AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive result: the Intel Core 5 221E wins all 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340. The margin of victory varies substantially by workload, ranging from a modest single-thread advantage to a massive lead in multi-threaded Cinebench tests.

The largest gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Intel part scores 25,933 against AMD's 11,534, a 55.5% deficit for the Ryzen chip. This result aligns with the core count difference: the Intel processor fields 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD chip provides 6 cores and 12 threads. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R15 multi-core, with Intel leading 2,613 to 1,743, a 33.3% gap.

Single-core performance also favors Intel, though by a smaller margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel posts 3,661 versus AMD's 1,802, a 50.8% lead. The PassMark single-thread test shows a narrower 9.4% advantage for Intel, 4,147 against 3,758. This closer result suggests that the architectural efficiency of the Zen 5 core narrows the gap when the clock speed difference is less impactful, but Intel's 5.20 GHz boost clock still carries the day.

Compute-heavy PassMark tests reveal consistent Intel dominance. Floating-point math scores 79,028 for Intel versus 39,662 for AMD, a 49.8% margin. Integer math shows a 46.3% lead, 117,813 against 63,233. Prime number finding, which stresses raw integer throughput, delivers Intel's largest margin at 57.2% (173 versus 74). Physics simulation also favors Intel heavily, 2,230 versus 1,084, a 51.4% gap.

Data-oriented workloads follow the same trend. Data compression scores 324,285 for Intel versus 221,581 for AMD, a 31.7% advantage. Data encryption shows a 41.6% lead, 19,205 versus 11,212. Random string sorting delivers 37,686 against 24,334, a 35.4% margin. Extended instruction performance is the closest compute result, with Intel leading just 13.7% (18,216 versus 15,721).

The average benchmark scores in the database confirm the overall hierarchy. AMD's Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 averages 27,932 across all tests and sits at the 80th percentile of all CPUs. Intel's Core 5 221E averages 40,144 and reaches the 87th percentile. The nearest rivals for each chip illustrate their competitive positioning: AMD's closest comparisons include the Ryzen 7 5800X3D (0.1% delta), Ryzen 7 6800U (0.2% delta), and Core i9-10900K (0.2% delta), while Intel's nearest rivals include the Ryzen 7 7700 (0.2% delta) and Ryzen AI 9 365 (0.2% delta).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E leads decisively. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 25,933 versus the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340's 11,534, a 55.5% advantage. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a 33.3% lead for Intel (2,613 versus 1,743).

Q: How close is single-thread performance between the two?

A: Intel wins single-thread tests, but the margin varies. PassMark single-thread shows a 9.4% lead for Intel (4,147 versus 3,758). Cinebench R23 single-core shows a larger 50.8% gap (3,661 versus 1,802), while Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 25% lead (368 versus 276).

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

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which chip has more cache?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 24 MB of shared L3 cache and 2 MB of L2 per core. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 has 8 MB of L3 cache and 1 MB of L2 per core. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 and the Intel Core 5 221E support ECC memory.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth for each?

A: Both processors record the same memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s and use a dual-channel memory bus.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. AMD's Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Krackan Point codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The die measures 195 mm². The chip belongs to the Ryzen AI PRO 300 generation, which mixes Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. Intel's Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry, with a larger die of 257 mm².

The cache hierarchy differs meaningfully. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of L3. Intel matches the per-core L1 size at 80 KB but doubles L2 to 2 MB per core and provides a much larger 24 MB of shared L3. This larger cache pool likely contributes to Intel's strong data compression and encryption results, where it leads by 31.7% and 41.6% respectively.

Memory support shows another divergence. AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. Both run dual-channel with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The PCIe implementation also differs: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ by vendor. AMD pairs the processor with a Radeon 840M, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 730. The market segments differ as well: AMD targets mobile, while Intel targets desktop. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP8, while Intel uses Intel Socket 1700. The Intel processor carries a launch MSRP of $232.

