AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE and Intel Core 5 221E occupy different positions in the database. The Intel Core 5 221E holds the 87th percentile among all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE sits at the 79th percentile. The average benchmark score for the Intel part is 40144, compared to 27712 for the AMD part. Across all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, the Intel Core 5 221E wins every single test, with no wins recorded for the Ryzen 5 8500GE. The data indicates a clear performance hierarchy: the Intel Core 5 221E is the faster processor in every measured workload, though the Ryzen 5 8500GE operates at a significantly lower power target.

The Verdict

The Intel Core 5 221E is the outright performance winner in this comparison. Its average benchmark score of 40144 places it in the same performance class as the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, which scores 40081, a delta of 0.2%. The Ryzen 5 8500GE, with an average score of 27712, sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X at 27636, a delta of 0.3%, and the Intel Core i5-12600KF at 27799, a delta of -0.3%. The Intel Core 5 221E leads by approximately 45% in average benchmark score, which is consistent with its 14 cores and 20 threads versus the 6 cores and 12 threads of the AMD part.

The Ryzen 5 8500GE is configured for a 35 W TDP, while the Intel Core 5 221E has a 65 W TDP. The AMD chip uses a 4 nm TSMC process with a die size of 137 mm², while the Intel chip uses a 10 nm Intel process with a die size of 257 mm². The AMD part is classified as a mobile segment processor on Socket AM5, whereas the Intel part is a desktop segment processor on Socket 1700. Buyers requiring maximum compute density and lower power draw would select the Ryzen 5 8500GE, while those needing the highest multi-threaded throughput would choose the Intel Core 5 221E. The Intel part also supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, compared to PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes on the AMD part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E wins all multi-core benchmarks. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 25933 versus 17940 for the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE, a 30.8% advantage. In PassMark multithread, the Intel part scores 30510 versus 21135, a 30.7% advantage.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E leads in single-core performance as well. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 3661 for Intel versus 2532 for AMD, a 30.8% difference. PassMark single-thread scores are closer: 4147 versus 3914, a 5.6% gap.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE and the Intel Core 5 221E have ECC memory support enabled in the database.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

Q: What is the largest performance margin in any single test?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Intel Core 5 221E scores 173 versus 79 for the AMD part, a 54.3% advantage. PassMark floating point math also shows a large gap: 79028 versus 39065, a 50.6% difference.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE is built on the Zen 4 architecture with the Phoenix2 codename. It uses a 4 nm process node from TSMC, with 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process from Intel, with a die size of 257 mm². The Ryzen 5 8500GE belongs to the 8000 series, while the Intel part is in the Core 5 generation lineup.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The AMD processor has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. These differences favor the Intel chip in capacity at every level, which aligns with its larger physical die and higher core count.

Memory support also differs. The AMD part supports DDR5 only, while the Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The Intel part has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, compared to 83.2 GB/s for the AMD part. The AMD processor integrates a Radeon 740M GPU, while the Intel processor integrates UHD Graphics 730.

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE is an unlocked multiplier part, allowing overclocking, while the Intel Core 5 221E has a locked multiplier. The Intel part is designated as a desktop market segment processor, and the AMD part is designated as a mobile segment processor, even though both use different sockets: AM5 for AMD and Socket 1700 for Intel.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most significant specification gap. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE provides 6 cores and 12 threads, whereas the Intel Core 5 221E provides 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks differ: 3.40 GHz for AMD versus 2.70 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are closer, with 5.00 GHz for AMD and 5.20 GHz for Intel.

The TDP is 35 W for the AMD part and 65 W for the Intel part. The process nodes differ: 4 nm TSMC for AMD versus 10 nm Intel for the Intel part. Die size is 137 mm² for AMD versus 257 mm² for Intel. The AMD processor has 20,900 million transistors, while the Intel part has no transistor count recorded in the database.

Memory support is another differentiator. AMD supports DDR5 only, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is 83.2 GB/s for AMD versus 89.6 GB/s for Intel. PCIe support differs: AMD uses Gen 4 with 14 lanes, Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: Radeon 740M for AMD versus UHD Graphics 730 for Intel.

The Intel Core 5 221E has a recorded launch MSRP of $232. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE has no launch MSRP recorded. The Intel part is not multiplier unlocked, while the AMD part is. The AMD processor was released on 2024-04-15, and the Intel processor was released on 2025-01-12. Both are listed as active in production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 5 221E dominates every recorded benchmark. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel part scores 2613 versus 1808, a 30.8% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 368 versus 255, a 30.7% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core: 10891 versus 7534, a 30.8% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core: 1537 versus 1063, a 30.8% lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 25933 versus 17940, a 30.8% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core: 3661 versus 2532, a 30.8% lead.

The PassMark suite shows a similar pattern. PassMark multithread: 30510 versus 21135, a 30.7% lead for Intel. PassMark single-thread: 4147 versus 3914, a 5.6% lead. The single-thread margin is the smallest in the entire comparison, indicating that the AMD Zen 4 core is relatively competitive on a per-thread basis, but the Intel chip still wins.

The largest margins appear in compute-heavy workloads. PassMark find prime numbers: 173 versus 79, a 54.3% lead for Intel. PassMark floating point math: 79028 versus 39065, a 50.6% lead. PassMark physics: 2230 versus 1150, a 48.4% lead. PassMark integer math: 117813 versus 62666, a 46.8% lead. These tests show that the Intel Core 5 221E excels at raw arithmetic throughput, likely due to its higher core count and larger cache.

The smallest margins outside single-thread are in PassMark extended instructions: 18216 versus 17962, a 1.4% lead for Intel. PassMark random string sorting: 37686 versus 29501, a 21.7% lead. PassMark data compression: 324285 versus 246397, a 24% lead. PassMark data encryption: 19205 versus 14197, a 26.1% lead.

The Intel Core 5 221E sits at the 87th percentile with an average score of 40144. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 at 40081, a 0.2% delta, and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 at 40048, a 0.2% delta. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE, at the 79th percentile with an average score of 27712, has nearest rivals like the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X at 27636, a 0.3% delta, and the Intel Core i5-12600KF at 27799, a -0.3% delta. The database confirms that the Intel Core 5 221E performs at a higher tier entirely, with no benchmark where the AMD part closes the gap to a majority.