AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive sweep for the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X across every shared benchmark. Of the 15 tests where both processors have overlapping results, the AMD part wins all 15. The largest single margin comes in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where the Ryzen 9 9900X scores 436 against the Intel Core 5 221TE's 59, a 639% advantage. That test is heavily dependent on raw integer throughput and cache behavior, so the magnitude of the gap there reflects the architectural gulf between the two parts.

In multi-threaded rendering, the Ryzen 9 9900X posts a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 32,172 versus 11,305 for the Intel Core 5 221TE, a 184.6% lead. The Cinebench R15 multicore result is even more lopsided: 5,008 against 1,139, a 339.7% difference. Single-thread performance is closer but still clearly favors AMD. The Ryzen 9 9900X scores 2,253 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 41.2% ahead of the Intel part's 1,596. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD chip leads 353 to 160, a 120.6% margin.

The PassMark suite reinforces the same pattern. In floating-point math, the Ryzen 9 9900X scores 120,083 versus 31,661, a 279.3% lead. Integer math shows 181,056 against 42,303, a 328% gap. Data compression favors AMD at 683,579 versus 156,682, a 336.3% advantage. Data encryption is less extreme but still substantial: 33,421 versus 8,963, a 272.9% lead. Extended instruction workloads are where the AMD part runs away the most outside of prime numbers: 55,243 versus 9,655, a 472.2% margin.

Multi-threaded synthetic throughput also lands firmly with AMD. PassMark multithread shows 54,643 versus 13,301, a 310.8% lead. The physics test, often a proxy for gaming-adjacent simulation workloads, has the AMD chip at 3,381 versus 977, a 246.1% gap. Random string sorting, a memory-latency-sensitive workload, shows 72,013 versus 16,929, a 325.4% advantage. The single-thread PassMark result is 4,672 versus 1,734, a 169.4% lead, and the duplicate singlethread entry confirms the same value.

The average benchmark score positions the AMD part at 57,498, which places it in the 92nd percentile of all recorded CPUs. The Intel Core 5 221TE averages 17,860, putting it in the 71st percentile. The Ryzen 9 9900X's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD EPYC 9015 at 57,555 (0.1% higher), the AMD EPYC 7313 at 57,399 (0.2% lower), the Intel Core i9-14900 at 58,115 (1.1% higher), and the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M at 58,323 (1.4% higher). The Intel Core 5 221TE sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT at 17,891 (0.2% lower), the Intel Core 5 120U at 17,898 (0.2% lower), the Intel Core 7 350 at 17,779 (0.5% higher), and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17,994 (0.7% lower).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It integrates 16,630 million transistors across a dual-die layout with each die measuring 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry, with a single die of 215 mm². The transistor count for the Intel part is not recorded in the database.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The Ryzen 9 9900X provides 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221TE provides 10 cores and 16 threads. Clock speeds also diverge: the AMD chip has a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, while the Intel part runs at 1.80 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost. The power envelope is markedly different, with the Ryzen 9 9900X rated at a 120 W TDP versus 45 W for the Intel part.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. Both parts use 80 KB of L1 per core. The L2 cache is 1 MB per core on the AMD chip and 1.25 MB per core on the Intel part. The critical difference is in L3: the Ryzen 9 9900X has 64 MB, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 24 MB shared. That larger L3 pool gives the AMD part a substantial advantage in workloads that repeatedly access a working set larger than 24 MB.

Memory support also differs. The AMD processor supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel access and a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with a lower recorded bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the Ryzen 9 9900X offers Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes, while the Intel Core 5 221TE offers Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics are present on both, but they are not equal. The AMD part includes Radeon Graphics, while the Intel part includes UHD Graphics 730. Neither is a primary focus for a desktop processor in this class, but the presence of an iGPU means both can output display without a discrete card.

The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, making it suitable for overclocking. The Intel Core 5 221TE has a locked multiplier. The AMD part belongs to the 9000 series and the Ryzen 9 generation under Zen 5 (Granite Ridge). The Intel part is listed under the Core 5 generation with the Bartlett Lake codename; the architecture field for the Intel part is recorded as null in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results indicate that the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is the stronger processor in every measured category. There is no recorded test where the Intel Core 5 221TE comes out ahead. For applications that stress multi-threaded throughput, such as video rendering, code compilation, or scientific simulation, the Ryzen 9 9900X's 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with its 64 MB L3 cache, deliver a decisive advantage. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 32,172 versus 11,305 shows that the AMD part handles heavily parallel workloads with roughly 2.8 times the throughput of the Intel part.

For single-threaded responsiveness, the Ryzen 9 9900X still leads, but the margin is smaller. The 41.2% advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core and 169.4% in PassMark single-thread indicate that the AMD chip's higher boost clock and Zen 5 architecture provide better per-thread performance. The Intel part's low base clock of 1.80 GHz likely hampers it in lightly threaded tasks that do not trigger sustained boost.

The Intel Core 5 221TE's main advantage is its power envelope. At 45 W TDP, it draws substantially less power than the Ryzen 9 9900X's 120 W rating. For systems where heat output and cooling requirements are constrained, the Intel part offers a viable option despite its lower performance. It also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which may be relevant for users upgrading from an older platform. The Intel part's socket is Intel Socket 1700, while the AMD part uses AMD Socket AM5, so the platform choice will dictate compatibility.

For gaming, the physics test (3,381 versus 977) and single-thread results suggest the AMD part will handle game logic and simulation workloads more capably. However, the database does not include a dedicated gaming benchmark, so a direct gaming verdict cannot be drawn from the recorded data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X scores 32,172 in Cinebench R23 multicore versus 11,305 for the Intel Core 5 221TE, a 184.6% advantage for AMD.

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

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X scores 2,253 against the Intel Core 5 221TE's 1,596, a 41.2% lead for AMD. PassMark single-thread shows 4,672 versus 1,734, a 169.4% gap.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 221TE have any benchmark win over the Ryzen 9 9900X?

A: No. Across all 15 overlapping tests in the database, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins every one. The Intel part records zero wins.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s with DDR5 support. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 76.8 GB/s and supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 24 MB of shared L3. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core; L2 is 1 MB per core on AMD and 1.25 MB per core on Intel.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core 5 221TE has a locked multiplier.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core 5 221TE |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 12 | 10 |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 4.40 GHz | 1.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.60 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Not recorded |

| Codename | Granite Ridge | Bartlett Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 2x 70.6 mm² | 215 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

| PCIe Lanes | Gen 5, 24 Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $499 | $232 |

| Release Date | 2024-08-14 | 2025-01-12 |

| Transistor Count | 16,630 million | Not recorded |

| Part Number | 100-000000662 | SRVQS |