AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents an unambiguous picture: the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core 5 221TE. There are no contests where the Intel part takes the lead. The margins are substantial across every category, from short synthetic render tests to extended instruction workloads.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 25,165 against Intel's 11,305, a delta of 122.6%. The single-core result follows the same pattern: 3,552 versus 1,596, also a 122.6% gap. These are not narrow wins; they indicate a generational difference in per-thread efficiency. The Cinebench R15 and R20 runs confirm the trend, with multi-core deltas of 122.7% and 122.6% respectively, while single-core deltas sit at 123.1% and 122.5%.

PassMark tests amplify the disparity. The largest relative gap appears in extended instructions, where the AMD processor scores 27,714 against Intel's 9,655, a 187% advantage. Random string sorting shows a 163.9% delta (44,668 versus 16,929). Integer math delivers a 144.4% lead (103,390 versus 42,303), and data encryption shows 143.4% (21,820 versus 8,963). Floating point math nearly doubles the Intel result: 63,490 versus 31,661, a 100.5% delta.

The smallest margins still favor AMD decisively. PassMark physics shows a 46.4% delta (1,430 versus 977), and find prime numbers records a 54.2% delta (91 versus 59). Data compression delivers 368,884 against 156,682, a 135.4% delta. The multithread test shows 30,378 versus 13,301, a 128.4% lead. Even the single-thread PassMark result, which often favors higher-clocked parts, lands at 126.1% in AMD's favor (3,920 versus 1,734).

Looking at the broader database context, the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS holds an 88th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 41,963. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-14700T (average score 41,914, delta 0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 (42,055, delta -0.2%), and the Intel Core i7-12850HX (41,779, delta 0.4%). The Intel Core 5 221TE, by contrast, sits at the 71st percentile with an average score of 17,860. Its closest competitors are the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (17,891, delta -0.2%), the Intel Core 5 120U (17,898, delta -0.2%), and the Intel Core 7 350 (17,779, delta 0.5%). The average score gap between the two processors is roughly 2.35 times, which aligns with the individual benchmark deltas.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS is the superior processor in every measured dimension. Any workload that depends on multi-threaded throughput, single-core responsiveness, or specialized instruction execution will favor the AMD part. The 17-0 win count is not a statistical artifact; it reflects consistent superiority across diverse test methodologies.

For users selecting between these two, the choice depends entirely on the application environment. The AMD processor delivers roughly double the performance in Cinebench render tests, PassMark integer math, and floating point workloads. The Intel Core 5 221TE, however, belongs to a different performance class entirely, with an average benchmark score closer to older desktop parts like the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (17,994, delta -0.7%). The database positions the Intel chip among mid-range desktop offerings, while the AMD chip competes with high-end mobile and desktop processors.

The Intel part does offer some structural advantages that may matter in specific deployments. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD chip only supports DDR5. It also provides PCIe Gen 5 connectivity with 16 CPU lanes, whereas the AMD part uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. These differences could influence platform-level decisions, but they do not change the benchmark outcomes.

The verdict from the recorded measurements is straightforward: the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS wins every performance comparison. The Intel Core 5 221TE is a viable processor for its intended segment, but it cannot match the AMD part in any tested workload.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS uses the Zen 4 architecture with the Hawk Point codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm Intel process. The process node difference explains much of the performance gap: the AMD chip packs 25,000 million transistors into a 178 mm² die, while the Intel chip uses a 215 mm² die with no transistor count listed in the database.

Core configurations differ significantly. The AMD processor has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel processor has 10 cores and 16 threads. Despite having two more physical cores, the Intel part cannot overcome the per-core efficiency deficit. The AMD base clock runs at 4.00 GHz with a boost of 5.20 GHz, compared to Intel's 1.80 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost. The boost clocks are close, but the base clock difference is stark.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The AMD part provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel part offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. Intel's larger cache allocations do not translate into benchmark wins, suggesting that the AMD memory subsystem and core efficiency compensate for the smaller cache.

Memory bandwidth favors AMD at 89.6 GB/s versus Intel's 76.8 GB/s, though both use dual-channel buses. Both processors support ECC memory. The integrated graphics differ as well: AMD uses the Radeon 780M, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 730. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so no direct comparison is possible.

The market segments differ: the AMD chip is classified as Mobile with an AMD Socket FP7, while the Intel chip is Desktop on Intel Socket 1700. Release dates also differ, with AMD launching on 2024-04-15 and Intel on 2025-01-12. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $232. Both processors are production-active and have locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD chip scores 25,165 versus Intel's 11,305, a 122.6% delta.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 221TE win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark extended instructions, where AMD leads by 187% (27,714 versus 9,655).

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD chip supports only DDR5, while the Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS averages 41,963, while the Intel Core 5 221TE averages 17,860.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split is less about performance and more about platform fit. The AMD chip is designed for mobile systems with an FP7 socket, making it suitable for high-performance laptops and compact workstations. Its 45 W TDP matches the Intel part, but the AMD chip delivers far more throughput per watt based on the benchmark data. The Radeon 780M integrated graphics also provide a stronger iGPU solution for light graphics work without a discrete card.

The Intel Core 5 221TE, despite losing all benchmarks, has attributes that may appeal in specific scenarios. Its support for DDR4 memory allows upgrades from older platforms without replacing RAM. The PCIe Gen 5 interface with 16 lanes offers higher bandwidth for compatible storage and expansion cards. The desktop socket 1700 fits into a well-established motherboard ecosystem. The larger L3 cache (24 MB versus 16 MB) could theoretically benefit certain cache-sensitive workloads, though the benchmark data does not reflect such an advantage.

For workloads like data compression, encryption, or floating point math, the AMD chip is the only rational choice based on the recorded deltas. The Intel part might still serve in environments where its specific platform features, such as DDR4 compatibility or PCIe Gen 5, take priority over raw compute performance. The database does not include power efficiency measurements, so no claims about energy consumption can be made beyond the listed 45 W TDP for both.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS uses 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221TE uses 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 4.00 GHz for AMD and 1.80 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.20 GHz and 5.00 GHz respectively. Both are rated at 45 W TDP.

Sockets differ: AMD Socket FP7 versus Intel Socket 1700. The AMD architecture is Zen 4 with the Hawk Point codename, while the Intel architecture field is not specified, with the Bartlett Lake codename. Process nodes are 4 nm (TSMC) for AMD and 10 nm (Intel) for Intel. The AMD die measures 178 mm² with 25,000 million transistors; the Intel die measures 215 mm² with no transistor count listed.

Cache configurations differ: AMD uses 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Intel uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. Memory support: AMD only DDR5, Intel both DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth: AMD at 89.6 GB/s, Intel at 76.8 GB/s. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe differs: AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics: AMD Radeon 780M versus Intel UHD Graphics 730. Market segments: AMD Mobile, Intel Desktop. Release dates: AMD 2024-04-15, Intel 2025-01-12. The Intel part lists a launch MSRP of $232; the AMD part has no MSRP recorded. Both have locked multipliers. Part numbers: AMD lists 100-000001314(FP7r2) and 100-000001386(FP7); Intel lists SRVQS.