AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U and Intel Core 5 330 are both six-core mobile processors, but the benchmark data shows two very different design philosophies. The AMD part takes a decisive lead in the majority of tested workloads, while the Intel chip counters with strong wins in specific math and physics tasks. This analysis breaks down where each processor delivers its best results, based strictly on recorded database measurements.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U claims victory in 12 of the 17 head-to-head tests. Its dominance is most pronounced in integer-heavy and data-processing workloads. The Intel Core 5 330 wins in 5 tests, focusing on floating-point math, prime number generation, physics simulations, and single-threaded PassMark performance.

For productivity and general application use, the AMD chip is the clear choice. It wins every Cinebench test, including a 17.5% advantage in multi-core R23 and a 17.6% edge in single-core R23. Data compression shows a massive 41.6% lead for AMD, and random string sorting follows with a 39.5% gap. The AMD part also handles integer math with a 70.6% advantage, a huge margin that indicates stronger general-purpose arithmetic throughput.

The Intel Core 5 330 carves out its niche in specialized floating-point and physics calculations. It leads by 20.6% in floating-point math and by 18.2% in the PassMark physics test. The prime number test shows a 42.1% win for Intel, and its PassMark single-thread score is 12.8% higher than AMD's. These results point to a processor that excels in specific scientific or simulation workloads, but not in the broader mix of everyday tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different process nodes and use different core designs. AMD builds the Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U on a 4 nm TSMC process using Zen 4 architecture with the Hawk Point codename. Intel's Core 5 330 uses a 3 nm Intel process with Wildcat Lake architecture. Both are listed as mobile parts with active production status.

Core counts match at 6, but threading differs significantly. AMD enables 12 threads via simultaneous multithreading, while Intel runs only 6 threads with no hyper-threading. This explains a large portion of the multi-core performance gap. The AMD chip uses 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die. Intel does not list transistor count or die size in the database.

Cache configurations also diverge sharply. AMD provides 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Intel lists 192 KB total L1, 2.5 MB total L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The AMD chip has substantially more cache at every level, which contributes to its wins in data compression and string sorting where larger working sets benefit.

Memory support differs as well. AMD uses dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and supports ECC memory. Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but runs single-channel with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. The memory bandwidth difference of roughly 50% favors AMD in memory-sensitive workloads. Intel does have a PCIe Gen 4 connection with 6 CPU lanes, while AMD offers 14 Gen 4 lanes.

The integrated graphics also differ. AMD includes a Radeon 740M, while Intel ships Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. Both are listed as mobile segments.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows consistent AMD superiority. In R15 multi-core, AMD scores 1557 against Intel's 1325, a 17.5% margin. R15 single-core goes 219 to 186, a 17.7% win. R20 multi-core shows 6491 versus 5523 (17.5%), and R20 single-core shows 916 versus 779 (17.6%). R23 multi-core delivers 15456 against 13150 (17.5%), while R23 single-core lands at 2182 versus 1856 (17.6%). Every Cinebench result falls in a narrow 17.5% to 17.7% band, suggesting a consistent per-core and multi-threaded advantage for AMD.

PassMark results paint a more varied picture. The AMD processor dominates data compression with 205703 points against 145287, a 41.6% gap. Random string sorting shows 24797 versus 17771, a 39.5% win. Integer math is the largest single delta: 56738 for AMD versus 33258 for Intel, a 70.6% advantage. Extended instructions go to AMD by 20.3% (15410 versus 12808). Multithreaded PassMark favors AMD at 18218 versus 15471, a 17.8% edge. Data encryption shows a narrower 11.2% win for AMD (12319 versus 11076).

Intel's wins come in specific math tests. Floating-point math goes to Intel with 43885 against AMD's 34865, a 20.6% lead. The physics test shows 1201 versus 983, an 18.2% win. Prime number finding is Intel's largest victory: 114 versus 66, a 42.1% margin. PassMark single-thread scores also favor Intel at 4088 versus 3563, a 12.8% lead.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several key specification fields in the database.

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U | Intel Core 5 330 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 6 | 6 |

| Threads | 12 | 6 |

| Base clock | 3.20 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP7 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| L1 cache | 64 KB per core | 192 KB total |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 2.5 MB total |

| L3 cache | 16 MB shared | 6 MB shared |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC support | Yes | No |

| PCIe lanes | 14 (Gen 4) | 6 (Gen 4) |

| Release date | 2024-04-15 | 2026-04-15 |

The AMD chip runs at a higher base clock (3.20 GHz versus 1.50 GHz) and higher boost clock (4.90 GHz versus 4.60 GHz), but also draws more power at 28 W TDP versus 15 W. The Intel part uses a smaller 3 nm process, while AMD uses 4 nm. Intel's launch MSRP is $309; AMD has no launch MSRP listed. Both processors have locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core rendering?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U wins every Cinebench multi-core test, with a 17.5% advantage in R15, R20, and R23 multi-core scores.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 330 win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins 5 tests: PassMark floating-point math (43885 versus 34865), physics (1201 versus 983), prime number finding (114 versus 66), and both PassMark single-thread variants (4088 versus 3563).

Q: Why does AMD win so many tests despite Intel having a 3 nm process?

A: The AMD chip has 12 threads versus 6, larger cache (16 MB L3 versus 6 MB), dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s versus single-channel at 59.7 GB/s, and higher clock speeds (4.90 GHz boost versus 4.60 GHz).

Q: What is the largest single benchmark gap between the two?

A: PassMark integer math shows the biggest difference, with AMD scoring 56738 versus Intel's 33258, a 70.6% margin in AMD's favor.

Q: How do the single-thread scores compare?

A: Intel wins PassMark single-thread with 4088 against AMD's 3563, a 12.8% lead. However, AMD wins all three Cinebench single-core tests by about 17.6%.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 330 does not list ECC support.

The Verdict

The database shows a clear split. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U is the stronger overall processor, winning 12 of 17 tests and holding the higher average benchmark score of 23709 versus Intel's 18345. Its 76th percentile ranking versus all CPUs also exceeds Intel's 72nd percentile.

For workloads involving data compression, string sorting, integer math, encryption, and multi-threaded rendering, the AMD chip is the choice. The 70.6% integer math lead and 41.6% data compression advantage indicate a processor that handles typical office, development, and content creation tasks with more headroom. The dual-channel memory and larger cache support that conclusion.

The Intel Core 5 330 targets a narrower set of tasks. Its floating-point math win (20.6%), physics performance (18.2%), and prime number throughput (42.1%) suggest strength in simulation and scientific workloads. The higher PassMark single-thread score (4088 versus 3563) also helps in lightly threaded applications, even though Cinebench single-core tests favor AMD.

The Intel chip's 15 W TDP versus AMD's 28 W TDP indicates a more power-efficient design, which the 3 nm process enables. That efficiency comes at the cost of threading, memory bandwidth, and cache capacity. Users who prioritize battery life in a thin mobile system might accept the 5-test loss count for the lower power draw. Users who need maximum throughput across a broad range of applications should select the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U based on the recorded benchmark results.