AMD Ryzen 5 40 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive matchup. Across all 15 recorded tests, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T records the higher score. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 does not win a single comparison. The largest margin appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Intel part scores 284 against 20 for the AMD, a delta of -93%. That test heavily favors the Intel architecture's integer throughput.

Multi-threaded rendering workloads show a similarly wide gap. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T scores 21971 while the AMD Ryzen 5 40 scores 4841, a -78% difference. Cinebench R15 multicore tells the same story: 2214 versus 790, a -64.3% delta. The Intel processor delivers more than four times the multicore Cinebench R23 result. PassMark multithread confirms the pattern, with the Intel part at 25358 versus 9341, a -63.2% difference.

Single-thread performance also favors Intel, though by a smaller margin. Cinebench R23 singlecore shows 3101 against 1150, a -62.9% delta. Cinebench R15 singlecore reports 312 versus 165.5, a -47% difference. PassMark single thread records 4348 for the Intel chip and 2477 for the AMD chip, a -43% delta. The Intel part leads in every single-threaded test, but the gap narrows compared to some multicore results.

Memory-sensitive and encryption workloads follow the same trend. PassMark data encryption shows the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T at 18289 against 6646 for the AMD Ryzen 5 40, a -63.7% difference. Data compression scores 233998 versus 141533, a -39.5% delta, one of the closer margins in the set. Extended instructions show a -67.9% gap (20083 versus 6437). Floating point math heavily favors Intel: 82751 versus 15194, a -81.6% difference. Integer math lands at 59543 versus 31598, a -46.9% delta. Random string sorting shows 28774 against 15124, a -47.4% gap. Physics simulation in PassMark records 2053 versus 432, a -79% difference.

The average benchmark score reinforces this hierarchy. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T holds an average of 30468, placing it in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 averages 15882, sitting in the 70th percentile. The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-11980HK (30422, +0.2% delta) and AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS (30390, +0.3% delta), while the AMD Ryzen 5 40 sits near the AMD EPYC 75F3 (15859, +0.1% delta) and Intel Core Ultra 5 134U (15910, -0.2% delta). In percentile terms, the Intel part ranks 12 percentage points higher.

The Verdict

The data points to one clear conclusion for raw performance: the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T is the stronger processor in every benchmark recorded. Anyone choosing between these two strictly on measured output should select the Intel part. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 does not close the gap in any test, and in several workloads, such as Cinebench R23 multicore and PassMark floating point math, the Intel chip is more than four times faster. The smallest Intel advantage appears in PassMark data compression at -39.5%, still a substantial lead.

The AMD Ryzen 5 40 belongs in a different context. Its 15 TDP, mobile market segment, and AMD Socket FT6 platform indicate a low-power, compact system role. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T, with a 65 TDP and desktop Socket 1851, targets conventional desktop builds. The recorded data cannot justify choosing the AMD part for performance, but the platform and power envelope differ enough that the AMD chip may fit designs where the Intel part cannot be installed.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Mendocino codename, built on a 6 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T uses the Arrow Lake architecture under the Arrow Lake-S codename, built on a 3 nm process, also at TSMC. The process node difference gives Intel a density and efficiency advantage on paper.

Core and thread counts diverge sharply. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 provides 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T provides 10 cores and 10 threads. The Intel part has more physical cores but no hyperthreading, so thread count equals core count. The AMD part uses simultaneous multithreading to reach 8 threads from 4 cores.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The Intel part also lists 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while the AMD part lists no transistor count but a 100 mm² die size.

Clock speeds favor Intel on boost. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 runs at a 2.80 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T runs at a 2.50 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost. The Intel chip boosts higher despite a lower base clock.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 supports LPDDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 88.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T supports DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. Neither supports ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity shows a major platform gap. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 provides PCIe Gen 3 with 4 lanes from the CPU. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. That difference affects expansion options significantly.

Integrated graphics also differ. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 uses Radeon 610M graphics. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. The release dates place the AMD chip in September 2025 and the Intel chip in December 2024. Both remain active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T averages 30468, while the AMD Ryzen 5 40 averages 15882.

Q: How large is the multi-core Cinebench R23 gap?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T scores 21971 versus 4841 for the AMD Ryzen 5 40, a -78% difference.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 40 win any benchmark in the database?

A: No. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins all 15 recorded head-to-head tests.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads.

Q: What process nodes do the two chips use?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 uses a 6 nm process. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T uses a 3 nm process. Both are fabricated by TSMC.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split rests on workload type and platform constraints. In multi-threaded rendering, the Intel part dominates. Cinebench R23 multicore at 21971 versus 4841 and Cinebench R15 multicore at 2214 versus 790 make the Intel chip the clear choice for CPU-bound production tasks. PassMark multithread at 25358 against 9341 reinforces that position.

Single-threaded responsiveness also favors Intel. Cinebench R23 singlecore at 3101 versus 1150 and PassMark single thread at 4348 versus 2477 indicate snappier per-core performance in lightly threaded applications. The Intel part leads in encryption, compression, extended instructions, floating point math, integer math, physics, and string sorting. No workload category in the recorded data favors the AMD chip.

The AMD Ryzen 5 40 finds its place in power-constrained, mobile, or compact systems. Its 15 TDP and AMD Socket FT6 socket target low-power laptops or mini PCs where the 65 TDP Intel desktop part cannot operate. The LPDDR5 memory support aligns with soldered, power-efficient memory designs. The 4 MB L3 cache and 4-core configuration are modest, but the chip's purpose appears to be efficiency rather than peak throughput. For a builder assembling a desktop with expansion needs, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T provides PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes versus the AMD chip's PCIe Gen 3 with 4 lanes, making the Intel platform far more flexible for GPUs and NVMe storage.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 40 | Intel Core Ultra 5 225T |

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

| Cores | 4 | 10 |

| Threads | 8 | 10 |

| Base clock | 2.80 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.30 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 15 | 65 |

| Socket | AMD Socket FT6 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Arrow Lake |

| Codename | Mendocino | Arrow Lake-S |

| Process node | 6 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | TSMC |

| Transistors | N/A | 17,800 million |

| Die size | 100 mm² | 243 mm² |

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

| L2 cache | 512 KB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 4 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | LPDDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 88.0 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 4 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 610M | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production status | Active | Active |

| Release date | 2025-09-30 | 2024-12-31 |

| Unlocked multiplier | No | No |

The specification table highlights the platform divide. The AMD chip uses a mobile socket, lower TDP, and older PCIe generation. The Intel chip uses a desktop socket, higher TDP, and newer PCIe generation. The Intel part also carries more cache at every level and a larger die with a smaller process node. The recorded benchmark data consistently favors the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T, and the specifications support that outcome.