AMD Ryzen 5 8400F vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive sweep for the AMD Ryzen 5 8400F, winning all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core 5 221TE does not take a single test, and the margins are substantial across every workload category. The largest gap appears in PassMark extended instructions, where the AMD part scores 22,175 versus 9,655, a delta of 129.7%. That indicates a massive advantage in workloads using advanced instruction sets such as AVX-512 or similar extensions, which the database records as a broad category rather than a specific application test.

Single-thread performance tells a similar story. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen 5 8400F records 2,943 points against 1,596 for the Intel Core 5 221TE, a 84.4% lead. PassMark single-thread shows 3,685 versus 1,734, a 112.5% advantage. These are not minor differences; they suggest the AMD core architecture operates at a fundamentally higher efficiency level per clock, and the base clock difference of 4.20 GHz versus 1.80 GHz contributes directly to that outcome.

Multi-threaded results follow the same pattern. Cinebench R23 multi-core yields 20,851 for the AMD chip versus 11,305 for the Intel chip, a 84.4% delta. PassMark multithread shows 24,389 against 13,301, an 83.4% gap. Interestingly, the Intel part has 10 cores and 16 threads versus 6 cores and 12 threads for AMD, yet still loses badly in parallel workloads. The database indicates the AMD chip's higher clock speeds and more efficient Zen 4 architecture overcome the core-count deficit.

The smallest winning margin appears in PassMark physics, where the AMD part scores 1,332 versus 977, a 36.3% lead. Even that "small" gap remains substantial. Integer math shows a 75% advantage (74,021 versus 42,303), floating-point math a 46% lead (46,217 versus 31,661), and prime number finding a 50.8% edge (89 versus 59). Data compression and encryption tests show 83.9% and 85.7% leads respectively, while random string sorting comes in at 104.4% ahead.

The average benchmark score tells the broader story. The Ryzen 5 8400F averages 25,005 points across all tests, placing it in the 77th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core 5 221TE averages 17,860 points, good for the 71st percentile. The nearest rivals for the AMD part include the Ryzen 5 7500F at 24,964 (0.2% behind) and the Intel Core i7-13620H at 24,911 (0.4% behind), which shows the 8400F sits in a competitive cluster. The Intel 221TE's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17,891 (0.2% ahead) and the Intel Core 5 120U at 17,898 (0.2% ahead), placing it in a much older performance tier.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F uses the Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, codenamed Phoenix. It packs 6 cores and 12 threads with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The chip contains 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. Cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The TDP is rated at 65 watts, and the socket is AMD AM5.

The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm Intel process. It offers 10 cores and 16 threads with a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The die size measures 215 mm², though transistor count is not recorded in the database. Cache consists of 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. TDP is rated lower at 45 watts, and the socket is Intel LGA 1700.

The process node difference is significant: 4 nm versus 10 nm. That alone explains much of the efficiency gap, as the AMD part achieves far higher scores while consuming more power on paper (65 W versus 45 W). The Intel chip boosts to 5.00 GHz, which is 300 MHz higher than the AMD boost clock, yet the AMD part still wins single-thread tests by over 80%. This indicates the Zen 4 architecture delivers more instructions per clock at comparable or lower frequencies.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD chip supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel configuration and a recorded bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with a slightly lower recorded bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The AMD part has no integrated graphics, while the Intel part includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD chip supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Intel chip supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

ECC memory support also differs: the Intel part supports ECC, the AMD part does not. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, the Intel multiplier is locked. Release dates show the AMD part arriving earlier, with the Intel part following later.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F wins every single-thread test recorded. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2,943 versus 1,596, a 84.4% lead. PassMark single-thread shows 3,685 versus 1,734, a 112.5% lead.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 221TE's higher core count help it in multi-threaded workloads?

A: No. Despite having 10 cores and 16 threads versus 6 cores and 12 threads, the Intel chip loses all multi-threaded tests. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 11,305 for Intel versus 20,851 for AMD, an 84.4% delta in AMD's favor.

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

A: The largest recorded delta is 129.7% in PassMark extended instructions, where the AMD part scores 22,175 versus 9,655. PassMark random string sorting shows a 104.4% gap, and PassMark single-thread shows 112.5%.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F does not support ECC memory.

Q: What integrated graphics do these processors include?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F has no integrated graphics (N/A). The Intel Core 5 221TE includes UHD Graphics 730.

Q: How do these processors compare in average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F averages 25,005 points and sits in the 77th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 221TE averages 17,860 points and sits in the 71st percentile.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 8400F | Intel Core 5 221TE |

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

| Cores | 6 | 10 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 4.20 GHz | 1.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 178 mm² | 215 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 1 MB per core | 1.25 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB shared | 24 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes |

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

| Socket | AMD AM5 | Intel LGA 1700 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Transistors | 25,000 million | Not recorded |

| Launch MSRP | $170 | $232 |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F wins every recorded benchmark comparison. That includes all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, both single-core and multi-core. It also wins every PassMark test: data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating-point math, integer math, multithread, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread. The database records 17 wins for AMD and 0 wins for Intel.

The Intel Core 5 221TE's advantages are not in raw performance but in specific platform features. It supports ECC memory, which the AMD part does not, making it relevant for systems where error-correcting memory is a requirement. It includes integrated graphics, allowing basic display output without a discrete GPU. It also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which gives builders flexibility in choosing memory modules. The lower 45 W TDP suggests lower power draw under load, though the database does not record measured power consumption.

The Intel chip's PCIe Gen 5 support with 16 lanes provides newer interconnect technology on paper, though the AMD chip offers 20 Gen 4 lanes. For systems that need ECC, integrated graphics, or memory flexibility, the Intel part has functional advantages despite losing every performance test.

The Verdict

The recorded data leaves no ambiguity: the AMD Ryzen 5 8400F is the faster processor by a wide margin in every benchmark the database tracks. Its average score of 25,005 versus 17,860 places it in a different performance class, and its nearest rivals are modern chips like the Ryzen 5 7500F and Intel Core i7-13620H rather than older parts like the Ryzen 5 3600XT. The 84.4% to 129.7% deltas across the board indicate the Intel Core 5 221TE simply does not compete on performance terms.

The Intel part serves a niche. Its ECC support, integrated graphics, and DDR4 compatibility make it a candidate for specific workstation or embedded-style builds where those features matter more than raw throughput. The lower TDP of 45 W versus 65 W also suggests it fits into tighter thermal envelopes, though the performance cost is steep: it loses multi-threaded tests by over 80% despite having more cores and threads.

Buyers who need maximum compute performance should select the AMD Ryzen 5 8400F. Buyers who require ECC memory or integrated graphics on an LGA 1700 platform have a functional reason to choose the Intel Core 5 221TE, but they should expect significantly lower benchmark results. The data does not support the Intel chip for performance-oriented workloads. The AMD part also launches at a lower MSRP, though pricing considerations are secondary to the performance gap shown here.