AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 and Intel Core 5 221E occupy different market segments, yet both sit at the 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The AMD part records an average benchmark score of 41208, while the Intel part averages 40144. In direct head-to-head testing, however, the Intel part wins 10 of 11 tests, with the AMD part taking only the extended instructions test. This divergence between aggregate average and head-to-head results makes the comparison particularly instructive.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 wins exactly one head-to-head test: extended instructions, where it scores 18456 against Intel's 18216, a 1.3% margin. This is a narrow victory, suggesting a specific advantage in workloads that exercise advanced or specialized instruction sets. Outside that single test, the Intel Core 5 221E is the clear winner across the board.

Intel's victories span a wide range of workloads. The largest margins appear in prime number finding (55.5% ahead), physics (49.8% ahead), floating point math (45.7% ahead), and integer math (44% ahead). These are compute-intensive tasks that benefit from higher core counts and larger caches. Intel also leads in data encryption by 35.3%, data compression by 20.9%, random string sorting by 27.7%, and multithread performance by 31%. Even in single-thread performance, Intel is 8.7% ahead.

The use-case split is clear: Intel dominates multi-threaded, math-heavy, and data-processing workloads. AMD's only advantage is in extended instructions, a niche but potentially important area for certain scientific or cryptographic applications. Notably, the AMD part still posts a higher average benchmark score (41208 vs 40144), which suggests that outside the head-to-head set, the AMD part performs well in other database tests. The data does not support a single overall winner; it supports a workload-dependent choice.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core 5 221E uses a 10 nm process from Intel. The AMD die measures 195 mm², the Intel die 257 mm². AMD's architecture is Zen 5, with the codename Gorgon Point; Intel's architecture is not specified, but the codename is Bartlett Lake.

Core and thread counts differ substantially: AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads, Intel has 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 2.00 GHz for AMD and 2.70 GHz for Intel; boost clocks are 4.80 GHz and 5.20 GHz, respectively. The TDP also diverges: AMD is rated at 28 W, Intel at 65 W. This places AMD in the mobile segment, while Intel is a desktop part.

Cache hierarchies are different. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core, but AMD has 1 MB of L2 per core and 8 MB of L3, while Intel has 2 MB of L2 per core and 24 MB of shared L3. Memory support differs: AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, and both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs: AMD offers Gen 4 with 16 lanes, Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics also differ: AMD has Radeon 840M, Intel has UHD Graphics 730.

The release dates are close: AMD was released on 2026-01-04, Intel on 2025-01-12. Both are active production parts, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $232; the AMD part has no listed launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head set contains 11 PassMark tests. Intel wins 10, AMD wins 1. The largest Intel win is in prime number finding: Intel scores 173, AMD 77, a 55.5% delta. Physics follows closely: Intel 2230, AMD 1119, a 49.8% delta. Floating point math shows Intel at 79028 against AMD's 42934, a 45.7% lead. Integer math: Intel 117813, AMD 65991, a 44% delta. Data encryption: Intel 19205, AMD 12418, a 35.3% margin. Multithread: Intel 30510, AMD 21054, a 31% lead. Random string sorting: Intel 37686, AMD 27252, a 27.7% delta. Data compression: Intel 324285, AMD 256420, a 20.9% margin. Single-thread performance: Intel 4147, AMD 3785, an 8.7% delta. The only AMD win is extended instructions: 18456 vs 18216, a 1.3% margin.

The database also records Intel Cinebench scores: R15 multi-core 2613, R15 single-core 368, R20 multi-core 10891, R20 single-core 1537, R23 multi-core 25933, and R23 single-core 3661. No comparable AMD Cinebench scores are present, so a direct comparison is not possible from the recorded data.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 6 (AMD) vs 14 (Intel)
• Threads: 12 vs 20
• Base clock: 2.00 GHz vs 2.70 GHz
• Boost clock: 4.80 GHz vs 5.20 GHz
• TDP: 28 W vs 65 W
• Socket: AMD Socket FP8 vs Intel Socket 1700
• Architecture: Zen 5 vs not specified (codename Bartlett Lake)
• Process node: 4 nm (TSMC) vs 10 nm (Intel)
• Foundry: TSMC vs Intel
• Die size: 195 mm² vs 257 mm²
• L2 cache per core: 1 MB vs 2 MB
• L3 cache: 8 MB vs 24 MB (shared)
• Memory support: DDR5, LPDDR5X vs DDR4, DDR5
• PCIe version: Gen 4 vs Gen 5
• Integrated graphics: Radeon 840M vs UHD Graphics 730
• Market segment: Mobile vs Desktop
• Release date: 2026-01-04 vs 2025-01-12
• Launch MSRP: none vs $232
• Part number: 100-000001866 vs SRQDVQ659

Both parts share 80 KB L1 per core, dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, ECC support, and locked multipliers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel part boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the AMD part boosts to 4.80 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel part has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD part has 8 MB.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD part averages 41208, while the Intel part averages 40144.

Q: Which processor wins the head-to-head benchmark set?

A: The Intel part wins 10 of 11 tests, with the AMD part winning only the extended instructions test.

Q: Which processor is designed for mobile use?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 is a mobile part with a 28 W TDP, while the Intel Core 5 221E is a desktop part with a 65 W TDP.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear workload split. The Intel Core 5 221E dominates the head-to-head benchmarks, particularly in multi-threaded, math-heavy, and data-processing tasks. Its 14 cores, 20 threads, and 24 MB L3 cache give it a substantial advantage in physics, floating point, integer math, and prime number finding, with margins above 44%. For users who prioritize these workloads, the Intel part is the stronger choice.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440, despite losing most head-to-head tests, posts a higher average benchmark score (41208 vs 40144) and offers a much lower TDP (28 W vs 65 W). It is the only part of the two with a mobile form factor, and it wins the extended instructions test. For applications that rely on extended instruction sets, or for systems where power consumption and mobile integration are primary concerns, the AMD part is the appropriate selection.

The database does not declare a single winner. The Intel part is the performance leader in the tested head-to-head set, while the AMD part offers a higher aggregate average and a lower power envelope. The choice depends on the specific workload and the target platform.