AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a complete, decisive performance separation between these two processors. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 wins all 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with no wins recorded for the Intel Core 5 221TE. The AMD part delivers a 95th percentile standing against all CPUs in the database, while the Intel part sits at the 71st percentile. The average benchmark score for the AMD processor is 77740, compared to 17860 for the Intel processor, a gap that places them in entirely different performance classes.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is the clear choice for workloads that demand maximum multicore throughput, heavy data processing, or extended instruction set execution. Its nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX (1.6% ahead), the AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P (1.6% ahead), and the Intel Core i9-14900K (1.7% behind), which situates it firmly in high-end desktop and workstation territory. The Intel Core 5 221TE, by contrast, sits alongside the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (0.2% behind), the Intel Core 5 120U (0.2% behind), and the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 (0.7% behind), marking it as a mid-range part.

For single-threaded tasks, the AMD processor leads by 28.1% in Cinebench R23 single-core and 97.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core. For multicore workloads, the gap becomes enormous: 379.6% in Cinebench R15 multicore and 212.4% in Cinebench R23 multicore. The data indicates that any application that scales across cores will favor the AMD part overwhelmingly.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages. The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Strix Halo codename, manufactured on a 4 nm process by TSMC. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename with a 10 nm process from Intel's own foundry. The AMD processor is a mobile segment part on AMD Socket FP11, while the Intel processor is a desktop segment part on Intel Socket 1700.

Core counts differ substantially. The AMD part provides 16 cores and 32 threads, double the thread count of the Intel part, which offers 10 cores and 16 threads. Cache hierarchies also diverge. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core, but the AMD part has 1 MB of L2 per core versus 1.25 MB per core for Intel. The shared L3 cache is the bigger differentiator: 64 MB shared on the AMD part versus 24 MB shared on the Intel part.

Memory architecture reinforces the performance split. The AMD processor supports LPDDR5X over a quad-channel memory bus with 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel processor supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 76.8 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, so that is not a distinguishing factor. PCIe generation differs, with AMD using Gen 4 (16 lanes CPU only) and Intel using Gen 5 (16 lanes CPU only). The integrated graphics also differ: the AMD part carries a Radeon 8060S, while the Intel part has UHD Graphics 730.

Clock speeds favor AMD on both ends. The base clock is 3.00 GHz versus 1.80 GHz, and the boost clock is 5.10 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. The thermal design power is 55 W for AMD and 45 W for Intel, a modest difference relative to the performance gap. Both processors are production active and have locked multipliers. The release dates are close, with AMD on 2025-01-05 and Intel on 2025-01-12.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results establish the pattern. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD part scores 5463 against 1139 for Intel, a 379.6% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the scores are 35314 against 11305, a 212.4% advantage. Single-core Cinebench results are closer but still clearly favor AMD: 316 versus 160 in R15 (97.5% ahead) and 2044 versus 1596 in R23 (28.1% ahead).

PassMark results amplify the multicore dominance. The multithread test shows 54934 for AMD versus 13301 for Intel, a 313% lead. Single-thread PassMark scores are 4147 versus 1734, a 139.2% lead. The largest single delta appears in extended instructions, where AMD scores 56346 versus 9655, a 483.6% advantage. Prime number finding shows AMD at 303 versus 59, a 413.6% lead. Integer math delivers 200665 versus 42303, a 374.4% advantage. Floating point math delivers 128682 versus 31661, a 306.4% lead.

Data-oriented workloads follow the same trajectory. Data compression scores 690650 for AMD versus 156682 for Intel, a 340.8% lead. Data encryption scores 35455 versus 8963, a 295.6% advantage. Random string sorting scores 76177 versus 16929, a 350% lead. Physics simulation scores 3481 versus 977, a 256.3% advantage.

The smallest relative gap in the entire comparison is Cinebench R23 single-core at 28.1%, which still represents a substantial per-thread performance edge. The data indicates that the AMD processor is faster in every measured dimension, with advantages ranging from roughly a quarter to nearly five times depending on the workload.

Specification Differences

The specification table shows the following differences between the two processors:

• Manufacturer: AMD versus Intel
• Cores: 16 versus 10
• Threads: 32 versus 16
• Base clock: 3.00 GHz versus 1.80 GHz
• Boost clock: 5.10 GHz versus 5.00 GHz
• TDP: 55 W versus 45 W
• Socket: AMD Socket FP11 versus Intel Socket 1700
• Codename: Strix Halo versus Bartlett Lake
• Process node: 4 nm versus 10 nm
• Foundry: TSMC versus Intel
• Die size: 2x 70.6 mm² versus 215 mm²
• L2 cache: 1 MB per core versus 1.25 MB per core
• L3 cache: 64 MB shared versus 24 MB shared
• Memory support: LPDDR5X versus DDR4, DDR5
• Memory bus: Quad-channel versus Dual-channel
• Memory bandwidth: 256.0 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s
• PCIe: Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) versus Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only)
• Integrated graphics: Radeon 8060S versus UHD Graphics 730
• Market segment: Mobile versus Desktop
• Release date: 2025-01-05 versus 2025-01-12
• Part number: 100-000001099 versus SRVQS

The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $232. The AMD part has no listed launch MSRP in the database. Both parts have locked multipliers, both support ECC memory, and both are production active.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 wins all 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core 5 221TE. The Intel part records zero wins.

Q: How large is the multicore performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD part scores 35314 against 11305 for Intel, a 212.4% advantage. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD part leads by 379.6% with scores of 5463 versus 1139.

Q: Is the AMD processor also faster in single-threaded tasks?

A: Yes. The AMD part leads by 28.1% in Cinebench R23 single-core (2044 versus 1596) and by 97.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core (316 versus 160). PassMark single-thread shows a 139.2% lead (4147 versus 1734).

Q: What memory bandwidth do the two processors support?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 supports LPDDR5X over a quad-channel bus with 256.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 221TE supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 76.8 GB/s.

Q: Where does each processor rank against all CPUs in the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 ranks at the 95th percentile, with an average benchmark score of 77740. The Intel Core 5 221TE ranks at the 71st percentile, with an average benchmark score of 17860.

Q: What are the closest rivals for each processor?

A: For the AMD part, the nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX (1.6% ahead), the AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P (1.6% ahead), and the Intel Core i9-14900K (1.7% behind). For the Intel part, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core 7 350 (0.5% ahead), the AMD Ryzen 5 3600XT (0.2% behind), and the Intel Core 5 120U (0.2% behind).