CPU Comparison

The Intel Core 5 211TE and AMD Ryzen 5 40 present a fascinating contrast in design philosophy, pitting a desktop-oriented, high-core-count processor against a mobile-focused, low-power chip. The benchmark data reveals a clear split: the Intel chip dominates in raw multi-threaded compute and traditional CPU workloads, while the AMD processor shows surprising strength in specific single-threaded and data-handling tasks. The overall statistics are remarkably close, with the AMD Ryzen 5 40 holding a 70th percentile ranking versus the Intel Core 5 211TE’s 69th, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical at 15,882 and 15,370 respectively. This close overall standing makes the specific test results all the more telling.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory for the Intel Core 5 211TE comes in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where it scores 12,201 against the AMD Ryzen 5 40’s 4,841, a massive 152% advantage. This result is consistent with the 55.6% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where Intel scores 1,229 to AMD’s 790. The data suggests the Intel chip’s higher core count and thread count are directly translating into overwhelming multi-threaded performance. The gap narrows in single-core tests, but Intel still leads: a 49.7% advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core (1,722 vs 1,150) and a more modest 4.5% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core (173 vs 165.5).

The Intel chip also flexes its muscle in specialized compute tasks. In the Passmark physics test, it scores 1,278 versus AMD’s 432, a 195.8% difference. Similarly, the Passmark find prime numbers test shows a 260% advantage for Intel (72 vs 20), and floating-point math is 72.1% higher (26,150 vs 15,194). These results paint a picture of a processor that excels in heavy, sustained calculations. The Intel chip also wins in Passmark multi-thread by 25.1% (11,685 vs 9,341) and in extended instructions by 33.8% (8,615 vs 6,437). Even in integer math, where the scores are closer, Intel manages a 7.6% lead (33,991 vs 31,598), and it edges out AMD in data encryption by 8.8% (7,231 vs 6,646).

However, the AMD Ryzen 5 40 has its own impressive victories. The most striking is in the Passmark single-thread test, where it scores 2,477 against Intel’s 1,408, a 43.2% advantage. This is a significant reversal, suggesting that the AMD architecture is far more efficient in single-threaded execution for certain workloads. The AMD chip also wins in data compression, scoring 141,533 versus Intel’s 133,434, a 5.7% lead. It also takes a narrow 1.9% win in random string sorting (15,124 vs 14,838). These wins highlight that while Intel dominates in raw throughput, AMD’s design excels in specific latency-sensitive or memory-oriented tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core 5 211TE is decisively faster, winning the Cinebench R23 multi-core test by 152% (12,201 vs 4,841) and the Cinebench R15 multi-core test by 55.6% (1,229 vs 790). It also leads in Passmark multi-thread by 25.1%.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 40 have any performance advantages?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 40 wins the Passmark single-thread test by 43.2% (2,477 vs 1,408). It also leads in Passmark data compression by 5.7% (141,533 vs 133,434) and in random string sorting by 1.9% (15,124 vs 14,838).

Q: How do their overall benchmark scores compare?

A: The average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has an average score of 15,882, while the Intel Core 5 211TE scores 15,370. The AMD chip is in the 70th percentile of all CPUs, and the Intel chip is in the 69th percentile.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core 5 211TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core 5 211TE has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 40’s boost clock of 4.30 GHz.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Intel Core 5 211TE has a TDP of 45 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 5 40 has a much lower TDP of 15 watts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures, which explains their divergent performance profiles. The Intel Core 5 211TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is manufactured by Intel on a 10 nm process node, with a die size of 215 mm². In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 5 40 uses the Mendocino codename and is built on the Zen 2 architecture, manufactured by TSMC on a 6 nm process node, with a much smaller die size of 100 mm². The smaller process node suggests a more power-efficient design, which aligns with its lower TDP.

The cache hierarchies also differ significantly. Intel allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with a substantial 20 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD, by comparison, uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and only 4 MB of shared L3 cache. This huge difference in L3 cache (20 MB vs 4 MB) is likely a contributing factor to Intel’s dominance in multi-threaded and cache-intensive workloads. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory, while the AMD chip does not.

