AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U and Intel Core 5 221TE sit in different segments, yet the benchmark data shows a remarkably one-sided contest. The AMD mobile processor wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, with margins that range from modest to overwhelming. The most striking result comes from PassMark’s integer math test, where the Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U scores 88,339 against the Intel’s 42,303, a 108.8% advantage. Single-thread performance tells a similar story: the AMD part records 3,641 points in PassMark’s single-thread test, exactly 110% ahead of the Intel’s 1,734. Cinebench R23 single-core also favors AMD, 2,859 to 1,596, a 79.1% gap.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite reveals consistent dominance for the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 2,041 versus Intel’s 1,139, a 79.2% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a nearly identical margin: 288 versus 160, or 80% ahead. Cinebench R20 multi-core continues the pattern with 8,506 against 4,748 (79.1%), and R20 single-core lands at 1,200 versus 670, again 79.1%. Cinebench R23 multi-core delivers 20,254 for AMD against 11,305 for Intel, a 79.2% difference, while R23 single-core is 2,859 versus 1,596, a 79.1% gap. These figures indicate that the AMD processor’s advantage is not workload-specific but spans both lightly threaded and heavily threaded rendering tasks.

PassMark’s specialized tests show where the gap widens or narrows. Data compression favors AMD heavily: 272,664 versus 156,682, a 74% difference. Data encryption is even more lopsided at 83.4% (16,441 versus 8,963). Extended instructions show a 98.2% lead for AMD (19,132 versus 9,655), and random string sorting is 95.6% ahead (33,109 versus 16,929). Floating point math gives AMD a 60.3% edge (50,746 versus 31,661), while the physics test shows the smallest margin of the set at 20.2% (1,174 versus 977). Prime number finding is the closest overall result, with AMD ahead by only 28.8% (76 versus 59). The multi-thread PassMark score confirms the overall trend: 23,850 versus 13,301, a 79.3% advantage.

The average benchmark score places the AMD part at 32,233, which puts it in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core 5 221TE averages 17,860, sitting in the 71st percentile. The AMD processor’s nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i9-11900 (average 32,226, delta 0%), the Intel Core i5-14400F (32,279, delta -0.1%), the Intel Core i7-12800H (32,121, delta 0.3%), and the Intel Core i5-14400 (32,115, delta 0.4%). The Intel Core 5 221TE, by contrast, sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (17,891, delta -0.2%), the Intel Core 5 120U (17,898, delta -0.2%), the Intel Core 7 350 (17,779, delta 0.5%), and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (17,994, delta -0.7%). This places the two processors in entirely different performance strata, despite both having 16 threads.

The Verdict

The data shows no scenario where the Intel Core 5 221TE outperforms the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U across the recorded benchmarks. The AMD part wins every single test, with the smallest margin being 20.2% in PassMark physics. The average score difference is substantial: 32,233 versus 17,860, which is roughly an 80% higher average for AMD. The percentile ranking reinforces this, with AMD in the 83rd percentile versus Intel’s 71st percentile. For any workload represented in this database, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U is the faster processor.

The Intel Core 5 221TE does have one distinct advantage in the recorded data: it is a desktop processor with a launch MSRP of $232, while the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP. The Intel chip also draws 45W TDP versus AMD’s 28W, meaning it consumes more power while delivering far lower performance. The Intel part’s 10 cores and 16 threads match AMD’s thread count, but the core quality does not translate into competitive scores. The verdict from the data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U is the superior performer in every measured category, and the Intel Core 5 221TE occupies a lower performance tier entirely.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. AMD’s Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U uses the Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, with the Hawk Point codename. It packs 25,000 million transistors onto a 178 mm² die. Intel’s Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on Intel’s 10 nm process, with a 215 mm² die size and no transistor count recorded in the database. The manufacturing node difference is significant: 4 nm versus 10 nm gives AMD a density and efficiency advantage that shows up in both performance and power.

Cache configurations differ markedly. The AMD part allocates 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Intel’s design uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and a larger 24 MB of shared L3. Despite having more total cache, Intel’s larger L3 does not compensate for the architectural performance gap. The AMD chip’s integrated graphics are the Radeon 780M, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 730. Both support ECC memory, which is notable for workstation use.

Specification Differences

The core counts differ: AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads, while Intel has 10 cores and 16 threads. The base clocks are far apart, with AMD at 3.30 GHz and Intel at 1.80 GHz. Boost clocks are closer: 5.10 GHz for AMD versus 5.00 GHz for Intel. TDP differs substantially, with AMD at 28W and Intel at 45W. The sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket FP7 for the Ryzen, Intel Socket 1700 for the Core 5. Process nodes differ as noted: 4 nm for AMD, 10 nm for Intel.

Memory support shows a split. AMD supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel configuration and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but with lower peak bandwidth at 76.8 GB/s. PCIe generations differ: AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The AMD part is marked as Mobile segment, while Intel is Desktop. Release dates differ by roughly nine months: AMD on 2024-04-15, Intel on 2025-01-12. The Intel part has a recorded part number of SRVQS, while AMD lists two variants, 100-000001317 (FP7r2) and 100-000001377 (FP7). Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U has 8 cores. Both have 16 threads.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U averages 32,233 across all recorded benchmarks, while the Intel Core 5 221TE averages 17,860. This places AMD in the 83rd percentile and Intel in the 71st percentile.

Q: How much faster is AMD in the largest single benchmark gap?

A: In PassMark integer math, the AMD part scores 88,339 versus Intel’s 42,303, a 108.8% advantage. The PassMark single-thread test shows a 110% gap, with 3,641 versus 1,734.

Q: Does the Intel processor support more memory types?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 5 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U has a TDP of 28W, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has a TDP of 45W. The AMD part delivers higher performance with lower power draw.

Q: Which processor has a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core 5 221TE uses Intel’s 10 nm process. AMD’s die is 178 mm², while Intel’s is 215 mm².

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U wins in every recorded benchmark category. The largest margins appear in integer math, single-thread performance, extended instructions, and random string sorting, where leads exceed 95%. The smallest advantages are in prime number finding (28.8%) and physics (20.2%), but these are still decisive wins. The AMD part’s 28W TDP, combined with its higher scores, indicates it is the more efficient choice for any workload measured in this database. Its mobile segment designation, 4 nm process, and Radeon 780M graphics make it suitable for compact systems where space and power are constrained.

The Intel Core 5 221TE has no benchmark wins in the recorded data. Its advantages are structural rather than performance-based: it offers more cores (10 versus 8), a larger L3 cache (24 MB versus 16 MB), support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, and a desktop form factor with a recorded launch MSRP of $232. The higher TDP of 45W suggests it is designed for systems with more generous cooling, but the measured scores do not reflect that allowance. Its 71st percentile ranking places it in the company of older or lower-tier processors like the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 5 120U, rather than near the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U’s tier. For users prioritizing raw performance per the database metrics, the AMD part is the clear choice; the Intel part may appeal only where its specific platform features, such as PCIe Gen 5 or DDR4 compatibility, are required.