AMD Ryzen 5 9600X vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X records an average benchmark score of 29713, while the Intel Core 5 221TE records 17860. The AMD part also holds an 81st percentile ranking among all CPUs, compared to the Intel part's 71st percentile.

Q: How do the two processors compare in core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite the Intel part's higher core count, the AMD processor wins every head-to-head benchmark in the database.

Q: What are the boost clock differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 221TE boosts to 5.00 GHz. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 3.90 GHz versus 1.80 GHz for the Intel part.

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

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses and support ECC memory.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X has a TDP of 65 watts, and the Intel Core 5 221TE has a TDP of 45 watts. The Intel part draws less power by specification, though the AMD part delivers substantially higher performance in the recorded benchmarks.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X has 32 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has a larger L2 cache per core at 1.25 MB versus 1 MB per core for the AMD part.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head benchmark table shows a completely one-sided result: the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X wins all 15 recorded comparisons, and the Intel Core 5 221TE wins none. The database records zero wins for the Intel part across every tested workload category.

Single-thread performance is where the AMD part is most dominant. In PassMark single-thread testing, the Ryzen 5 9600X scores 4570 against 1734 for the Intel Core 5 221TE, a 163.6% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core follows the same pattern, with the AMD part scoring 2183.5 versus 1596, a 36.8% lead. This makes the AMD processor the clear choice for lightly threaded applications that depend on one or two cores.

Multi-threaded workloads also favor the AMD part heavily. The Ryzen 5 9600X scores 30027 in PassMark multithread testing versus 13301 for the Intel part, a 125.7% lead. Cinebench R23 multicore shows a 55.1% advantage for AMD, with scores of 17528.5 and 11305 respectively. Even with fewer cores and threads, the AMD processor delivers far more aggregate throughput.

Specialized instruction workloads reveal the largest gaps. PassMark extended instructions testing gives the AMD part a 190.2% advantage, and PassMark prime number finding shows a 294.9% lead. Data compression and encryption workloads also strongly favor AMD, with leads of 117.7% and 85.6% respectively. The Intel Core 5 221TE does not claim victory in any recorded category, making its use case limited to scenarios where its lower 45-watt TDP or DDR4 memory support is essential.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The die size is 70.6 mm², and the processor package contains 8,315 million transistors. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel, with a die size of 215 mm². The transistor count for the Intel part is not recorded in the database.

The L1 cache configuration is identical at 80 KB per core for both processors. The L2 cache differs: the AMD part has 1 MB per core, while the Intel part has 1.25 MB per core. The shared L3 cache favors AMD at 32 MB versus 24 MB for Intel. Neither processor includes 3D V-Cache.

The AMD processor uses the AM5 socket and has 24 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU. The Intel processor uses Socket 1700 and has 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU. Memory bandwidth also differs, with the AMD part rated at 89.6 GB/s and the Intel part at 76.8 GB/s. The integrated graphics differ as well: AMD includes Radeon Graphics, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 730.

The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has a locked multiplier. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD part supports DDR5 only. Both support ECC memory.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks differ substantially: 3.90 GHz for AMD versus 1.80 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are closer but still favor AMD: 5.40 GHz versus 5.00 GHz.

TDP ratings show the Intel part at 45 watts and the AMD part at 65 watts. The AMD processor has a launch MSRP of $279, and the Intel processor has a launch MSRP of $232. The AMD part is unlocked for overclocking; the Intel part is locked.

The process node differs by foundry and process generation: TSMC 4 nm for AMD versus Intel 10 nm for the Intel part. Die size is 70.6 mm² for AMD and 215 mm² for Intel. The AMD part carries part number 100-000001405, and the Intel part carries part number SRVQS.

Release dates differ by several months. The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X was released on 2024-08-07, and the Intel Core 5 221TE was released on 2025-01-12. Both processors are listed as Active in production status and target the Desktop market segment.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest recorded advantage for the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X appears in PassMark prime number finding, where the AMD part scores 233 and the Intel part scores 59, a 294.9% delta. This workload heavily rewards the AMD architecture's integer execution capabilities.

PassMark extended instructions shows the second-largest gap at 190.2%, with scores of 28023 for AMD and 9655 for Intel. Single-thread performance in PassMark also shows a massive gap: 4570 versus 1734, a 163.6% advantage for AMD. This same score appears twice in the database under both the single-thread and singlethread test names.

Cinebench R15 multicore gives AMD a 136.3% lead, with scores of 2691 and 1139. PassMark multithread shows a 125.7% advantage, with 30027 versus 13301. Data compression favors AMD by 117.7%, with 341021 versus 156682. Integer math shows a 112.6% lead, and random string sorting shows a 112.3% lead. Physics testing gives AMD a 105.9% advantage, with 2012 versus 977.

Floating point math favors AMD by 89.8%, with 60081 versus 31661. Data encryption favors AMD by 85.6%, with 16638 versus 8963. Cinebench R23 multicore shows a 55.1% lead, with 17528.5 versus 11305. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the smallest recorded gap at 36.8%, with 2183.5 versus 1596. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 113.8% lead, with 342 versus 160.

The smallest delta in the entire head-to-head set is the Cinebench R23 single-core result at 36.8%, which still represents a substantial performance advantage for the AMD part. Across all 15 comparisons, the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X maintains a minimum lead of roughly one-third and a maximum lead of nearly three times the Intel part's score.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X as the dominant processor in every benchmark category. Its 15 wins against 0 for the Intel Core 5 221TE make the performance hierarchy unambiguous. The AMD part's nearest rivals in the database, such as the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5755GE at 0.2% delta and the AMD Ryzen 7 7840H at -0.5%, are all close in average score, placing it in a competitive tier around the 29713 mark. The Intel Core 5 221TE sits in a different tier entirely, with an average score of 17860 and nearest rivals like the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at -0.2% and the Intel Core 5 120U at -0.2%.

For users prioritizing single-thread responsiveness, the data points to the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4570 is 163.6% higher than the Intel part's 1734, and its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2183.5 leads by 36.8%. For multi-threaded rendering or computation, the AMD part also leads decisively, with Cinebench R23 multicore at 17528.5 versus 11305 and PassMark multithread at 30027 versus 13301.

The Intel Core 5 221TE does offer a lower 45-watt TDP, DDR4 memory support, and a lower launch MSRP of $232 compared to $279. These factors may matter in specific system configurations, particularly those that require DDR4 compatibility or lower thermal envelopes. The database does not record any performance category where the Intel part wins, so its selection would rest on platform and power considerations rather than benchmark results.