AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T Comparison

# Intel Core Ultra 5 225T vs AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U represent two distinct approaches to modern computing: a desktop-focused Arrow Lake part with 10 cores and a mobile-oriented Hawk Point chip with 6 cores and 12 threads. Benchmark data shows the Intel part winning 14 of 17 head-to-head tests, though the AMD chip claims decisive victories in several specialized workloads. Both processors sit near the 81st–82nd percentile of all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 30468 for the Intel and 30254 for the AMD, a difference of less than 1%.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T scores 21971 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 10% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U's 19982. This pattern repeats across all Cinebench versions tested, with Intel leading by 9.9–10% in every multi-core and single-core Cinebench test.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, the AMD chip wins three head-to-head tests: data compression (260925 vs 233998, a 10.3% lead), integer math (74875 vs 59543, a 20.5% lead), and random string sorting (32114 vs 28774, a 10.4% lead). These are all PassMark workload-specific tests.

Q: How do the two compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T leads in PassMark single-thread score with 4348 versus 3732 for the AMD, a 16.5% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 3101 against AMD's 2821, a 9.9% lead. The Intel part also wins Cinebench R15 single-core (312 vs 284) and R20 single-core (1302 vs 1184).

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The biggest delta appears in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T scores 284 versus just 78 for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U, a 264.1% advantage. The second-largest gap is in floating-point math, where Intel leads 82751 to 45265, an 82.8% difference.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U has 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having fewer physical cores, the AMD chip uses simultaneous multithreading to reach 12 threads, whereas the Intel part has no hyperthreading.

Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has an average benchmark score of 30468, placing it in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U averages 30254, sitting in the 81st percentile. The Intel part's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-13600H (30548, -0.3% delta), while the AMD's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X (30213, 0.1% delta).

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T is built on a 3 nm process at TSMC, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U uses a 4 nm process, also from TSMC. The Intel chip packs 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, whereas the AMD part contains 25,000 million transistors on a smaller 178 mm² die. Both are active production parts, but the Intel is a desktop component on Socket 1851, while the AMD is a mobile processor on Socket FP7.

The core configurations diverge significantly. Intel's Arrow Lake-S design provides 10 cores and 10 threads with 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD's Zen 4 Hawk Point design offers 6 cores and 12 threads with 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The Intel cache hierarchy is notably larger at every level, which contributes to its single-thread advantage.

Clock speeds tell a nuanced story. The AMD chip has a higher base clock at 3.50 GHz versus 2.50 GHz for Intel, but both boost to exactly 4.90 GHz. The Intel part consumes more power with a 65 W TDP against AMD's 28 W TDP — a significant difference given the AMD's mobile positioning. Memory bandwidth favors Intel at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s, though both use dual-channel DDR5. The AMD supports ECC memory, while the Intel does not. PCIe generation differs: Intel uses Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes, while AMD uses Gen 4 with the same lane count. Integrated graphics also differ, with Intel's Arc Xe-LPG 16EU against AMD's Radeon 760M.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows consistent Intel dominance across the board. In R15 multi-core, Intel scores 2214 versus AMD's 2014, a 9.9% lead. The single-core R15 test repeats the same 9.9% delta at 312 versus 284. Moving to R20, Intel leads multi-core 9227 to 8392 (9.9%) and single-core 1302 to 1184 (10%). R23 results show Intel at 21971 against AMD's 19982 in multi-core and 3101 versus 2821 in single-core, both at 10% or 9.9% deltas. These margins are remarkably consistent, suggesting a fundamental IPC advantage for Arrow Lake in rendering workloads.

PassMark results present a more varied picture. The Intel chip wins PassMark multi-thread with 25358 versus 22795, an 11.2% lead. In single-thread, Intel's 4348 beats AMD's 3732 by 16.5%. The encryption test favors Intel at 18289 versus 15843, a 15.4% margin. Extended instructions go to Intel at 20083 versus 19130, a 5% edge. Physics scores heavily favor Intel: 2053 versus 1154, a 77.9% advantage. Floating-point math shows a similar story at 82751 versus 45265, an 82.8% gap. The find prime numbers test produces the most extreme delta at 264.1% (284 vs 78).

However, AMD claims three notable wins. Data compression favors the Ryzen at 260925 versus 233998, a 10.3% advantage. Integer math is AMD's largest victory at 74875 versus 59543, a 20.5% lead. Random string sorting also goes to AMD at 32114 versus 28774, a 10.4% margin. These wins suggest AMD's Zen 4 architecture handles certain integer-heavy, memory-access patterns more efficiently despite its smaller cache.

The Verdict

The data indicates the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T is the stronger all-around performer. It wins 14 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, including every Cinebench test, all single-thread tests, and the majority of PassMark workloads. The Intel part's average benchmark score of 30468 exceeds the AMD's 30254, and its 82nd percentile ranking edges out AMD's 81st. For users prioritizing rendering, physics simulation, floating-point math, or single-thread responsiveness, the Intel chip is clearly superior based on these results.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U, despite losing most tests, offers specific strengths. Its wins in data compression, integer math, and random string sorting indicate particular efficiency in those workloads. Additionally, the AMD chip operates at a much lower 28 W TDP versus Intel's 65 W, and it supports ECC memory — features absent from the Intel part. For mobile platforms where power consumption is critical, or for workloads heavily dependent on integer operations, the AMD chip has a clear rationale.

The choice between them depends on workload priorities. If benchmark breadth matters, Intel wins decisively. If specialized integer tasks, ECC support, or power efficiency take precedence, AMD's chip holds its own despite the overall score deficit.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 5 225T | AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U |

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

| Cores | 10 | 6 |

| Threads | 10 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 28 W |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 4 nm |

| Transistors | 17,800 million | 25,000 million |

| Die Size | 243 mm² | 178 mm² |

| L1 Cache (per core) | 192 KB | 64 KB |

| L2 Cache (per core) | 3 MB | 1 MB |

| L3 Cache (shared) | 20 MB | 16 MB |

| Memory Bandwidth | 102.4 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes | Gen 4, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG 16EU | Radeon 760M |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1851 | AMD Socket FP7 |

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins in: All Cinebench multi-core and single-core tests (9.9–10% leads), PassMark multi-thread (11.2%), single-thread (16.5%), data encryption (15.4%), extended instructions (5%), find prime numbers (264.1%), floating-point math (82.8%), and physics (77.9%). This makes it the choice for rendering, scientific computing, encryption workloads, and any task where single-core speed or FPU throughput dominates. Its 20 MB L3 cache and 3 MB per-core L2 likely drive these consistent wins.

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U wins in: Data compression (10.3%), integer math (20.5%), and random string sorting (10.4%). These victories suggest strengths in data manipulation, compression algorithms, and sorting tasks that rely heavily on integer execution units. The AMD's 12 threads from 6 cores with SMT may help in these throughput-oriented workloads. Its 28 W TDP also makes it suitable for power-constrained mobile environments, and ECC memory support addresses reliability-focused use cases that Intel cannot match. For users running compression pipelines or integer-heavy analytics, the AMD chip's 20.5% integer math advantage is substantial.