AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the two processors compare in core and thread counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT provides 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221E provides 14 cores and 20 threads. The Intel part has more than double the core count and 8 additional threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E boosts to 5.20 GHz, whereas the AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT boosts to 4.40 GHz. The Intel part also has a lower base clock at 2.70 GHz compared to 3.60 GHz on the AMD side.

Q: What are the cache configurations of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 221E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT does not.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT has an average benchmark score of 26748, placing it in the 79th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 221E has an average benchmark score of 40144, placing it in the 87th percentile.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT supports DDR4 memory, while the Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The Intel part also has a higher memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s for the AMD part.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data shows a one-sided result in favor of the Intel Core 5 221E. Across all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the Intel processor wins. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT does not record a single victory in any tested workload.

The Intel Core 5 221E delivers its largest margins in workloads that stress raw compute throughput. In the passmark find prime numbers test, the Intel part scores 173 versus 54 for the AMD part, a delta of 68.8%. Floating point math shows a similar pattern, with the Intel part at 79028 versus 36694, a 53.6% advantage. Physics simulation also favors the Intel part heavily, with a score of 2230 versus 840, a 62.3% gap.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT holds its ground best in the extended instructions test, where the Intel part leads by only 6.5%. Data encryption shows a 23.2% gap, and data compression shows a 24.8% gap. These are the narrowest margins in the dataset, but they still represent Intel victories.

For workloads that depend on single-threaded performance, the Intel Core 5 221E maintains a consistent lead. The passmark single thread score is 4147 versus 3066, a 26.1% difference. The Cinebench R23 single-core score is 3661 versus 2237, matching the same 38.9% delta seen across all Cinebench tests.

Multi-threaded workloads also favor the Intel part. The passmark multithread score is 30510 versus 19000, a 37.7% gap. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score is 25933 versus 15848, again a 38.9% gap. The Intel Core 5 221E wins every category, leaving no use-case segment where the AMD part takes the lead.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT is built on the Zen 3 architecture with the Cezanne codename. It uses a 7 nm process node manufactured by TSMC. The chip contains 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process node manufactured by Intel. Its die size is 257 mm², and no transistor count is recorded in the database.

The two processors use different sockets. The AMD part mounts on AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel part mounts on Intel Socket 1700. This means platform choice determines which processor can be installed, and the two are not interchangeable.

The memory controllers differ significantly. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT supports DDR4 only with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel part also supports ECC memory, which the AMD part does not.

PCIe support also differs. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Intel Core 5 221E provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. This gives the Intel part a newer generation of interconnect for expansion devices.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD part uses Radeon Vega 7, while the Intel part uses UHD Graphics 730. The cache hierarchy reflects the different core architectures, with the Intel part offering larger per-core L1 and L2 caches and a larger shared L3 cache.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core 5 221E does not. The production status for both parts is listed as active.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ: the AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Base clocks differ, with the AMD part at 3.60 GHz and the Intel part at 2.70 GHz. Boost clocks also differ, with the AMD part at 4.40 GHz and the Intel part at 5.20 GHz.

The process nodes differ: 7 nm for the AMD part versus 10 nm for the Intel part. The foundries differ as well, with TSMC fabricating the AMD chip and Intel fabricating its own chip.

Cache sizes differ at every level. The AMD part has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB L3. The Intel part has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs: DDR4 only for the AMD part versus DDR4 and DDR5 for the Intel part. Memory bandwidth differs at 51.2 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. ECC support is absent on the AMD part and present on the Intel part.

PCIe generation differs: Gen 3 for the AMD part versus Gen 5 for the Intel part. Both provide 16 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics differ: Radeon Vega 7 on the AMD part versus UHD Graphics 730 on the Intel part.

The sockets differ: AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel Socket 1700. The multiplier is unlocked on the AMD part and locked on the Intel part.

The release dates differ. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT was released on 2024-01-07, and the Intel Core 5 221E was released on 2025-01-12.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a uniform 38.9% gap in favor of the Intel Core 5 221E across all six tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel part scores 2613 versus 1597. In R15 single-core, the Intel part scores 368 versus 225. In R20 multi-core, the Intel part scores 10891 versus 6656. In R20 single-core, the Intel part scores 1537 versus 939. In R23 multi-core, the Intel part scores 25933 versus 15848. In R23 single-core, the Intel part scores 3661 versus 2237. The consistent delta across all six tests indicates the performance relationship is stable regardless of Cinebench version or workload type.

The PassMark suite shows more variation. The largest gap appears in find prime numbers, where the Intel part scores 173 versus 54, a 68.8% lead. Physics follows at 62.3% with scores of 2230 versus 840. Floating point math shows a 53.6% lead with scores of 79028 versus 36694. Integer math shows a 45.5% lead with scores of 117813 versus 64218.

The multithread test gives the Intel part a 37.7% lead with scores of 30510 versus 19000. Random string sorting shows a 34.8% lead with scores of 37686 versus 24583. Single thread shows a 26.1% lead with scores of 4147 versus 3066. Data compression shows a 24.8% lead with scores of 324285 versus 243904. Data encryption shows a 23.2% lead with scores of 19205 versus 14754.

The narrowest margin is in extended instructions, where the Intel part leads by 6.5% with scores of 18216 versus 17027. Even in this closest comparison, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT does not close the gap.

The average benchmark scores confirm the overall relationship. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT averages 26748, while the Intel Core 5 221E averages 40144. The nearest rivals in the database place the AMD part alongside the AMD EPYC 9554, Intel Core i7-12700H, AMD Ryzen 5 7545U, and Intel Core i9-11900K. The Intel Core 5 221E sits near the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, AMD Ryzen 9 270, and Intel Core i9-13905H.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates a clear performance hierarchy between these two desktop processors. The Intel Core 5 221E wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, with no workload category showing an AMD advantage.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT offers 6 cores and 12 threads, a 3.60 GHz base clock, a 4.40 GHz boost clock, and an unlocked multiplier. It uses the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm process with 16 MB of L3 cache. Its average benchmark score of 26748 places it in the 79th percentile of all CPUs.

The Intel Core 5 221E offers 14 cores and 20 threads, a 2.70 GHz base clock, a 5.20 GHz boost clock, and a locked multiplier. It uses the Bartlett Lake architecture on a 10 nm process with 24 MB of shared L3 cache. Its average benchmark score of 40144 places it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs.

For buyers who prioritize multi-threaded throughput, the Intel part provides a substantial advantage, as shown by its 38.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and its 37.7% lead in PassMark multithread. For single-threaded workloads, the Intel part leads by 26.1% in PassMark single thread and by 38.9% in Cinebench R23 single-core.

The AMD part retains advantages in platform flexibility through its unlocked multiplier and its lower launch MSRP of $125, compared to the Intel part's launch MSRP of $232. The Intel part counters with ECC memory support, DDR5 compatibility, PCIe Gen 5, and a larger cache configuration.

The data supports the Intel Core 5 221E for users who need maximum compute performance across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500GT remains the option for users who prefer an unlocked multiplier on the AM4 platform, but the recorded benchmarks show it trailing in every measured test.