AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T are both 65-watt desktop processors, yet they represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD chip relies on a mature 7 nm Zen 3 architecture with simultaneous multithreading, while the Intel part uses a newer 3 nm Arrow Lake design with more physical cores but no hyper-threading. Benchmark data from the database shows the Intel processor wins 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, but the AMD chip claims two notable victories in specific workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G has 6 cores. However, the AMD processor supports 12 threads via simultaneous multithreading, whereas the Intel processor has 10 threads with no hyper-threading.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T records an average benchmark score of 30468, placing it in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G scores 28032 on average, placing it in the 80th percentile.

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T is faster. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 3101 versus 2435 for the AMD chip, a 21.5% difference. PassMark single-thread results show 4348 for Intel versus 3241 for AMD, a 25.5% gap.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G wins two tests: PassMark data compression (255608 versus 233998, a 9.2% advantage) and PassMark integer math (67561 versus 59543, a 13.5% advantage).

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G supports DDR4 memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T supports DDR5. The Intel chip also offers double the memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a larger cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has a 20 MB shared L3 cache and 3 MB of L2 cache per core. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G has 16 MB of L3 cache and 512 KB of L2 per core.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G uses the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm process node from TSMC, with the Cezanne codename and a die size of 180 mm² containing 10,700 million transistors. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T uses the Arrow Lake architecture on a 3 nm TSMC node, with the Arrow Lake-S codename, a 243 mm² die, and 17,800 million transistors.

Core topology differs substantially. The AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads, relying on simultaneous multithreading to handle more work than its physical core count suggests. The Intel chip has 10 cores and 10 threads, with no multithreading, but compensates with a higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz versus 4.40 GHz for AMD. The base clocks are 3.90 GHz for AMD and 2.50 GHz for Intel.

Cache hierarchies are also distinct. The AMD processor provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the Intel chip has substantially more on-die memory capacity.

Platform support diverges significantly. The AMD part uses AMD Socket AM4 with PCIe Gen 3 and 16 CPU lanes. The Intel part uses Intel Socket 1851 with PCIe Gen 5 and 20 CPU lanes. Memory support differs: AMD pairs with DDR4 in dual-channel mode, while Intel uses DDR5 in dual-channel mode. The AMD chip supports ECC memory; the Intel chip does not. Integrated graphics also differ: AMD uses Radeon Vega 7, while Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units.

Both processors share some traits: neither has an unlocked multiplier, both are active production parts for the desktop market, and both have a 65 W TDP. The AMD processor was released on 2024-05-06, while the Intel processor has a 2024-12-31 release date.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T is the stronger processor overall. It wins 15 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks and holds a 8.0% higher average benchmark score (30468 versus 28032). Its Cinebench results are uniformly superior across R15, R20, and R23, with a consistent 21.5% lead in every multi-core and single-core test.

Users prioritizing multi-threaded rendering workloads should choose the Intel chip. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21971 beats the AMD score of 17249. The Intel part also excels in scientific computing tasks: PassMark floating point math shows 82751 versus 38649, a 53.3% margin, and PassMark physics shows 2053 versus 686, a 66.6% advantage.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G has specific strengths. It leads in PassMark data compression by 9.2% (255608 versus 233998) and in PassMark integer math by 13.5% (67561 versus 59543). Users running workloads dominated by integer arithmetic or data compression may find the AMD chip delivers competitive results despite its lower overall standing.

The AMD processor also offers ECC memory support, which the Intel chip lacks. For systems requiring error-correcting memory, this is a decisive feature. The AMD part uses the long-standing AM4 socket, while the Intel chip requires the newer Socket 1851 platform.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification category:

• Cores: 6 (AMD) versus 10 (Intel)
• Threads: 12 (AMD) versus 10 (Intel)
• Base Clock: 3.90 GHz (AMD) versus 2.50 GHz (Intel)
• Boost Clock: 4.40 GHz (AMD) versus 4.90 GHz (Intel)
• Architecture: Zen 3 (AMD) versus Arrow Lake (Intel)
• Process Node: 7 nm (AMD) versus 3 nm (Intel)
• Transistors: 10,700 million (AMD) versus 17,800 million (Intel)
• Die Size: 180 mm² (AMD) versus 243 mm² (Intel)
• L1 Cache: 64 KB per core (AMD) versus 192 KB per core (Intel)
• L2 Cache: 512 KB per core (AMD) versus 3 MB per core (Intel)
• L3 Cache: 16 MB (AMD) versus 20 MB shared (Intel)
• Memory Support: DDR4 (AMD) versus DDR5 (Intel)
• Memory Bandwidth: 51.2 GB/s (AMD) versus 102.4 GB/s (Intel)
• ECC Memory: Supported (AMD) versus not supported (Intel)
• PCIe: Gen 3, 16 lanes (AMD) versus Gen 5, 20 lanes (Intel)
• Integrated Graphics: Radeon Vega 7 (AMD) versus Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU (Intel)
• Socket: AM4 (AMD) versus Socket 1851 (Intel)

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 2214 against AMD's 1738. Single-core R15 shows 312 versus 245. Cinebench R20 multi-core records 9227 for Intel and 7244 for AMD, while single-core R20 shows 1302 versus 1022. Cinebench R23 multi-core delivers 21971 for Intel against 17249 for AMD, and single-core R23 shows 3101 versus 2435. Every Cinebench delta is 21.5% in favor of Intel.

PassMark results reveal a more nuanced picture. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G wins PassMark data compression with 255608 against 233998, a 9.2% advantage. AMD also takes PassMark integer math with 67561 versus 59543, a 13.5% lead. These are the only two tests where AMD prevails.

The Intel chip dominates the remaining PassMark tests. PassMark data encryption shows 18289 versus 15253, a 16.6% margin. Extended instructions scores 20083 versus 17944, a 10.7% gap. The largest single delta is PassMark find prime numbers, where Intel scores 284 against AMD's 49, an 82.7% difference. PassMark floating point math shows 82751 versus 38649, a 53.3% margin. PassMark multi-thread records 25358 versus 19129, a 24.6% gap. PassMark physics delivers 2053 versus 686, a 66.6% difference. PassMark random string sorting shows 28774 versus 25253, a 12.2% margin. PassMark single-thread records 4348 versus 3241, a 25.5% delta.

The overall distribution is decisive: Intel wins 15 benchmarks, AMD wins 2. The Intel processor also holds a higher percentile ranking at 82 versus 80 for AMD. Its nearest rival, the Intel Core i9-11980HK, scores 30422 with a 0.2% delta, while the AMD chip's closest competitor, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE, scores 28054 with a -0.1% delta. The data confirms the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T as the higher-performing processor in this comparison, with AMD holding ground only in compression and integer arithmetic workloads.