AMD Ryzen 9 270 vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap between the AMD Ryzen 9 270 and the Intel Core 5 221TE. In every single recorded test, the AMD processor wins, with 17 victories and zero for the Intel part. The margins are large and consistent across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

Starting with Cinebench, the AMD Ryzen 9 270 delivers 2664 points in the R15 multicore test, while the Intel Core 5 221TE scores 1139. That is a 133.9% advantage. The single-core R15 result is even more stark: 376 versus 160, a 135% lead. Moving to R20, the AMD chip scores 11103 multicore and 1567 single-core, compared to 4748 and 670 for Intel. The deltas are 133.8% and 133.9%, respectively. In R23, the AMD processor reaches 26438 multicore and 3732 single-core, against 11305 and 1596 for the Intel part. Each of these is a 133.8% or 133.9% improvement.

Passmark tests reinforce the pattern. The largest percentage gap appears in extended instructions: AMD scores 26729 versus 9655 for Intel, a 176.8% difference. Random string sorting shows a 152.9% advantage (42819 versus 16929). Data compression is 124.3% ahead (351398 versus 156682). Integer math sits at 132.3% (98266 versus 42303), and data encryption at 132.6% (20852 versus 8963).

The narrower margins still favor AMD substantially. Floating point math shows an 89.9% lead (60122 versus 31661), while multithread performance is 118.7% higher (29089 versus 13301). Single-thread Passmark results give AMD 3784 versus 1734, a 118.2% edge. Physics tests show the smallest gap at 39.7% (1365 versus 977), and prime number finding is 49.2% ahead (88 versus 59).

The average benchmark score tells the same story. The AMD Ryzen 9 270 averages 40246, while the Intel Core 5 221TE averages 17860. The AMD part sits at the 87th percentile among all CPUs, while the Intel part sits at the 71st percentile. Interestingly, the AMD processor's nearest rivals include the Intel Core 5 221E (not the 221TE) at 40144, just 0.3% behind, and the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 at 40081, 0.4% behind. The Intel Core 5 221TE's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17891 (0.2% ahead) and the Intel Core 5 120U at 17898 (0.2% ahead). This places the two chips in completely different performance tiers.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is fundamental. The AMD Ryzen 9 270 uses Zen 4 architecture with the Hawk Point codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry, with 10 cores and 16 threads. Despite having two more physical cores, the Intel part loses badly in every benchmark, which indicates the per-core efficiency gap is enormous.

Clock speeds differ sharply. The AMD chip has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Intel chip has a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The AMD base clock is more than double the Intel figure, while the boost clock is 0.20 GHz higher. This explains why the AMD part wins single-thread tests so convincingly.

Cache configurations also diverge. The AMD Ryzen 9 270 carries 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Intel part has more cache per core and more total L3, yet this does not offset the clock and architectural disadvantages.

Transistor counts and die sizes are recorded only for the AMD part: 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel die is larger at 215 mm², but no transistor count is available in the database. The process node difference (4 nm versus 10 nm) likely explains the density and efficiency gap.

Memory support differs. The AMD chip uses DDR5 exclusively with dual-channel access and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD part has higher peak bandwidth. The Intel part supports ECC memory, while the AMD part does not. PCIe capabilities also differ: AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

Integrated graphics are present on both. The AMD Ryzen 9 270 includes Radeon 780M, while the Intel Core 5 221TE includes UHD Graphics 730. The database does not provide comparative graphics benchmarks, so no performance conclusion can be drawn from the recorded data.

Where Each One Wins

Given the benchmark results, the AMD Ryzen 9 270 wins in every measured workload. The largest advantages are in extended instruction processing, random string sorting, and data compression. These are computationally intensive tasks that benefit from high clock speeds and efficient architectures. The AMD chip also leads decisively in all Cinebench tests, which are standard indicators of rendering and multi-threaded productivity performance.

The Intel Core 5 221TE does not win a single recorded test. Its closest relative performance appears in physics (39.7% behind) and prime number finding (49.2% behind), but these are still clear losses. For workloads that rely on ECC memory support, the Intel part has a feature-based advantage, but this is not reflected in any benchmark score.

