AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data presents a one-sided comparison. The Intel Core 5 221E wins all 17 head-to-head tests against the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE, with no tests going to the AMD part. The Intel processor holds a decisive advantage across every category measured, including single-threaded performance, multi-threaded workloads, memory-sensitive tasks, and specialized instruction sets. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE does not claim a single benchmark victory in this dataset, which makes the use-case split straightforward: the Intel part is the stronger choice for every workload represented in the measurements.

The Intel Core 5 221E also occupies a higher position in the overall performance distribution. It sits in the 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE sits in the 78th percentile. The average benchmark scores reinforce this gap: the Intel part records an average score of 40144, while the AMD part records 25880. That difference translates into a 55% higher average score for the Intel processor.

For workloads that depend on raw multi-threaded throughput, the Intel Core 5 221E shows its largest margins. The Cinebench multi-core tests all show the Intel part delivering roughly 40% higher scores than the AMD part. The PassMark floating point math test shows an even larger gap, with the Intel part scoring 79028 against 38204 for AMD, a 51.7% advantage. The integer math test also favors Intel by 42.6%.

For single-threaded responsiveness, the Intel part again leads, though by a smaller margin. The Cinebench R23 single-core score for Intel is 3661 against 2188 for AMD, a 40.2% gap. The PassMark single-thread score shows a 21.9% advantage for Intel, with 4147 versus 3240.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE does have one meaningful feature distinction: it integrates Radeon Vega 7 graphics, whereas the Intel Core 5 221E uses UHD Graphics 730. The database does not include graphics benchmarks for either part, so the relative graphical performance cannot be quantified from the recorded data. All recorded computational benchmarks favor Intel.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design lineages. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE uses the Zen 3 architecture with the Cezanne codename, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. The AMD part belongs to the Ryzen 5 generation, while the Intel part belongs to the Core 5 generation.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The AMD part has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel part has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Intel part therefore provides more than double the core count and 8 additional threads. Base and boost clocks also differ: the AMD part runs at 3.40 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost, while the Intel part runs at 2.70 GHz base and 5.20 GHz boost. The Intel part has a lower base clock but a significantly higher boost clock.

Cache configurations reveal different design priorities. The AMD part uses 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part uses 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has larger per-core L2 and L3 caches, which helps explain its advantage in cache-sensitive workloads like the PassMark extended instructions and data compression tests.

Memory support also differs. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE supports DDR4 only, with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with a recorded bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel part's higher memory bandwidth likely contributes to its advantage in memory-heavy tests. Both parts support ECC memory.

Platform connectivity differs as well. The AMD part uses AMD Socket AM4 with PCIe Gen 3 and 16 CPU lanes. The Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700 with PCIe Gen 5 and 16 CPU lanes. The Intel part therefore offers newer PCIe generation support.

Transistor and die data are only partially recorded. The AMD part lists 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. The Intel part does not list a transistor count, but records a 257 mm² die size. The AMD part has the smaller die despite having fewer cores, a reflection of the denser 7 nm process.

Both parts carry a 65 W TDP. The AMD part was released in May 2024, while the Intel part was released in January 2025. Both are listed as active production parts, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Core 5 221E scores 2613 against 1562 for AMD, a 40.2% advantage. Single-core in R15 shows the same 40.2% gap, with 368 against 220. Cinebench R20 multi-core gives Intel 10891 against 6511, again a 40.2% margin, while single-core gives 1537 against 918, a 40.3% margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core gives Intel 25933 against 15504, a 40.2% margin, and single-core gives 3661 against 2188, also 40.2%. The consistency of the Cinebench deltas, all within a narrow band around 40%, suggests a scaling difference tied to core count and clock behavior rather than workload-specific effects.

PassMark tests show more variation. The largest single deficit for the AMD part appears in the prime number search test, where Intel scores 173 against 49, a 71.7% advantage. The physics test shows a similar pattern, with Intel at 2230 against 648, a 70.9% gap. These tests are highly dependent on integer throughput and branch handling, areas where the Intel part's higher boost clock and larger cache likely play a decisive role.

Floating point math shows a 51.7% Intel advantage, with 79028 against 38204. Integer math shows a 42.6% advantage, with 117813 against 67582. Data compression favors Intel by 29.7%, with 324285 against 228037. Data encryption favors Intel by 24.5%, with 19205 against 14509. Random string sorting favors Intel by 36.9%, with 37686 against 23769. Extended instructions favor Intel by 13.7%, the smallest margin in the PassMark set, with 18216 against 15714.

The PassMark multi-thread test gives Intel 30510 against 18057, a 40.8% advantage. The PassMark single-thread test gives Intel 4147 against 3240, a 21.9% advantage. The single-thread margin is smaller than the multi-thread margin, which indicates that the Intel part's advantage grows when more cores and threads are engaged.

The Intel Core 5 221E also sits near strong company in the overall database. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 with an average score of 40081 and a 0.2% delta, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 with 40048 and a 0.2% delta, the AMD Ryzen 9 270 with 40246 and a -0.3% delta, and the Intel Core i9-13905H with 40313 and a -0.4% delta. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE sits near the Intel Core i7-11700K with 25812 and a 0.3% delta, the AMD Ryzen 5 230 with 25782 and a 0.4% delta, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 with 25981 and a -0.4% delta, and the Intel Core i7-14701TE with 26013 and a -0.5% delta. The Intel Core 5 221E competes in a higher performance tier than the AMD part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E scores 25933 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE scores 15504, giving Intel a 40.2% advantage.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E records 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE records 51.2 GB/s. The Intel part also supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD part supports DDR4 only.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E leads in all recorded single-thread tests. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 4147 against 3240 for AMD, a 21.9% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 3661 against 2188, a 40.2% advantage.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has an average benchmark score of 40144, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE has an average score of 25880. The Intel part also sits in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 78th percentile for AMD.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE and the Intel Core 5 221E support ECC memory.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core 5 221E outperforms the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE in every recorded test. The Intel part wins all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, with margins ranging from 13.7% in extended instructions to 71.7% in prime number searching. Its average benchmark score of 40144 is 55% higher than the AMD part's 25880, and its 87th percentile ranking places it well above the AMD part's 78th percentile.

The Intel Core 5 221E delivers its strongest advantages in multi-core and math-heavy workloads. The 14-core, 20-thread configuration, combined with a 5.20 GHz boost clock and 24 MB of shared L3 cache, gives it a commanding lead in Cinebench multi-core tests, floating point math, integer math, and physics simulations. The 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 further support memory-intensive applications.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE remains a functional desktop processor with 6 cores, 12 threads, and a 4.40 GHz boost clock. Its Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm process delivers a smaller die size of 180 mm² versus 257 mm² for Intel. It also integrates Radeon Vega 7 graphics, which may be relevant for systems without a discrete GPU. However, the database contains no graphics benchmarks for either part, so the integrated graphics comparison cannot be quantified.

The Intel Core 5 221E carries a launch MSRP of $232. The AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. The Intel part also supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes, compared to PCIe Gen 3 for the AMD part.

For any workload covered by the recorded benchmarks, the Intel Core 5 221E is the stronger processor. The only scenario where the AMD part could be preferable is one requiring its smaller process node or its Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics, but the recorded data does not include tests that would validate such a choice. The performance tier of the Intel part, as indicated by its nearest rivals including the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 and AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, places it in a different class from the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE, whose nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-11700K and AMD Ryzen 5 230.