AMD Ryzen 7 5800X vs Intel Core 5 220H Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X records an average benchmark score of 29123, while the Intel Core 5 220H posts 28574. That places the AMD part in the 81st percentile of all CPUs and the Intel part in the 80th percentile.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The Ryzen 7 5800X scores 15476 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 11198 for the Core 5 220H, a delta of 38.2% in favor of AMD. The R15 multi-core test shows a similar story: 2608.5 versus 1835, a 42.2% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, two. The Core 5 220H leads in Cinebench R23 single-core with 1853 versus 1574.5, a 15% advantage, and in PassMark physics with 1478 versus 1364, a 7.7% edge.

Q: What are the closest rivals for each processor?

A: For the Ryzen 7 5800X, the nearest rival is the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H with an average score of 29093, a 0.1% difference. For the Core 5 220H, the AMD EPYC 7203P matches at 28583, a 0% delta.

Q: Which chip has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the Ryzen 7 5800X reaches 4.70 GHz. However, the AMD chip has a higher base clock at 3.80 GHz versus 2.70 GHz.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X has 8 cores and 16 threads. Both support 16 threads, but Intel achieves that with more physical cores.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 7 5800X is built on AMD's Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer, using a 7 nm process from TSMC. The die contains 4,150 million transistors on a 74 mm² slice. Cache layout includes 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and a 32 MB L3 cache. It supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s and ECC memory. The processor runs on AMD Socket AM4 with 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, and it has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

The Intel Core 5 220H uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-H from the Raptor Lake Refresh generation. It is manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process. Cache is organized differently: 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. Memory support spans both DDR4 and DDR5, but no memory bandwidth figure is recorded and ECC is not supported. The socket is Intel BGA 1744, a mobile package, with 8 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU. The multiplier is locked, and it includes integrated Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units.

The transistor count and die size for the Intel part are not recorded in the database, which limits direct physical comparison. The AMD chip is a desktop part, while the Intel chip is a mobile part, which explains the TDP difference: 105 W for AMD versus 45 W for Intel. The Intel architecture uses a hybrid core design typical of Raptor Lake, though the database does not specify the P-core/E-core split. The AMD design relies on a uniform 8-core layout with simultaneous multithreading.

The process node difference (7 nm TSMC versus 10 nm Intel) and the cache hierarchy divergence are the most significant architectural factors. The AMD chip has a much larger L3 (32 MB versus 18 MB), while the Intel chip has larger per-core L1 and L2 (80 KB and 2 MB versus 64 KB and 512 KB). These differences likely influence the benchmark patterns observed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 7 5800X dominates the head-to-head comparison with 13 wins out of 15 recorded tests. The largest single victory comes in PassMark extended instructions, where AMD scores 23573 against Intel's 14642, a 61% delta. This indicates a substantial advantage in SIMD or specialized instruction workloads, likely tied to the Zen 3 architecture's execution resources.

Data compression and encryption both show identical 39.3% deltas. The AMD chip scores 345414 in data compression versus 247921, and 21191 in data encryption versus 15216. These results suggest the Ryzen 7 5800X handles memory-intensive and cryptographic workloads with notably higher throughput.

Prime number finding shows a 51.2% advantage for AMD (124 versus 82), which reflects integer-heavy computation. Integer math itself favors AMD by 29.1% (94969 versus 73555). The multi-threaded PassMark score gives AMD a 26.7% lead (27732 versus 21884), and random string sorting adds a 24.5% edge (35401 versus 28438).

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the largest percentage gap at 42.2% (2608.5 versus 1835). R23 multi-core is close behind at 38.2% (15476 versus 11198). These multi-core wins align with the PassMark multithread result, confirming that the AMD chip sustains higher throughput across all cores.

The Intel Core 5 220H wins only two tests. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1853 beats AMD's 1574.5 by 15%. PassMark physics shows a 7.7% win (1478 versus 1364). The R15 single-core test is nearly tied: AMD wins by 1.3% (265.5 versus 262). PassMark single-thread is also close, with AMD ahead by 1.2% (3445 versus 3405). Floating-point math is the tightest contest, with AMD winning by just 1.9% (52639 versus 51671).

The pattern is clear: AMD wins heavily in multi-core and specialized workloads, while Intel takes the lead in single-core Cinebench and physics simulation. The physics win is notable because it is the only PassMark subtest where Intel prevails, suggesting a specific workload characteristic that favors the Raptor Lake design.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every recorded specification field. The Ryzen 7 5800X has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Core 5 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 3.80 GHz for AMD and 2.70 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 4.70 GHz for AMD and 4.90 GHz for Intel. TDP is 105 W for the desktop AMD part and 45 W for the mobile Intel part.

