AMD Ryzen 5 5500 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and Intel Core Ultra 5 226V represent two very different philosophies in processor design: a 7nm desktop chip with high thread counts versus a 3nm mobile chip optimized for efficiency. The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split, with the AMD chip winning 11 of the 19 head-to-head tests, while the Intel chip takes 8. Both processors sit at the 73rd percentile of all CPUs, yet their average benchmark scores differ by less than 1.2%, showing they are closely matched overall despite their architectural chasms.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic divergence appears in multi-core rendering workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 5500 scores 16,429 against the Ultra 5 226V’s 9,848, a massive 66.8% advantage. This pattern holds in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where AMD leads 1,656 to 1,501 (10.3% ahead), and in Cinebench R20 multi-core with 6,900 versus 6,381 (8.1% ahead). The AMD chip’s 12 threads versus 8 clearly pay off in heavily threaded rendering tasks.

Single-core results tell a more complex story. Surprisingly, the Ryzen 5 5500 wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 33% (2,319 vs 1,744) and Cinebench R20 single-core by 8.1% (973 vs 900). However, the Intel chip wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 12.7% (267 vs 233) and dominates PassMark single-thread by 18.5% (3,754 vs 3,058). This inconsistency across different single-thread tests suggests the two processors have very different performance characteristics depending on the workload’s instruction mix.

The Geekbench suite favors Intel decisively. The Ultra 5 226V scores 8,598 in multi-core versus 7,976 for AMD (7.2% ahead) and 1,930 in single-core versus 1,730 (10.4% ahead). This creates an interesting paradox: AMD wins Cinebench multi-core by huge margins, yet Intel wins Geekbench multi-core. The data implies that Geekbench’s workload pattern suits Intel’s architecture better, possibly due to its hybrid core design and higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 4.20 GHz.

In PassMark’s math tests, the results are starkly polarized. AMD wins integer math by 68.2% (65,001 vs 38,647) and data compression by 43.8% (245,533 vs 170,687). Intel fights back with a 29.6% win in floating-point math (52,270 vs 36,815) and a 66.3% victory in finding prime numbers (166 vs 56). The Ryzen 5 5500 also leads in data encryption by 16.8% (14,851 vs 12,710), extended instructions by 17.1% (17,236 vs 14,724), and random string sorting by 18.9% (24,757 vs 20,813).

Architecture Differences

The foundational difference lies in process technology: the Ryzen 5 5500 uses TSMC’s 7nm node, while the Core Ultra 5 226V uses TSMC’s 3nm node. This explains the massive TDP disparity — 65W for AMD versus just 17W for Intel — and suggests the Intel chip is designed for thermally constrained environments.

Core configuration diverges sharply. The Ryzen 5 5500 packs 6 cores with 12 threads (hyperthreading enabled), while the Ultra 5 226V has 8 cores but only 8 threads (no hyperthreading). This explains why AMD wins most multi-threaded tests despite fewer physical cores — its 12 logical threads outnumber Intel’s 8.

Cache hierarchies are fundamentally different. AMD uses 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 16 MB shared L3. Intel uses a much larger 192 KB L1 and 2.5 MB L2 per core, but only 8 MB shared L3. The larger per-core L2 on Intel likely contributes to its single-thread wins in some tests, while AMD’s larger L3 pool benefits multi-threaded data sharing.

Memory and I/O also differ: AMD supports DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth and PCIe Gen 3, while Intel supports unspecified memory (dependent on motherboard) with dual-channel bus and PCIe Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes. The Intel chip includes integrated Arc 130V graphics; AMD has no integrated graphics at all. Intel’s socket is BGA 2833 (mobile, soldered), while AMD uses Socket AM4 (desktop, upgradeable). AMD’s multiplier is unlocked, Intel’s is locked.

The Verdict

The data shows a clear split based on workload type. For multi-core rendering, integer-heavy computation, and data compression, the Ryzen 5 5500 is the superior choice — its Cinebench R23 multi-core lead of 66.8% is overwhelming. For floating-point math, prime number finding, and single-thread PassMark performance, the Ultra 5 226V takes command, with wins of 29.6%, 66.3%, and 18.5% respectively.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 19,593 for AMD versus 19,368 for Intel, a gap of just 1.1%. Both processors rank at the 73rd percentile of all CPUs. The Ryzen 5 5500’s nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 (0.1% behind), while the Ultra 5 226V’s closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 5 7533HS (0.0% difference). This indicates both chips sit in the same performance tier, but achieve it through completely different means.

The Ryzen 5 5500 is the desktop workhorse with 12 threads and a 65W TDP, while the Ultra 5 226V is the mobile efficiency champion with 8 threads and a 17W TDP. Users with access to AM4 motherboards and DDR4 memory who need multi-core grunt should choose AMD. Those needing a low-power mobile solution with integrated graphics and PCIe Gen 5 should choose Intel.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 wins decisively with a score of 16,429 versus 9,848 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V, a 66.8% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any multi-threaded tests?

A: Yes, the Ultra 5 226V wins Geekbench multi-core with 8,598 versus 7,976 for AMD (7.2% ahead), despite having only 8 threads versus 12.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has a TDP of 65W, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V has a much lower TDP of just 17W.

Q: Which processor has better single-thread performance?

A: It depends on the benchmark. Intel wins PassMark single-thread (3,754 vs 3,058) and Cinebench R15 single-core (267 vs 233), but AMD wins Cinebench R23 single-core (2,319 vs 1,744) and R20 single-core (973 vs 900).

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Core Ultra 5 226V includes Arc 130V integrated graphics, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 averages 19,593, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V averages 19,368, a difference of only 1.1%.

Where Each One Wins

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 wins in: Cinebench R15/R20/R23 multi-core (10.3% to 66.8% ahead), Cinebench R20/R23 single-core (8.1% and 33% ahead), PassMark multi-thread (8.3% ahead), integer math (68.2% ahead), data compression (43.8% ahead), data encryption (16.8% ahead), extended instructions (17.1% ahead), and random string sorting (18.9% ahead). This makes it the clear choice for rendering, encryption, compression, and general productivity workloads that scale with thread count.

Intel Core Ultra 5 226V wins in: Geekbench multi-core (7.2% ahead), Geekbench single-core (10.4% ahead), Cinebench R15 single-core (12.7% ahead), PassMark single-thread (18.5% ahead), floating-point math (29.6% ahead), find prime numbers (66.3% ahead), and physics (38.2% ahead). Its strengths lie in floating-point computation, scientific workloads, and tasks that benefit from higher boost clocks and larger per-core L2 cache.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | Intel Core Ultra 5 226V |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.20 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65W | 17W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 3 nm |

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

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | Unknown (depends on motherboard) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not specified |

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

| Integrated Graphics | None | Arc 130V |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2022-04-03 | 2024-09-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $159 | Not specified |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |