AMD Ryzen 7 250 vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a decisive overall victory for the AMD Ryzen 7 250, which wins 10 of the 15 compared benchmarks. The Intel Core 5 330 takes the remaining 5. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story about workload types.

The most lopsided results favor AMD in integer-heavy and memory-sensitive tasks. In PassMark integer math, the Ryzen 7 250 scores 91,565 against 33,258 for the Intel part, a delta of 175.3%. That is the single largest gap in the entire comparison. Data compression is nearly as one-sided: AMD scores 300,708 versus 145,287, a 107% advantage. Random string sorting also shows AMD at 35,861 versus 17,771, a 101.8% delta. These three workloads suggest that the AMD processor's architecture handles sequential data processing and arithmetic with far greater throughput.

The Cinebench multi-core results reinforce AMD's lead, though not as dramatically. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 2,302 versus 1,325, a 73.7% delta. In the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core test, the gap narrows significantly: 14,676 versus 13,150, a delta of only 11.6%. This narrowing hints that the Intel chip's efficiency cores, despite having fewer threads, scale reasonably well under sustained rendering loads.

AMD also dominates in encryption and extended instructions. PassMark data encryption shows 17,661 versus 11,076, a 59.5% delta. Extended instructions (often used in AVX-type workloads) show 21,613 versus 12,808, a 68.7% delta. Floating-point math is closer but still favors AMD: 53,285 versus 43,885, a 21.4% delta. The PassMark multithread score is also firmly in AMD's corner: 25,089 versus 15,471, a 62.2% delta.

The Intel Core 5 330 claims victory in five benchmarks, and they cluster around single-thread and physics performance. The single largest Intel win is in PassMark find prime numbers: Intel scores 114 versus AMD's 73, a delta of -36% (meaning AMD trails by 36%). PassMark single-thread shows Intel at 4,088 versus 3,678, a -10% delta. Cinebench R23 single-core also goes to Intel: 1,856 versus 1,715, a -7.6% delta. PassMark physics is a narrow Intel win: 1,201 versus 1,147, a -4.5% delta. Interestingly, Cinebench R15 single-core goes the other way: AMD wins 269 versus 186, a 44.6% delta, which creates a confusing picture for single-core performance across different benchmark versions.

The data implies that Intel's chip has a genuine advantage in pure single-thread integer and prime-number workloads, while AMD's single-core advantage in the older Cinebench R15 test may reflect differences in how that benchmark interacts with the two architectures. Overall, the average benchmark score in the database places AMD at 38,221 (86th percentile of all CPUs) versus Intel at 18,345 (72nd percentile). The nearest rivals for AMD include the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T and Intel Core i5-13600HX, both within 0.2% delta. Intel's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-14100 and Core 7 360, again within 0.2% delta.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 250 wins 10 of the 15 compared tests, while the Intel Core 5 330 wins 5.

Q: What is the largest single margin in the comparison?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark integer math, where AMD scores 91,565 versus Intel's 33,258, a delta of 175.3%.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any single-thread tests?

A: Yes. The Intel Core 5 330 wins PassMark single-thread (4,088 versus 3,678, a -10% delta), Cinebench R23 single-core (1,856 versus 1,715, a -7.6% delta), and PassMark find prime numbers (114 versus 73, a -36% delta).

Q: How do the two compare in multi-core rendering?

A: AMD wins both Cinebench multi-core tests. In R15 multi-core, AMD scores 2,302 versus 1,325 (73.7% delta). In R23 multi-core, AMD scores 14,676 versus 13,150 (11.6% delta).

Q: What does the percentile data indicate about overall standing?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 250 sits at the 86th percentile of all CPUs with an average score of 38,221. The Intel Core 5 330 sits at the 72nd percentile with an average score of 18,345.

Q: Are there any tests where the Intel chip is competitive in multi-thread workloads?

A: Only PassMark physics, where Intel scores 1,201 versus AMD's 1,147, a -4.5% delta. All other multi-thread and multithread-related tests favor AMD.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 250 uses Zen 4 architecture on the Hawk Point codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, meaning it supports simultaneous multithreading. The Intel Core 5 330 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3 nm process at Intel, with 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyper-threading in this part.

The cache layouts diverge sharply. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Intel provides 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and only 6 MB of shared L3. The smaller L3 on Intel likely contributes to its weaker performance in data compression and random string sorting, where repeated data access patterns benefit from larger caches.

