AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive overall winner: the Intel Core 5 221E takes 16 of the 17 recorded tests, with the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS claiming a single narrow victory. The margins, however, vary significantly across workload types, which tells a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

Starting with the Cinebench suite, the Intel part dominates consistently. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Core 5 221E scores 2613 against AMD's 1824, a delta of -30.2% from AMD's perspective. The single-core R15 result mirrors this exactly: 368 versus 257, again a 30.2% gap. The same pattern holds in R20 and R23. For R20 multi-core, Intel posts 10891 versus 7603, and for single-core, 1537 versus 1073. In R23, the most demanding of the Cinebench tests, Intel reaches 25933 multi-core while AMD manages 18104; single-core shows 3661 against 2555. Every Cinebench delta sits at precisely -30.2%, indicating a consistent performance ratio across both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering workloads.

The Passmark suite reveals a wider spread of outcomes. The largest Intel advantage appears in prime number finding, where Intel scores 173 versus AMD's 71, a 59% deficit for AMD. Floating point math shows Intel at 79028 against 43019, a 45.6% gap. Integer math follows with 117813 versus 69839, a 40.7% difference. Physics simulation favors Intel heavily: 2230 versus 1043, a 53.2% gap. Multi-threaded Passmark shows Intel at 30510 versus 21465, a 29.6% difference. Data compression gives Intel 324285 against 246446, a 24% gap. Data encryption shows 19205 versus 14962, a 22.1% difference. Random string sorting is closer: 37686 versus 30235, a 19.8% gap. Single-thread Passmark shows the smallest Intel margin among the Passmark tests: 4147 versus 3561, a 14.1% difference.

The single AMD victory comes in extended instructions, where AMD scores 18507 against Intel's 18216. This is a narrow 1.6% margin, but it is the only test where the AMD processor finishes ahead. The overall average benchmark scores reflect this imbalance: Intel's average is 40144, while AMD sits at 28478. In percentile terms, Intel ranks in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while AMD sits in the 80th percentile.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core 5 221E leads in every major CPU-intensive category: rendering, integer math, floating point, physics, encryption, compression, and multi-threaded throughput. Its single-thread advantage, measured at 14.1% in Passmark and 30.2% in Cinebench R23, also makes it the stronger choice for lightly threaded applications.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS retains one specific strength: extended instruction workloads. The 1.6% lead in Passmark extended instructions suggests that code leveraging advanced instruction sets may see a slight benefit on AMD's architecture. Beyond that niche, the AMD processor trails by margins ranging from roughly 20% to nearly 60% depending on the workload.

The average benchmark score difference is substantial: 40144 for Intel versus 28478 for AMD, a gap of approximately 41%. The Intel processor also places higher in the overall CPU percentile ranking, at 87 versus 80. For anyone prioritizing raw computational performance across diverse workloads, the Intel Core 5 221E is the data-backed choice. The AMD part only makes sense for scenarios where extended instruction performance is the sole bottleneck, and even then, the advantage is slim.

Architecture Differences

The two processors take fundamentally different design approaches. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS uses the Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, with a die size of 178 mm² and 25,000 million transistors. Its codename is Hawk Point, and it belongs to the 8000 series. The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm². Intel does not list a transistor count.

Core configuration differs sharply. AMD provides 6 cores and 12 threads, while Intel provides 14 cores and 20 threads. This explains much of the multi-threaded performance gap. The AMD base clock is 3.50 GHz with a boost of 4.90 GHz; Intel starts at 2.70 GHz base but boosts to 5.20 GHz, which supports its single-thread lead despite the lower base frequency.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. AMD uses 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Intel uses 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. Both support dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, but AMD supports only DDR5 while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs: AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ as well: AMD uses Radeon 760M, Intel uses UHD Graphics 730. The AMD part is mobile-class, socketed in AMD Socket FP7; the Intel part is desktop-class, using Intel Socket 1700.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E averages 40144, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS averages 28478. Intel leads by roughly 41%.

Q: What is the largest single-test performance gap?

A: The Passmark find prime numbers test shows the biggest difference, with Intel scoring 173 versus AMD's 71, a 59% deficit for AMD.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins Passmark extended instructions with 18507 versus Intel's 18216, a 1.6% margin.

Q: How do the Cinebench R23 scores compare?

A: In R23 multi-core, Intel scores 25933 and AMD scores 18104. In R23 single-core, Intel scores 3661 and AMD scores 2555. Both deltas are -30.2% from AMD's perspective.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the memory support difference?

A: Both support dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, but AMD supports DDR5 only, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both support ECC.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E wins across the vast majority of measured categories. For rendering workloads, the Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests all favor Intel by 30.2%. For general multi-threaded throughput, Passmark multithread gives Intel a 29.6% edge. Single-thread performance also belongs to Intel, with a 14.1% Passmark single-thread lead and a 30.2% Cinebench R23 single-core lead.

Numeric workloads show the largest Intel advantages. Prime number finding favors Intel by 59%, physics by 53.2%, floating point math by 45.6%, and integer math by 40.7%. Data-oriented tasks also lean Intel: encryption by 22.1%, compression by 24%, and random string sorting by 19.8%.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS wins only in extended instructions, with a 1.6% advantage. This is a narrow, specialized victory. It does not translate into wins in any other tested category. The AMD processor also holds the lower power envelope, with a 28 watt TDP versus Intel's 65 watt TDP, and a smaller die size of 178 mm² versus 257 mm², though those are architectural rather than performance factors.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show clear differences across every major field. AMD uses 6 cores and 12 threads; Intel uses 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 3.50 GHz for AMD and 2.70 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 4.90 GHz for AMD and 5.20 GHz for Intel. TDP is 28 watts for AMD and 65 watts for Intel. Sockets differ: AMD Socket FP7 versus Intel Socket 1700.

Process node: AMD uses 4 nm TSMC; Intel uses 10 nm Intel foundry. Die size: AMD at 178 mm², Intel at 257 mm². Transistor count is listed only for AMD at 25,000 million. Cache: AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, 16 MB shared L3. Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, 24 MB shared L3. Memory support: AMD DDR5 only, Intel DDR4 and DDR5. Both are dual-channel with 89.6 GB/s. ECC: both true. PCIe: AMD Gen 4 with 20 lanes, Intel Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics: AMD Radeon 760M, Intel UHD Graphics 730. Market segment: AMD mobile, Intel desktop. Release dates: AMD 2024-04-15, Intel 2025-01-12. Intel lists a launch MSRP of $232; AMD has no listed launch MSRP.