AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 has an average benchmark score of 39485, compared to 17860 for the Intel Core 5 221TE. The AMD part also sits at the 87th percentile among all CPUs, while Intel sits at the 71st percentile.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 scores 18316 versus 11305 for the Intel Core 5 221TE, a 62% advantage. The gap is even larger in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where AMD leads by 138.2%.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD processor wins all 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 boosts to 5.10 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 221TE boosts to 5.00 GHz. The AMD chip also has a higher base clock at 2.00 GHz versus 1.80 GHz.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with dual-channel configuration and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 221TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel configuration and 76.8 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the process node for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 uses a 4 nm process from TSMC. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses a 10 nm process from Intel. The AMD chip has a die size of 195 mm² versus 215 mm² for Intel.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 and Intel Core 5 221TE represent fundamentally different design approaches. AMD uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Gorgon Point codename, part of the Ryzen AI 400 generation that combines Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. Intel uses the Bartlett Lake codename in the Core 5 generation. AMD builds on a 4 nm TSMC process, while Intel uses a 10 nm process from its own fabs.

The core configurations differ substantially. AMD arrays 8 cores with 16 threads, while Intel provides 10 cores with 16 threads. This means AMD achieves thread parity with fewer physical cores. Cache hierarchies also diverge: AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of shared L3. Intel also uses 80 KB of L1 per core but offers 1.25 MB of L2 per core and a much larger 24 MB shared L3 cache. The larger Intel L3 pool does not translate into performance advantages in the recorded benchmarks.

Memory support separates the platforms. AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. Both run dual-channel memory and both support ECC. PCIe connectivity differs: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well. AMD includes the Radeon 860M, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD processor targets the mobile segment with a 28 W TDP and AMD Socket FP8. The Intel part targets desktop with a 45 W TDP on Intel Socket 1700. The AMD chip measures 195 mm² versus 215 mm² for Intel. Both processors remain in active production, with AMD releasing in January 2026 and Intel in January 2025.

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers a decisive outcome: the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 wins all 15 head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core 5 221TE. The average score difference is substantial at 39485 versus 17860. AMD's chip ranks at the 87th percentile among all CPUs, while Intel ranks at the 71st percentile.

The AMD processor is the clear choice for compute-heavy workloads. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS (average score 39603, 0.3% higher), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8845HS (39325, 0.4% lower), the AMD EPYC 4245P (39215, 0.7% lower), and the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D (39768, 0.7% higher). This places the Ryzen AI 7 450 in strong company among high-performing CPUs.

The Intel Core 5 221TE sits in a different performance class. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (17891, 0.2% higher), the Intel Core 5 120U (17898, 0.2% higher), the Intel Core 7 350 (17779, 0.5% lower), and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (17994, 0.7% lower). These deltas show the Intel part clustering with older mid-range desktop chips.

For users selecting between these two specific processors, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 delivers roughly double the average performance. The Intel part does offer PCIe Gen 5 connectivity and a larger L3 cache, but those features do not close the benchmark gap. The data supports choosing AMD for any workload where processing throughput matters.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 2.00 GHz for AMD and 1.80 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.10 GHz for AMD and 5.00 GHz for Intel. TDP ratings are 28 W for AMD and 45 W for Intel.

The manufacturing technology differs: AMD uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, Intel uses a 10 nm process from Intel. Die sizes are 195 mm² for AMD and 215 mm² for Intel. Cache layouts diverge: both use 80 KB L1 per core, but AMD uses 1 MB L2 per core versus 1.25 MB for Intel. AMD has 8 MB L3, while Intel has 24 MB shared L3.

Memory support separates them: AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth; Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. Both are dual-channel and both support ECC. PCIe generations differ: AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ: AMD includes Radeon 860M, Intel includes UHD Graphics 730. Sockets are different: AMD Socket FP8 versus Intel Socket 1700. Market segments differ: AMD is mobile, Intel is desktop. Release dates differ: AMD in January 2026, Intel in January 2025. The Intel part launched at $232 MSRP. The AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 dominates every recorded benchmark. The largest margin appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where AMD scores 2713 versus 1139 for Intel, a 138.2% lead. PassMark single-thread shows a 125% advantage with AMD at 3901 and Intel at 1734. PassMark extended instructions gives AMD 22400 versus 9655, a 132% lead.

Other large gaps appear in integer math, where AMD scores 88531 versus 42303, a 109.3% advantage. Random string sorting shows AMD at 35648 versus 16929, a 110.6% lead. Data compression gives AMD 315906 versus 156682, a 101.6% margin. PassMark multithread shows AMD at 26350 versus 13301, a 98.1% lead.

Moderate but still decisive advantages appear in data encryption: AMD 16247 versus 8963, up 81.3%. Floating point math gives AMD 54447 versus 31661, up 72%. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows AMD 18316 versus 11305, up 62%. PassMark physics gives AMD 1578 versus 977, up 61.5%. Find prime numbers shows AMD 89 versus 59, up 50.8%.

The single-core comparisons also favor AMD clearly. Cinebench R15 single-core gives AMD 215 versus 160, a 34.4% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core gives AMD 2038 versus 1596, a 27.7% lead. No benchmark in the recorded data shows an Intel win.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 wins in every measured category. Its advantages are largest in multi-threaded workloads like Cinebench R15 multi-core (138.2% ahead), extended instruction sets (132% ahead), and random string sorting (110.6% ahead). These results indicate strength in rendering, scientific computing, and data processing tasks.

The AMD chip also leads decisively in single-thread performance. PassMark single-thread shows a 125% advantage, and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 27.7% ahead. This suggests responsiveness in everyday applications and lightly threaded software.

The Intel Core 5 221TE does not record a single benchmark win. Its closest margins come in Cinebench R23 single-core, where AMD leads by 27.7%, and Cinebench R15 single-core, where AMD leads by 34.4%. Even in these relatively narrower gaps, the Intel part trails by more than a quarter.

The Intel processor does offer features that could matter outside pure compute benchmarks. It supports PCIe Gen 5, which provides newer connectivity standards. It has a larger 24 MB L3 cache. It supports DDR4 memory, which may offer compatibility with older platforms. It targets the desktop segment with a 45 W TDP.

For workloads focused on processing throughput, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 is the superior part. The data shows no category where the Intel Core 5 221TE outperforms it. The AMD chip also carries a lower TDP at 28 W versus 45 W, which suggests better efficiency for the performance delivered.