AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive overall victory for the Intel Core 5 221E, which wins 13 of the 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS secures only two wins, and both are narrow. The Intel part's dominance is most pronounced in synthetic rendering workloads, where its core and thread advantage translates into massive score gaps.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core 5 221E scores 25,933 against the AMD's 14,784, a 75.4% advantage. That is the largest single delta in the entire comparison outside of the single-core tests. The R15 multi-core result tells a similar story, though with a smaller margin: 2,613 versus 2,458, a 6.3% lead. The Intel processor's 14 cores and 20 threads clearly scale better in threaded rendering. The AMD part, with 8 cores and 16 threads, simply cannot keep pace when all cores are engaged.

Single-core results are even more lopsided. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel chip scores 3,661 against 1,724 for the AMD, a 112.4% difference. The R15 single-core test shows a 35.5% gap, with Intel at 368 and AMD at 271.5. These are substantial margins that indicate the Intel architecture holds a significant per-thread performance advantage in this workload. The PassMark single-thread test confirms the trend: Intel scores 4,147 versus 3,692, a 12.3% lead.

The PassMark suite reveals a mixed picture. The Intel Core 5 221E wins integer math by 26.2% (117,813 versus 93,342), floating-point math by 41.8% (79,028 versus 55,739), and physics by 65.1% (2,230 versus 1,351). The find prime numbers test shows Intel at 173 versus 84, a 106% advantage. Data compression and encryption are closer: Intel leads by 4.2% and 1.9% respectively. The multi-threaded PassMark score favors Intel by 14.5% (30,510 versus 26,646).

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS takes the extended instructions test by 18.3% (22,298 versus 18,216) and random string sorting by 0.6% (37,922 versus 37,686). The extended instructions win is notable, as it is the only benchmark where AMD shows a clear advantage beyond a statistical tie. The random string sorting result is effectively a dead heat.

Overall, the data indicates that the Intel Core 5 221E is the stronger performer in the vast majority of tested scenarios, particularly in rendering and physics workloads. The AMD part holds its own in specialized instruction sets and matches Intel in sorting tasks, but those wins are isolated.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E wins 13 of the 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS wins only 2.

Q: How large is the Intel lead in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core 5 221E scores 25,933 versus 14,784 for the AMD, a 75.4% advantage. In R15 multi-core, the lead is 6.3% (2,613 versus 2,458).

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Intel Core 5 221E leads by 112.4% (3,661 versus 1,724).

Q: Does the AMD processor win any test by a wide margin?

A: Yes, in PassMark extended instructions the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS leads by 18.3% (22,298 versus 18,216). Its other win, random string sorting, is a narrow 0.6% margin.

Q: How do the two compare in PassMark multi-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E scores 30,510 versus 26,646 for the AMD, a 14.5% advantage.

Q: Are the average benchmark scores similar?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has an average benchmark score of 40,144, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS averages 39,603. Both sit at the 87th percentile among all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different foundries and process nodes. The Intel Core 5 221E is built on a 10 nm process at Intel, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS uses a 4 nm process fabricated by TSMC. The AMD part is based on the Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, while the Intel chip belongs to the Bartlett Lake family. Intel's die size is 257 mm², and AMD's is 178 mm². The AMD processor integrates 25,000 million transistors; the Intel processor's transistor count is not recorded.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The Intel chip provides 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD offers 8 cores and 16 threads. Cache hierarchies also diverge. Intel allocates 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. AMD uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel part has more L3 cache overall, and more L1 and L2 per core.

Memory support differs in breadth. The Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS supports DDR5 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus and record the same memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs: Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The Intel chip includes UHD Graphics 730 integrated graphics; the AMD includes Radeon 780M.

