Intel Core 5 220H vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X1P-46-100 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 220H and the Qualcomm Snapdragon X1P-46-100 serve different segments of the mobile market. The Intel chip is a high-performance part aimed at demanding workloads, while the Qualcomm part targets efficiency-focused thin-and-light devices. Benchmark data confirms this split: the Intel Core 5 220H holds an 80th percentile ranking across all CPUs, while the Snapdragon X1P-46-100 sits at the 50th percentile. That 30-point gap in percentile ranking indicates a substantial performance advantage for Intel in almost every compute scenario.

The Intel Core 5 220H delivers 12 cores and 16 threads, a configuration that heavily favors multi-threaded tasks such as video encoding, 3D rendering, and scientific computation. Its recorded Cinebench R23 multicore score of 11,198 and PassMark multithread score of 21,884 place it well ahead of typical mobile processors. The chip also shows strength in single-threaded workloads, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 1,853 and a PassMark single-thread score of 3,405. These numbers indicate strong per-core efficiency for legacy software and lightly threaded applications.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon X1P-46-100 takes a different approach. It uses 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The chip has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, meaning its performance profile must be inferred from its specifications and market positioning. The Snapdragon uses a 4 nm process node from TSMC, which typically allows for lower power consumption and better thermal behavior in compact chassis. Its TDP is 30 watts, compared to 45 watts for the Intel part, indicating a focus on battery life and sustained operation under modest cooling. The Snapdragon's memory bandwidth of 135.2 GB/s for LPDDR5X suggests strong data throughput for integrated graphics and memory-bound tasks, but without benchmark scores, its real-world performance remains unquantified in this database.

In terms of use cases, the Intel Core 5 220H wins where raw compute is required: multi-core compilation, rendering, and data processing. The Snapdragon X1P-46-100 wins where power efficiency and portability are prioritized, such as always-on connectivity, media playback, and light productivity. The data shows no head-to-head benchmark results, so direct comparisons must rely on the Intel chip's recorded scores and the Snapdragon's architectural specs.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core 5 220H is built on the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-H, and uses a 10 nm process node from Intel's own foundry. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X1P-46-100 uses the Oryon codename and a 4 nm process node from TSMC. This process node difference is significant: the smaller 4 nm node generally allows higher transistor density and lower leakage, which explains the Snapdragon's lower TDP of 30 watts versus Intel's 45 watts.

Core counts and threading differ sharply. The Intel chip provides 12 cores and 16 threads, implying a hybrid arrangement with performance and efficiency cores, typical of Raptor Lake designs. The Snapdragon provides 8 cores and 8 threads, a symmetric arrangement without hyperthreading, which simplifies scheduling in Arm-based environments. The Intel chip has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz, while the Snapdragon has a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz but a lower boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The higher boost clock on Intel indicates a stronger single-thread burst capability, while the Snapdragon's higher base clock suggests sustained all-core operation at moderate frequencies.

Cache hierarchies diverge substantially. The Intel Core 5 220H uses an 80 KB L1 cache per core, a 2 MB L2 cache per core, and an 18 MB shared L3 cache. The Snapdragon X1P-46-100 has a much larger L1 at 288 KB per core, a 12 MB L2 per module, and a smaller 6 MB shared L3 cache. The larger L1 and L2 caches on the Snapdragon may reduce memory latency for frequently accessed data, but the smaller L3 reduces the total cache footprint available for shared workloads. The Intel chip's larger L3 cache (18 MB) benefits multi-threaded applications that share data across cores.

Memory support also differs. The Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, but the database does not list its memory bandwidth. The Snapdragon supports LPDDR5X only, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 135.2 GB/s. This bandwidth figure is high for integrated memory and likely serves the Adreno X1-45 integrated GPU and the Oryon CPU cores efficiently. The Intel chip uses Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units, while the Snapdragon uses Adreno X1-45, but no benchmark scores exist for either GPU in this database.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The Intel chip offers PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the Snapdragon offers PCIe Gen 4 with 12 lanes (CPU only). The newer PCIe Gen 5 standard on Intel allows higher bandwidth for future peripherals like NVMe drives, but the Snapdragon's 12 lanes provide more total connectivity for multi-device setups. Both chips have no unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported.

The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $342, while the Snapdragon has no launch MSRP listed. The Intel chip uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket, and the Snapdragon uses Qualcomm BGA 2073. Both are mobile parts, and both are active in production. The Intel chip was released on 2024-12-17, while the Snapdragon was released on 2024-09-02, making the Qualcomm part earlier to market.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark results between these two processors, and the Snapdragon X1P-46-100 has no recorded benchmark scores at all. Therefore, any direct comparison must rely on the Intel Core 5 220H's absolute scores and the Snapdragon's architectural characteristics. The Intel chip's average benchmark score is 28,574, placing it at the 80th percentile, with nearest rivals including the AMD EPYC 7203P at 28,583 (delta 0%), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS at 28,549 (delta 0.1%), the Intel Xeon E-2436 at 28,530 (delta 0.2%), and the Intel Core i5-12600 at 28,646 (delta -0.3%). These deltas are all within 0.3%, meaning the Intel Core 5 220H sits in a tightly contested performance band.

