AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data presents a lopsided comparison. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT wins 15 of the 17 recorded benchmarks, while the Intel Core 5 330 takes only two. The most decisive AMD victories come in compute-heavy workloads. In PassMark integer math, the 5800XT scores 93,942 against 33,258 for the Intel part, a delta of 182.5%. Data compression shows a 142.3% advantage (352,002 versus 145,287), and random string sorting is 102.1% ahead (35,911 versus 17,771). Encryption also favors AMD heavily, with 21,461 versus 11,076, a 93.8% gap.

Cinebench results are consistent across the board. The multi-core tests show the 5800XT at 2,398 (Cinebench R15) versus 1,325, a 81% delta. In R20, the scores are 9,993 versus 5,523 (80.9% ahead), and in R23, 23,794 versus 13,150 (80.9% ahead). Single-core Cinebench runs mirror this pattern: the AMD chip posts 338 versus 186 in R15 (81.7%), 1,410 versus 779 in R20 (81%), and 3,359 versus 1,856 in R23 (81%). The margin is nearly uniform, suggesting a consistent architectural throughput advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The two Intel wins are both in PassMark single-thread tests, where the Core 5 330 records 4,088 against 3,535 for the AMD processor, a 13.5% advantage. This is the only category where the Intel part leads. The narrowest AMD victory is in the find prime numbers test, 119 versus 114, a 4.4% delta. Floating-point math shows a 22.6% lead for AMD (53,808 versus 43,885), and physics simulation shows a 12.8% lead (1,355 versus 1,201). The overall average benchmark score reinforces the hierarchy: the 5800XT sits at 29,879, while the Core 5 330 sits at 18,345. The AMD processor also ranks in the 81st percentile of all CPUs, versus the 72nd percentile for Intel.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and market segments. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT is a desktop part using the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer. It is built on a 7 nm process at TSMC, with 4,150 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 330 is a mobile processor using the Wildcat Lake codename, fabricated on Intel's 3 nm node. The Intel chip does not list transistor count or die size in the database.

Core configuration differs sharply. The 5800XT has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The AMD part supports simultaneous multithreading, the Intel part does not. Base clocks are far apart: 3.80 GHz for AMD versus 1.50 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are closer, with 4.80 GHz for AMD and 4.60 GHz for Intel. The Intel chip's low base clock reflects its mobile, low-power design, with a TDP of 15 watts compared to 105 watts for the AMD desktop part.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The 5800XT uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. The Core 5 330 lists 192 KB of total L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has substantially more aggregate cache, which contributes to its large multi-threaded advantages. Memory support also diverges: the 5800XT uses DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth and supports ECC memory. The Core 5 330 uses DDR5 or LPDDR5X in a single-channel configuration, with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. Despite the single channel, the newer memory standard gives the Intel part a higher theoretical bandwidth figure.

PCIe connectivity is another distinguishing factor. The AMD processor provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel part provides Gen 4 with only 6 lanes. The Intel chip includes integrated graphics, specifically Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores, whereas the AMD processor has no integrated graphics (N/A). The Intel part is also locked (multiplier not unlocked), while the AMD part has an unlocked multiplier. Socket types reflect their segments: AMD uses Socket AM4, Intel uses BGA 1516, the latter being soldered for mobile use. The release dates are far apart, with the 5800XT launching in 2024 and the Core 5 330 in 2026.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT dominates every multi-threaded benchmark in the recorded data. For workloads that scale with core count and thread count, such as video rendering, 3D modeling, and batch data processing, the 8-core, 16-thread configuration delivers strong results. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 23,794 versus 13,150 indicates a clear advantage in CPU-bound rendering tasks. The PassMark multithread score of 28,053 versus 15,471 (81.3% delta) reinforces this. Data compression and encryption tasks also favor AMD heavily, making the 5800XT the better choice for archive management, database operations, or any application that relies on cryptographic throughput. The integer math result, with a 182.5% delta, suggests a major edge in general arithmetic-heavy code.

The Intel Core 5 330 wins only in PassMark single-thread performance. With a score of 4,088 versus 3,535 (13.5% ahead), it shows higher per-core efficiency in single-threaded workloads. This could benefit lightly threaded applications such as certain legacy software, some spreadsheet operations, or everyday browsing where only one or two cores are active. The Intel part also holds an advantage in memory bandwidth per the theoretical spec (59.7 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s), though benchmark results for memory-specific tests are not present in the data. The integrated graphics on the Intel part give it a functional advantage for systems without a discrete GPU, allowing basic display output and hardware acceleration, though no graphics benchmark scores are recorded.

The physics test shows a moderate AMD lead (1,355 versus 1,201, a 12.8% delta), which indicates better performance in simulated physics calculations. The floating-point math test also favors AMD, with 53,808 versus 43,885 (22.6% ahead). The find prime numbers test is nearly a tie, with AMD ahead by only 4.4%. That near-parity suggests the Intel chip is competitive in workloads that rely on simple integer loops without heavy cache or thread scaling.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT is the superior processor in almost every measured category. Across 15 of 17 head-to-head tests, it wins by margins ranging from 4.4% to 182.5%. The largest gaps appear in multi-threaded, data-intensive, and arithmetic workloads, where the 8-core, 16-thread Zen 3 design with 32 MB of L3 cache outperforms the 6-core, 6-thread Wildcat Lake part. The average benchmark score difference is substantial: 29,879 versus 18,345, a gap of over 11,000 points. The 5800XT also ranks higher in the overall percentile distribution at 81 versus 72.

The Intel Core 5 330 has one clear strength: single-thread PassMark performance, where it leads by 13.5%. For users whose primary workload is single-threaded and does not benefit from additional cores, the Intel part delivers a measurable advantage. However, that advantage does not carry into Cinebench single-core tests, where the AMD part leads by about 81% across all three Cinebench versions. The discrepancy between PassMark single-thread and Cinebench single-core suggests that the Intel advantage is specific to the PassMark test methodology, not a general single-thread dominance.

For systems that require sustained multi-threaded throughput, rendering, encryption, or heavy integer math, the AMD processor is the clear choice from the recorded data. For low-power mobile applications where integrated graphics are necessary and single-thread PassMark performance is the priority, the Intel part has its place. The 5800XT also carries an unlocked multiplier, which allows overclocking, while the Core 5 330 is locked. The AMD part supports ECC memory, which may matter for certain reliability-focused builds. The Intel part uses newer DDR5 memory and offers a smaller physical footprint via the BGA socket, but the benchmark evidence does not show a performance benefit from those features outside the single PassMark test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in the head-to-head data?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT scores 93,942 versus 33,258 for the Intel Core 5 330, a delta of 182.5%.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 330 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 5 330 wins the PassMark single-thread and PassMark singlethread tests, both with a score of 4,088 versus 3,535 for the AMD processor, a 13.5% advantage.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT has an average benchmark score of 29,879. The Intel Core 5 330 has an average benchmark score of 18,345.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 330 does not.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 330 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 5 330 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT has no integrated graphics (listed as N/A).