AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a decisive overall performance advantage for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U over the Intel Core 5 221TE. Across all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the AMD processor wins every single test. The average benchmark score for the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U is 30254, placing it in the 81st percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 221TE averages 17860, which sits in the 71st percentile. The AMD part's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X (30213, 0.1% delta), the AMD Ryzen 7 7736U (30364, -0.4% delta), and the Intel Core i9-11980HK (30422, -0.6% delta). The Intel Core 5 221TE sits closest to the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (17891, -0.2% delta) and the Intel Core 5 120U (17898, -0.2% delta).

This is not a close contest. The AMD chip delivers a 76.8% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core score and a 76.8% higher single-core score. In PassMark single-thread testing, the AMD processor leads by 115.2%. The Intel part does have advantages in core count, with 10 cores and 16 threads versus 6 cores and 12 threads, and it carries a higher TDP at 45 watts versus 28 watts. However, the benchmark data consistently shows the AMD architecture delivering superior results despite fewer physical cores.

The Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U is the clear choice for workloads that benefit from high single-thread performance, multi-threaded rendering, encryption, compression, and floating-point math. The Intel Core 5 221TE, while a functional desktop processor, does not match the AMD part in any measured category. The data indicates that buyers requiring maximum throughput in the listed workloads should select the AMD processor. The Intel chip may still serve in systems where its specific platform features, such as PCIe Gen 5 support or DDR4 compatibility, are required.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U wins in every single benchmark category recorded. There is no workload in the database where the Intel Core 5 221TE takes the lead. The most pronounced AMD advantages appear in single-threaded performance, where the Ryzen scores 3732 in PassMark single-thread versus 1734 for Intel, a 115.2% delta. This suggests that the AMD part's higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz, combined with its Zen 4 architecture, delivers substantially better per-core throughput.

In multi-threaded workloads, the AMD chip also dominates. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 19982 for the Ryzen versus 11305 for the Intel, a 76.8% delta. PassMark multi-thread scores are 22795 versus 13301, a 71.4% delta. The Intel part's additional four cores and four threads do not compensate for the AMD processor's higher efficiency per core. The Ryzen also leads in data compression (260925 versus 156682, 66.5% delta), data encryption (15843 versus 8963, 76.8% delta), and extended instructions (19130 versus 9655, 98.1% delta).

The Intel Core 5 221TE finds its closest margin in the PassMark physics test, where the AMD part leads by only 18.1% (1154 versus 977). The largest AMD margin is in PassMark single-thread testing at 115.2%. The Intel processor's highest absolute scores come in integer math (42303), floating-point math (31661), and data compression (156682), but the AMD chip beats each of those numbers by margins ranging from 43% to 77%. There is no scenario in the recorded data where the Intel processor is the superior choice.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It contains 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel, with a 215 mm² die size. The transistor count for the Intel part is not recorded in the database.

Cache configurations differ meaningfully. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. Despite having more cache per core and more total L3, the Intel processor does not translate that into benchmark wins.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD chip supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with a lower memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both processors support ECC memory. The AMD part provides PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while the Intel part provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U uses the Radeon 760M, while the Intel Core 5 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730. The AMD part is a mobile processor with a 28 watt TDP and an AMD Socket FP7. The Intel part is a desktop processor with a 45 watt TDP and an Intel Socket 1700. The AMD chip's base clock is 3.50 GHz with a boost of 4.90 GHz, while the Intel chip's base clock is 1.80 GHz with a boost of 5.00 GHz. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD part was released on 2024-04-15, and the Intel part on 2025-01-12. The Intel part has a recorded launch MSRP of $232.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U leads by 115.2% in PassMark single-thread testing (3732 versus 1734). In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD chip scores 2821 versus 1596 for the Intel Core 5 221TE, a 76.8% delta.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 221TE's higher core count help in multi-threaded workloads?

A: No. Despite having 10 cores and 16 threads versus 6 cores and 12 threads for the AMD part, the Intel processor loses multi-threaded tests. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 19982 for AMD versus 11305 for Intel, and PassMark multi-thread shows 22795 versus 13301.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s with DDR5 support. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U boosts to 4.90 GHz. However, the AMD part still wins all single-threaded benchmark comparisons.

Q: Are both processors compatible with ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U and the Intel Core 5 221TE support ECC memory.

Q: What are the PCIe capabilities of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U provides PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes. The Intel Core 5 221TE provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clean sweep for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U across all 17 tests. The Intel Core 5 221TE records zero wins. The most striking margin appears in PassMark single-thread testing, where the AMD chip scores 3732 against 1734 for Intel, a 115.2% delta. This result indicates that the Zen 4 architecture delivers more than double the per-thread throughput in this particular test.

Cinebench results follow a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 2014 versus 1139, a 76.8% delta. Single-core in R15 shows 284 versus 160, a 77.5% delta. Cinebench R20 multi-core brings 8392 versus 4748, a 76.7% delta, and single-core brings 1184 versus 670, also a 76.7% delta. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 19982 versus 11305, a 76.8% delta, and single-core shows 2821 versus 1596, also a 76.8% delta. The AMD advantage hovers between 76.7% and 77.5% across all Cinebench iterations.

PassMark tests reveal varied margins. Data compression shows 260925 versus 156682, a 66.5% delta. Data encryption shows 15843 versus 8963, a 76.8% delta. Extended instructions show 19130 versus 9655, a 98.1% delta. Find prime numbers shows 78 versus 59, a 32.2% delta. Floating-point math shows 45265 versus 31661, a 43% delta. Integer math shows 74875 versus 42303, a 77% delta. Multi-thread shows 22795 versus 13301, a 71.4% delta. Physics shows 1154 versus 977, an 18.1% delta. Random string sorting shows 32114 versus 16929, an 89.7% delta.

The largest relative gaps beyond single-thread appear in extended instructions (98.1% delta) and random string sorting (89.7% delta). The smallest gap is in physics at 18.1%, followed by find prime numbers at 32.2%. These results suggest the AMD part excels in instruction-heavy and sorting workloads, while the Intel chip holds a relatively closer position in physics simulation. Even so, the Intel processor trails in every category, and the overall average benchmark score difference of 30254 versus 17860 places the AMD part in a different performance class. The data confirms that the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U is the dominant processor in this comparison.