AMD Ryzen 5 7400 vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

# AMD Ryzen 5 7400 vs Intel Core 5 330

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 and Intel Core 5 330 occupy different corners of the hardware landscape, with the former built for desktop systems on AMD Socket AM5 and the latter designed as a mobile processor on Intel BGA 1516. The recorded benchmark data shows a split decision: the AMD part wins 6 of 11 head-to-head tests, while the Intel part takes 5. However, the nature of those wins reveals distinct strengths that matter more than the raw win count.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 dominates in throughput-oriented tasks that leverage its 12 threads. Its largest victories come in integer math, where it scores 64,733 against the Intel's 33,258, a 94.6% advantage. Data compression shows a similar pattern: 261,749 versus 145,287, an 80.2% lead. Random string sorting follows with 31,110 against 17,771, a 75.1% gap. Extended instructions go to AMD at 19,924 versus 12,808, a 55.6% margin, and data encryption lands at 14,865 versus 11,076, a 34.2% edge. The multithread score of 21,712 versus 15,471, a 40.3% advantage, confirms that the Ryzen 5 7400 is the choice for parallel workloads.

The Intel Core 5 330 counters with single-thread and specialized math wins. Its single-thread score of 4,088 beats the AMD's 3,248 by 20.5%. Prime number finding goes to Intel with 114 versus 79, a 30.7% advantage. Floating-point math favors Intel at 43,885 versus 40,784, a 7.1% margin, and the physics test shows Intel ahead with 1,201 versus 1,150, a 4.2% edge. These results indicate that the Intel Core 5 330 excels in latency-sensitive, scalar workloads despite having fewer threads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 uses the Zen 4 architecture with the Raphael codename, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC with 6,570 million transistors on a 71 mm² die. It features 6 cores and 12 threads, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support is dual-channel DDR5 with a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, and ECC memory is supported. The platform uses PCIe Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes, includes Radeon Graphics as integrated graphics, and has an unlocked multiplier.

The Intel Core 5 330 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process at Intel. It has 6 cores but only 6 threads, meaning no hyperthreading. Cache consists of 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. Memory support includes DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but the bus is single-channel with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, notably lower than the AMD part. ECC memory is not supported. The Intel processor uses PCIe Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes, integrates Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, and has a locked multiplier. The TDP difference is stark: 65 watts for the AMD versus 15 watts for the Intel, reflecting the mobile versus desktop positioning.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 scores 4,088 in the single-thread test, which is 20.5% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 7400's 3,248. The Intel processor also wins in prime number finding and floating-point math, indicating stronger scalar execution.

Q: How does multithreaded performance compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 leads with a multithread score of 21,712 versus 15,471 for the Intel Core 5 330, a 40.3% advantage. This gap is driven by the AMD part's 12 threads versus 6 threads on the Intel part.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth implications?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 uses dual-channel memory with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel Core 5 330 uses single-channel memory with 59.7 GB/s. The AMD part's higher bandwidth supports its lead in data-heavy tasks like compression and encryption.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 has an unlocked multiplier, allowing user overclocking. The Intel Core 5 330 has a locked multiplier, preventing such adjustments.

Q: Which processor has higher TDP?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 has a 65-watt TDP, while the Intel Core 5 330 has a 15-watt TDP. The lower TDP on the Intel part aligns with its mobile market segment.

Q: How do the integrated graphics differ?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 includes Radeon Graphics, while the Intel Core 5 330 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The benchmarks do not include graphics tests, so relative GPU performance is not measured.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 and Intel Core 5 330 differ across nearly every major specification. The AMD part has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel part has 6 cores and 6 threads. Base clocks are 3.30 GHz for AMD versus 1.50 GHz for Intel, but boost clocks are 4.30 GHz for AMD versus 4.60 GHz for Intel. TDP is 65 watts versus 15 watts. Sockets are AMD Socket AM5 versus Intel BGA 1516. Process nodes are 5 nm versus 3 nm, with foundries TSMC versus Intel. Cache layouts differ: L1 is 64 KB per core for AMD versus 192 KB total for Intel, L2 is 1 MB per core versus 2.5 MB total, and L3 is 16 MB shared versus 6 MB shared. Memory support is DDR5 dual-channel versus DDR5 and LPDDR5X single-channel. Memory bandwidth is 83.2 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s. ECC support is present on AMD, absent on Intel. PCIe is Gen 5 with 24 lanes versus Gen 4 with 6 lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics versus Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe. The multiplier is unlocked on AMD, locked on Intel. Release dates are 2025-09-15 for AMD and 2026-04-15 for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $309.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the entire comparison belongs to the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 in integer math, where its 64,733 score is 94.6% above the Intel Core 5 330's 33,258. This result reflects the AMD part's dual-thread advantage and larger shared cache. Data compression shows an 80.2% lead for AMD, with 261,749 versus 145,287, indicating strong throughput in archival and file-transfer scenarios. Random string sorting follows at 75.1% in favor of AMD, with 31,110 versus 17,771. Extended instructions show a 55.6% margin for AMD, at 19,924 versus 12,808, suggesting better support for SIMD workloads. Data encryption goes to AMD by 34.2%, with 14,865 versus 11,076.

The Intel Core 5 330 counters in the single-thread domain. Its single-thread score of 4,088 is 20.5% ahead of AMD's 3,248. Prime number finding yields a 30.7% win for Intel, with 114 versus 79, showing stronger integer division and branch handling. Floating-point math goes to Intel by 7.1%, with 43,885 versus 40,784. The physics test shows a slim 4.2% lead for Intel, with 1,201 versus 1,150. The Intel part's multithread score of 15,471 trails AMD's 21,712 by 40.3%, yet its per-thread efficiency is higher, as evidenced by its single-thread dominance.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear use-case split. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 is the processor for parallel, data-intensive workloads. Its 12 threads and dual-channel memory deliver substantial leads in compression, encryption, integer math, and multithreaded rendering. The benchmark results show a 40.3% multithread advantage and a 94.6% integer math advantage, making it the stronger choice for content creation, virtualization, and database workloads.

The Intel Core 5 330 is the processor for power-sensitive, scalar tasks. Its 15-watt TDP and 3 nm process enable mobile deployment, while its single-thread score of 4,088 and prime number result of 114 indicate strength in latency-critical applications. The single-channel memory and 6-thread limit cap its throughput, but the higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz and 20.5% single-thread lead make it suitable for responsive, single-app scenarios.

The percentile rankings reinforce this division: the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 sits at the 88th percentile among all CPUs, while the Intel Core 5 330 sits at the 72nd percentile. The average benchmark score of 42,055 for AMD versus 18,345 for Intel reflects the desktop part's broader capability. The Intel part's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-14100 and Core 3 305, while the AMD part rivals the Intel Core i9-12900K and Core i7-14700T, showing that the AMD processor competes in a higher performance tier. For users prioritizing raw throughput, the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 is the clear choice. For users prioritizing power efficiency and single-thread response, the Intel Core 5 330 is the data-backed alternative.