AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE vs Intel Core 5 220H Comparison

Intel Core 5 220H and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE are two mobile processors that target different priorities, and the benchmark data reflects a clear split. The Intel part, with 12 cores and 16 threads, dominates in multi-threaded workloads that rely on raw compute throughput, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE, with 6 cores and 12 threads, excels in single-threaded performance and specific instruction-heavy tasks. The database records 8 benchmark wins for Intel and 9 for AMD, but the margins tell a more nuanced story than the win count alone.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 220H establishes its advantage in workloads that scale with core count and parallel execution. It leads in Cinebench R20 multi-core, PassMark integer math, floating point math, multithread, physics, and data encryption. The floating point math result is particularly striking, with Intel scoring 51671 against AMD's 39233, a 31.7% lead. Integer math also favors Intel by 16.7%, with scores of 73555 versus 63045. The physics test shows Intel ahead by 19.5%, and the multithread score is 1.8% higher. These are workloads where the additional 6 cores and 4 threads of the Intel chip provide a measurable benefit.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE wins in a different set of tasks. Its biggest victories come in Cinebench R23, where it scores 18395 multi-core versus Intel's 11198, a 39.1% delta, and 2597 single-core versus 1853, a 28.6% delta. The AMD chip also leads in PassMark extended instructions by 18.7%, random string sorting by 9%, and single-thread performance by 12.9%. Data compression is nearly a tie, with AMD ahead by only 0.3%, and prime numbers are also close at 1.2% in AMD's favor. The pattern suggests AMD has a substantial edge in the newer Cinebench R23 rendering test, which appears to reward its architecture more heavily than the older R15 and R20 versions.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different designs. Intel uses Raptor Lake-H, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry, while AMD uses Zen 4 with the Phoenix2 codename, manufactured by TSMC on a 4 nm node. The process difference is significant: AMD's smaller node likely contributes to its lower 35 W TDP compared to Intel's 45 W. Intel's chip has 12 cores and 16 threads, while AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads. Cache hierarchies differ as well: Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3, while AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. AMD's transistor count is listed at 20,900 million on a 137 mm² die, while Intel's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database.

Memory support also diverges. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR5. Both are dual-channel, but AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, while Intel's bandwidth is not specified. ECC memory is supported on the AMD chip but not on Intel. PCIe connectivity differs: Intel offers Gen 5 with 8 CPU lanes, while AMD offers Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics also vary, with Intel using Iris Xe Graphics 80EU and AMD using Radeon 740M. The AMD part is part of the 8000 series and uses Socket AM5, while Intel uses BGA 1744.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result in the head-to-head comparison is Cinebench R23 multi-core. AMD scores 18395, which is 39.1% higher than Intel's 11198. This is a massive margin and suggests that the Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE is far more efficient in this specific rendering workload despite having half the cores. The single-core R23 result also favors AMD heavily, with 2597 versus 1853, a 28.6% delta. These two results alone indicate that AMD's Zen 4 architecture delivers superior per-core performance in the latest Cinebench iteration.

Intel fights back in other areas. The floating point math score of 51671 versus 39233 is a 31.7% win for Intel, and integer math at 73555 versus 63045 is a 16.7% win. The physics test shows Intel ahead by 19.5%, and data encryption by 7.4%. The multithread score is close, with Intel at 21884 and AMD at 21502, a 1.8% edge for Intel. The Cinebench R20 multi-core result is also close, with Intel at 7812 and AMD at 7725, a 1.1% lead for Intel, and the single-core R20 test shows the same 1.1% margin in Intel's favor. The R15 multi-core test is nearly identical, with AMD at 1854 and Intel at 1835, a 1% delta for AMD, while the R15 single-core test is a 0.4% win for Intel at 262 versus 261.

PassMark results show a mixed bag. AMD leads in extended instructions by 18.7%, random string sorting by 9%, and single-thread by 12.9%. Intel leads in encryption by 7.4%, floating point by 31.7%, integer math by 16.7%, multithread by 1.8%, and physics by 19.5%. The data compression test is essentially a tie, with AMD at 248675 and Intel at 247921, a 0.3% difference. The prime numbers test is also a tie, with AMD at 83 and Intel at 82, a 1.2% difference.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ in nearly every core specification. Intel has 12 cores and 16 threads, while AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 2.70 GHz for Intel and 3.40 GHz for AMD, while boost clocks are 4.90 GHz for Intel and 5.00 GHz for AMD. TDP is 45 W for Intel and 35 W for AMD. The socket is Intel BGA 1744 for Intel and AMD Socket AM5 for AMD. Process node is 10 nm for Intel and 4 nm for AMD. Cache sizes differ at every level: Intel has 80 KB L1 per core versus AMD's 64 KB, 2 MB L2 per core versus 1 MB, and 18 MB shared L3 versus 16 MB. Memory support is DDR4 and DDR5 for Intel versus DDR5 only for AMD. ECC memory is false for Intel and true for AMD. PCIe is Gen 5 with 8 lanes for Intel versus Gen 4 with 14 lanes for AMD. Integrated graphics are Iris Xe Graphics 80EU for Intel and Radeon 740M for AMD. Intel has a launch MSRP of $342, while AMD's launch MSRP is not recorded. Release dates differ, with Intel released on 2024-12-17 and AMD on 2024-04-15. AMD has a listed transistor count of 20,900 million and a die size of 137 mm², while Intel has neither listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE has 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE leads in single-thread PassMark with 3909 versus 3405, a 12.9% advantage, and in Cinebench R23 single-core with 2597 versus 1853, a 28.6% advantage.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H has a 45 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE has a 35 W TDP.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 220H does not.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE scores 18395 versus 11198 for Intel, a 39.1% delta in AMD's favor.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 220H has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward choice based on workload. The Intel Core 5 220H is the better option for users who need maximum throughput in floating point math, integer math, physics, and encryption. Its 31.7% lead in floating point and 16.7% lead in integer math are substantial, and its 19.5% advantage in physics makes it suitable for simulation and number-crunching tasks. The multithread score, while close, still favors Intel.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE is the better option for single-threaded performance and for workloads that use extended instructions or string sorting. Its 28.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 12.9% lead in PassMark single-thread indicate stronger per-core capability. The 39.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the most decisive result in the entire comparison, and it suggests that the AMD chip is the superior choice for rendering workloads that use the latest Cinebench version. The AMD chip also offers ECC memory support and a lower 35 W TDP, which may matter for certain professional or efficiency-focused systems. For any user prioritizing the Cinebench R23 rendering test, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE is the clear pick. For users prioritizing math-heavy compute, the Intel Core 5 220H has the edge.