AMD Ryzen 5 7400 vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 and Intel Core 5 221E occupy similar performance tiers but achieve their positions through very different designs. The AMD part is a 6-core, 12-thread Zen 4 desktop processor with a 65 W TDP, while the Intel part is a 14-core, 20-thread Bartlett Lake desktop chip, also at 65 W. The database records a 10-to-1 win split in favor of the Intel Core 5 221E across the shared PassMark tests, with the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 taking only the extended instructions workload. The average benchmark scores are close, 42055 for the AMD part against 40144 for the Intel part, but that aggregate hides a lopsided set of individual results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 221E dominates most of the recorded workloads. In integer math, it scores 117813 against 64733 for the AMD Ryzen 5 7400, a 45.1% advantage. Floating point math shows a similar gap: 79028 versus 40784, a 48.4% lead. The physics test follows the same pattern, with Intel at 2230 and AMD at 1150, also a 48.4% difference. Prime number generation is the largest proportional win for Intel, at 173 versus 79, a 54.3% margin. Multithreaded performance favors Intel by 28.8%, with scores of 30510 and 21712 respectively.

The Intel part also wins the memory-related workloads. Data compression shows Intel at 324285 against 261749, a 19.3% advantage. Data encryption goes to Intel at 19205 versus 14865, a 22.6% lead. Random string sorting is closer, with Intel at 37686 against 31110, a 17.4% margin. Even single-thread performance, where the AMD chip might be expected to compete given its higher base clock, favors Intel: 4147 versus 3248, a 21.7% difference in both recorded single-thread tests.

The single AMD win comes in extended instructions. The Ryzen 5 7400 scores 19924 against 18216 for the Intel Core 5 221E, a 9.4% advantage. This is the only test in the head-to-head set where the AMD part leads. The magnitude of that win is modest compared to the Intel leads elsewhere, which range from 17.4% to 54.3%. In the broader benchmark set, the AMD part records additional PassMark scores that are not part of the head-to-head comparison, including a data compression score of 261749 and a multithread score of 21712, which match the head-to-head entries.

The average benchmark scores place both parts within a small range of their nearest rivals. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 sits at 42055, which is 0.2% above the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS, 0.3% above the Intel Core i7-14700T, 0.7% above the Intel Core i7-12850HX, and 0.7% below the Intel Core i9-12900K. The Intel Core 5 221E averages 40144, landing 0.2% above the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, 0.2% above the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, 0.3% below the AMD Ryzen 9 270, and 0.4% below the Intel Core i9-13905H. Both processors sit near the 87th and 88th percentiles of all CPUs in the database, with the AMD part at 88 and the Intel part at 87.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different process nodes and foundries. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 uses TSMC's 5 nm process and packs 6,570 million transistors into a 71 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 221E uses Intel's 10 nm process and has a 257 mm² die; the database records no transistor count for the Intel part. The AMD architecture is Zen 4 with the Raphael codename, while the Intel part uses the Bartlett Lake codename with no architecture field recorded.

Core and cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD part has 6 cores and 12 threads, with 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The Intel part has 14 cores and 20 threads, with 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The Intel chip has more than double the cores, and its L3 cache is 50% larger. Clock speeds also differ: the AMD chip runs at a 3.30 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost, while the Intel chip runs at a 2.70 GHz base and 5.20 GHz boost. Despite the lower base clock, the Intel part reaches a significantly higher boost.

Memory support diverges. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel memory and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory. PCIe lanes differ: the AMD part provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ, with AMD using Radeon Graphics and Intel using UHD Graphics 730.

The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM5; the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700. Both are active production parts and target the desktop segment. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $232; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core 5 221E is the stronger performer in the majority of recorded workloads. Its wins span integer math, floating point math, physics, prime numbers, multithreaded tasks, data compression, encryption, random string sorting, and single-thread tests. The margins are large in several cases, with prime numbers, floating point math, and physics all showing leads near or above 48%. For workloads that rely on raw compute throughput, memory bandwidth, or single-thread speed, the Intel part is the clear choice based on the recorded scores.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 wins only in extended instructions, with a 9.4% lead. That specific workload may favor the Zen 4 architecture or its 5 nm process, but the database shows no other AMD advantage. The AMD part also sits at a slightly higher percentile versus all CPUs, 88 compared to 87, and has a higher average benchmark score, 42055 versus 40144. Those aggregate figures reflect the AMD part's strong showing in tests not included in the head-to-head set, but the direct comparisons favor Intel.

