AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX and the Intel Core 5 221E occupy opposite ends of the desktop processor spectrum. The recorded data shows a complete sweep for the AMD part across all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with the Intel chip failing to claim a single victory. The average benchmark scores place the Threadripper PRO at 101041 against the Core 5 221E’s 40144, a gap that positions them in different performance classes entirely. The AMD processor sits in the 97th percentile of all CPUs tested, while the Intel chip lands in the 87th percentile, confirming that the difference is not marginal but structural.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX wins in every measured workload category. Its largest advantages appear in extended instruction processing, where it scores 76363 against 18216 for the Intel part, a 319.2% difference. Data compression shows a 184% lead, with scores of 920954 versus 324285. Random string sorting favors AMD by 164.9%, and the multithreaded PassMark score of 67035 versus 30510 represents a 119.7% advantage.

The Intel Core 5 221E does not hold a single benchmark win, but its closest contest comes in single-thread performance. The PassMark single-thread test shows 4530 for AMD against 4147 for Intel, a delta of only 9.2%. This narrow margin indicates that in lightly threaded applications, the Intel processor can approach the AMD part’s capability, though it still falls short. The Cinebench single-core tests tell a different story, with the AMD part leading by 129.9% in R15 single-core (846 versus 368) and 129.4% in R23 single-core (8399 versus 3661). The Intel chip’s best relative showing is in the PassMark single-thread metrics, where the gap narrows to under 10%, but this does not translate into a win anywhere.

The use-case split is therefore one-sided. The AMD processor dominates in multi-threaded rendering, data-heavy workloads, encryption, and floating-point math. The Intel part can only compete in the narrowest single-threaded scenarios, and even there it trails. For workloads that depend on integer math, the AMD part scores 236120 versus 117813, a 100.4% advantage. Physics calculations show 4156 versus 2230, an 86.4% lead. Prime number finding, a test sensitive to raw core throughput, shows 337 versus 173, a 94.8% difference. Every category in the database confirms the same conclusion.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX is the appropriate choice for any workload that can utilize multiple cores or benefit from high memory bandwidth. Its 16 cores and 32 threads, combined with eight-channel DDR5 memory support and 409.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth, provide the foundation for its dominant benchmark scores. The Intel Core 5 221E, with 14 cores and 20 threads on a dual-channel memory bus delivering 89.6 GB/s, cannot match this throughput. The AMD processor’s 64 MB of L3 cache versus 24 MB for Intel further reinforces the gap.

For users whose applications are strictly single-threaded and cannot use additional cores, the Intel part offers a closer matchup, but the data still shows AMD ahead by 9.2% in the PassMark single-thread test. The Cinebench single-core tests are not remotely close, with AMD leading by over 129% in each version. The Intel Core 5 221E’s advantage is limited to its lower thermal design power of 65 watts against 350 watts for the AMD part, and its integrated UHD Graphics 730, which the AMD processor lacks entirely. These are operational differences, not performance wins.

The verdict from the recorded data is unambiguous. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX is the higher-performing processor in every benchmark category. The Intel Core 5 221E serves a different purpose, with its active production status, socket 1700 compatibility, and dual-channel memory support making it a suitable part for systems where the AMD platform’s sTR5 socket and eight-channel memory are unnecessary. The benchmark scores do not support any scenario where the Intel part outperforms the AMD part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows the most consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD part scores 5996 against 2613, a 129.5% advantage. R15 single-core shows 846 versus 368, a 129.9% lead. R20 multicore delivers 24987 versus 10891, a 129.4% gap, and R20 single-core shows 3527 against 1537, also 129.5%. R23 multicore records 59494 versus 25933, a 129.4% difference, while R23 single-core shows 8399 against 3661, again 129.4%. The consistency across all six Cinebench tests, with deltas clustering between 129.4% and 129.9%, indicates a fixed architectural advantage rather than workload-specific variance.