Specification Differences

The specifications that differ between the two processors are substantial. The core count shows Intel with 14 cores versus AMD's 6. Thread counts are 20 for Intel and 12 for AMD. Base clocks differ: Intel runs at 2.70 GHz, AMD at 2.00 GHz. Boost clocks also favor Intel: 5.20 GHz versus 4.80 GHz. Thermal design power is notably different, with Intel rated at 65 W and AMD at 28 W.

The process node separates them by generation: Intel uses 10 nm, AMD uses 4 nm. Die size differs at 257 mm² for Intel and 195 mm² for AMD. L2 and L3 cache allocations differ as described above. Memory support shows Intel accepting both DDR4 and DDR5 while AMD accepts DDR5 and LPDDR5X. PCIe generation differs: Intel Gen 5, AMD Gen 4. Socket types are entirely different, and the market segment splits between desktop (Intel) and mobile (AMD).

The integrated graphics differ by model: UHD Graphics 730 on Intel, Radeon 840M on AMD. Release dates are close, with Intel launching on 2025-01-12 and AMD on 2025-01-05. The part numbers differ: SRQDVQ659 for Intel, 100-000001600 for AMD. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E wins every benchmark category recorded in the database. No test shows an AMD advantage. The strongest Intel margins appear in Cinebench R23 multi-core (55.5% lead), prime number finding (57.2% lead), and physics simulation (51.4% lead). These results point to workloads that scale with core count and raw clock speed.

The narrowest Intel margins appear in PassMark single-thread (9.4% lead) and extended instructions (13.7% lead). These results suggest that AMD's Zen 5 architecture provides competitive per-core efficiency, but Intel's higher boost clock and larger cache still deliver the win.

For workloads like data compression, encryption, and random string sorting, Intel's 24 MB L3 cache and 14 cores provide a clear edge. The multi-threaded PassMark test shows a 37% Intel lead (30,510 versus 19,215), reinforcing that parallel throughput favors the Intel part.

The AMD processor does not record a single winning benchmark. Its lower TDP of 28 W versus Intel's 65 W indicates a power-efficiency advantage, but the database contains no power consumption measurements to quantify that difference. The AMD chip's mobile segment and smaller die size suggest a different use case, but benchmark results show no performance category where it surpasses the Intel part.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core 5 221E is the faster processor across every measured workload. With wins in all 15 head-to-head comparisons, it holds advantages ranging from 9.4% in single-thread PassMark to 57.2% in prime number finding. The average benchmark score of 40,144 versus 27,932 places Intel at the 87th percentile of all CPUs, compared to AMD's 80th percentile.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded performance, Cinebench R23 results show a 55.5% Intel lead. For single-thread responsiveness, the PassMark single-thread test shows a 9.4% advantage. For data-heavy tasks like compression and encryption, Intel leads by 31.7% and 41.6% respectively. The Intel processor also provides more cores (14 versus 6), more threads (20 versus 12), a larger L3 cache (24 MB versus 8 MB), and higher boost clock (5.20 GHz versus 4.80 GHz).

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 does not win any benchmark category. Its advantages appear only in non-performance specifications: a smaller 28 W TDP, a more advanced 4 nm process node, a smaller die, and support for LPDDR5X memory. These attributes may suit low-power mobile designs, but the database records no performance test where the AMD chip comes out ahead.

The nearest rival comparisons place each chip in its competitive context. AMD's Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 trades nearly evenly with the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, Ryzen 7 6800U, and Core i9-10900K, all within 0.2% of its average score. Intel's Core 5 221E matches the Ryzen 7 7700 and Ryzen AI 9 365 within 0.2%, with the Core i9-13905H 0.4% behind. The Intel chip's performance class sits one tier above the AMD chip's, as reflected in the 80th versus 87th percentile ranking.

The choice between these two processors depends on the target platform and performance requirements. The Intel Core 5 221E delivers superior results in every measured category, making it the preferred option for desktop workloads that benefit from high core counts and large caches. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 offers a lower TDP and mobile-oriented feature set, but the benchmark database provides no performance-based reason to select it over the Intel part.