Memory support and connectivity further differentiate the two. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The AMD chip supports only LPDDR5 memory, also dual-channel, but with a higher bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s. For PCIe, the Intel chip offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD chip provides Gen 3 with only 4 lanes (CPU only). This makes the Intel chip vastly more capable for high-bandwidth expansion, such as discrete GPUs or NVMe storage.

Specification Differences

The most apparent difference is the core and thread count, with the Intel Core 5 211TE offering 10 cores and 16 threads versus the AMD Ryzen 5 40’s 4 cores and 8 threads. The base clocks also differ, with Intel at 1.70 GHz and AMD at 2.80 GHz. The boost clocks are closer but still favor Intel: 4.80 GHz versus 4.30 GHz. The TDP is a stark contrast, with Intel at 45 watts and AMD at a low 15 watts, reflecting their different market segments (Desktop vs Mobile).

The process node and foundry are also different: Intel uses its own 10 nm process, while AMD uses TSMC’s 6 nm node. The die sizes are 215 mm² for Intel and 100 mm² for AMD. The cache configurations differ, as detailed above, with Intel having larger L1, L2, and L3 caches. Memory support varies, with Intel supporting DDR4/DDR5 and AMD supporting LPDDR5. PCIe capabilities are also distinct, with Intel offering Gen 5, 16 lanes and AMD offering Gen 3, 4 lanes. Their integrated graphics differ as well, with Intel featuring UHD Graphics 730 and AMD featuring Radeon 610M. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $221, while the AMD chip has no listed launch MSRP.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the data, the Intel Core 5 211TE is the superior processor for multi-threaded performance and heavy compute tasks. Its overwhelming wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core (152% lead) and Passmark physics (195.8% lead) make it the clear choice for workloads that leverage many cores, such as video rendering, 3D modeling, or scientific simulations. The data also shows it is faster in single-core Cinebench tests, indicating a strong overall CPU performance profile. The AMD Ryzen 5 40, on the other hand, is not without merit; its 43.2% lead in Passmark single-thread and its 5.7% win in data compression show it is highly capable in specific scenarios. However, the sheer magnitude of Intel’s wins in most other categories makes it the more versatile and powerful option for general-purpose computing.

For a user prioritizing raw compute power, the Intel Core 5 211TE is the obvious choice. The benchmark results are unambiguous: it wins 11 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, and its victories are often by huge margins. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 wins only 4 tests, and its victories, while significant in single-thread, are smaller in magnitude. The close average benchmark scores are misleading; they are pulled together by AMD’s strong performance in a few specific tests, but the Intel chip’s comprehensive dominance in multi-core and physics-based workloads is the more telling statistic for most users.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core 5 211TE:

• Multi-core rendering: A 152% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 55.6% lead in R15 multi-core.
• Physics simulations: A 195.8% advantage in the Passmark physics test.
• Prime number calculations: A 260% lead in the Passmark find prime numbers test.
• Heavy math: A 72.1% lead in floating-point math and a 7.6% lead in integer math.
• General multi-threading: A 25.1% lead in Passmark multi-thread.
• Instruction sets: A 33.8% lead in extended instructions.
• Data encryption: An 8.8% lead in data encryption.
• Single-core Cinebench: A 49.7% lead in R23 single-core and a 4.5% lead in R15 single-core.

AMD Ryzen 5 40:

• Single-thread performance: A 43.2% lead in the Passmark single-thread test.
• Data compression: A 5.7% lead in the Passmark data compression test.
• String sorting: A 1.9% lead in the Passmark random string sorting test.

The use cases are clear. The Intel chip is for users who need maximum throughput in CPU-intensive applications. The AMD chip, despite its lower core count, shows it can handle specific tasks like data compression very well, and its single-thread score suggests it might be snappier in some lightweight, latency-sensitive applications. However, the data overwhelmingly favors Intel for sustained, heavy workloads.