AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data splits the two desktop processors into distinct performance profiles. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G wins four of the eleven shared PassMark subtests, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 takes seven. The margin of victory, however, is not uniform, and the workloads tell a clear story about each design's strengths.

The largest single win belongs to the AMD processor in passmark_integer_math. Its score of 99,732 beats the Intel's 65,345 by 52.6%. This is a dominant result, and it aligns with the AMD part's higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz against Intel's 4.90 GHz, as well as its 16 threads versus Intel's 10. The AMD chip also shows a strong lead in passmark_data_compression, scoring 402,831 against 302,811, a 33% advantage. Random string sorting is another AMD win, with 42,663 versus 36,590, a 16.6% gap. The fourth AMD victory is narrower: extended instructions at 28,223 versus 27,162, a 3.9% margin.

Intel's wins are concentrated in different areas. The most dramatic is passmark_find_prime_numbers, where the Intel part scores 358 against AMD's 87, a 75.7% difference. This workload is sensitive to the Intel chip's higher base clock of 3.30 GHz versus 2.00 GHz, and its larger per-core cache allocation. Floating point math also goes to Intel by a wide margin: 92,038 versus 63,683, a 30.8% lead. Physics simulation favors Intel at 2,342 versus 1,440, a 38.5% gap. Data encryption is an Intel win at 22,285 versus 18,937, a 15% difference. The single-thread tests are close, with Intel ahead at 4,412 versus 4,309, a 2.3% margin. The multithread PassMark score is nearly identical: Intel at 30,459 versus AMD at 30,422, a 0.1% difference that effectively makes these two processors equal in that specific aggregate test.

The average benchmark score for the AMD part is 63,331, which places it at the 93rd percentile among all CPUs in the database. The Intel part's average is 36,938, at the 85th percentile. This discrepancy in average score is explained by the AMD part's massive data compression result, which inflates its arithmetic mean. The Intel part's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F (0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D (-0.2% delta), while the AMD part sits between the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX (0.2% delta) and the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 (-0.7% delta).

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark subtests?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins 7 of the 11 head-to-head PassMark subtests, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G wins 4. The Intel part wins single-thread, floating point, physics, prime number finding, encryption, and the multithread test by a minimal margin.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G faster in integer operations?

A: Yes, by a substantial margin. The AMD part scores 99,732 in passmark_integer_math versus Intel's 65,345, a 52.6% advantage. This is the largest delta in either direction among the recorded tests.

Q: How do the two compare in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 leads in passmark_single_thread with 4,412 against AMD's 4,309, a 2.3% difference. Both scores appear twice in the data as passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread with identical values.

Q: What is the multithread score difference?

A: The passmark_multithread scores are 30,459 for Intel and 30,422 for AMD, a 0.1% delta. The Intel part wins, but the result is within measurement noise for this aggregate workload.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G has a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 boosts to 4.90 GHz. The Intel part has the higher base clock at 3.30 GHz versus 2.00 GHz.

Q: Does the AMD processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 does not list ECC support in the recorded specifications.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different silicon designs. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC and uses the Gorgon Point codename, part of the Ryzen AI 400 generation with Zen 5 / Zen 5c cores. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, indicating simultaneous multithreading. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 uses Arrow Lake-S, part of the Core Ultra Series 2, built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. It has 10 cores and 10 threads, meaning no hyperthreading on this part.

Cache organization differs substantially. The AMD part has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 8 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part has 192 KB of L1 per core and 3 MB of L2 per core, with a much larger 20 MB shared L3 cache. The Intel part's larger L3 is likely a factor in its floating point and prime number results, while the AMD part's higher per-core L2 relative to its core count does not compensate in those workloads.

Memory support also differs. The AMD part supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while the Intel part supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Intel part has a higher memory bandwidth rating at 102.4 GB/s versus AMD's 89.6 GB/s. The AMD part supports ECC memory, the Intel part does not. PCIe connectivity favors Intel: Gen 5 with 20 lanes versus AMD's Gen 4 with 12 lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well: AMD uses the Radeon 860M, while Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU.

The Intel part has a larger die at 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors, while the AMD die is 195 mm² with transistor count not recorded. Both are desktop market segments, both are active production, and both have 65 W TDP. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, the Intel part does not. The Intel part was released in January 2025, the AMD part in February 2026.

The Verdict

The data indicates two different usage profiles. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G is the choice for integer-heavy workloads. Its 52.6% lead in integer math and 33% lead in data compression are decisive. The 16 threads allow it to match the Intel part in the aggregate multithread test despite Intel's higher base clock and larger L3 cache. For users running compression tools, encryption workloads that favor AMD's specific instruction implementation, or general integer code, the AMD part shows a clear edge.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is the better option for floating point and physics workloads. The 30.8% lead in floating point math and 38.5% lead in physics are substantial. The 75.7% advantage in prime number finding suggests strong single-core integer throughput at lower thread counts. The 2.3% single-thread lead, while small, confirms that the Intel part has higher per-core performance in lightly threaded tasks. The larger L3 cache and higher memory bandwidth support these results.

The multithread PassMark score is effectively tied at 0.1% delta, which means neither processor has an aggregate throughput advantage in that specific test. The average benchmark scores are not directly comparable because the AMD part's data compression score skews its average upward, while the Intel part's scores are more evenly distributed. The 93rd versus 85th percentile ranking reflects this distribution, not necessarily a holistic performance gap.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several core specifications. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads. Base clocks are 2.00 GHz for AMD and 3.30 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.10 GHz for AMD and 4.90 GHz for Intel. Both have a 65 W TDP.

The AMD part uses AMD Socket AM5, the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1851. Process nodes are 4 nm for AMD and 3 nm for Intel, both at TSMC. The Intel die is 243 mm², the AMD die is 195 mm². Intel lists 17,800 million transistors, AMD does not list a transistor count. Cache differs: AMD has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3.

Memory support: AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, Intel supports DDR5 only. Both are dual-channel, but memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s for AMD and 102.4 GB/s for Intel. ECC memory is supported on AMD, not on Intel. PCIe is Gen 4 with 12 lanes for AMD and Gen 5 with 20 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon 860M for AMD and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU for Intel. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, the Intel multiplier is locked. Release dates are February 2026 for AMD and January 2025 for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $246, which is stated once here. The AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

For data compression and integer math, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G is the clear winner. The 33% lead in compression and 52.6% lead in integer math are the largest margins in the comparison. Users processing archives, running code compilation, or executing integer-heavy algorithms should favor the AMD part. The 16 threads provide headroom for parallel integer tasks, and the 5.10 GHz boost clock helps single-threaded integer bursts. The 3.9% lead in extended instructions and 16.6% lead in random string sorting reinforce this pattern.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins floating point, physics, and prime number workloads. The 30.8% lead in floating point math and 38.5% lead in physics indicate stronger FPU throughput, likely aided by the larger 20 MB L3 cache and higher 3.30 GHz base clock. The 75.7% advantage in prime number finding is the most lopsided result in the entire comparison. The 2.3% single-thread lead and 15% encryption lead add to the Intel column. The near-tie in multithread means the Intel part does not sacrifice aggregate throughput despite having fewer threads.

The integrated graphics differ, but the recorded data does not include graphics benchmarks. The AMD part uses Radeon 860M, the Intel part uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. The PCIe difference matters for expansion: Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes, AMD offers Gen 4 with 12 lanes. The memory bandwidth advantage goes to Intel at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. The ECC support on AMD is a feature for systems requiring error-correcting memory, which the Intel part cannot provide. The unlocked multiplier on AMD allows overclocking, while the Intel multiplier is locked.