Intel Core 5 220H vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a striking split between these two mobile processors. The Intel Core 5 220H dominates the majority of tests, winning 12 of the 17 recorded comparisons, while the Intel Core 5 330 takes 5 wins. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

The largest advantage for the Core 5 220H appears in PassMark integer math, where it scores 73,555 against 33,258 for the Core 5 330, a massive delta of 121.2%. This is the single biggest performance gap in the entire head-to-head dataset. Data compression also shows a commanding lead for the 220H: 247,921 versus 145,287, a 70.6% difference. Random string sorting follows a similar pattern, with the 220H ahead by 60% (28,438 versus 17,771).

The 220H also wins decisively in multi-threaded Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 1,835 versus 1,325, a 38.5% lead. Cinebench R20 multicore shows a 41.4% advantage (7,812 versus 5,523), and the PassMark multithread test confirms the trend with a 41.5% edge (21,884 versus 15,471). Data encryption favors the 220H by 37.4% (15,216 versus 11,076), while floating point math shows a 17.7% lead (51,671 versus 43,885). Extended instructions give the 220H a 14.3% edge (14,642 versus 12,808), and physics testing shows a 23.1% advantage (1,478 versus 1,201).

The Core 5 330 counters in several specific areas. Its most notable win is in Cinebench R23 multicore, where it scores 13,150 against 11,198 for the 220H, a 14.8% advantage. This is particularly interesting because the 330 loses the R15 and R20 multicore tests but flips the result in R23. Single-thread performance also favors the 330 in PassMark testing: 4,088 versus 3,405, a 16.7% lead. The 330 wins the prime number finding test with 114 versus 82, a 28.1% advantage. The Cinebench R23 single-core result is nearly identical between the two, with the 330 ahead by just 0.2% (1,856 versus 1,853).

The Cinebench R15 and R20 single-core tests tell a different story, however. The 220H wins R15 single-core by 40.9% (262 versus 186) and R20 single-core by 41.5% (1,102 versus 779). These conflicting single-thread results across different Cinebench versions and PassMark suggest the two processors respond differently to workload characteristics, not simply to thread count.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 220H establishes itself as the clear choice for heavily parallel, throughput-oriented workloads. Its 12 cores and 16 threads provide substantial headroom for integer math, data compression, encryption, and sorting tasks. The PassMark multithread score of 21,884 versus 15,471 reinforces this positioning. The 220H also holds advantages in Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore, indicating strong performance in rendering tasks that scale with core count.

The Core 5 330 wins where single-thread efficiency and newer architecture matter more. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4,088 is 16.7% higher than the 220H's 3,405, suggesting better per-core efficiency. The prime number test result (114 versus 82, a 28.1% lead) points to strong integer single-thread capability. The Cinebench R23 multicore win is the anomaly: despite having only 6 cores and 6 threads, the 330 outperforms the 12-core 220H by 14.8% in this specific test. This could indicate that R23's workload benefits from the 330's newer architecture or memory configuration in ways that R15 and R20 do not.

The 330 also demonstrates better raw single-thread performance in PassMark, which may translate to snappier everyday responsiveness in lightly threaded applications. The near-tie in Cinebench R23 single-core (0.2% difference) further suggests that the 330's architectural advantages are real but workload-dependent.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear division of roles. The Intel Core 5 220H is the stronger processor for multi-threaded, data-heavy workloads. It wins 12 of 17 head-to-head tests, with particularly large margins in integer math (121.2%), data compression (70.6%), and random string sorting (60%). Its multithread score leads by 41.5%, and its average benchmark score of 28,574 places it in the 80th percentile of all CPUs, with nearest rivals including the AMD EPYC 7203P at 28,583 (0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS at 28,549 (0.1% delta).

The Intel Core 5 330 delivers a different profile. Its average benchmark score of 18,345 places it in the 72nd percentile, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core i3-14100 at 18,318 (0.1% delta) and the Intel Core 7 360 at 18,374 (-0.2% delta). The 330 wins the Cinebench R23 multicore test by 14.8%, leads in PassMark single-thread by 16.7%, and wins prime number finding by 28.1%. These results indicate that the 330 is not simply a weaker version of the 220H; it has genuine strengths in specific workload categories.

