMD has a TDP of 28 watts.

Socket: Intel uses Socket 1851. AMD uses Socket FP8.

Process node: Intel uses 3 nm. AMD uses 4 nm. Both are fabricated by TSMC.

Cache: Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3. AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3.

Memory bandwidth: Intel has 115.2 GB/s. AMD has 89.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel DDR5.

PCIe: Intel has Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). AMD has Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only).

ECC memory: Intel supports it. AMD does not.

Integrated graphics: Intel has none (N/A). AMD has Radeon 740M.

Multiplier: Intel is unlocked. AMD is locked.

Market segment: Intel is desktop. AMD is mobile.

Transistors: Intel has 17,800 million. AMD has 20,900 million.

Die size: Intel is 243 mm². AMD is 137 mm².

Release date: Intel launched on 2026-03-10. AMD launched on 2025-01-05. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $184; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.