AMD Ryzen 5 7400F vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E leads with an average benchmark score of 40144, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F scores 32750. The Intel chip also sits at the 87th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the AMD chip's 83rd percentile.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E scores 25933 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 16.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F's score of 21765.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the AMD processor wins?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F wins two of the 17 head-to-head tests. It leads by 19.4% in PassMark extended instructions (21747 vs 18216) and by 10.4% in PassMark find prime numbers (191 vs 173).

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor supports a broader range of memory types?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F supports DDR5 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F has no integrated graphics (N/A), while the Intel Core 5 221E includes UHD Graphics 730.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F is built on the Zen 4 architecture with the Raphael codename, part of the 7000 series. It uses a 5 nm process node manufactured by TSMC, with 6,570 million transistors on a 71 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename with a 10 nm process node from Intel's own foundry, and its die size is 257 mm².

The cache structures differ substantially. The AMD chip provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. Despite the AMD chip having a smaller L3 pool, its per-core L2 allocation is half that of the Intel chip.

Memory bandwidth favors Intel slightly: the Core 5 221E delivers 89.6 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s for the Ryzen 5 7400F. Both support ECC memory, but the Intel chip also accepts DDR4 in addition to DDR5. PCIe lane counts also differ: AMD provides Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

The Intel processor has a higher boost clock at 5.20 GHz versus 4.70 GHz, though its base clock is lower at 2.70 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel chip is locked. Both have a 65 W TDP. The Intel part includes UHD Graphics 730, whereas the AMD part has no iGPU.

The Verdict

The recorded benchmark data points to a clear overall winner: the Intel Core 5 221E wins 15 of 17 head-to-head comparisons. Its average benchmark score of 40144 places it among processors like the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (40081) and AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (40048), both within 0.2%. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F, with an average score of 32750, sits near the Intel Core i5-14600T (32707) and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850H (32812).

For users prioritizing multi-threaded workloads, the Intel chip is the stronger choice. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 25933 is 16.1% above the AMD chip's 21765. The PassMark multithread score of 30510 for Intel versus 25645 for AMD confirms the same pattern, a 15.9% gap.

For single-threaded tasks, Intel also leads. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3661 for Intel is 16.1% ahead of AMD's 3072. PassMark single thread scores show a similar margin: 4147 versus 3689, an 11% difference.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F retains two specific advantages: extended instruction performance and prime number finding. These are narrow but measurable wins. Users running workloads that exercise extended instruction sets may see a 19.4% benefit from the AMD part. The prime number test shows a 10.4% advantage.

The selection depends on the workload split. For general productivity, rendering, compression, encryption, and floating-point math, the Intel Core 5 221E delivers consistently higher scores. For specialized instruction-heavy or prime-number-focused tasks, the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F provides a measurable edge. The Intel chip also offers integrated graphics, which matters for systems without a discrete GPU.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 7400F | Intel Core 5 221E |

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

| Cores | 6 | 14 |

| Threads | 12 | 20 |

| Base clock | 3.70 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Raphael | Bartlett Lake |

| Process node | 5 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 6,570 million | Not specified |

| Die size | 71 mm² | 257 mm² |

| L1 cache | 64 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 2 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 32 MB shared | 24 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 24 lanes | Gen 5, 16 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | N/A | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Launch MSRP | $229 | $232 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 221E dominates the Cinebench suite. Across all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23, each in single-core and multi-core), Intel wins with a consistent delta of approximately 16%. The R15 multi-core score is 2613 versus 2193, a 16.1% margin. The R15 single-core score is 368 versus 309, a 16% margin. The R20 multi-core result is 10891 versus 9141, again 16.1%. The R20 single-core result is 1537 versus 1290, also 16.1%. The R23 multi-core score of 25933 versus 21765 and the R23 single-core score of 3661 versus 3072 both show the same 16.1% gap.

The PassMark suite shows a broader spread of results. In floating-point math, Intel wins by a wide 42% margin: 79028 versus 45799. Integer math follows with a 36.6% lead for Intel: 117813 versus 74745. The physics test gives Intel a 25.6% advantage: 2230 versus 1660. Data encryption shows Intel ahead by 13%: 19205 versus 16712. Data compression gives Intel a 10.6% win: 324285 versus 289999. The multithread test shows a 15.9% lead for Intel: 30510 versus 25645. Random string sorting is closer, with Intel ahead by 6.9%: 37686 versus 35096. The single-thread test, reported twice in the data, gives Intel an 11% margin: 4147 versus 3689.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F claims two wins. The extended instructions test shows AMD ahead by 19.4%: 21747 versus 18216. The find prime numbers test gives AMD a 10.4% lead: 191 versus 173.

The overall win tally is 15 for Intel and 2 for AMD. The Intel chip's average score of 40144 is 22.6% higher than the AMD chip's 32750. The Intel chip also ranks higher in the percentile distribution, at 87 versus 83.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E wins across rendering, math, and general productivity workloads. The Cinebench results indicate a strong lead in both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering tasks, with a uniform 16% advantage. The floating-point math result (42% ahead) and integer math result (36.6% ahead) show that the Intel chip handles arithmetic-heavy workloads substantially better. The physics test (25.6% ahead) reinforces this pattern for simulation-style tasks. Data compression and encryption both favor Intel, with 10.6% and 13% margins respectively. The multithread test (15.9% ahead) confirms that the higher core count translates into real throughput gains.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F wins in two narrower areas. Extended instruction performance is 19.4% better, which may benefit workloads that use advanced CPU instruction sets. The prime number finding test shows a 10.4% advantage, indicating faster performance on certain algorithmic integer operations. These two wins are isolated from the broader benchmark pattern, but they are consistent and reproducible in the recorded data.

For systems requiring integrated graphics, the Intel Core 5 221E is the only option of the two, since the AMD part has no iGPU. For users with a discrete graphics card, this difference becomes irrelevant. The Intel chip also offers DDR4 compatibility, which may ease upgrades for existing platforms. The AMD chip's smaller die size and lower transistor count suggest a more power-efficient design per unit of silicon, though both processors carry the same 65 W TDP in the specifications.

The data does not support a scenario where the AMD chip wins on overall performance. Its two benchmark victories are specific and limited. The Intel chip wins every Cinebench test and 13 of the 15 PassMark tests. The average benchmark score difference, 40144 versus 32750, is decisive. The selection between these two processors should be driven by the specific workload mix, with Intel leading for most tasks and AMD retaining a niche for extended instruction and prime number workloads.