AMD Ryzen 7 170 vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

AMD Ryzen 7 170 vs Intel Core 5 330: the recorded data shows two mobile processors built for different goals. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 wins 7 of 11 head-to-head benchmarks, often by massive margins in multi-threaded and integer workloads, while the Intel Core 5 330 counters with big wins in single-thread, physics, and prime-number tests. The Ryzen 7 170 posts an average benchmark score of 43689 and sits in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 5 330 averages 18345 and lands in the 72nd percentile. The AMD part is the clear throughput leader; the Intel part is the efficiency-oriented single-thread specialist.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning it lacks simultaneous multithreading.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 averages 43689, while the Intel Core 5 330 averages 18345. The AMD processor is roughly 138% higher in the aggregate average score.

Q: How do their power ratings compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has a TDP of 35 watts, whereas the Intel Core 5 330 has a TDP of 15 watts. The Intel chip uses less than half the thermal design power.

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded PassMark tests?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 scores 4088 in the PassMark single-thread test, beating the AMD Ryzen 7 170’s 3128. That is a 23.5% advantage for Intel.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core 5 330 does not.

Q: What memory bus configurations do they use?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 uses a dual-channel DDR5 memory bus with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 330 uses a single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X bus with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 170 dominates in workloads that scale with parallel resources. Its 8 cores and 16 threads drive a 139.8% lead in PassMark integer math (79738 vs 33258), a 83% lead in data compression (265920 vs 145287), and a 56.5% lead in random string sorting (27804 vs 17771). The AMD chip also wins in data encryption by 45.2% (16078 vs 11076), extended instructions by 41.4% (18107 vs 12808), and floating-point math by a narrower 2.5% (44979 vs 43885). The multithread PassMark score favors AMD by 34.2% (20760 vs 15471).

The Intel Core 5 330 wins where single-core efficiency and low latency matter. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4088 beats AMD’s 3128 by 23.5%. In the physics test, Intel leads 1201 vs 890, a 25.9% advantage. The largest Intel win is in finding prime numbers: 114 vs 49, a 57% margin. These three wins, plus the duplicate single-thread test entry, account for Intel’s 4 victories in the head-to-head set.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 170 uses the Zen 3+ architecture on a 6 nm TSMC process, with the Rembrandt-R codename. It belongs to the Ryzen 7 generation. The Intel Core 5 330 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3 nm Intel process, belonging to the Core 5 generation. The manufacturing node difference is significant: AMD uses TSMC’s 6 nm, Intel uses its own 3 nm.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has 192 KB of L1 total, 2.5 MB of L2 total, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD processor’s larger shared L3 helps in multi-threaded data reuse; the Intel processor’s smaller cache is paired with a much higher single-thread score.

Integrated graphics also differ. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 carries Radeon 680M graphics, while the Intel Core 5 330 has Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The AMD processor supports ECC memory; the Intel processor does not. The PCIe configurations differ: AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, Intel provides Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every core specification. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores and 16 threads, compared to 6 cores and 6 threads on the Intel Core 5 330. Base clocks are 3.20 GHz for AMD and 1.50 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are closer: 4.75 GHz for AMD, 4.60 GHz for Intel. TDP is 35 watts for AMD and 15 watts for Intel.

Memory support differs in channel count and bandwidth. AMD uses dual-channel DDR5 with 76.8 GB/s; Intel uses single-channel DDR5 or LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s. ECC is available only on AMD. Sockets differ: AMD uses Socket FP7, Intel uses BGA 1516. Process nodes differ: 6 nm TSMC for AMD, 3 nm Intel for the Core 5 330. The AMD die size is 210 mm², while Intel’s die size is not recorded.

Release dates differ: the AMD Ryzen 7 170 launched on 2025-09-30, the Intel Core 5 330 on 2026-04-15. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $309; the AMD part has no launch MSRP recorded. The AMD part number is 100-000000989, the Intel part number is SAE3G. Both processors have locked multipliers, both target the mobile market segment, and both remain in active production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest AMD win is in PassMark integer math, where the Ryzen 7 170 scores 79738 against the Core 5 330’s 33258, a 139.8% advantage. Data compression shows a similar pattern: 265920 vs 145287, an 83% lead. Random string sorting goes to AMD by 56.5%, with 27804 vs 17771. Data encryption favors AMD by 45.2% (16078 vs 11076), and extended instructions by 41.4% (18107 vs 12808). The multithread PassMark score is 20760 for AMD vs 15471 for Intel, a 34.2% gap. Floating-point math is close: AMD scores 44979, Intel scores 43885, a 2.5% margin.

The Intel wins are concentrated in single-thread and physics tests. PassMark single-thread shows Intel at 4088 vs AMD at 3128, a 23.5% edge. The physics test gives Intel 1201 vs AMD 890, a 25.9% advantage. The prime-number test is Intel’s biggest win: 114 vs 49, a 57% lead. The aggregate head-to-head record stands at 7 wins for AMD and 4 for Intel.

The benchmark data also places each chip in its own competitive neighborhood. The AMD Ryzen 7 170’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 (avg score 43704, delta 0%), the AMD Ryzen 7 260 (43717, -0.1%), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 (43431, 0.6%), and the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 (43326, 0.8%). The Intel Core 5 330’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-14100 (18318, 0.1%), the Intel Core 7 360 (18374, -0.2%), the Intel Core i3-13100 (18380, -0.2%), and the Intel Core 3 305 (18302, 0.2%). These deltas confirm that each chip sits in a different performance tier.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward split. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 is the processor for multi-threaded throughput: it wins integer math, compression, encryption, extended instructions, random string sorting, and the multithread PassMark score. Its 8 cores, 16 threads, dual-channel memory, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache deliver results that are 34% to 140% ahead of the Intel part in those tests. The 88th percentile ranking versus all CPUs, combined with an average score of 43689, places it firmly in the high-performance mobile tier.

The Intel Core 5 330 is the processor for single-thread efficiency and low power. Its 4088 single-thread PassMark score beats AMD by 23.5%, and it wins physics and prime-number tests by 25.9% and 57%, respectively. The 15 watt TDP is less than half of AMD’s 35 watts, and the 3 nm Intel process likely contributes to that efficiency. The 72nd percentile ranking and average score of 18345 place it in a lower absolute performance class, but its nearest rivals are all Intel Core i3 and Core 3 parts, confirming it competes in the entry-to-mid mobile range.

Buyers with multi-threaded workloads should favor the AMD Ryzen 7 170, since the recorded benchmarks show it leads in every parallel-heavy test. Buyers prioritizing single-thread response, physics simulation, or minimal power draw should favor the Intel Core 5 330, as its single-thread and physics scores are decisively higher. The two processors serve different segments: the AMD chip is a throughput leader, the Intel chip is an efficiency specialist.