PassMark results vary more widely. The extended instructions test shows the largest delta at 319.2%, with scores of 76363 and 18216. This test measures SIMD and cryptographic instruction throughput, where the AMD processor’s Zen 5 architecture and 4 nm process node provide a substantial edge. Data compression shows 920954 versus 324285, a 184% lead. Random string sorting records 99813 versus 37686, a 164.9% difference. Data encryption shows 44389 against 19205, a 131.1% gap.

The floating-point math test shows 156215 versus 79028, a 97.7% lead. Integer math records 236120 against 117813, a 100.4% advantage. The multithreaded PassMark score of 67035 versus 30510 represents a 119.7% gap. Physics calculations show 4156 against 2230, an 86.4% difference. Prime number finding, the smallest absolute scores at 337 and 173, still shows a 94.8% lead for AMD.

The single-thread PassMark tests, listed twice in the database as passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, both record 4530 for AMD and 4147 for Intel, a 9.2% delta. This is the narrowest margin in the entire comparison, yet it still favors the AMD part. The Intel Core 5 221E’s boost clock of 5.20 GHz is close to the AMD part’s 5.40 GHz, but the base clock difference is substantial: 2.70 GHz for Intel versus 4.50 GHz for AMD. This base clock gap likely explains why the AMD part maintains its single-thread lead even in tests that do not scale with core count.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher Cinebench R23 multicore score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX scores 59494, while the Intel Core 5 221E scores 25933. The AMD part leads by 129.4%.

Q: How close is the Intel part in single-thread performance?

A: In the PassMark single-thread test, the AMD part scores 4530 and the Intel part scores 4147, a 9.2% gap. However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD part leads by 129.4% with a score of 8399 versus 3661.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor supports more memory channels?

A: The AMD part supports eight-channel memory with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel part supports dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size?

A: The AMD part has 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part has 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm process node fabricated by TSMC. Its codename is Shimada Peak, and it belongs to the Ryzen Threadripper generation listed as Zen 4 (Storm Peak) in the database. The processor contains 16,630 million transistors on a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². It uses the AMD Socket sTR5 and supports PCIe Gen 5 with 128 lanes from the CPU only.

The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is built on a 10 nm process node by Intel. Its die size is 257 mm², and it uses the Intel Socket 1700. The processor supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU only. The Intel part has no listed architecture name in the database, but its generation is recorded as Core 5 (Bartlett Lake).

Cache layouts differ fundamentally. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, with 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, with 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD processor’s larger L3 cache aligns with its higher memory bandwidth and multi-threaded strengths.

The Intel Core 5 221E includes integrated UHD Graphics 730, while the AMD part has no integrated graphics. The AMD processor also has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel part is locked. The AMD part’s production status is active, and its release date is recorded as 2025-07-22. The Intel part’s release date is 2025-01-12, also with active production status.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ: AMD has 16 cores and 32 threads, Intel has 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 4.50 GHz for AMD and 2.70 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz for AMD and 5.20 GHz for Intel. The thermal design power is 350 watts for AMD and 65 watts for Intel.

Memory support differs: AMD supports DDR5 only, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The memory bus is eight-channel for AMD and dual-channel for Intel. Memory bandwidth is 409.6 GB/s for AMD and 89.6 GB/s for Intel. Both processors support ECC memory.

PCIe lane counts differ significantly: AMD provides 128 Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides 16 Gen 5 lanes. The AMD processor uses the AMD Socket sTR5, and the Intel processor uses the Intel Socket 1700. The AMD part’s launch MSRP is $1649, and the Intel part’s launch MSRP is $232.

The process node and foundry differ: AMD uses 4 nm from TSMC, Intel uses 10 nm from Intel. Transistor count is listed as 16,630 million for AMD, with no listed value for Intel. Die size is 2x 70.6 mm² for AMD and 257 mm² for Intel. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part does not. Integrated graphics are present only on the Intel part, with UHD Graphics 730.