AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G vs Intel Core 5 220H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split between the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G and the Intel Core 5 220H is not a clean sweep for either side. The data shows distinct strengths that map to different workloads. The AMD part wins 4 of the 11 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel part takes 7. The single-threaded result is a clear AMD victory: the Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G scores 3829 in PassMark single-thread, which is 12.5% ahead of the Intel Core 5 220H's 3405. That margin is the largest AMD win in the entire comparison. The Ryzen processor also leads in extended instructions (18697 versus 14642, a 27.7% advantage) and data compression (253484 versus 247921, a 2.2% edge). These three wins point to a processor that handles instruction-heavy code and compression workloads with more efficiency per thread.

The Intel Core 5 220H, by contrast, dominates in raw throughput and math-heavy tasks. Its PassMark multithread score of 21884 beats the AMD's 20285 by 7.3%. The gap widens in floating-point math, where Intel scores 51671 versus AMD's 43494, a 15.8% difference. Integer math also favors Intel: 73555 versus 63707, a 13.4% lead. The most lopsided Intel wins come in prime number finding (82 versus 55, a 32.9% advantage) and the physics test (1478 versus 999, a 32.4% lead). Data encryption also goes to Intel by a wide margin: 15216 versus 12111, a 20.4% gap. Random string sorting is a narrow Intel win at 28438 versus 27407, a 3.6% edge.

What this means in practice: the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G is the better choice for single-threaded responsiveness, extended instruction sets such as AVX-class workloads, and compression pipelines. The Intel Core 5 220H is the stronger part for multithreaded physics simulation, encryption, prime-number searches, and general floating-point or integer throughput. The two processors are not far apart on overall average benchmark score when placed against their own peer groups, but the workload split is real and consistent.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G is built on TSMC's 4 nm process node and uses the Gorgon Point codename. It belongs to the Ryzen AI PRO 400 generation, which pairs Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. The processor has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 5 220H uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-H variant under the Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. It is manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process node and has 12 cores with 16 threads. The core count difference is substantial: Intel packs twice the physical cores, though the thread advantage is smaller at 16 versus 12.

Cache configurations also differ significantly. Both chips have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The AMD part has 1 MB of L2 per core and a total L3 cache of 4 MB. The Intel part has 2 MB of L2 per core and a shared L3 cache of 18 MB. That is a 14 MB difference in L3 alone, which helps explain Intel's advantage in cache-sensitive multithreaded benchmarks. The AMD chip's smaller L3 is typical of a hybrid Zen 5 design that relies on faster single-core performance to compensate.

Memory support diverges as well. The AMD processor supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel memory and a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but the database records no memory bandwidth figure for it and ECC memory is not supported. The AMD part uses AMD Socket AM5 and is classified as a desktop segment product. The Intel part uses Intel BGA 1744 and is classified as mobile. Both have locked multipliers, so neither is intended for overclocking.

PCIe support differs. The AMD chip provides PCIe Gen 4 with 10 CPU lanes. The Intel chip provides PCIe Gen 5 with 8 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics also differ: AMD uses the Radeon 840M, while Intel uses Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. The release dates are not close: the AMD chip launched in March 2026, while the Intel chip launched in December 2024. The Intel part has a recorded launch MSRP of $342. The AMD part has no launch MSRP recorded in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin in either direction belongs to Intel in the prime number test. The Core 5 220H scores 82 versus the Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G's 55, a 32.9% lead. The physics test is nearly identical in margin: Intel wins 1478 versus 999, a 32.4% gap. These two results indicate that Intel's higher core count and larger cache provide a decisive edge in algorithms that scale with parallel integer operations and physical simulation workloads.

AMD's biggest win is the extended instructions test. The Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G scores 18697 against Intel's 14642, a 27.7% advantage. This is a notable result because extended instruction benchmarks typically reward microarchitectural efficiency in SIMD and specialized instruction paths, areas where the Zen 5 design appears strong. The single-thread test is AMD's second-largest win: 3829 versus 3405, a 12.5% margin. This confirms that the AMD chip has the higher per-core performance despite having fewer cores.