Sockets differ completely: AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel BGA 1744. The process node is 7 nm (TSMC) for AMD and 10 nm (Intel) for Intel. Cache configurations diverge: L1 is 64 KB per core for AMD versus 80 KB per core for Intel, L2 is 512 KB per core versus 2 MB per core, and L3 is 32 MB versus 18 MB shared. Memory support is DDR4 for AMD, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is recorded only for AMD at 51.2 GB/s. ECC is supported on AMD but not on Intel.

PCIe lanes differ: AMD provides 20 Gen 4 lanes, Intel provides 8 Gen 5 lanes. Integrated graphics are absent on the AMD chip, while the Intel chip includes Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units. The market segment is Desktop for AMD and Mobile for Intel. The multiplier is unlocked on AMD and locked on Intel. Release dates are November 4, 2020 for AMD and December 17, 2024 for Intel.

The Intel chip has no recorded transistor count, die size, or memory bandwidth, which prevents a complete specification comparison. The launch MSRP is $449 for the AMD chip and $342 for the Intel chip. The part numbers are 100-000000063 for AMD and SRQ6SQ5MM for Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 7 5800X wins in nearly every computational category. Multi-core rendering is its strongest area, with Cinebench R23 and R15 showing 38.2% and 42.2% leads, respectively. Data compression and encryption each show 39.3% advantages, making it the clear choice for file archiving, database workloads, and secure communications. Extended instructions (61% lead) and prime number finding (51.2% lead) point to scientific computing and cryptographic applications.

Integer math (29.1% lead), random string sorting (24.5% lead), and multithread PassMark (26.7% lead) reinforce the AMD chip's strength in general productivity and parallel tasks. The near-ties in single-thread (1.2% lead) and floating-point math (1.9% lead) mean the AMD chip is also competitive in lighter workloads, just without a decisive edge.

The Intel Core 5 220H wins in single-core Cinebench R23 by 15%, which matters for lightly threaded applications like older games or single-threaded productivity tools. The physics simulation win (7.7% lead) suggests an advantage in certain gaming physics or simulation workloads, though the margin is modest. The Intel chip also has integrated graphics, which the AMD chip lacks entirely, making it usable in systems without a discrete GPU.

For mobile use, the Intel chip's 45 W TDP and BGA socket make it suitable for laptops, while the AMD chip's 105 W TDP and AM4 socket target desktop builds. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, offering flexibility in system design, while the AMD chip is limited to DDR4.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split by use case. For desktop users prioritizing multi-core performance, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X is the stronger choice. It wins 13 of 15 head-to-head benchmarks, with particularly large margins in Cinebench multi-core (38.2% in R23), extended instructions (61%), and data compression (39.3%). Its 32 MB L3 cache and 7 nm process likely contribute to these results, though the database does not explicitly test that hypothesis.

For users needing a mobile processor with strong single-core performance, the Intel Core 5 220H has specific advantages. Its 15% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 7.7% lead in physics, combined with integrated graphics and a 45 W TDP, make it suitable for thin-and-light laptops. The support for DDR5 memory and PCIe Gen 5 lanes also positions it for modern mobile platforms.

The average benchmark scores are close: 29123 for AMD versus 28574 for Intel, a difference of roughly 1.9%. The percentile rankings are nearly identical (81st versus 80th). However, the distribution of wins is lopsided. The AMD chip wins by large margins in multi-core and specialized tasks, while the Intel chip wins by a single large margin in single-core Cinebench and a smaller margin in physics.

The recorded data suggests that the Ryzen 7 5800X is the more versatile performer for compute-heavy workloads, while the Core 5 220H serves a niche for single-thread-sensitive applications in a mobile form factor. The Intel chip's integrated graphics and lower TDP are qualitative advantages for portable systems, but the benchmark scores do not capture graphics performance. The AMD chip's unlocked multiplier and ECC support are additional features for desktop enthusiasts, though the database does not quantify their impact.

The verdict for a desktop builder is the Ryzen 7 5800X, based on its overwhelming benchmark lead. The verdict for a mobile buyer is the Core 5 220H, based on its form factor, integrated graphics, and single-core wins. The two chips occupy different market segments, and the data reflects that division clearly.