The Intel part is a desktop processor on Socket 1700, while the AMD is a mobile processor on Socket FP7. The Intel chip's TDP is 65 watts, and the AMD's is 28 watts. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel release date is recorded as 2025-01-12, while the AMD release date is 2024-04-15.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, versus 8 cores and 16 threads for the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS. Base clocks differ: Intel runs at 2.70 GHz, AMD at 3.30 GHz. Boost clocks are closer: Intel at 5.20 GHz, AMD at 5.10 GHz. TDP is a significant differentiator, with Intel at 65 watts and AMD at 28 watts.

Socket and market segment differ: Intel uses Socket 1700 and targets desktop, while AMD uses Socket FP7 and targets mobile. The process node gap is notable: 10 nm for Intel versus 4 nm for AMD. The codenames differ (Bartlett Lake versus Hawk Point), as do the architectures (Intel's is not recorded, AMD uses Zen 4). The Intel die size is 257 mm², the AMD die is 178 mm², and the AMD chip lists 25,000 million transistors while Intel's count is not recorded.

Cache configurations differ per core and in total: Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3; AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: Intel accepts DDR4 and DDR5, AMD accepts DDR5 only. PCIe generation and lane counts differ: Intel has Gen 5 with 16 lanes, AMD has Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: Intel uses UHD Graphics 730, AMD uses Radeon 780M. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $232; the AMD part has no recorded MSRP. Release dates differ, with Intel launching on 2025-01-12 and AMD on 2024-04-15.

The Verdict

The benchmark record gives a clear answer for performance-focused buyers. The Intel Core 5 221E wins 13 of 15 head-to-head tests, including every rendering benchmark and the majority of PassMark workloads. Its leads in Cinebench R23 single-core (112.4%) and multi-core (75.4%) are overwhelming. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS is the better choice only in scenarios that specifically benefit from its extended instruction set performance, where it leads by 18.3%, and it ties Intel in random string sorting within a 0.6% margin.

For desktop users who prioritize raw compute, especially in threaded workloads like rendering and physics, the Intel chip is the stronger pick. The data shows it ahead by 65.1% in PassMark physics and 41.8% in floating-point math. Its 14 cores and 20 threads give it a structural advantage that the AMD part cannot overcome despite a higher base clock and a more advanced 4 nm process.

The AMD part's case rests on its mobile positioning and efficiency profile. At 28 watts TDP versus Intel's 65 watts, it is designed for a different power envelope. The average benchmark scores are close: 40,144 for Intel versus 39,603 for AMD, a difference of roughly 1.4%. That near-parity in average score, despite Intel's head-to-head dominance, reflects the AMD part's strong showing in the extended instructions test and the relatively small gaps in some PassMark sub-tests.

Buyers who need a desktop processor with maximal multi-core and single-core performance should select the Intel Core 5 221E. Buyers who require a mobile processor with a lower TDP and strong extended instruction handling should choose the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS, accepting its lower scores in most other benchmarks.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E wins in every rendering workload recorded. Cinebench R15 multi-core (2,613 versus 2,458), R15 single-core (368 versus 271.5), R23 multi-core (25,933 versus 14,784), and R23 single-core (3,661 versus 1,724) all favor Intel. The PassMark suite adds further wins: data compression, data encryption, floating-point math, integer math, multi-thread, physics, find prime numbers, single-thread, and single-thread (duplicate test label) all go to Intel. The largest of these are physics (65.1% lead) and floating-point math (41.8% lead).

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS wins in PassMark extended instructions, a test that likely exercises specialized instruction paths. Its score of 22,298 versus 18,216 represents an 18.3% advantage. It also edges out Intel in random string sorting, 37,922 versus 37,686, a 0.6% margin that is within noise but still recorded as a win.

The use-case split is straightforward. The Intel Core 5 221E is the choice for CPU-bound desktop tasks: 3D rendering, physics simulations, compression workloads, encryption, and general multi-threaded productivity. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS suits workloads that lean on extended instruction sets and for mobile deployments where a 28-watt TDP is a requirement. Its single-thread score of 3,692 is lower than Intel's 4,147, so it is not the pick for lightly threaded desktop work either. The AMD part's only clear software niche in this data is the extended instructions test. Everything else points toward the Intel chip.