The encryption test is a clear Intel win at 15216 versus 12111, a 20.4% gap. Floating-point math goes to Intel by 15.8% (51671 versus 43494), and integer math goes to Intel by 13.4% (73555 versus 63707). The multithread test shows a narrower Intel edge: 21884 versus 20285, a 7.3% difference. Data compression is close, with AMD winning 253484 versus 247921, a 2.2% margin. Random string sorting is also close, with Intel winning 28438 versus 27407, a 3.6% edge.

The overall average benchmark score tells a different story depending on which processor's peer group is used. The AMD chip's average benchmark score is 40718, placing it at the 87th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon 6357P at an average score of 40630 (0.2% behind), the Intel Core 5 223PE at 40585 (0.3% behind), the Intel Core 7 253PE at 40557 (0.4% behind), and the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H at 40518 (0.5% behind). The Intel Core 5 220H has an average benchmark score of 28574, placing it at the 80th percentile. Its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7203P at 28583 (0% difference), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS at 28549 (0.1% behind), the Intel Xeon E-2436 at 28530 (0.2% behind), and the Intel Core i5-12600 at 28646 (0.3% ahead).

The percentile gap is meaningful: 87th versus 80th. The AMD part sits higher in the overall database ranking, and its average benchmark score is substantially higher at 40718 versus 28574. However, that average is drawn from different benchmark suites. The AMD chip's PassMark-focused set and the Intel chip's mix of Cinebench and PassMark tests are not directly comparable as a single number. The head-to-head PassMark tests are the more reliable comparison, and they show Intel winning 7 of 11.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. Core count: AMD has 6, Intel has 12. Thread count: AMD has 12, Intel has 16. Base clock: AMD runs at 2.00 GHz, Intel at 2.70 GHz. Boost clock: AMD reaches 4.50 GHz, Intel reaches 4.90 GHz. TDP: AMD is rated at 65 W, Intel at 45 W. Socket: AMD uses AM5, Intel uses BGA 1744. Process node: AMD uses TSMC 4 nm, Intel uses Intel 10 nm. Foundry: TSMC versus Intel. L2 cache: AMD has 1 MB per core, Intel has 2 MB per core. L3 cache: AMD has 4 MB total, Intel has 18 MB shared. Memory support: AMD is DDR5 only, Intel is DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth: AMD records 89.6 GB/s, Intel records none in the database. ECC: AMD supports it, Intel does not. PCIe: AMD has Gen 4 with 10 lanes, Intel has Gen 5 with 8 lanes. Integrated graphics: Radeon 840M versus Iris Xe Graphics 80EU. Market segment: desktop versus mobile. Release date: March 2026 versus December 2024. Launch MSRP: none for AMD, $342 for Intel. Part numbers: 100-000001783 for AMD, SRQ6SQ5MM for Intel.

The TDP difference is worth noting because the Intel part is rated lower at 45 W despite having more cores and a higher boost clock. The AMD part at 65 W is a desktop-class chip, so the higher power envelope aligns with its socketed AM5 platform. The Intel part is a mobile BGA design, so the lower TDP reflects its intended use in laptops. The process node difference (4 nm versus 10 nm) gives AMD a density and efficiency edge on paper, but the benchmark results show that Intel's larger core count and cache overcome that disadvantage in multithreaded workloads.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G scores 3829 in PassMark single-thread, which is 12.5% ahead of the Intel Core 5 220H's 3405.

Q: How many benchmarks does each processor win in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G wins 4 of the 11 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 5 220H wins 7.

Q: What is the biggest benchmark margin in either direction?

A: The largest margin is Intel's win in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Core 5 220H scores 82 versus the Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G's 55, a 32.9% lead.

Q: Do the two processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The AMD chip supports DDR5 only with ECC support, while the Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 without ECC support.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 5 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How do the two processors compare in the overall database percentile ranking?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G sits at the 87th percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 40718. The Intel Core 5 220H sits at the 80th percentile with an average benchmark score of 28574.