AMD Ryzen 7 8700G vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data for this comparison is decisively one-sided. Across all 15 recorded head-to-head tests, the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G records a win over the Intel Core 5 221TE. The margins range from moderate to overwhelming, and the pattern holds across every category from single-threaded workloads to heavily parallelized tasks.

Starting with the broadest measure, the average benchmark score places the AMD part at 33,089, while the Intel processor sits at 17,860. That difference translates to an 83rd percentile ranking for the AMD chip among all CPUs in the database, versus a 71st percentile for the Intel part. The AMD processor's nearest rivals by average score include the Intel Core i7-13650HX and AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX, both matching at 33,089 and 33,091 respectively. The Intel Core 5 221TE, by contrast, lands near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17,891 and the Intel Core 5 120U at 17,898.

In Cinebench R23, the AMD chip scores 17,128 in multi-core, which is 51.5% ahead of the Intel part's 11,305. The single-core result shows a narrower but still clear gap: 1,817 versus 1,596, a 13.8% advantage. The older Cinebench R15 test amplifies the difference, with the AMD processor scoring 2,693 versus 1,139, a 136.4% lead in multi-core and a 78.8% lead in single-core (286 versus 160).

The PassMark suite reveals where the largest gaps appear. In extended instructions, the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G scores 29,067 against the Intel Core 5 221TE's 9,655, a margin of 201.1%. Data encryption shows a 154.8% delta (22,842 versus 8,963), and random string sorting follows closely at 171.9% (46,025 versus 16,929). Floating-point math lands at 101.6% (63,815 versus 31,661), while integer math reaches 143.7% (103,107 versus 42,303). The multi-thread PassMark score is 31,690 versus 13,301, a 138.3% gap, and the single-thread score is 3,928 versus 1,734, a 126.5% delta.

Even in workloads that typically favor lower-power or efficiency-oriented processors, the AMD chip dominates. Data compression shows a 146.9% lead (386,811 versus 156,682), and prime number finding records 103 versus 59, a 74.6% advantage. Physics simulation in PassMark shows 1,647 versus 977, a 68.6% lead. The smallest margin in the entire dataset is the Cinebench R23 single-core result at 13.8%, which still represents a definitive victory.

The Verdict

The recorded data leaves no ambiguity. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G wins 15 of 15 head-to-head benchmarks, with no tests where the Intel Core 5 221TE comes out ahead. The average score difference of 15,229 points is substantial, and the AMD part's percentile ranking of 83 versus 71 places it in a different performance tier.

The Intel Core 5 221TE does hold advantages in specific non-performance attributes. It supports ECC memory, which the AMD chip does not. It offers PCIe Gen 5 connectivity with 16 lanes, while the AMD part provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The Intel processor also carries a lower 45W TDP and a lower launch MSRP of $232. These factors matter for certain use cases, but they do not change the benchmark picture.

For workloads that depend on raw compute, from rendering to encryption to math-heavy tasks, the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G is the clear choice. The data shows it outperforming the Intel part by double-digit percentages in every single recorded test, with most margins exceeding 50%. The Intel Core 5 221TE might interest users who prioritize its platform features, ECC support, or lower power envelope, but anyone selecting it for performance would find no support in the benchmark results.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design approaches. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G belongs to the 8000 series and uses the Zen 4 architecture with the Phoenix codename. It is built on TSMC's 4 nm process with 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process with a 215 mm² die size. The transistor count for the Intel part is not recorded in the database.

Core configurations differ significantly. The AMD chip has 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The Intel part has 10 cores and 16 threads, but its base clock is much lower at 1.80 GHz, boosting to 5.00 GHz. The higher core count does not translate into a performance advantage for Intel, as the benchmark results show. The AMD processor also has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked.

Cache hierarchies diverge as well. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 221TE offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. Despite having less L3 cache, the AMD processor still wins every cache-sensitive benchmark in the recorded data.

Memory support shows a split. The AMD chip supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel configuration and 83.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with 76.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD processor does not support ECC memory, while the Intel part does.

Integrated graphics differ notably. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G uses the Radeon 780M, while the Intel Core 5 221TE uses UHD Graphics 730. The PCIe implementation also varies: AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

The release timeline shows the AMD chip arriving earlier, with a release date of 2024-01-07, versus 2025-01-12 for the Intel part. Both are listed as Active in production status and target the Desktop market segment. The AMD processor carries the part number 100-000001236, while the Intel part is SRVQS.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G records an average benchmark score of 33,089, compared to 17,860 for the Intel Core 5 221TE.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G scores 17,128 versus 11,305 for the Intel Core 5 221TE, a 51.5% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 221TE support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 5 221TE has ECC memory support. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G does not support ECC memory.

Q: What are the process node differences between the two chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G uses a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses a 10 nm process at Intel.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G boosts to 5.10 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 221TE boosts to 5.00 GHz.

Q: How many head-to-head benchmarks did each processor win?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G won all 15 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Core 5 221TE won zero.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 8700G wins in every performance category recorded in the database. The largest margins appear in extended instructions, where it leads by 201.1%, and random string sorting, where it leads by 171.9%. These results suggest workloads that rely on SIMD-style operations or complex string manipulation will see the greatest benefit from choosing the AMD part. Data encryption also shows a massive 154.8% advantage, making the AMD chip the clear pick for security-related processing tasks.

The Cinebench results show that both multi-core and single-core rendering workloads favor the AMD processor. The R15 multi-core test shows a 136.4% lead, while R23 multi-core shows 51.5%. Even the closest result, the R23 single-core test at 13.8%, still represents a meaningful win. Creative professionals running rendering or 3D modeling software would find consistent performance advantages with the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G.

The Intel Core 5 221TE does not win any benchmark categories, but it has attributes that could suit specific builds. Its 45W TDP is lower than the AMD part's 65W, which could matter for thermally constrained systems. The ECC memory support is a feature for stability-critical workloads. The PCIe Gen 5 interface with 16 lanes offers newer connectivity standards, though the AMD part provides more lanes overall at 20 Gen 4 lanes.

The Intel processor's launch MSRP of $232 is lower than the AMD chip's $329. The Intel part also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, providing flexibility for builders with existing DDR4 modules. The larger die size of 215 mm² versus 178 mm² does not translate into any benchmark advantage, as the performance data makes clear.

For users who need maximum compute throughput, the AMD Ryzen 7 8700G is the only choice supported by the numbers. For users who prioritize ECC memory, lower power draw, or PCIe Gen 5, the Intel Core 5 221TE offers those features, but the performance trade-off is substantial. The database records no scenario where the Intel part beats the AMD chip in any measured workload.