AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D vs Intel Core 5 220H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear but nuanced picture. The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D takes 9 of the 11 shared benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core 5 220H claims 2. The margins, however, tell a more interesting story than the raw win count.

The largest single victory for AMD comes in the passmark_find_prime_numbers test. The Ryzen 5 7500X3D scores 221 against Intel's 82, a massive 169.5% advantage. This is not a small edge; it is a dominant performance gap in a workload that stresses integer arithmetic and memory latency. The physics test shows a similar pattern, with AMD leading 2779 to 1478, an 88% delta. These two results suggest the 3D V-Cache design provides a substantial boost in latency-sensitive, core-scaled tasks.

The AMD processor also wins the extended instructions benchmark by 39.7%, scoring 20455 versus 14642. This indicates a meaningful advantage in workloads that leverage advanced SIMD and specialized instruction sets. Random string sorting goes to AMD by 16%, with scores of 32999 and 28438 respectively. Multithread performance favors AMD at 14.5%, showing 25047 against 21884. Data compression is closer, with AMD ahead by 9.6% (271649 vs 247921). Even single-thread performance, often considered a stronghold for high-boost Intel parts, goes to AMD, albeit narrowly: 3494 versus 3405, a 2.6% margin. Data encryption also favors AMD, but only by 3.8% (15797 vs 15216).

The Intel Core 5 220H takes its two wins in floating-point math and integer math. The floating-point result is decisive: Intel scores 51671 against AMD's 43594, a 15.6% advantage for Intel. This is the largest Intel win in the entire comparison. The integer math win is smaller, at 73555 versus 70774, a 3.8% edge for Intel. These results indicate that Intel's hybrid architecture, with its mix of performance and efficiency cores, handles raw math throughput well, even if it loses in more complex, cache-heavy scenarios.

Looking at the broader benchmark averages, the two processors sit in different performance tiers. The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D has an average benchmark score of 44573, placing it at the 89th percentile among all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H (44466, 0.2% delta), the Intel Core i9-13950HX (44342, 0.5% delta), and the AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 (44309, 0.6% delta). The Intel Core 5 220H, by contrast, averages 28574, sitting at the 80th percentile. Its nearest rivals are the AMD EPYC 7203P (28583, 0% delta), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS (28549, 0.1% delta), and the Intel Xeon E-2436 (28530, 0.2% delta). The gap between the two processors is substantial: the AMD part delivers roughly 56% higher average scores across the database's benchmark suite.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D is the stronger processor for most compute-heavy tasks. Its wins in multithread, physics, extended instructions, and prime number finding show a consistent edge in workloads that benefit from large cache and efficient core scaling. The 88% physics advantage and 169.5% prime number lead are not incremental improvements; they represent a different performance class in those specific operations. For users running simulation, cryptography, compression, or complex instruction workloads, the AMD part is the clear choice based on recorded measurements.

The Intel Core 5 220H, however, is not without its merits. Its 15.6% lead in floating-point math suggests it handles certain scientific and numerical workloads better. The integer math win, while modest at 3.8%, still demonstrates competitive raw throughput. The Intel part also uses less power on paper, with a 45 TDP versus AMD's 65, and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, offering more flexibility in system configuration. The Intel processor is a mobile part on an Intel BGA 1744 socket, while the AMD is a desktop part on AMD Socket AM5. This fundamental difference in target platform means the comparison is not purely about performance; it is also about where each chip can be deployed.

For desktop users building a system with an AM5 motherboard, the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D is the superior performer in almost every measured category. For mobile users or those needing a BGA-based solution, the Intel Core 5 220H offers competitive floating-point performance and a lower power envelope, but it lags significantly in multithread and cache-sensitive workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D dominates in scenarios involving large data sets, complex instruction execution, and heavy multithreading. Its 96 MB of shared L3 cache likely explains its strong showing in data compression (9.6% lead), random string sorting (16% lead), and prime number finding (169.5% lead). Physics simulation, which often requires rapid access to large state data, also favors AMD overwhelmingly at 88%. The extended instructions win of 39.7% suggests AMD is better equipped for AVX-style workloads and other specialized compute tasks. The multithread score of 25047 versus 21884 confirms AMD's advantage in heavily parallel applications, despite having only 6 cores and 12 threads compared to Intel's 12 cores and 16 threads. This is a strong indication that the 3D V-Cache technology compensates for the core count disadvantage.

