AMD Ryzen 5 220 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

AMD Ryzen 5 220 and Intel Core Ultra 7 356H are both mobile processors aimed at thin-and-light laptops, but they occupy different tiers within the database. The recorded data shows a clear performance hierarchy, with the Intel part winning 16 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 claims a single victory in one specific multi-threaded test.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results divide the workload spectrum into two distinct zones. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H establishes dominance across nearly every metric, including all Cinebench multi-core tests, all PassMark math and encryption tests, and all single-threaded workloads. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 wins only in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 2188 against Intel's 2040, a 7.3% advantage. This single victory indicates that AMD's higher boost clock and Zen 4 architecture provide a marginal edge in lightly threaded, short-duration rendering tasks.

For multi-threaded productivity, the Intel part is the clear choice. The data shows Intel leading by 48.9% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 46.4% in R20 multi-core, and 15.7% in R23 multi-core. The gap narrows in the newer R23 test, but Intel still holds a substantial lead. The PassMark suite reinforces this pattern: Intel wins integer math by 30.2%, floating point math by 65.6%, and extended instructions by 44.4%. Data compression favors Intel by 36.7%, and encryption by 52.6%.

The largest single disparity appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where Intel scores 327 versus AMD's 65, a 80.1% difference. This test stresses integer throughput and memory latency, areas where Intel's 16 physical cores and larger shared cache provide a decisive advantage. Similarly, the physics test shows Intel at 2895 versus AMD's 983, a 66% lead, indicating better sustained multi-threaded performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 is built on TSMC's 4 nm process node with a Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Hawk Point. It packs 6 cores and 12 threads, reflecting a simultaneous multithreading design. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses Intel's 3 nm process, codenamed Panther Lake, and contains 16 cores with 16 threads, operating without hyperthreading.

The core count difference is stark: Intel offers 16 physical cores against AMD's 6. This explains the massive multi-threaded performance gap. The Intel part also has a larger cache hierarchy. Its L1 cache is 192 KB per core versus AMD's 64 KB per core, and L2 is 2.5 MB per core versus AMD's 1 MB per core. The shared L3 cache is 18 MB on Intel versus 16 MB on AMD.

Memory bandwidth favors Intel as well. The Core Ultra 7 356H supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, achieving 115.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen 5 220 supports only DDR5, with 89.6 GB/s peak bandwidth. Both use dual-channel memory buses. Intel also supports PCIe Gen 5 with 12 CPU lanes, while AMD uses PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes.

The clock speeds tell a different story. AMD's base clock is 3.20 GHz with a boost of 4.90 GHz. Intel's base clock is 1.90 GHz with a boost of 4.70 GHz. The lower base clock on Intel is offset by the higher core count. The TDP figures are close: AMD at 28 W and Intel at 25 W, though the real-world power draw under load is not recorded in the database.

The integrated graphics differ as well. AMD uses the Radeon 740M, while Intel uses Xe3 Graphics. The database does not include GPU benchmarks, so no performance comparison is possible. Both processors are locked, with no unlocked multiplier, and both are currently in active production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench family shows a nuanced picture. In R15 multi-core, Intel scores 3055 against AMD's 1562, a 48.9% lead. The R20 multi-core test shows Intel at 12153 versus AMD's 6510, a 46.4% difference. In R23 multi-core, Intel scores 18395 versus AMD's 15502, a smaller 15.7% lead. This shrinking gap suggests that the newer Cinebench version scales differently with the two architectures, but Intel remains firmly ahead.

Single-core results are closer. In R15 single-core, Intel leads 303 to 220, a 27.4% margin. In R20 single-core, Intel leads 1715 to 918, a 46.5% margin. These are large differences for supposedly single-threaded tests, likely reflecting clock speed and IPC differences. However, the R23 single-core test flips the result: AMD wins 2188 to 2040, a 7.3% lead. This is the only head-to-head win for AMD in the entire dataset.

The PassMark suite provides a broader view. The multithread test shows Intel at 33978 versus AMD's 18582, a 45.3% lead. The single-thread test shows Intel at 4072 versus AMD's 3646, a 10.5% lead. Data compression favors Intel 336177 to 212739, a 36.7% margin. Encryption favors Intel 26345 to 12493, a 52.6% margin.

The extended instructions test measures SIMD and vector processing. Intel scores 27898, AMD scores 15512, a 44.4% difference. Floating point math shows Intel at 103128 versus AMD's 35500, a 65.6% gap. Integer math is closer: Intel at 83111, AMD at 57987, a 30.2% difference. Random string sorting favors Intel 40990 to 25433, a 38% margin.

The biggest outlier is the find prime numbers test. Intel scores 327, AMD scores 65, a 80.1% difference. This test is highly sensitive to cache size and memory latency, and Intel's larger L3 cache and higher core count produce an extreme result. The physics test also shows a large gap: Intel at 2895, AMD at 983, a 66% difference.

The Verdict

The database results are unambiguous. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins 16 of 17 benchmarks, with an average benchmark score of 41215 compared to AMD's 22289. Intel's percentile ranking of 87 versus AMD's 75 confirms the overall performance tier. The Intel part sits alongside rivals like the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 and the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H, while AMD's Ryzen 5 220 sits near the Intel Core i7-10700K and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X.

Users who need multi-threaded throughput for rendering, code compilation, data analysis, or scientific computing should choose the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H. The 16 physical cores and higher memory bandwidth deliver 45% or better performance in most multi-threaded workloads. The Intel part also leads in single-threaded tests, except for the lone Cinebench R23 single-core result, meaning it handles everyday tasks with equal or better responsiveness.

Users who prioritize the absolute best single-threaded performance in the Cinebench R23 workload, or who prefer the AMD platform for its PCIe Gen 4 connectivity or Radeon 740M graphics, may consider the Ryzen 5 220. The 7.3% win in R23 single-core is real but isolated. The AMD part also has a higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz, which may translate to snappier feel in some applications, though the recorded data does not show a consistent single-threaded advantage outside that one test.

The power characteristics are similar, with TDPs of 28 W for AMD and 25 W for Intel. Both are designed for mobile use. The Intel part uses more transistors, though the exact count is not recorded. The AMD part is smaller at 137 mm² die size, while Intel's die size is not listed. The choice depends on whether the workload is heavily multi-threaded, in which case Intel wins decisively, or if the specific Cinebench R23 single-core scenario matters more, in which case AMD has a narrow edge.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins all multi-core benchmarks. It leads by 48.9% in Cinebench R15, 46.4% in R20, 15.7% in R23, and 45.3% in PassMark multithread. The Intel part also wins the PassMark physics test by 66%.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 220 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 220 wins only the Cinebench R23 single-core test, scoring 2188 against Intel's 2040, a 7.3% advantage. This is the sole win in 17 head-to-head comparisons.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Intel has no hyperthreading, while AMD uses simultaneous multithreading.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a peak bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 supports only DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 220 has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. AMD's base clock is 3.20 GHz, while Intel's is 1.90 GHz.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has an average benchmark score of 41215, placing it at the 87th percentile. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 has an average score of 22289, placing it at the 75th percentile.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 220 | Intel Core Ultra 7 356H |

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

| Cores | 6 | 16 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Panther Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 20,900 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 137 mm² | Not recorded |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 14 Lanes | Gen 5, 12 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 740M | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Release Date | 2025-01-05 | 2026-01-04 |

| Part Number | 100-000001611 | SA4RGQ9EU |