The 220H suits users running heavily threaded applications such as video rendering, data compression, encryption, and scientific computing. The 330 suits users prioritizing single-thread responsiveness and workloads that align with its R23 multicore advantage. The choice depends entirely on which benchmark categories match the intended use.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H wins 12 of 17 tests, while the Intel Core 5 330 wins 5.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the 220H leads by 121.2% (73,555 versus 33,258).

Q: Does the Core 5 330 win any multi-threaded tests?

A: Yes, the 330 wins Cinebench R23 multicore with a score of 13,150 versus 11,198 for the 220H, a 14.8% advantage.

Q: How do the single-thread scores compare?

A: The 330 leads PassMark single-thread by 16.7% (4,088 versus 3,405), but the 220H leads Cinebench R15 single-core by 40.9% (262 versus 186) and R20 single-core by 41.5% (1,102 versus 779). The R23 single-core scores are nearly tied, with the 330 ahead by 0.2%.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The 220H has an average benchmark score of 28,574 and sits in the 80th percentile. The 330 has an average benchmark score of 18,345 and sits in the 72nd percentile.

Q: Which processor has better data compression performance?

A: The 220H leads data compression by 70.6%, scoring 247,921 versus 145,287 for the 330.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different architectural lineages. The Intel Core 5 220H uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-H codename, and belongs to the Core 5 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation. It is built on a 10 nm process node. The Intel Core 5 330 uses Wildcat Lake architecture and belongs to the Core 5 (Wildcat Lake) generation, built on a 3 nm process node. Both are manufactured by Intel.

Core configuration differs substantially. The 220H features 12 cores and 16 threads, while the 330 features 6 cores and 6 threads. This means the 220H supports simultaneous multithreading, effectively adding 4 extra threads beyond its physical core count, while the 330 has no thread advantage over its core count.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The 220H uses 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The 330 uses 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The 220H's larger shared L3 cache likely contributes to its strong performance in data-heavy tests like compression and sorting.

Memory support and PCIe capabilities set the two apart as well. The 220H supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, with PCIe Gen 5 and 8 lanes (CPU only). The 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory over a single-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s, and uses PCIe Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). The single-channel memory bus on the 330 is a notable limitation for memory-intensive workloads.

Integrated graphics differ: the 220H uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the 330 uses Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. Both target the mobile market segment and are currently in active production. The 220H was released on 2024-12-17, while the 330 has a release date of 2026-04-15.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core 5 220H and Intel Core 5 330 differ across nearly every specification field recorded in the database.

Clock speeds show a clear split. The 220H has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The 330 has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The 220H has higher clocks in both states, with a 1.20 GHz higher base clock and a 0.30 GHz higher boost clock.

Thermal design power differs significantly. The 220H is rated at 45W, while the 330 is rated at 15W. This 30W difference indicates that the 330 is designed for much lower power envelopes, which aligns with its lower base clock and smaller core count.

Core and thread counts differ: 12 cores and 16 threads for the 220H versus 6 cores and 6 threads for the 330.

Cache configuration differences are notable. The 220H offers 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. The 330 offers 192 KB L1, 2.5 MB L2, and 6 MB shared L3. The total L3 cache is 12 MB larger on the 220H.

Memory support varies: the 220H supports DDR4 and DDR5 over dual-channel, while the 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over single-channel. The 330 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s.

Socket and PCIe specifications differ. The 220H uses Intel BGA 1744 with PCIe Gen 5 and 8 lanes (CPU only). The 330 uses Intel BGA 1516 with PCIe Gen 4 and 6 lanes (CPU only).

Process node and generation differ: 10 nm Raptor Lake Refresh for the 220H versus 3 nm Wildcat Lake for the 330.

Integrated graphics differ: Iris Xe Graphics 80EU on the 220H versus Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) on the 330.

Launch MSRP: the 220H launched at $342, and the 330 launched at $309.