AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D vs Intel Core 5 220H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and the Intel Core 5 220H occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum. The AMD part is a desktop flagship built for maximum throughput, while the Intel chip is a mobile processor designed for efficiency in laptops. The benchmark data confirms a complete sweep: the Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins all 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons, with no victories recorded for the Core 5 220H. This analysis breaks down the recorded data to show where each processor excels, the architectural reasons for the gap, and the specific performance deltas measured.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data shows a total victory for the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D across every benchmark category. The Intel Core 5 220H does not win a single test in the database. The AMD processor’s largest margins appear in compute-heavy workloads. In PassMark’s find prime numbers test, the AMD chip scores 435 against Intel’s 82, a delta of 430.5%. The extended instructions test shows a 168.2% advantage, with scores of 39272 versus 14642. These results indicate a massive lead in raw mathematical and instruction-level processing.

The AMD processor also dominates in multi-threaded scenarios. Cinebench R23 multicore results show 22807 for AMD versus 11198 for Intel, a 103.7% delta. PassMark multithread scores follow the same pattern: 41318 versus 21884, an 88.8% advantage. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D delivers 3551 in Cinebench R15 multicore, compared to 1835 for the Intel chip, a 93.5% delta. The PassMark physics test shows a 182.2% gap, with scores of 4171 and 1478.

Single-thread performance also favors the AMD part, though by smaller margins. Cinebench R23 singlecore shows 2228 versus 1853, a 20.2% delta. PassMark single thread results are 4704 versus 3405, a 38.1% advantage. The data suggests the AMD processor is the clear choice for any workload where raw performance is the priority. The Intel chip’s only distinguishing feature in the data is its market segment: it is a mobile part, which implies a different design target, but the recorded benchmarks show no scenario where it outpaces the desktop AMD processor.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different designs. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is built on the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename, part of the 9000 series. It uses a 4 nm process node from TSMC. The Intel Core 5 220H uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-H codename, representing a Raptor Lake Refresh generation. Intel fabricates this chip on a 10 nm process node. The transistor counts and die sizes differ as well: the AMD chip contains 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die, while the Intel part has no recorded transistor count or die size in the database.

Core configurations diverge significantly. The AMD processor has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel chip has 12 cores and 16 threads. Both processors support 16 threads, but the Intel part achieves this with more physical cores. Clock speeds favor AMD: the Ryzen 7 9850X3D has a base clock of 4.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The Core 5 220H operates at a 2.70 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost. The AMD chip also carries a 120 W TDP, while the Intel mobile part is rated at 45 W.

Cache layouts differ substantially. Both processors use an 80 KB L1 cache per core. The L2 cache is 1 MB per core on the AMD chip, doubling to 2 MB per core on the Intel chip. The L3 cache tells the opposite story: the AMD processor has 96 MB shared L3, while the Intel chip has 18 MB shared. The 96 MB L3 on the AMD part reflects its X3D positioning, which prioritizes large cache capacity for gaming and data-heavy workloads.

Platform support separates the two as well. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket AM5, supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and offers 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth. It enables ECC memory. The Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1744, supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, and has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. ECC memory is not supported on the Intel part. PCIe lanes also differ: the AMD chip provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel chip provides Gen 5 with 8 lanes. Integrated graphics differ, with AMD offering Radeon Graphics and Intel offering Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, while the Intel multiplier is locked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multicore test shows a 93.5% delta in favor of the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D, with scores of 3551 and 1835. This near-doubling of performance reflects the combined impact of higher clock speeds, a larger L3 cache, and the desktop power envelope. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, the AMD chip scores 343 against 262, a 30.9% delta. The single-core gap is narrower but still decisive.

Cinebench R23 multicore produces the largest Cinebench delta: 22807 versus 11198, a 103.7% advantage for AMD. The AMD processor more than doubles the Intel chip in this sustained multi-threaded workload. Cinebench R23 singlecore shows 2228 versus 1853, a 20.2% delta. This is the smallest single-test margin in the entire dataset, indicating that the Intel core design is relatively competitive on a per-thread basis, but the AMD processor still leads.

PassMark tests reveal the full scope of the performance gap. The find prime numbers test shows 435 versus 82, a 430.5% delta, the largest margin recorded. Extended instructions show 39272 versus 14642, a 168.2% delta. Physics shows 4171 versus 1478, a 182.2% delta. Integer math shows 123140 versus 73555, a 67.4% delta. Floating point math shows 81998 versus 51671, a 58.7% delta. Data compression shows 474501 versus 247921, a 91.4% delta. Data encryption shows 22856 versus 15216, a 50.2% delta. Random string sorting shows 49764 versus 28438, a 75% delta. PassMark multithread shows 41318 versus 21884, an 88.8% delta. PassMark single thread shows 4704 versus 3405, a 38.1% delta.

The data confirms a consistent pattern. The AMD processor leads in every category, with the smallest margin being 20.2% in Cinebench R23 singlecore and the largest being 430.5% in find prime numbers. The Intel Core 5 220H never comes within a competitive distance on any test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H has 12 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 8 cores. Both processors support 16 threads.

Q: What is the L3 cache difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 96 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 220H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: How do the boost clocks compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D boosts to 5.60 GHz. The Intel Core 5 220H boosts to 4.90 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 220H does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the largest benchmark delta recorded between the two?

A: The largest delta is in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the AMD processor scores 435 versus 82 for Intel, a 430.5% difference.

Q: What is the smallest benchmark delta recorded?

A: The smallest delta is in Cinebench R23 singlecore, where the AMD processor scores 2228 versus 1853, a 20.2% difference.

The Verdict

The data points to one conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is the superior processor by every recorded metric. It wins all 15 head-to-head benchmarks with no losses. Its average benchmark score of 58386 places it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 5 220H has an average score of 28574 and sits in the 80th percentile. The AMD chip’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-14900, with a delta of 0.5%, and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470, with a delta of -0.7%. The Intel chip’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS, with a delta of 0.1%, and the Intel Core i5-12600, with a delta of -0.3%.

The AMD processor is built for desktop workloads where power is not a constraint. Its 120 W TDP, 96 MB L3 cache, and 5.60 GHz boost clock deliver performance that the 45 W mobile Intel chip cannot approach. The Intel Core 5 220H is a mobile part with a locked multiplier and a BGA socket, designed for laptops where power efficiency matters. The recorded data shows no scenario where the Intel chip competes on performance. Anyone selecting between these two based on the database measurements would choose the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D for any compute-intensive task. The Intel chip’s role is limited to mobile systems where the AMD desktop part cannot be installed.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and Intel Core 5 220H differ in nearly every specification field. The AMD chip uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename, while the Intel chip uses Raptor Lake with the Raptor Lake-H codename. The process nodes are 4 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel. The AMD chip has 8 cores and 16 threads; the Intel chip has 12 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 4.70 GHz for AMD and 2.70 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.60 GHz for AMD and 4.90 GHz for Intel. TDP ratings are 120 W for AMD and 45 W for Intel. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1744. The AMD chip has 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die; the Intel chip has no recorded transistor count or die size. L1 cache is 80 KB per core for both. L2 cache is 1 MB per core for AMD and 2 MB per core for Intel. L3 cache is 96 MB shared for AMD and 18 MB shared for Intel. The AMD chip supports DDR5 memory only; the Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory. Memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s for AMD, with no figure recorded for Intel. ECC memory is supported on AMD only. PCIe is Gen 5 with 24 lanes for AMD and Gen 5 with 8 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics on AMD and Iris Xe Graphics 80EU on Intel. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel chip is locked. The AMD launch MSRP is $499, and the Intel launch MSRP is $342.