AMD Ryzen 5 240 vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is decisively one-sided. The Intel Core 5 221E wins 14 of the 15 recorded benchmarks, with the AMD Ryzen 5 240 taking a single victory. The largest gaps appear in heavily multithreaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel part scores 25,933 versus 13,013 for the AMD chip, a 49.8% deficit. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a similar pattern: 2,613 versus 2,078, a 20.5% gap. PassMark physics also favors Intel heavily, with 2,230 against 1,060, a 52.5% difference. Prime number finding is the most lopsided test: Intel scores 173 versus 70, a 59.5% margin.

Single-threaded performance also favors Intel, though by smaller margins. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel leads 3,661 versus 1,742, a 52.4% gap. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 368 versus 270, a 26.6% difference. PassMark single-thread results are closer: 4,147 versus 3,675, an 11.4% edge for Intel. The AMD Ryzen 5 240 does secure one win in PassMark extended instructions, scoring 20,201 against 18,216, a 10.9% advantage. That test measures specialized instruction execution, where AMD's Zen 4 architecture demonstrates a clear edge.

Other PassMark workloads favor Intel with varying margins. Data compression: 324,285 versus 267,963, a 17.4% lead. Data encryption: 19,205 versus 15,849, a 17.5% lead. Floating point math: 79,028 versus 45,301, a 42.7% lead. Integer math: 117,813 versus 73,189, a 37.9% lead. Multithread: 30,510 versus 22,658, a 25.7% lead. Random string sorting: 37,686 versus 32,385, a 14.1% lead. The average benchmark score confirms the overall picture: Intel at 40,144 versus AMD at 33,542, a roughly 19.7% difference in aggregate performance.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E dominates across nearly every workload category in the database. Its 14-core, 20-thread configuration delivers substantial advantages in multi-threaded rendering, physics simulation, mathematical computation, and data processing tasks. The Cinebench results indicate strong performance in 3D rendering and CPU-bound creative workloads. PassMark integer and floating point scores suggest solid general-purpose computing and scientific/engineering applications. Data compression and encryption results point to capable performance in file archiving and security-related tasks.

The AMD Ryzen 5 240 wins only in PassMark extended instructions. This test covers specialized SIMD and vector instruction execution, where AMD's Zen 4 architecture with its 4 nm process node demonstrates an advantage. For workloads that rely heavily on such instructions, such as certain encryption algorithms, multimedia codecs, or scientific simulations using vectorized code, the AMD part can outperform the Intel chip despite its lower core count. However, this is a narrow niche; the broader benchmark suite shows Intel ahead in nearly every measurable dimension.

Architecture Differences

The two processors take fundamentally different design approaches. The AMD Ryzen 5 240 uses the Zen 4 architecture with the Hawk Point codename, built on TSMC's 4 nm process. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 4.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The die size measures 178 mm² with 25,000 million transistors. This is a mobile-oriented chip on AMD Socket FP8 with a 45 W TDP.

The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It has 14 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. Its cache includes 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The die size is larger at 257 mm², though transistor count is not recorded. This is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1700 with a 65 W TDP.

Memory support differs: the AMD chip supports DDR5 only, while the Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses with identical 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the Intel part but not on the AMD part. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: the AMD chip uses Radeon 760M, while the Intel chip uses UHD Graphics 730. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $232; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 240 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How do the boost clocks compare?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 240 boosts to 5.00 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has an average benchmark score of 40,144, compared to 33,542 for the AMD Ryzen 5 240. The Intel part also has a higher percentile ranking at 87 versus 84 for AMD.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 240 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins PassMark extended instructions with a score of 20,201 versus 18,216 for Intel, a 10.9% advantage.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 240 supports DDR5 only. The Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 240 does not.

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly favors the Intel Core 5 221E for nearly all workloads. Its 14-core, 20-thread design delivers overwhelming advantages in multi-threaded tasks, with margins ranging from 14.1% to 59.5% across PassMark tests. The single-threaded Cinebench results show a 52.4% lead for Intel in R23 single-core, while PassMark single-thread shows a narrower 11.4% edge. The Intel part also ranks higher in the overall database at the 87th percentile versus the 84th percentile for AMD.

The AMD Ryzen 5 240 offers a single specific advantage in extended instructions, where its 4 nm Zen 4 architecture outperforms Intel by 10.9%. For workloads that depend on such specialized instructions, this could be relevant. Additionally, the AMD chip has a lower TDP of 45 W versus 65 W for Intel, which may be relevant for power-constrained mobile platforms. The AMD part also uses the smaller 178 mm² die on a 4 nm process, versus Intel's 257 mm² on 10 nm.

For users prioritizing raw performance, multi-threaded throughput, and broad benchmark superiority, the Intel Core 5 221E is the clear choice. For those with workloads specifically leveraging extended instructions, or requiring lower power consumption in a mobile form factor, the AMD Ryzen 5 240 has a narrow but real case. The data does not support choosing AMD for general-purpose or heavily threaded applications.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 240 | Intel Core 5 221E |

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

| Cores | 6 | 14 |

| Threads | 12 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 4.30 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Bartlett Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm (TSMC) | 10 nm (Intel) |

| Die Size | 178 mm² | 257 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

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

| L3 Cache | 16 MB shared | 24 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 lanes | Gen 5, 16 lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 760M | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $232 |