Memory support also differs. AMD supports DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus and a recorded bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but uses a single-channel memory bus with a recorded bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. This bandwidth gap of roughly 50% explains much of AMD's lead in memory-sensitive benchmarks like integer math and random string sorting.

The integrated graphics differ as well. AMD pairs the CPU with a Radeon 780M. Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. Neither is benchmarked in this comparison, but the architectural difference is notable for mobile platforms.

PCIe connectivity also differs. AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Intel provides Gen 4 with only 6 lanes (CPU only). This could affect external device bandwidth for users who need many PCIe devices.

The transistor count and die size are only recorded for AMD: 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. Intel's figures are not recorded in the database. The AMD part is also marked as having a production status of Active, as is Intel.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 250 has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The Intel Core 5 330 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The base clock difference is substantial, though boost clocks are closer.

Thermal design power differs: AMD is rated at 28 W, Intel at 15 W. This suggests Intel targets lower-power mobile designs, though the database does not record real-world power draw.

Sockets differ: AMD uses AMD Socket FP8, Intel uses Intel BGA 1516. Neither is socketed for desktop upgrades.

Memory bus width differs: AMD is dual-channel, Intel is single-channel. The memory bandwidth figures are 89.6 GB/s for AMD and 59.7 GB/s for Intel.

PCIe lane count differs: AMD has 20 Gen 4 lanes, Intel has 6 Gen 4 lanes.

The release dates differ: AMD is dated 2025-01-05, Intel is dated 2026-04-15. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $309. AMD has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Cores and threads differ: AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads, Intel has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Process node differs: AMD uses 4 nm from TSMC, Intel uses 3 nm from its own foundry.

Cache hierarchy differs: AMD's L1 is 64 KB per core, L2 is 1 MB per core, L3 is 16 MB shared. Intel's L1 is 192 KB total, L2 is 2.5 MB total, L3 is 6 MB shared.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 250 wins in all multi-threaded production workloads. It is particularly strong in data compression (107% delta), integer math (175.3% delta), and encryption (59.5% delta). The PassMark multithread score of 25,089 versus 15,471 confirms that any workload that can use 16 threads will see a major advantage on AMD. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result, while closer at 11.6% delta, still favors AMD for rendering tasks.

The Intel Core 5 330 wins in specific single-thread integer workloads. The find prime numbers test shows a 36% advantage for Intel, which indicates strong branch prediction or integer division performance. The PassMark single-thread score of 4,088 versus 3,678 gives Intel a 10% edge for lightweight single-threaded tasks that do not heavily use memory bandwidth. The physics test, at 4.5% delta, is a narrow but real Intel win.

The data suggests AMD is the choice for compilation, data processing, encryption, and any parallel workload. Intel is the choice for single-threaded integer loops, prime-number calculations, and possibly some legacy applications that are poorly multithreaded. However, the Cinebench R15 single-core result (AMD wins 44.6%) complicates the single-thread story, implying that benchmark version matters.

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 7 250 delivers a higher average benchmark score (38,221 versus 18,345) and sits in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, compared to Intel's 72nd percentile. The win count is 10 versus 5 in favor of AMD.

For users running multithreaded workloads such as video rendering, data compression, encryption, or heavy number-crunching, the AMD part is clearly superior. The 16 threads and dual-channel memory bandwidth provide a structural advantage that the Intel chip cannot overcome despite its higher boost clock in some tests.

For users running single-threaded integer-heavy applications, the Intel Core 5 330 shows a real edge in PassMark single-thread and prime-number finding. Its lower TDP of 15 W also makes it attractive for extremely power-constrained mobile designs, though the database does not record battery life or thermal behavior.

The Cinebench R23 single-core result (Intel wins by 7.6%) and the PassMark single-thread result (Intel wins by 10%) suggest that Intel has a modern single-thread efficiency advantage. The 3 nm process node likely contributes to this. However, the AMD chip wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 44.6%, showing that the older benchmark favors AMD's higher base clock.

Given the data, the AMD Ryzen 7 250 is the stronger all-around processor for mobile use cases where performance per watt and multithread capability matter. The Intel Core 5 330 is the better choice only for specific single-threaded integer workloads where its 4,088 PassMark single-thread score and 1,856 Cinebench R23 single-core score lead. The launch MSRP of $309 for the Intel part provides a price reference, though the database does not record a price for AMD.