AMD Ryzen 7 8700F vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a split decision between the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F and the Intel Core 5 221E. The AMD part takes 11 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel part wins 6. However, the average benchmark score for the Intel Core 5 221E is 40144, which places it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F averages 30746 and sits in the 82nd percentile. This discrepancy stems from the fact that the Intel part's wins are heavily concentrated in integer-heavy workloads, while the AMD part dominates in encryption, compression, and extended instruction workloads.

For users prioritizing single-threaded performance, the Intel Core 5 221E delivers a 6.6% advantage in the PassMark single-thread test (4147 versus 3872). For those focused on multi-threaded rendering workloads, the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F holds a slim but consistent lead across all Cinebench versions, ranging from 2.7% to 2.8% in both single-core and multi-core tests. The AMD processor also wins the PassMark multithread test by 1.3% (30893 versus 30510), though the margin is narrow.

The Intel Core 5 221E is the stronger choice for physics simulation and prime number computation, where it leads by 30.4% in PassMark physics and by 43.4% in PassMark find prime numbers. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F is the better option for data compression, encryption, extended instructions, and random string sorting, with leads of 16.6%, 15.2%, 56.3%, and 20.5% respectively. The recorded data indicates that the AMD part excels in cryptographic and vectorized workloads, while the Intel part favors scalar integer and floating-point math.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Phoenix codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel with a larger 257 mm² die compared to the AMD chip's 178 mm². The AMD processor integrates 25,000 million transistors, while the Intel part has no recorded transistor count in the database.

Core configurations differ substantially. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. The Intel part's hybrid layout explains its higher core count but lower base clock of 2.70 GHz versus the AMD chip's 4.10 GHz. Boost clocks favor Intel at 5.20 GHz versus 5.00 GHz for AMD. Both parts have a 65 watt TDP.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The AMD processor provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part's larger L3 cache and per-core L2 cache align with its higher core count.

Memory support differs. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F supports only DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and 83.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, also dual-channel, with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel part also supports ECC memory, while the AMD part does not. PCIe capabilities favor Intel with Gen 5 and 16 lanes, while AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The Intel Core 5 221E includes integrated UHD Graphics 730, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F has no integrated graphics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E reaches 5.20 GHz, which is 0.20 GHz higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F's 5.00 GHz boost clock.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F support ECC memory?

A: No, the AMD part does not support ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 221E does support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F's 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F leads by 56.3% in PassMark extended instructions (28474 versus 18216). The Intel Core 5 221E leads by 43.4% in PassMark find prime numbers (173 versus 98).

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has an average benchmark score of 40144, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F has an average of 30746.

Q: Do both processors have the same TDP?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F and the Intel Core 5 221E have a 65 watt TDP.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification category. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F uses 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221E uses 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 4.10 GHz for AMD and 2.70 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.00 GHz for AMD and 5.20 GHz for Intel. The AMD part uses the AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700.

Process technology shows a clear split: 4 nm at TSMC for AMD versus 10 nm at Intel for the competing part. Die size is 178 mm² for AMD and 257 mm² for Intel. The AMD processor has 25,000 million transistors; the Intel part has no recorded figure. Cache configurations differ: 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3 for AMD, versus 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3 for Intel.

Memory support separates the pair. AMD supports DDR5 only, while Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is 83.2 GB/s for AMD and 89.6 GB/s for Intel. ECC memory is available only on the Intel part. PCIe generation and lanes differ: Gen 4 with 20 lanes for AMD, Gen 5 with 16 lanes for Intel. The Intel Core 5 221E includes UHD Graphics 730, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F has no integrated graphics. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, the Intel part does not. Release dates differ, with AMD launching on 2024-03-31 and Intel on 2025-01-12. The launch MSRP for the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F is $270, and for the Intel Core 5 221E it is $232.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent, if modest, advantage for the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F across all versions. In Cinebench R15 multicore, AMD scores 2685 against Intel's 2613, a 2.8% lead. The single-core R15 result is 378 versus 368, a 2.7% edge. Cinebench R20 multicore repeats the pattern: 11191 for AMD versus 10891 for Intel, again 2.8% ahead. The R20 single-core result is 1579 versus 1537, a 2.7% margin. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 26646 versus 25933, a 2.7% lead, and R23 single-core shows 3761 versus 3661, also 2.7%. These margins are narrow but consistent, indicating that the AMD architecture sustains its advantage across rendering generations.

The PassMark suite reveals where each processor dominates. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F wins data compression by a wide margin: 378160 versus 324285, a 16.6% advantage. Data encryption shows 22117 versus 19205, a 15.2% lead for AMD. The largest AMD win comes in extended instructions, where 28474 versus 18216 represents a 56.3% gap. Random string sorting goes to AMD at 45425 versus 37686, a 20.5% margin. The PassMark multithread test is close, with AMD at 30893 versus Intel's 30510, a 1.3% edge.

The Intel Core 5 221E counterattacks in math and physics workloads. PassMark find prime numbers shows Intel at 173 versus AMD's 98, a 43.4% advantage. Floating point math goes to Intel: 79028 versus 62629, a 20.8% lead. Integer math favors Intel at 117813 versus 100371, a 14.8% margin. Physics simulation shows Intel ahead at 2230 versus 1553, a 30.4% gap. The PassMark single-thread test goes to Intel at 4147 versus 3872, a 6.6% lead, with the identical result recorded for the singlethread variant.

The data indicates a complementary split: AMD leads in memory-sensitive and cryptographic workloads, while Intel leads in raw arithmetic and physics. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F's 11 wins against Intel's 6 wins in the head-to-head comparison, combined with the narrow Cinebench margins, suggest that the AMD part offers better balanced performance across the tested categories. However, the Intel Core 5 221E's 87th percentile ranking versus AMD's 82nd percentile, driven by its higher average score, reflects the heavier weighting of integer and floating-point math in the aggregate benchmark calculation. The 16.6% lead in data compression and the 56.3% lead in extended instructions are the most decisive single-test results in favor of AMD, while the 43.4% lead in prime number finding is the most decisive result for Intel.