Looking at the Intel chip's recorded scores in detail: Cinebench R15 multicore scores 1,835, and single-core scores 262. Cinebench R20 multicore scores 7,812, and single-core scores 1,102. Cinebench R23 multicore scores 11,198, and single-core scores 1,853. In PassMark tests, data compression scores 247,921, data encryption 15,216, extended instructions 14,642, find prime numbers 82, floating point math 51,671, integer math 73,555, multithread 21,884, physics 1,478, random string sorting 28,438, and single thread 3,405.

These scores paint a picture of a well-rounded mobile processor. The data compression score of 247,921 is exceptionally high, suggesting strong performance in file compression and decompression workloads. The integer math score of 73,555 indicates robust general-purpose arithmetic, while the floating point score of 51,671 supports scientific and graphics workloads. The physics score of 1,478 is lower relative to other tests, possibly reflecting the iGPU's limitations rather than the CPU cores. The encryption score of 15,216 shows decent security processing, though not specialized hardware acceleration.

The Snapdragon X1P-46-100 has no comparable scores, so the database cannot quantify its performance against the Intel chip. However, its 50th percentile ranking across all CPUs, when the Intel chip ranks at the 80th percentile, indicates that the Snapdragon falls behind in aggregate compute performance. The Snapdragon's 4 nm process and 30 W TDP suggest it trades absolute performance for efficiency, which is a common design choice for fanless or lightly cooled devices.

Without head-to-head data, the only definitive statement is that the Intel Core 5 220H delivers a full suite of benchmark results, while the Snapdragon X1P-46-100 does not. This absence of data affects any comparative analysis: the database can show where Intel wins, but cannot show where Snapdragon wins, except in the qualitative dimensions of power consumption and process technology.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H has 12 cores and 16 threads, while the Qualcomm Snapdragon X1P-46-100 has 8 cores and 8 threads. This gives Intel a clear advantage in multi-threaded workloads.

Q: What are the clock speeds for each chip?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Snapdragon X1P-46-100 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. Intel has the higher boost clock, while Qualcomm has the higher base clock.

Q: How do their process nodes compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H uses a 10 nm process node from Intel's foundry, while the Snapdragon X1P-46-100 uses a 4 nm process node from TSMC. The smaller 4 nm node typically allows better power efficiency.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The Intel Core 5 220H has a TDP of 45 watts, while the Snapdragon X1P-46-100 has a TDP of 30 watts. The Snapdragon consumes less power, which may benefit battery life in portable devices.

Q: Which chip has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Snapdragon X1P-46-100 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 135.2 GB/s for LPDDR5X memory. The Intel Core 5 220H supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, but the database does not list its memory bandwidth.

Q: Does either chip support ECC memory?

A: No, both the Intel Core 5 220H and the Qualcomm Snapdragon X1P-46-100 have ECC memory support set to false in the database.

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly favors the Intel Core 5 220H for raw compute performance. Its 80th percentile ranking, combined with a 12-core, 16-thread configuration and a 4.90 GHz boost clock, makes it the stronger choice for multi-threaded and single-threaded tasks alike. The recorded Cinebench R23 multicore score of 11,198 and PassMark single-thread score of 3,405 confirm a capable processor for demanding software. The chip's nearest rivals, all within 0.3% of its average score, include the AMD EPYC 7203P and the Intel Core i5-12600, indicating that the Core 5 220H competes at a high level within its performance class.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon X1P-46-100 offers no recorded benchmark scores, so its performance cannot be measured directly. However, its 50th percentile ranking indicates a lower overall performance ceiling. The chip's advantages lie in its 4 nm process node from TSMC, its 30 W TDP, and its 135.2 GB/s memory bandwidth. These features suggest a design optimized for efficiency rather than peak performance, suitable for battery-conscious devices that prioritize longevity over computation speed.

The choice between the two depends on workload and power constraints. For users who need maximum compute capability, the Intel Core 5 220H is the data-backed pick. For users who prioritize low power consumption and are willing to trade performance, the Snapdragon X1P-46-100 has architectural merits, but the database cannot validate its actual performance. The absence of benchmark results for the Snapdragon leaves a gap in the evidence, so any recommendation for that chip must rely on its specifications alone. The Intel chip, by contrast, has a full suite of scores that confirm its capabilities across compression, encryption, math, and physics workloads. The verdict is straightforward: the data supports Intel for performance, and the Snapdragon remains an unproven quantity in this database.