AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

FAQ

Q: How large is the performance gap between the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and the Intel Core 5 221TE in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD processor leads by 237.6% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (38161.5 vs. 11305) and by 430.5% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (6042.5 vs. 1139). In PassMark multithread, it scores 62674 versus 13301, a 371.2% advantage.

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins all single-thread tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core it scores 2159.5 versus 1596 for the Intel, a 35.3% lead. PassMark single thread shows 4511 versus 1734, a 160.1% gap.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How do the two compare in memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD processor supports dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel processor supports dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the percentile ranking of each CPU in the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D ranks in the 96th percentile among all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 221TE ranks in the 71st percentile.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Both the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and the Intel Core 5 221TE support ECC memory.

The Verdict

The data draws a clean line between these two processors. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the dominant part in every recorded benchmark, winning all 15 head-to-head comparisons. Its average benchmark score of 97453 places it near the top of the database, in the 96th percentile, and it sits just 1.1% below the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX in average score. The Intel Core 5 221TE, with an average score of 17860 and a 71st percentile ranking, belongs to a different performance class entirely. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (0.2% lower average score), the Intel Core 5 120U (0.2% lower), and the Intel Core 7 350 (0.5% higher), all of which cluster within a narrow band around its score.

For anyone selecting a processor for heavily threaded workloads, the choice is unambiguous. The AMD part delivers roughly 4.4 times the multi-core performance of the Intel part in Cinebench R15, and the gap persists across every PassMark workload category. The Intel Core 5 221TE does not win a single recorded test, so its role is limited to scenarios where its lower 45 W TDP, smaller 10-core footprint, and desktop socket fit matter more than raw throughput. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, despite its 55 W TDP and mobile FL1 socket, offers a level of compute density that the Intel part cannot approach. For database ranking purposes, the AMD processor is the clear choice for performance-oriented systems, while the Intel part serves as a power-conscious desktop option with modest expectations.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a sweep for the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D across all 15 test categories. The largest margin appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where the AMD scores 525 versus 59 for the Intel, a 789.8% difference. This test heavily rewards the AMD processor's 16 cores and 32 threads, which can distribute prime-number searches across many threads simultaneously. The smallest margin is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the AMD leads by 35.3% (2159.5 vs. 1596), still a substantial single-thread advantage despite the Intel's 5.00 GHz boost clock versus the AMD's 5.40 GHz.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD posts 6042.5 against 1139, a 430.5% lead. This reflects not only the core count difference but also the AMD's 128 MB L3 cache, which reduces memory latency for large working sets. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a 237.6% gap (38161.5 vs. 11305), consistent with the R15 result. PassMark extended instructions shows a 550.6% difference (62813 vs. 9655), indicating that the AMD's Zen 5 architecture handles SIMD and instruction-heavy workloads far more efficiently than the Intel Bartlett Lake design in this configuration.

The PassMark integer math test shows 222503 for the AMD versus 42303 for the Intel, a 426% gap. Floating point math follows a similar pattern: 144122 vs. 31661, a 355.2% lead. Data compression shows 785811 vs. 156682, a 401.5% difference, while data encryption shows 39446 vs. 8963, a 340.1% gap. Random string sorting gives 83497 vs. 16929, a 393.2% difference, and physics simulation gives 4687 vs. 977, a 379.7% lead. The two single-thread PassMark entries (listed as passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread) both show 4511 vs. 1734, a 160.1% gap.

Across all tests, the AMD's smallest win is still over one-third better than the Intel's result. The consistency of the margins, with no test below 35%, indicates a fundamental architectural and core-count advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D uses 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221TE uses 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz for the AMD and 1.80 GHz for the Intel; boost clocks are 5.40 GHz and 5.00 GHz respectively. TDP is 55 W for the AMD and 45 W for the Intel.

The AMD part uses AMD Socket FL1 (mobile), while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700 (desktop). The AMD is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm² and 16,630 million transistors. The Intel uses a 10 nm process at Intel with a 215 mm² die and no transistor count recorded. The AMD features a 2.50 GHz base clock, while the Intel's base is 1.80 GHz.

Cache layouts differ significantly. Both have 80 KB L1 per core. The AMD has 1 MB L2 per core, while the Intel has 1.25 MB per core. L3 cache is the major divergence: the AMD has 128 MB (presumably with 3D V-Cache), while the Intel has 24 MB shared. The AMD's memory support is DDR5 only with dual-channel and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth; the Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel, at 76.8 GB/s. Both support ECC.

PCIe lanes differ: the AMD provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are the Radeon 610M on the AMD and UHD Graphics 730 on the Intel. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel does not. Release dates are close: January 5, 2025 for the AMD and January 12, 2025 for the Intel. The Intel has a recorded launch MSRP of $232; the AMD has no recorded launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D belongs to the 9000 series and uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Fire Range codename. It is manufactured on a 4 nm TSMC process with 16,630 million transistors across a dual-die design of 2x 70.6 mm². The 128 MB L3 cache is the standout architectural feature, giving it a massive cache pool that benefits data-heavy workloads. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename in the Core 5 generation, on a 10 nm Intel process with a single 215 mm² die. Its L3 cache is a comparatively small 24 MB shared pool.

The AMD's L2 cache is 1 MB per core, while the Intel provides 1.25 MB per core. Both use 80 KB L1 per core. The AMD's memory controller supports only DDR5, while the Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, which gives the Intel flexibility for older desktop platforms but at a lower peak bandwidth (76.8 GB/s vs. 89.6 GB/s). The AMD's 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes exceed the Intel's 16, which can matter for expansion in high-throughput systems despite the AMD's mobile socket designation.

The process node difference is substantial: 4 nm versus 10 nm. This explains the AMD's ability to pack 16 cores and a 128 MB L3 cache into a 55 W TDP, whereas the Intel achieves 10 cores and 24 MB L3 at 45 W. The AMD's integrated Radeon 610M graphics and the Intel's UHD Graphics 730 serve different roles, with the Intel part aimed at desktop systems where the iGPU may be used for basic display output, while the AMD's mobile part likely pairs with discrete graphics in most configurations.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins in every recorded benchmark category. Its 128 MB L3 cache and 16-core, 32-thread configuration make it the stronger choice for multi-threaded rendering, simulation, data compression, encryption, and any workload that scales with core count. The PassMark results show particular dominance in integer math (426% ahead), floating point math (355.2%), and extended instructions (550.6%), which together cover a broad swath of scientific, financial, and content-creation tasks. The 96th percentile ranking places it among the top CPUs in the database, comparable to the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX, which it trails by only 1.1% in average score.

The Intel Core 5 221TE does not win any head-to-head benchmark, but it still has a defined role. Its 45 W TDP and 10-core, 16-thread layout make it a lower-power desktop option, and its support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory allows integration into existing platforms without requiring a memory upgrade. The 71st percentile ranking places it near the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (0.2% lower average score) and the Intel Core 5 120U (0.2% lower), meaning it delivers mid-range desktop performance rather than top-tier throughput. For workloads where power draw and desktop socket compatibility are priorities, and where the performance demands are modest, the Intel part fits. For any task where compute speed is the primary metric, the recorded data points exclusively to the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D.