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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive overall advantage for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE, which claims 15 of the 17 recorded test victories. The Intel Core 5 221TE takes only 2 wins, but those wins are notable for specific workloads.

In Cinebench testing, the AMD processor dominates across every version and workload type. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 1562 against Intel's 1139, a 37.1% advantage. The single-core result shows a similar gap: 220 versus 160, a 37.5% lead. Cinebench R20 repeats the pattern with a 37.1% multi-core margin (6511 versus 4748) and a 37% single-core margin (918 versus 670). Cinebench R23 continues the trend with the AMD reaching 15504 multi-core and 2188 single-core, while the Intel manages 11305 and 1596 respectively, both representing 37.1% deltas. These consistent margins across all three Cinebench versions indicate that the AMD's architectural efficiency delivers a uniform advantage in both lightly threaded and fully threaded rendering workloads.

PassMark results show an even wider spread in several categories. The largest single-test margin appears in PassMark single-thread, where the AMD scores 3240 against the Intel's 1734, an 86.9% difference. This result appears identically in both the single_thread and singlethread test entries, confirming the measurement. Data encryption shows a 61.9% advantage (14509 versus 8963), while extended instructions delivers a 62.8% lead (15714 versus 9655). Integer math follows at 59.8% (67582 versus 42303). Data compression shows a 45.5% gap (228037 versus 156682), and random string sorting gives the AMD a 40.4% edge (23769 versus 16929). Floating point math is closer but still favors the AMD at 20.7% (38204 versus 31661). PassMark multi-thread shows a 35.8% advantage (18057 versus 13301).

The Intel Core 5 221TE secures its two wins in PassMark physics and PassMark find prime numbers. In physics, the Intel scores 977 versus the AMD's 648, a 33.7% margin. In find prime numbers, the Intel scores 59 against the AMD's 49, a 16.9% advantage. These two results suggest that the Intel part has particular strength in workloads that rely on certain mathematical operations or physics simulation patterns, despite trailing broadly elsewhere.

The overall average benchmark scores place the AMD at 25880, which corresponds to a 78th percentile ranking among all CPUs in the database. The Intel averages 17860, placing it at the 71st percentile. The AMD's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-11700K at 25812 (0.3% lower), the AMD Ryzen 5 230 at 25782 (0.4% lower), the AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 at 25981 (0.4% higher), and the Intel Core i7-14701TE at 26013 (0.5% higher). The Intel Core 5 221TE sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17891 (0.2% lower), the Intel Core 5 120U at 17898 (0.2% lower), the Intel Core 7 350 at 17779 (0.5% higher), and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17994 (0.7% lower). These proximity clusters show that the AMD competes at a substantially higher performance tier overall.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The Intel Core 5 221TE wins only 2 tests: PassMark physics and PassMark find prime numbers.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: In PassMark single-thread testing, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE scores 3240 against the Intel Core 5 221TE's 1734, a difference of 86.9%. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 37.1% margin (2188 versus 1596).

Q: Does the Intel part have any advantages in the recorded benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 5 221TE scores higher in PassMark physics (977 versus 648, a 33.7% margin) and PassMark find prime numbers (59 versus 49, a 16.9% margin). These are the only two tests where the Intel processor leads.

Q: How does the AMD compare to its closest rivals in the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE has an average benchmark score of 25880, which is within 0.5% of the Intel Core i7-14701TE (26013), the AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 (25981), the Intel Core i7-11700K (25812), and the AMD Ryzen 5 230 (25782).

Q: What percentile ranking does each processor hold?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE sits at the 78th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core 5 221TE sits at the 71st percentile.

Q: How do the multi-threaded scores compare specifically?

A: In PassMark multi-thread testing, the AMD scores 18057 versus the Intel's 13301, a 35.8% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD scores 15504 against 11305, a 37.1% margin.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE uses the Zen 3 architecture under the Cezanne codename, fabricated on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The processor contains 10,700 million transistors on a die size of 180 mm². The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel, with a die size of 215 mm². The Intel part has no listed transistor count in the database, and its architecture field is listed as null, so the Zen 3 versus Bartlett Lake distinction is the primary architectural comparison available.

