AMD Ryzen 7 170 vs Intel Core 5 211E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a clear division of labor between these two processors. The Intel Core 5 211E wins 9 of the 11 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 7 170 takes only 2. The most striking margin comes in floating-point math, where the Intel part scores 66,402 against the AMD's 44,979, a delta of 32.3% in Intel's favor. This is the largest percentage gap in either direction across the entire test suite.

Single-thread performance also heavily favors Intel. The Core 5 211E posts a score of 4,006 in the single-thread test, while the Ryzen 7 170 manages 3,128, a 21.9% deficit for AMD. This pattern repeats in data compression, where Intel scores 346,757 versus AMD's 265,920, a 23.3% lead. Random string sorting shows Intel ahead by 19% (34,308 versus 27,804), and extended instructions favor Intel by 16.1% (21,592 versus 18,107).

The Intel chip also leads in integer math, but by a smaller margin: 88,117 versus 79,738, a 9.5% advantage. Data encryption goes to Intel at 17,938 versus 16,078, a 10.4% gap. In the multithread benchmark, Intel scores 23,833 against AMD's 20,760, a 12.9% difference.

The AMD Ryzen 7 170 claims its two wins in workloads that appear to reward its architecture differently. In the find-prime-numbers test, AMD scores 49 versus Intel's 43, a 14% advantage. More decisively, in the physics test, AMD scores 890 against Intel's 702, a 26.8% lead. That physics result is AMD's single biggest win and suggests a specific strength in certain computational patterns.

The average benchmark scores tell a broader story. AMD's average is 43,689 across all recorded tests, placing it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Intel's average is 37,829, which lands in the 86th percentile. Despite winning most head-to-head matchups, the Intel part's average is dragged down by its lower scores in the physics and prime-number tests, while AMD's consistent mid-range scores keep its average higher.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 uses the Zen 3+ architecture on a 6 nm process from TSMC, with a die size of 210 mm². The Intel Core 5 211E uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process from Intel's own foundry, with a larger die size of 257 mm².

Core counts differ: AMD provides 8 cores and 16 threads, while Intel provides 10 cores and 16 threads. This means Intel's thread count matches AMD's despite having two additional physical cores. Clock speeds also diverge. AMD's base clock is 3.20 GHz with a boost of 4.75 GHz. Intel's base is lower at 2.70 GHz, but its boost is higher at 4.90 GHz. The higher Intel boost clock likely explains its single-thread advantage.

Cache configurations show a notable difference. AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Intel gives each core 80 KB of L1, a substantially larger 2 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. Intel's larger L2 and L3 caches may contribute to its wins in data-heavy workloads like compression and sorting.

Memory support differs as well. AMD supports only DDR5, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses with identical theoretical bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity diverges: AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Intel's PCIe generation is newer, but AMD provides more total lanes.

Integrated graphics also differ. AMD includes a Radeon 680M, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 730. The sockets are incompatible: AMD uses Socket FP7 (mobile), and Intel uses Socket 1700 (desktop). This reflects their different market segments: AMD is listed as mobile, Intel as desktop. The release dates show AMD arriving later (2025-09-30) versus Intel earlier (2025-01-12). Thermal design power differs substantially: AMD is rated at 35 W, Intel at 65 W. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 7 170 boosts to 4.75 GHz. Intel's boost advantage is 0.15 GHz.

Q: How do the core counts compare between the two?

A: The Intel Core 5 211E has 10 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores. Both processors support 16 threads.

Q: Which processor offers more L3 cache?

A: Intel provides 20 MB of shared L3 cache, while AMD provides 16 MB. Intel also gives each core 2 MB of L2 versus AMD's 512 KB per core.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth for each processor?

A: Both are rated at 76.8 GB/s with dual-channel buses. AMD supports DDR5 only, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor wins the physics benchmark?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 wins the physics test with a score of 890, versus Intel's 702, a 26.8% advantage for AMD.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: AMD's average is 43,689, which is higher than Intel's 37,829. AMD also ranks in the 88th percentile versus Intel's 86th.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 170 | Intel Core 5 211E |

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

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.75 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP7 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 3+ | Bartlett Lake |

| Process Node | 6 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 257 mm² |

| L1 Cache (per core) | 64 KB | 80 KB |

| L2 Cache (per core) | 512 KB | 2 MB |

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

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 680M | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2025-09-30 | 2025-01-12 |

| Launch MSRP | None recorded | $221 |

Both processors share identical dual-channel memory buses, 76.8 GB/s memory bandwidth, ECC support, 16 threads, and locked multipliers. The table above captures only the fields where the two parts differ.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 211E dominates most compute-heavy integer and data workloads. Its wins span data compression (23.3% ahead), single-thread performance (21.9% ahead), extended instructions (16.1% ahead), random string sorting (19% ahead), integer math (9.5% ahead), encryption (10.4% ahead), multithread (12.9% ahead), and floating-point math (32.3% ahead). This pattern suggests Intel's higher boost clock, larger per-core L2 cache, and additional two physical cores give it an edge in workloads that scale with raw throughput and memory bandwidth per core.

The AMD Ryzen 7 170 wins in physics (26.8% ahead) and find-prime-numbers (14% ahead). These two tests may reflect AMD's Zen 3+ architecture handling certain mathematical operations more efficiently, or its lower TDP of 35 W allowing sustained performance in specific patterns. AMD's higher average benchmark score (43,689 versus 37,829) and better percentile ranking (88th versus 86th) indicate that its losses are concentrated in the tests where Intel excels, while AMD remains competitive across the broader benchmark suite.

For workloads involving heavy floating-point calculations, data compression, or single-threaded responsiveness, the data points decisively to Intel. For physics simulations, prime-number finding, or scenarios where the higher average score matters, AMD holds the advantage.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates that the Intel Core 5 211E is the stronger performer in the majority of recorded tests. Its 9-to-2 win count, combined with large margins in floating-point math, single-thread, and data compression, makes it the logical choice for applications that depend on those specific strengths. The Intel part also offers the flexibility of DDR4 and DDR5 memory support, plus PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, despite running at a higher 65 W TDP.

The AMD Ryzen 7 170, however, delivers the higher average benchmark score (43,689 versus 37,829) and the better overall percentile standing (88th versus 86th). Its 35 W TDP makes it a more power-efficient option, and its wins in physics and prime-number tests show it handles certain workloads better than Intel. The AMD part also provides more PCIe lanes (20 versus 16), though at Gen 4 speeds rather than Gen 5.

The choice depends on which benchmarks matter most. Users prioritizing floating-point math, single-thread speed, or data-heavy operations should select the Intel Core 5 211E. Users focused on physics workloads, prime-number computations, or overall average performance across a broad test suite should select the AMD Ryzen 7 170. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $221, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the AMD part. Both processors remain active in production.