The Intel part's higher core count (10 versus 8) does not translate into any multi-threaded victory. The AMD chip wins multithread Passmark by 118.7% and Cinebench R23 multicore by 133.9%. The AMD chip's higher base clock and smaller process node appear to be more decisive factors than raw core count.

For users prioritizing raw performance, the AMD Ryzen 9 270 is the clear choice based on recorded data. The Intel Core 5 221TE offers ECC support and a Socket 1700 desktop platform, which may matter for specific use cases, but no benchmark advantage accompanies those features.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 270 averages 40246, while the Intel Core 5 221TE averages 17860. That is a difference of 22386 points in favor of AMD.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD chip scores 3732 versus 1596 for Intel, a 133.8% advantage. Passmark single-thread shows 3784 versus 1734, a 118.2% lead.

Q: Does the Intel processor have more cores?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 270 has 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite the core count advantage, Intel loses all multi-threaded benchmarks.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 270 supports DDR5 only. The Intel Core 5 221TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel part also supports ECC memory, while the AMD part does not.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 270 is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 5 221TE is built on a 10 nm process at Intel. The AMD chip also has a smaller die at 178 mm² versus 215 mm² for Intel.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 270 boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 221TE boosts to 5.00 GHz. The AMD base clock is 4.00 GHz, compared to 1.80 GHz for Intel.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Cores: AMD 8, Intel 10
• Threads: Both 16
• Base clock: AMD 4.00 GHz, Intel 1.80 GHz
• Boost clock: AMD 5.20 GHz, Intel 5.00 GHz
• Socket: AMD Socket FP8, Intel Socket 1700
• Architecture: AMD Zen 4, Intel not recorded
• Codename: AMD Hawk Point, Intel Bartlett Lake
• Process node: AMD 4 nm, Intel 10 nm
• Foundry: AMD TSMC, Intel Intel
• Die size: AMD 178 mm², Intel 215 mm²
• Transistors: AMD 25,000 million, Intel not recorded
• L1 cache: AMD 64 KB per core, Intel 80 KB per core
• L2 cache: AMD 1 MB per core, Intel 1.25 MB per core
• L3 cache: AMD 16 MB shared, Intel 24 MB shared
• Memory support: AMD DDR5, Intel DDR4 and DDR5
• Memory bandwidth: AMD 89.6 GB/s, Intel 76.8 GB/s
• ECC memory: AMD false, Intel true
• PCIe: AMD Gen 4, 20 lanes, Intel Gen 5, 16 lanes
• Integrated graphics: AMD Radeon 780M, Intel UHD Graphics 730
• Market segment: AMD Mobile, Intel Desktop
• Release date: AMD 2025-01-05, Intel 2025-01-12
• Launch MSRP: Intel $232, AMD not recorded
• Part number: AMD 100-000001836, Intel SRVQS

Fields that are identical include TDP (45 for both), dual-channel memory bus, production status (Active for both), and multiplier unlock status (false for both).

The Verdict

The recorded data leaves no ambiguity. The AMD Ryzen 9 270 outperforms the Intel Core 5 221TE in all 17 benchmark comparisons. The average score difference is 22386 points, placing the AMD chip at the 87th percentile versus the 71st percentile for Intel. The AMD chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core 5 221E and AMD Ryzen 7 7700, both within 0.4% of its average score. The Intel Core 5 221TE's nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT and Intel Core 5 120U, which are within 0.2% of its average.

For users who need maximum processing power in rendering, compression, encryption, or any of the tested Passmark workloads, the AMD Ryzen 9 270 is the only choice based on this data. Its higher clock speeds, smaller process node, and greater memory bandwidth all contribute to its dominance. The Intel Core 5 221TE offers ECC memory support and a desktop Socket 1700 platform, plus DDR4 compatibility, which may appeal to specific system builders. However, no benchmark in the database shows a scenario where the Intel part wins. The launch MSRP for the Intel part is $232, while the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP. The performance gap is so large that the Intel part cannot be recommended for any performance-sensitive workload based on the measured results.