AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the majority of the benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX wins 14 out of 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 5 221E wins only 3.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-threaded workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD scores 42713 versus 25933 for Intel, a 64.7% advantage. The PassMark multi-thread test shows 51405 versus 30510, a 68.5% delta.

Q: Are there any tests where the Intel Core 5 221E comes out ahead?

A: Yes. The Intel wins PassMark physics (2230 vs 2168, a 2.8% edge) and PassMark single-thread (4147 vs 3907, a 5.8% edge).

Q: What is the difference in overall average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX has an average benchmark score of 76212, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 221E averages 40144, in the 87th percentile.

Q: How does the AMD chip compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX sits within 0.6% of the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D (delta 0.6) and within 0.4% of the AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX. It is essentially tied with the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX (delta 0.1).

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is built on the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Dragon Range, and belongs to the 8000 series. It is fabricated on a 5 nm process at TSMC, with a transistor count of 13,140 million and a die size of 2x 71 mm². The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 257 mm². The transistor count for Intel is not recorded in the database.

Cache layouts differ notably. The AMD chip uses 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip uses 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger L3 on the AMD side is a significant structural advantage for workloads that repeatedly access large data sets.

Memory support also differs. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX supports DDR5 only, dual-channel, with a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel, with a slightly higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel chip also enables ECC memory, while the AMD chip does not.

PCIe capabilities are different as well. The AMD provides PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The AMD chip features an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel chip is locked. Integrated graphics differ: AMD uses Radeon 610M, Intel uses UHD Graphics 730.

The market segments are distinct. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is a mobile processor using AMD Socket FL1, released on 2025-04-22. The Intel Core 5 221E is a desktop processor using Intel Socket 1700, released on 2025-01-12. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $232.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is the clear winner in heavy multi-core productivity. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 42713 versus 25933, and the single-core Cinebench tests also favor AMD by roughly 64.7% (6030 vs 3661 in R23 single-core). The AMD chip dominates integer math (195180 vs 117813, a 65.7% delta), floating-point math (117453 vs 79028, a 48.6% delta), and extended instructions (49823 vs 18216, a 173.5% delta). The data compression test shows 677755 versus 324285, a 109% margin, and random string sorting shows 78781 versus 37686, also a 109% margin.

The Intel Core 5 221E wins only the PassMark physics test (2230 vs 2168, a 2.8% delta) and the PassMark single-thread test (4147 vs 3907, a 5.8% delta). The physics result indicates a modest edge in a specific simulation-style workload. The single-thread PassMark win is notable because it is the only test where Intel beats AMD in a per-core metric, suggesting the Intel architecture handles certain single-threaded tasks efficiently despite lower raw clock speeds.

For users who prioritize maximum throughput in rendering, compression, encryption, or scientific math, the AMD chip is the data-driven choice. The Intel chip offers a narrow but real advantage in physics simulation and one single-threaded workload, which might matter for specific legacy applications or lightly threaded games.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in every major specification field. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz for AMD and 2.70 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz for AMD and 5.20 GHz for Intel. TDP is 55 watts for AMD and 65 watts for Intel.

Socket types are incompatible: AMD uses Socket FL1, Intel uses Socket 1700. The process node is 5 nm for AMD versus 10 nm for Intel. The AMD chip has a 2x 71 mm² die size; Intel has a 257 mm² die. L1 cache is 64 KB per core on AMD versus 80 KB per core on Intel. L2 cache is 1 MB per core on AMD versus 2 MB per core on Intel. L3 cache is 64 MB on AMD versus 24 MB on Intel.

Memory support: AMD supports DDR5 only; Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is 83.2 GB/s for AMD versus 89.6 GB/s for Intel. ECC memory is available only on Intel. PCIe lanes are 28 on AMD versus 16 on Intel. The AMD multiplier is unlocked; the Intel multiplier is locked. Integrated graphics are Radeon 610M on AMD and UHD Graphics 730 on Intel. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $232; the AMD has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single delta in the database is the PassMark extended instructions test, where AMD scores 49823 versus Intel's 18216, a 173.5% advantage. This is a massive gap, indicating AMD's instruction set handling is far more efficient for workloads that use specialized CPU instructions such as AVX or similar.

The PassMark data encryption test shows AMD at 40836 versus Intel at 19205, a 112.6% delta. Data compression follows a similar pattern: AMD at 677755 versus Intel at 324285, a 109% delta. Random string sorting also shows a 109% delta (78781 vs 37686). These three tests all point to AMD having a strong edge in data manipulation and security-related tasks.

In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the multi-core and single-core deltas are remarkably consistent. The R15 multi-core delta is 64.8%, R15 single-core is 64.9%, R20 multi-core is 64.7%, R20 single-core is 64.7%, R23 multi-core is 64.7%, and R23 single-core is 64.7%. This uniformity suggests the AMD architecture maintains a stable performance advantage across different benchmark versions and workload intensities.

The integer math test shows AMD at 195180 versus Intel at 117813, a 65.7% delta. Floating-point math shows AMD at 117453 versus Intel at 79028, a 48.6% delta. The find prime numbers test shows AMD at 262 versus Intel at 173, a 51.4% delta. The PassMark multi-thread test shows AMD at 51405 versus Intel at 30510, a 68.5% delta.

The Intel wins are narrow. The physics test delta is only 2.8% (2230 vs 2168), and the single-thread test delta is 5.8% (4147 vs 3907). These are the only two areas where Intel shows any measurable superiority, and the margins are small compared to AMD's dominant wins elsewhere.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a lopsided comparison. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX wins 14 of 17 tests and does so by large margins in nearly every category. The Cinebench suite shows a consistent 64.7% to 64.9% advantage across all versions and core counts. The PassMark suite shows even larger gaps in encryption, compression, and extended instructions, with deltas exceeding 100%.

The Intel Core 5 221E is not without merit. It wins the physics test and the PassMark single-thread test, and it offers ECC memory support, a higher base clock (2.70 GHz vs 2.50 GHz), and a higher memory bandwidth (89.6 GB/s vs 83.2 GB/s). Its 65-watt TDP is higher than AMD's 55 watts, and its socket is Intel 1700, which is a desktop platform.

For users building a high-throughput workstation or a mobile system that needs maximum multi-core performance, the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is the obvious choice based on the recorded data. Its 95th percentile ranking versus Intel's 87th percentile, combined with an average benchmark score of 76212 versus 40144, makes the performance gap clear.

For users who need ECC memory, prefer a desktop socket, or specifically value the physics and single-thread wins, the Intel Core 5 221E offers those specific capabilities. Its launch MSRP of $232 provides a reference point for positioning, but the performance data shows it trails the AMD chip by a wide margin in most workloads. The decision hinges on whether the Intel's niche wins and platform features outweigh AMD's dominant overall performance.