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

The Verdict

The recorded benchmark data presents a decisive outcome in this comparison. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core 5 221TE, with zero wins for the Intel part. The average benchmark score for the AMD processor is 27,712, placing it at the 79th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Intel processor averages 17,860 and sits at the 71st percentile. The performance gap is substantial and consistent across every measured workload.

The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE is the clear choice for users prioritizing raw compute performance in any form. It delivers higher scores in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads, with advantages ranging from 17.7% in PassMark physics to 125.7% in PassMark single-thread testing. The Intel Core 5 221TE, despite having more cores and threads on paper, cannot overcome the architectural and clock speed advantages of the AMD part. The Intel processor's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (average score 17,891, a delta of -0.2%) and the Intel Core 5 120U (average score 17,898, a delta of -0.2%), confirming that the 221TE sits in a lower performance tier relative to the Ryzen 5 8500GE, whose nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X (average score 27,636, a delta of 0.3%) and the Intel Core i5-12600KF (average score 27,799, a delta of -0.3%).

For system builders constrained by power, the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE also holds an advantage, with a 35 W TDP compared to the Intel part's 45 W TDP. The AMD processor achieves higher performance while consuming less power according to the specification data. The Intel part does offer a launch MSRP of $232, while the AMD processor has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. However, the performance differential is so large that the Intel processor's lower price point does not compensate for the substantial deficit in every measured benchmark.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE uses the Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm process node fabricated by TSMC, with the codename Phoenix2. It belongs to the 8000 series and the Ryzen 5 generation specifically listed as Zen 4 (Phoenix). The die size is 137 mm², and the transistor count is 20,900 million.

The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and belongs to the Core 5 generation. It is fabricated on a 10 nm process node at Intel's own foundry, with a die size of 215 mm². The database does not record a transistor count for the Intel part. The larger die size combined with the older process node suggests a less dense design, which aligns with the Intel processor's lower performance per unit area.

Cache configurations differ significantly between the two. The AMD processor provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has a larger cache hierarchy, yet the benchmark results show that this does not translate into performance advantages.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD processor supports DDR5 memory exclusively with a dual-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also with a dual-channel bus, but its memory bandwidth is recorded at 76.8 GB/s. Both processors support ECC memory. The PCIe capabilities differ as well: the AMD part offers Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel processor has a newer PCIe generation and more lanes, but this does not appear in the compute benchmark results.

The integrated graphics units also differ. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE uses the Radeon 740M, while the Intel Core 5 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730. The market segments are different as well: the AMD processor is classified as Mobile, while the Intel processor is classified as Desktop. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, and its part number is 100-000001495. The Intel processor has a locked multiplier, and its part number is SRVQS.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a remarkably consistent advantage for the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE across all versions. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD scores 1,808 against the Intel's 1,139, a delta of 58.7%. The single-core R15 result is 255 versus 160, a delta of 59.4%. Cinebench R20 multicore shows 7,534 against 4,748 (58.7% delta), and single-core shows 1,063 against 670 (58.7% delta). Cinebench R23 multicore continues the pattern with 17,940 against 11,305 (58.7% delta), and single-core with 2,532 against 1,596 (58.6% delta). The consistency of these deltas, all hovering near 58-59%, indicates a uniform performance advantage that scales across the entire workload range.

The PassMark suite reveals where the AMD processor's strengths are most pronounced. The largest single advantage appears in PassMark single-thread testing, where the AMD scores 3,914 against the Intel's 1,734, a delta of 125.7%. This is a massive margin, more than doubling the Intel's single-thread performance. PassMark extended instructions shows an 86% delta (17,962 against 9,655), and PassMark random string sorting shows a 74.3% delta (29,501 against 16,929).

More moderate advantages appear in other PassMark tests. PassMark floating point math shows the AMD at 39,065 against 31,661, a 23.4% delta. PassMark physics shows 1,150 against 977, a 17.7% delta, which is the smallest margin recorded in the entire comparison. PassMark find prime numbers shows 79 against 59, a 33.9% delta. PassMark data compression shows 246,397 against 156,682 (57.3% delta), and PassMark data encryption shows 14,197 against 8,963 (58.4% delta). PassMark integer math shows 62,666 against 42,303 (48.1% delta), and PassMark multithread shows 21,135 against 13,301 (58.9% delta).

The data indicates that the AMD processor's advantage is not limited to one type of workload. It wins in integer math, floating point math, encryption, compression, sorting, prime number finding, and all Cinebench render tests. The Intel processor fails to claim a single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. The Intel part has more compute resources on paper, but the AMD part still wins all benchmarks. Base clocks differ substantially: the AMD runs at 3.40 GHz, while the Intel runs at 1.80 GHz. Both processors boost to 5.00 GHz. The TDP differs, with the AMD at 35 W and the Intel at 45 W. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel processor uses Intel Socket 1700. The process nodes are 4 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel. The foundries are TSMC for AMD and Intel for the Intel part. The release dates differ, with the AMD released on 2024-04-15 and the Intel on 2025-01-12. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $232, while the AMD has no recorded launch MSRP. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel processor does not. The die size is 137 mm² for AMD and 215 mm² for Intel. The AMD processor uses DDR5 memory only, while the Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is 83.2 GB/s for AMD and 76.8 GB/s for Intel. PCIe generations are Gen 4 with 14 lanes for AMD and Gen 5 with 16 lanes for Intel. The integrated graphics are Radeon 740M for AMD and UHD Graphics 730 for Intel. The market segments are Mobile for AMD and Desktop for Intel.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE has an average benchmark score of 27,712, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has an average score of 17,860. The AMD processor sits at the 79th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel processor sits at the 71st percentile.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD processor wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks.

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

A: The largest gap appears in PassMark single-thread testing, where the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE scores 3,914 versus the Intel Core 5 221TE's 1,734, a delta of 125.7%. The AMD processor more than doubles the Intel part's single-thread score.

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

A: The smallest gap appears in PassMark physics, where the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE scores 1,150 versus the Intel Core 5 221TE's 977, a delta of 17.7%. This remains a clear win for the AMD processor.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE and the Intel Core 5 221TE support ECC memory. The AMD processor supports DDR5 memory only, while the Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8500GE has a TDP of 35 W, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has a TDP of 45 W. The AMD processor delivers higher benchmark scores while operating at a lower TDP.