AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 and Intel Core 5 221E target different segments, and the benchmark data reflects that split clearly. The AMD part, a mobile processor on a 28 W TDP, wins 9 of the 11 recorded head-to-head tests, including the major multi-threaded and single-threaded PassMark workloads. The Intel Core 5 221E, a desktop chip with a 65 W TDP, takes only 2 wins, both in specialized workloads.

For users prioritizing raw throughput in compression, encryption, extended instructions, and general multithreaded performance, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 is the stronger choice based on the recorded data. Its average benchmark score of 74496 places it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs, and it sits within 1.3% of the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and Intel Core Ultra 9 285 in the nearest rivals list. The Intel Core 5 221E, with an average score of 40144, lands in the 87th percentile and trades blows with the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 and Ryzen AI 9 365.

The Intel part's wins come in prime number finding and physics calculations. Those are narrow, specialized tasks. For everything else in the measured set, the AMD chip delivers a higher score. The choice is straightforward: the AMD processor for broad compute performance, the Intel processor for specific math workloads where its architecture has an edge.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC node, with a die size of 233 mm². The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake design on Intel's 10 nm process, with a die size of 257 mm².

Core counts differ significantly. The AMD chip has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel chip has 14 cores and 20 threads. The AMD part's 12 cores are split between Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores according to its generation label, which allows it to offer more threads than the Intel part despite fewer physical cores. The Intel part pairs 14 cores with 20 threads, indicating a mix of performance and efficiency cores that does not reach the thread count of the AMD design.

Cache structure also varies. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core. The AMD chip has 1 MB of L2 per core and a 16 MB L3 cache. The Intel chip has 2 MB of L2 per core and a 24 MB shared L3 cache. The larger per-core L2 and shared L3 on the Intel side do not translate into benchmark wins in most tests.

Memory support differs. The AMD chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while the Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses with an identical 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory.

Platform connectivity separates the two clearly. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP8 and offers PCIe Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes. The Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700 and offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics differ: AMD uses the Radeon 890M, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 730.

The AMD part is a mobile processor, released in January 2026. The Intel part is a desktop processor, released in January 2025. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $232.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the recorded data is in extended instructions. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 scores 31969 against the Intel Core 5 221E's 18216, a 75.5% advantage. This is the single biggest gap in the test set and indicates a substantial difference in SIMD or specialized instruction throughput.

Data compression shows a 42.4% lead for the AMD chip, with scores of 461650 versus 324285. Random string sorting follows at 29.7% in favor of AMD, with 48894 against 37686. Data encryption shows a 20.4% AMD advantage, 23132 versus 19205. Multithreaded performance, measured by PassMark's multithread test, gives AMD a 19.6% lead: 36487 versus 30510.

Integer math favors AMD by 7.7%, with scores of 126829 and 117813. Single-thread performance is close, with AMD ahead by 3.7% in both the single_thread and singlethread entries: 4301 versus 4147. Floating point math is nearly tied, with AMD ahead by 1.1%: 79887 versus 79028.

The Intel chip wins two tests. Prime number finding shows Intel at 173 against AMD's 130, a 24.9% margin in Intel's favor. Physics also goes to Intel, 2230 versus 1877, a 15.8% advantage. These two wins are the only instances where the Intel chip outperforms the AMD chip in the head-to-head set.

The wins total 9 for AMD and 2 for Intel. The AMD victories cover the broader compute spectrum, while the Intel victories are isolated to specific mathematical operations.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores, while the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 has 12 cores. However, the AMD chip has 24 threads compared to 20 on the Intel chip.

Q: What is the difference in multithreaded benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 scores 36487 in the PassMark multithread test, which is 19.6% higher than the Intel Core 5 221E's 30510.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 scores 4301 in the PassMark single-thread test, which is 3.7% higher than the Intel Core 5 221E's 4147.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 and the Intel Core 5 221E support ECC memory.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of each processor?

A: Both processors have a dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 has an average benchmark score of 74496, placing it in the 94th percentile. The Intel Core 5 221E has an average score of 40144, placing it in the 87th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 dominates the recorded benchmark suite. Its wins in data compression (461650 versus 324285), data encryption (23132 versus 19205), and extended instructions (31969 versus 18216) make it the clear choice for workloads involving data processing, security, and specialized instruction sets. The 42.4% compression advantage and 75.5% extended instruction advantage are particularly pronounced.

For general productivity and content creation, the AMD chip's 19.6% multithread lead (36487 versus 30510) and 7.7% integer math lead (126829 versus 117813) indicate stronger performance in parallel tasks. Random string sorting, a proxy for sorting and data manipulation, also favors AMD by 29.7% (48894 versus 37686). Even in single-thread work, AMD holds a 3.7% edge (4301 versus 4147).

The Intel Core 5 221E wins in two specific areas. Prime number finding shows Intel at 173 versus AMD's 130, a 24.9% lead. This suggests an advantage in algorithms that rely on prime number generation or similar integer operations. The physics test also goes to Intel, 2230 versus 1877, a 15.8% lead. This test likely reflects particular floating-point or simulation patterns that the Intel architecture handles more efficiently.

For a desktop system where the workload is heavily weighted toward physics simulation or prime-focused mathematical routines, the Intel chip has a measurable edge. For any broader mix of compute tasks, the AMD chip's 9 out of 11 benchmark wins and 85.5% higher average score (74496 versus 40144) make it the more capable processor in the recorded data.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category.

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 | Intel Core 5 221E |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 12 | 14 |

| Threads | 24 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Not specified |

| Codename | Gorgon Point | Bartlett Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 233 mm² | 257 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB per core | 2 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB | 24 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | DDR4, DDR5 |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 lanes | Gen 5, 16 lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 890M | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2026-01-04 | 2025-01-12 |

The base clock differs, with Intel starting at 2.70 GHz and AMD at 2.00 GHz, though both boost to 5.20 GHz. The TDP gap is substantial: 28 W for AMD versus 65 W for Intel. The process node also diverges, with AMD on 4 nm and Intel on 10 nm. The PCIe generation favors Intel, which offers Gen 5 versus AMD's Gen 4, though both provide 16 CPU lanes. Memory support is broader on the Intel side due to DDR4 compatibility, while AMD adds LPDDR5X support.