AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT and Intel Core 5 221E represent fundamentally different design approaches. The AMD part uses the Zen 3 architecture on TSMC's 7 nm process, built on the Cezanne codename with 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. It packs 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. Cache allocation includes 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3.

The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename on Intel's 10 nm process, with a die size of 257 mm². It delivers 14 cores and 20 threads, running at a 2.70 GHz base clock and boosting up to 5.20 GHz. Its cache hierarchy is notably different: 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. Both processors carry a 65 W TDP, but the similarity ends there.

Memory support diverges sharply. The AMD chip is limited to DDR4 with dual-channel access and a maximum bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but with a substantially higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The AMD processor does not support ECC memory; the Intel chip does. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

Integrated graphics are present on both. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT uses Radeon Vega 7, while the Intel Core 5 221E uses UHD Graphics 730. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel part is locked. Socket compatibility also separates them: AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel Socket 1700. The AMD processor launched in January 2024, while the Intel chip arrived in January 2025.

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers a clear verdict: the Intel Core 5 221E wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database, 17 wins to 0 for the AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT. The average benchmark score reflects this dominance: the Intel part scores 40,144 against the AMD's 20,733, nearly double. The Intel chip sits at the 87th percentile among all CPUs, while the AMD part ranks at the 74th percentile.

The scale of the Intel advantage is consistent across workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 25,933 versus 17,272 for AMD, a 33.4% gap. Single-core performance shows the same pattern: Cinebench R23 single-core delivers 3,661 for Intel against 2,438 for AMD. The Intel part's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, and Intel Core i9-13905H, all within 0.4% of its average score. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT, meanwhile, sits closest to the Intel Core i5-12490F, Intel Xeon 6325P, and Intel Core Ultra 5 125U, all within 0.5%.

For users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput, the Intel Core 5 221E is the only rational choice from this data. Its 14 cores and 20 threads deliver roughly 50% more multi-thread performance in PassMark (30,510 versus 20,325) and a 33.4% advantage in Cinebench R20 multi-core. The AMD part does offer value through its unlocked multiplier and integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics, but the performance gap is too large to overcome in any measured workload.

The data shows no scenario where the AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT outperforms the Intel Core 5 221E. The Intel chip leads in every category: single-thread, multi-thread, integer math, floating point, encryption, compression, and physics. The only benchmark where the two approach parity is PassMark extended instructions, where Intel leads by just 1% (18,216 versus 18,041).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core workloads?

The Intel chip leads by 33.4% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. In PassMark multi-thread, the Intel part scores 30,510 versus 20,325 for AMD, a 33.4% gap.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory?

The Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT supports only DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

The Intel Core 5 221E supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT does not.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

The Intel Core 5 221E boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT boosts to 4.60 GHz.

Q: How do their single-thread scores compare?

In PassMark single-thread, the Intel chip scores 4,147 versus 3,348 for AMD, a 19.3% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel leads 3,661 to 2,438, a 33.4% gap.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT | Intel Core 5 221E |

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

| Cores | 6 | 14 |

| Threads | 12 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Not specified |

| Codename | Cezanne | Bartlett Lake |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 10,700 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 180 mm² | 257 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 7 | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $140 | $232 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 221E dominates every recorded benchmark. The most lopsided result is PassMark find prime numbers, where Intel scores 173 against AMD's 57, a 67.1% advantage. PassMark physics shows a similar gap: 2,230 versus 875, a 60.8% difference. These two tests highlight the Intel chip's substantial advantage in integer-heavy and physics simulation workloads.

In floating-point math, the Intel part scores 79,028 against 39,817 for AMD, a 49.6% lead. Integer math follows with 117,813 versus 69,566, a 41% gap. Data compression shows Intel ahead at 324,285 versus 258,882, a 20.2% difference. Data encryption delivers 19,205 versus 15,873, a 17.3% edge for Intel.

The Cinebench suite shows consistent 33.4% Intel advantages across all versions and thread counts. Cinebench R15 multi-core: 2,613 versus 1,740. Cinebench R20 multi-core: 10,891 versus 7,254. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 25,933 versus 17,272. Single-core results mirror this: R15 at 368 versus 245, R20 at 1,537 versus 1,023, and R23 at 3,661 versus 2,438.

PassMark multi-thread confirms the pattern: 30,510 versus 20,325, a 33.4% gap. Random string sorting shows Intel ahead 37,686 to 26,188, a 30.5% difference. The closest contest in the entire head-to-head set is PassMark extended instructions, where Intel leads by only 1% (18,216 versus 18,041). Single-thread PassMark results give Intel a 19.3% edge at 4,147 versus 3,348.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E wins in every measured category, so the use-case split is defined by the degree of its advantage rather than by any AMD victory. The largest margins come in prime number finding, physics, floating-point math, and integer math, where Intel leads by 40% to 67%. These workloads benefit directly from the Intel chip's 14 cores, 20 threads, and higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz.

For productivity tasks like data compression and encryption, the Intel part holds a smaller but still decisive edge of 17% to 20%. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT trails by roughly one-third in multi-threaded rendering workloads, as shown by the Cinebench results. The Intel chip's 24 MB L3 cache and higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s contribute to its consistent lead.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT does have one measurable advantage: its launch MSRP of $140 sits well below the Intel's $232. It also offers an unlocked multiplier, which the Intel part lacks, and its Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics may differ in capability from the UHD Graphics 730. However, the database contains no benchmark where the AMD chip wins, so any potential overclocking headroom is not reflected in the recorded scores.

For users whose primary metric is raw performance, the Intel Core 5 221E is the clear selection. The data shows its average benchmark score of 40,144 places it near the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, a strong mainstream desktop processor. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600GT, with its average score of 20,733, competes with the Intel Core i5-12490F and Intel Core Ultra 5 125U, both of which are lower-tier parts. The percentile rankings confirm the hierarchy: 87th for Intel versus 74th for AMD.

The only workloads where a user might consider the AMD chip are those that benefit from its unlocked multiplier or its lower platform cost, but the measured benchmarks provide no performance justification. Every single test, from single-threaded Cinebench to multi-threaded PassMark, favors the Intel Core 5 221E by at least 1% and often by 30% or more.