AMD Ryzen 5 2600E vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split between the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E and the Intel Core 5 221TE, with Intel dominating the Cinebench suite and AMD countering in several Passmark workloads. Across the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, the Intel Core 5 221TE claims 12 wins, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E secures 5.

In the Cinebench family, the Intel part is consistently ahead by 7.2% in every multi-core test: R15 scores 1139 versus 1057, R20 scores 4748 versus 4407, and R23 scores 11305 versus 10494. Single-core Cinebench results tell a similar story, with Intel leading by 6.9% in R15 (160 versus 149) and by 7.2% in both R20 (670 versus 622) and R23 (1596 versus 1481). The consistency of that 7.2% margin across three generations of Cinebench suggests a stable architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The Passmark suite paints a more nuanced picture. The Intel Core 5 221TE wins in extended instructions by a wide 32.6% margin (9655 versus 6509), and in floating point math by 33.8% (31661 versus 20970). The find prime numbers test shows the largest gap of all, with Intel at 59 versus AMD's 32, a 45.8% deficit for the Ryzen part. Physics performance also favors Intel by 23% (977 versus 752), while integer math is a closer affair at 6% (42303 versus 39781).

AMD's wins are concentrated in memory and data-oriented tasks. The data compression test favors the Ryzen 5 2600E by 10.8% (173653 versus 156682), while random string sorting shows a 23.6% advantage (20918 versus 16929). Data encryption is AMD's strongest head-to-head result at 35.5% (12146 versus 8963). Most notably, the Passmark single-thread test gives AMD a 32.5% lead (2297 versus 1734), a striking reversal from the Cinebench single-core results. This discrepancy suggests the two suites measure different aspects of single-threaded performance, possibly reflecting differences in instruction handling or memory latency.

The multithread Passmark score follows the Cinebench pattern, with Intel ahead by 7.2% (13301 versus 12346). Overall, the head-to-head data indicates a processor that wins broadly across rendering and math workloads in Intel's case, while AMD retains specific strengths in encryption, compression, sorting, and one particular single-thread metric.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E is built on the Zen architecture, specifically the Zen+ revision codenamed Pinnacle Ridge, using a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,800 million transistors into a 192 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 221TE, by contrast, uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process fabricated by Intel, with a larger 215 mm² die size.

Core counts differ substantially. The AMD part offers 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel part provides 10 cores and 16 threads. That 4-core and 4-thread advantage likely explains much of Intel's multi-core Cinebench and Passmark multithread lead, though the per-core differences also matter.

Cache hierarchies reveal distinct strategies. AMD allocates 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Intel uses a smaller 80 KB L1 per core but a much larger 1.25 MB L2 per core, plus 24 MB of shared L3. The larger L2 on Intel could contribute to its strong extended instructions and floating point math results, while AMD's smaller L1 might be offset by its single-thread Passmark performance.

Memory support diverges as well. The Ryzen 5 2600E supports DDR4 only, with dual-channel access. The Intel Core 5 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, and the database records a memory bandwidth figure of 76.8 GB/s for the Intel part. ECC memory is supported on Intel but not on AMD. The Intel processor also includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 730, while the AMD part has none listed. PCIe connectivity differs, with Intel offering Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, while no PCIe specification is recorded for AMD.

Clock speeds tell a contrasting story. AMD's base clock is 3.10 GHz with a boost of 4.00 GHz. Intel's base is much lower at 1.80 GHz but boosts to 5.00 GHz. That wide boost range on Intel suggests a design that relies on turbo headroom, while AMD maintains a higher baseline. The TDP reflects this: AMD is rated at 65 W, Intel at 45 W, which makes the Intel part the lower-power option despite its higher core count and boost clock.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E's 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Why does the AMD processor win the Passmark single-thread test but lose every Cinebench single-core test?

A: The Passmark single-thread score favors AMD by 32.5% (2297 versus 1734), while Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests all favor Intel by 6.9% to 7.2%. The recorded data shows these two suites measure different aspects of performance, possibly reflecting differences in how each architecture handles the specific workloads.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 221TE have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E supports DDR4 only. The Intel Core 5 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 16 MB on the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E. Intel also has a larger L2 cache per core at 1.25 MB versus 512 KB on AMD.