For buyers prioritizing the specific PassMark workloads in the head-to-head table, the Intel Core 5 221E is the better option. For those who value the unlocked multiplier, the smaller die, or the higher percentile ranking, the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 has its place. The Intel part offers more cores, more threads, a larger L3 cache, and a higher boost clock, all of which align with its benchmark dominance. The AMD part offers a lower base clock but a smaller process node and higher transistor density.

Specification Differences

• Cores: 6 (AMD) versus 14 (Intel)
• Threads: 12 (AMD) versus 20 (Intel)
• Base clock: 3.30 GHz (AMD) versus 2.70 GHz (Intel)
• Boost clock: 4.30 GHz (AMD) versus 5.20 GHz (Intel)
• Process node: 5 nm (AMD) versus 10 nm (Intel)
• Foundry: TSMC (AMD) versus Intel (Intel)
• Transistors: 6,570 million (AMD) versus not recorded (Intel)
• Die size: 71 mm² (AMD) versus 257 mm² (Intel)
• L1 cache: 64 KB per core (AMD) versus 80 KB per core (Intel)
• L2 cache: 1 MB per core (AMD) versus 2 MB per core (Intel)
• L3 cache: 16 MB shared (AMD) versus 24 MB shared (Intel)
• Memory support: DDR5 (AMD) versus DDR4 and DDR5 (Intel)
• Memory bandwidth: 83.2 GB/s (AMD) versus 89.6 GB/s (Intel)
• PCIe lanes: Gen 5, 24 lanes (AMD) versus Gen 5, 16 lanes (Intel)
• Integrated graphics: Radeon Graphics (AMD) versus UHD Graphics 730 (Intel)
• Socket: AMD Socket AM5 (AMD) versus Intel Socket 1700 (Intel)
• Multiplier: Unlocked (AMD) versus Locked (Intel)
• Codename: Raphael (AMD) versus Bartlett Lake (Intel)
• Release date: 2025-09-15 (AMD) versus 2025-01-12 (Intel)
• Launch MSRP: not recorded (AMD) versus $232 (Intel)

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 has 6 cores.

Q: What is the single-thread score difference?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E scores 4147, and the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 scores 3248, giving Intel a 21.7% lead.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any head-to-head test?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 wins the extended instructions test with 19924 against 18216, a 9.4% advantage.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 supports DDR5 only. The Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, compared to 4.30 GHz for the AMD Ryzen 5 7400.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: Yes, both are listed as Active production status and target the desktop market segment.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E wins in every direct benchmark category except extended instructions. Its largest margins are in prime number generation (54.3% ahead), floating point math (48.4% ahead), and physics (48.4% ahead). Integer math also shows a 45.1% lead. These results point to workloads involving heavy arithmetic, scientific computation, or physics simulation as clear Intel territory. The multithread score of 30510 versus 21712 suggests that multi-threaded productivity tasks, such as rendering or compilation, also favor the Intel part. Data compression and encryption, both memory-intensive, go to Intel by roughly 19% and 23% respectively.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 wins only in extended instructions, with a 9.4% margin. This test may reflect specific instruction set efficiencies in the Zen 4 architecture. The AMD part also has a higher average benchmark score, 42055 versus 40144, and a higher percentile rank, 88 versus 87. Its 5 nm process and 71 mm² die indicate a more compact design, and its unlocked multiplier allows manual tuning. The lower base clock of 3.30 GHz is offset by a higher core count in the Intel part, but the AMD chip's higher percentile suggests it performs well across the broader database benchmark suite beyond the head-to-head tests.

For users running extended instruction workloads or seeking an unlocked multiplier, the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 fits. For all other recorded PassMark tests, the Intel Core 5 221E delivers higher scores, often by substantial margins. The Intel part's 14 cores, 20 threads, 24 MB L3 cache, and 5.20 GHz boost clock align with its benchmark performance. The AMD part's strengths lie in its process efficiency, percentile ranking, and single extended instructions win.