The Intel Core 5 220H wins in floating-point math and integer math. The floating-point result, 51671 versus 43594, is a substantial 15.6% margin. This suggests Intel's architecture handles raw FPU throughput more efficiently, possibly due to its higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz compared to AMD's 4.50 GHz. The integer math win, while smaller at 3.8%, still indicates that Intel can hold its own in basic arithmetic throughput. For workloads that are primarily math-bound and do not rely heavily on cache residency, the Intel part may be the better choice. The Intel chip also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which could be an advantage in mixed-use systems where memory type flexibility matters.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multithread benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D scores 25047 in passmark_multithread, while the Intel Core 5 220H scores 21884. AMD leads by 14.5%.

Q: Is the Intel Core 5 220H better at any benchmark?

A: Yes. The Intel part wins passmark_floating_point_math with 51671 versus AMD's 43594, a 15.6% advantage. It also wins passmark_integer_math with 73555 versus 70774, a 3.8% margin.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where AMD scores 221 and Intel scores 82. This is a 169.5% difference in AMD's favor.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D has an average benchmark score of 44573, placing it at the 89th percentile. The Intel Core 5 220H averages 28574, placing it at the 80th percentile.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 5 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 220H does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D is built on a 5 nm process by TSMC, using the Zen 4 architecture with the Raphael codename. It belongs to the 7000 series and the Ryzen 5 generation. The chip contains 11,270 million transistors on a 71 mm² die. Its most distinctive feature is the 96 MB shared L3 cache, which is enabled by 3D V-Cache technology. This large cache is almost certainly the reason for its dominance in cache-sensitive benchmarks like prime number finding and physics simulation. The AMD part uses DDR5 memory exclusively, with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. It supports ECC memory, which is a notable feature for workstation or server-adjacent use cases. The integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics. It uses AMD Socket AM5 and is classified as a desktop part.

The Intel Core 5 220H is built on a 10 nm process by Intel, using the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-H codename. It is part of the Core 5 generation, specifically Raptor Lake Refresh. The chip features a smaller 18 MB shared L3 cache, which is a significant difference from AMD's 96 MB. The L1 cache is 80 KB per core, and L2 is 2 MB per core, both larger than AMD's per-core allocations of 64 KB and 1 MB respectively. This suggests Intel relies more on per-core cache rather than a large shared pool. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, offering more memory type flexibility. It does not support ECC memory. The integrated graphics are Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. It uses Intel BGA 1744 and is classified as a mobile part.

The process node difference is stark: AMD uses 5 nm TSMC, while Intel uses 10 nm. This likely contributes to the transistor density and power characteristics, though the Intel part has a lower TDP of 45 watts versus AMD's 65 watts. The Intel chip has a higher boost clock at 4.90 GHz versus AMD's 4.50 GHz, but a lower base clock at 2.70 GHz versus AMD's 4.00 GHz. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 5 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads. AMD's base clock is 4.00 GHz, and its boost clock is 4.50 GHz. Intel's base clock is 2.70 GHz, and its boost clock is 4.90 GHz. The TDP differs: AMD is rated at 65 watts, Intel at 45 watts. The sockets are different: AMD uses AMD Socket AM5, while Intel uses Intel BGA 1744. The process nodes differ: AMD uses 5 nm from TSMC, while Intel uses 10 nm from Intel's own foundry. The transistor count is listed only for AMD at 11,270 million; no transistor count is recorded for Intel. Similarly, die size is 71 mm² for AMD, while no die size is recorded for Intel.

Cache configurations differ significantly. AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 96 MB shared L3. Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: AMD supports only DDR5, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is recorded for AMD at 83.2 GB/s; no bandwidth figure is recorded for Intel. ECC memory support is true for AMD and false for Intel. PCIe lanes differ: AMD has Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while Intel has Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: AMD uses Radeon Graphics, while Intel uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The market segment differs: AMD is Desktop, Intel is Mobile. Release dates differ: AMD was released on 2025-11-11, while Intel was released on 2024-12-17. The launch MSRP for AMD is $269, and for Intel it is $342.