Core configuration differs substantially. The AMD packs 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel part provides 10 cores and 16 threads. Despite having fewer cores and threads, the AMD still wins most multi-threaded tests, which points to higher per-core efficiency in the Zen 3 design. The Intel's extra cores do not translate into broader benchmark victories.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The AMD provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of L3 cache. The Intel 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 has larger cache allocations at every level, yet the AMD's smaller cache configuration still delivers superior results in the recorded tests, suggesting that memory access patterns and cache efficiency favor the Zen 3 implementation.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD supports DDR4 only, with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also on a dual-channel bus, with a higher memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Despite the Intel's higher theoretical memory bandwidth, the benchmark results do not show a corresponding performance advantage in the tested workloads.

PCI Express capabilities favor the Intel part. The AMD provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Intel provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. This is a significant interface generation difference, though the recorded benchmarks do not directly measure PCIe throughput.

Integrated graphics differ. The AMD includes Radeon Vega 7, while the Intel includes UHD Graphics 730. Both are integrated solutions, and the database does not include separate graphics benchmarks for either.

Both processors support ECC memory, which is confirmed in the specification data. Both are locked multipliers, meaning neither supports unlocked overclocking via the multiplier. The AMD uses the AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel uses the Intel Socket 1700.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE and Intel Core 5 221TE show clear specification differences across nearly every field. The AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel has 10 cores and 16 threads. The AMD's base clock is 3.40 GHz with a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Intel's base clock is 1.80 GHz with a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel offers a higher peak boost but a much lower base clock.

Thermal design power differs notably. The AMD is rated at 65 W TDP, while the Intel is rated at 45 W TDP. The Intel consumes less power on paper, though the database does not provide any power consumption measurements.

Process node and foundry differ. The AMD uses a 7 nm process from TSMC. The Intel uses a 10 nm process from Intel. The AMD's smaller process node may contribute to its efficiency advantages, though the database does not directly measure power efficiency.

Cache specifications differ at every level. The AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB L3. The Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The Intel has larger cache capacities throughout.

Memory support differs. The AMD supports DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel has higher memory bandwidth and broader memory compatibility.

PCIe generation differs. The AMD provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The Intel's PCIe interface is two generations newer.

Integrated graphics differ. The AMD uses Radeon Vega 7, and the Intel uses UHD Graphics 730. Release dates also differ, with the AMD released on 2024-05-06 and the Intel released on 2025-01-12.

The Intel Core 5 221TE has a launch MSRP of $232. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE has no launch MSRP listed in the database.

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly favors the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE for the vast majority of workloads. With 15 wins out of 17 head-to-head tests, the AMD demonstrates superiority in rendering, encryption, compression, integer math, floating point math, and single-thread performance. The margin is particularly large in single-thread tests, where the AMD leads by 86.9%, and in data encryption, where it leads by 61.9%.

The Intel Core 5 221TE should be considered only for workloads that specifically match its two winning categories: PassMark physics and PassMark find prime numbers. In physics, the Intel leads by 33.7%, and in prime number finding, it leads by 16.9%. For any application that relies heavily on these specific operations, the Intel part may deliver better results. However, the broader benchmark picture shows that the Intel trails in most general computing tasks.

The AMD's higher average benchmark score of 25880 versus the Intel's 17860 places it 44.9% ahead on average. The percentile rankings confirm this gap, with the AMD at the 78th percentile and the Intel at the 71st percentile. The AMD also competes closely with significantly higher-tier processors, such as the Intel Core i7-11700K and the Intel Core i7-14701TE, while the Intel Core 5 221TE sits in a much lower performance neighborhood alongside the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600.

Users who need maximum multi-threaded rendering performance, data compression, encryption, or any heavily threaded integer workload should favor the AMD. Users whose applications are dominated by physics simulation or prime number calculations may find the Intel's targeted strengths valuable. Outside those two specific areas, the data does not support choosing the Intel part over the AMD.

The AMD also achieves its results with fewer cores (6 versus 10) and fewer threads (12 versus 16), which indicates superior per-core efficiency. The Intel's higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz does not translate into benchmark victories, and its larger cache allocations and higher memory bandwidth do not overcome the AMD's architectural advantages in the recorded tests. For general-purpose desktop computing, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE is the stronger performer according to the database measurements.