AMD Ryzen 5 40 vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data separates these two processors clearly by workload class. The Intel Core 5 221TE wins 12 of the 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons and is the dominant choice for multi-threaded, compute-heavy, and mixed-use tasks. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 wins only 3 comparisons, but two of those are the PassMark single-thread scores where it leads by a wide 42.8% margin, making it the better option for lightly threaded, latency-sensitive workloads. For desktop users requiring sustained multi-core performance, the Intel part is the clear pick. For mobile users prioritizing single-core responsiveness and lower power draw, the AMD part holds the advantage. The data confirms the Intel Core 5 221TE as the overall performance leader, with an average benchmark score of 17860 versus 15882 for the AMD Ryzen 5 40, a difference of roughly 12.5%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 uses the Zen 2 architecture on a 6 nm process from TSMC, with the Mendocino codename. It is built for the AMD Socket FT6 and targets the mobile segment. Its die size measures 100 mm². In contrast, the Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process, and fits the Intel Socket 1700 for the desktop segment. Its die size is 215 mm², more than double the AMD chip's area.

Core counts differ substantially. The AMD part has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel part has 10 cores and 16 threads. Cache hierarchies also diverge: the AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3, a six-fold advantage in L3 capacity. Clock speeds tell a similar story: the AMD chip runs at a base of 2.80 GHz and boosts to 4.30 GHz, while the Intel chip has a lower base of 1.80 GHz but a higher boost of 5.00 GHz.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 supports LPDDR5 memory only, with dual-channel access and a bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s. The Intel Core 5 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but with a slightly lower bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Intel part supports ECC memory, while the AMD part does not. PCIe connectivity also favors Intel: the AMD chip offers Gen 3 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: the AMD part uses Radeon 610M, the Intel part uses UHD Graphics 730.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the Intel Core 5 221TE comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 11305 against the AMD's 4841, a 57.2% advantage. This gap highlights the Intel part's superior thread scaling. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel leads with 1139 versus 790, a 30.6% margin. PassMark floating point math shows Intel ahead by 52% (31661 versus 15194), and PassMark physics shows a 55.8% lead (977 versus 432). Prime number finding favors Intel heavily, 59 versus 20, a 66.1% difference.

Other PassMark workloads also go to Intel. Data encryption: 8963 versus 6646, a 25.9% lead. Extended instructions: 9655 versus 6437, a 33.3% lead. Integer math: 42303 versus 31598, a 25.3% lead. Multithread: 13301 versus 9341, a 29.8% lead. Data compression: 156682 versus 141533, a 9.7% lead. Random string sorting: 16929 versus 15124, a 10.7% lead.

The AMD Ryzen 5 40 wins the two PassMark single-thread tests by identical margins: 2477 versus 1734, a 42.8% lead. It also wins Cinebench R15 single-core, scoring 165.5 versus 160, a 3.4% margin. However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel takes the win with 1596 versus 1150, a 27.9% lead. The overall pattern shows Intel winning nearly every multi-core and throughput test, while AMD dominates in one specific single-thread metric.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has an average benchmark score of 17860, while the AMD Ryzen 5 40 has 15882. The Intel part also sits at the 71st percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 70th percentile for the AMD part.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor according to the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 sits within 0.4% of the AMD EPYC 75F3, Intel Core Ultra 5 134U, AMD EPYC 9354P, and AMD EPYC 9334. The Intel Core 5 221TE sits within 0.7% of the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT, Intel Core 5 120U, Intel Core 7 350, and AMD Ryzen 5 1600.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 40 win any multi-core benchmark?

A: No. In all recorded multi-core tests (Cinebench R15 multi-core, Cinebench R23 multi-core, PassMark multithread, and PassMark physics), the Intel Core 5 221TE wins by margins ranging from 29.8% to 57.2%.

Q: What is the single-thread performance difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 wins PassMark single-thread tests with 2477 versus 1734, a 42.8% lead. However, the Intel part wins Cinebench R23 single-core with 1596 versus 1150, a 27.9% lead. The two tests disagree, but the PassMark margin is much larger.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 supports LPDDR5 only. The Intel Core 5 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel part also supports ECC memory, while the AMD part does not.

Q: What is the release date for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 was released on September 30, 2025. The Intel Core 5 221TE was released on January 12, 2025. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $232.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221TE wins every recorded multi-core and throughput benchmark. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11305 versus 4841 makes it more than twice as fast in that test, and its PassMark floating point score of 31661 versus 15194 shows a strong lead in math-heavy workloads. The 55.8% lead in PassMark physics (977 versus 432) and the 66.1% lead in prime number finding (59 versus 20) further confirm its superiority in compute-intensive tasks. With 10 cores and 16 threads, plus 24 MB of shared L3 cache, the Intel part is the choice for rendering, scientific simulation, and heavy multitasking. Its boost clock of 5.00 GHz also gives it an edge in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it leads by 27.9%.

The AMD Ryzen 5 40 wins specifically in PassMark single-thread performance, scoring 2477 versus 1734, a 42.8% lead. This result suggests that for applications that rely on a single fast core, such as certain legacy software or lightly threaded tasks, the AMD chip delivers higher responsiveness. It also wins Cinebench R15 single-core, albeit by a slim 3.4% margin. The AMD part's lower TDP of 15 watts versus 45 watts means it draws less power, making it suitable for mobile devices where thermal and battery constraints matter. Its smaller die size of 100 mm² versus 215 mm² and 6 nm process node indicate a more power-efficient design.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 2.80 GHz for AMD and 1.80 GHz for Intel, but boost clocks reverse the order: 4.30 GHz for AMD and 5.00 GHz for Intel. TDP is 15 watts for AMD and 45 watts for Intel. Sockets differ: AMD Socket FT6 versus Intel Socket 1700. Process nodes differ: 6 nm TSMC versus 10 nm Intel. Die sizes are 100 mm² for AMD and 215 mm² for Intel.

Cache configurations are distinct. AMD uses 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Intel uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. Memory support: AMD only LPDDR5, Intel DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth: 88.0 GB/s for AMD versus 76.8 GB/s for Intel. ECC support: only Intel. PCIe: AMD Gen 3 with 4 lanes, Intel Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics: Radeon 610M versus UHD Graphics 730. Market segment: Mobile versus Desktop. Release dates: September 30, 2025 for AMD, January 12, 2025 for Intel. Launch MSRP for Intel is $232; AMD has no recorded launch MSRP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part number is SRVQS; the AMD part number is unknown.