Q: How do the TDP ratings compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E is rated at 65 W, while the Intel Core 5 221TE is rated at 45 W, making Intel the lower-power design despite its higher core count.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E comes from the 2000 series with a 2018 release date, while the Intel Core 5 221TE is a Bartlett Lake part released in 2025. AMD uses the AM4 socket, Intel uses Socket 1700. The manufacturing process differs: 12 nm for AMD, 10 nm for Intel. Die size is 192 mm² for AMD versus 215 mm² for Intel, with AMD's transistor count recorded at 4,800 million and no transistor figure listed for Intel.

Clock speeds and TDP show the most practical differences. AMD runs at 3.10 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost with a 65 W TDP. Intel runs at 1.80 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost with a 45 W TDP. Core and thread counts favor Intel at 10 cores and 16 threads versus 6 cores and 12 threads. Cache layouts differ in both L1 (96 KB per core for AMD, 80 KB per core for Intel), L2 (512 KB per core versus 1.25 MB per core), and L3 (16 MB shared versus 24 MB shared).

Memory support is broader on Intel, with DDR4 and DDR5 compatibility versus DDR4 only on AMD. The Intel part adds ECC support, integrated UHD Graphics 730, PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, and a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. AMD lists no integrated graphics, no PCIe specification, and no memory bandwidth figure. The launch MSRP for the Intel Core 5 221TE is $232, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD part. Both processors have locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E wins in data compression (10.8% ahead), data encryption (35.5% ahead), random string sorting (23.6% ahead), and the Passmark single-thread test (32.5% ahead). These results point to workloads centered on data manipulation, sorting, and cryptographic operations, where the Zen architecture appears to hold an edge. The single-thread Passmark result is particularly notable, suggesting that AMD's core design can outperform Intel's in certain scalar workloads despite Intel's higher boost clock.

The Intel Core 5 221TE wins in all six Cinebench tests, all by roughly 7%, along with extended instructions (32.6% ahead), find prime numbers (45.8% ahead), floating point math (33.8% ahead), integer math (6% ahead), multithread (7.2% ahead), and physics (23% ahead). This is a broad sweep of rendering, math, and physics workloads. The Cinebench results indicate strong multi-core rendering capability, while the floating point and extended instruction results suggest a robust SIMD and math pipeline. The find prime numbers result, with Intel nearly doubling AMD's score, hints at superior integer throughput in tight loops.

For a user deciding between these two, the choice hinges on workload type. Content creation and 3D rendering favor the Intel part, as do physics simulations and heavy floating point math. Data-heavy tasks such as compression, encryption, and sorting favor the AMD part, alongside the specific single-thread Passmark workload.

The Verdict

The benchmark data supports a clear split recommendation. The Intel Core 5 221TE is the stronger all-around performer in the database's recorded measurements, winning 12 of 17 head-to-head tests and leading in every Cinebench benchmark. Its 10 cores, 16 threads, 24 MB L3 cache, and 5.00 GHz boost clock deliver consistent advantages in rendering, math, and physics workloads. The 45 W TDP and support for DDR5 and ECC memory add further appeal for systems where efficiency and memory flexibility matter.

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E, despite being an older design with fewer cores and a lower boost clock, retains meaningful strengths in data compression, encryption, and random string sorting, plus a surprising 32.5% win in the Passmark single-thread test. Its 65 W TDP is higher, but for workloads centered on data manipulation, the older Zen architecture still holds its ground.

The recorded percentile ranks place both processors close together: AMD at the 72nd percentile, Intel at the 71st. The average benchmark scores are also close, with AMD at 18230 and Intel at 17860. The Intel part's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT with a delta of -0.2%, while AMD's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-8700 with a 0% delta. These figures suggest that in the broader database context, the two processors occupy a similar performance tier, even though the head-to-head tests show Intel winning most matchups. The Intel Core 5 221TE is the pick for rendering, math, and physics. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E is the pick for encryption, compression, and sorting workloads.