AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G and the Intel Core 5 221E occupy different positions in the desktop processor market, and the recorded benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap between them. Across 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the Intel Core 5 221E wins every single test, delivering consistently higher scores in both synthetic render workloads and PassMark application tests. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G, while a capable 6-core Zen 3 part, trails by margins ranging from 1.5% to as much as 71.7% depending on the workload. The database places the Intel processor at the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD part sits at the 80th percentile, confirming the overall performance hierarchy before examining individual workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G has 6 cores and 12 threads. This core and thread advantage is a primary factor in the Intel part's multicore benchmark dominance.

Q: What is the difference in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E wins all single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 3661 against the AMD's 2435, a 33.5% difference. PassMark single-thread results show 4147 for Intel versus 3241 for AMD, a 21.8% gap.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G boosts to 4.40 GHz. The Intel part also has a lower base clock of 2.70 GHz compared to the AMD's 3.90 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G and the Intel Core 5 221E support ECC memory, making both suitable for workstation and reliability-focused builds.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G supports DDR4 memory only, while the Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The Intel part also offers a higher memory bandwidth rating of 89.6 GB/s compared to the AMD's 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E has an average benchmark score of 40144, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G's 28032. This represents a substantial overall performance lead for the Intel processor.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design schools. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G uses the Zen 3 architecture under the Cezanne codename, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is built on a 10 nm process at Intel. The AMD chip integrates 10,700 million transistors on a die size of 180 mm², while the Intel part uses a larger 257 mm² die with transistor counts not listed in the database.

Cache layouts differ significantly between the two. The AMD processor provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a 16 MB L3 cache. The Intel processor provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part's larger per-core L2 allocation and larger total L3 cache contribute to its advantage in cache-sensitive workloads.

Platform support also diverges. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G uses the AMD Socket AM4 and offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. The Intel Core 5 221E uses Intel Socket 1700 and offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Both support dual-channel memory, but the Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD processor is limited to DDR4. The Intel part's memory bandwidth is rated at 89.6 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s for the AMD. Integrated graphics differ as well, with the AMD using Radeon Vega 7 and the Intel using UHD Graphics 730. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are listed as Active in production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows the Intel Core 5 221E ahead by a consistent 33.5% across all six tests. In Cinebench R15, the Intel part scores 2613 in multicore versus 1738 for the AMD, and 368 in single-core versus 245. Cinebench R20 results show 10891 versus 7244 in multicore and 1537 versus 1022 in single-core. Cinebench R23 follows the same pattern: 25933 versus 17249 in multicore and 3661 versus 2435 in single-core. The uniform delta across every Cinebench test indicates a steady performance advantage rather than workload-specific scaling.

The PassMark results reveal where the Intel processor extends its lead even further. The largest gap appears in PassMark physics, where the Intel Core 5 221E scores 2230 against the AMD's 686, a 69.2% difference. Find prime numbers shows a 71.7% gap, with Intel at 173 and AMD at 49. Floating point math also heavily favors Intel: 79028 versus 38649, a 51.1% lead. Integer math shows 117813 versus 67561, a 42.7% difference. PassMark multithread scores 30510 for Intel versus 19129 for AMD, a 37.3% gap.

The Intel lead narrows in some workloads. Extended instructions shows the closest margin at 1.5%, with Intel scoring 18216 and AMD scoring 17944. Data compression shows a 21.2% gap, with Intel at 324285 and AMD at 255608. Data encryption shows a 20.6% gap, with Intel at 19205 and AMD at 15253. Random string sorting has a 33% delta, with Intel at 37686 and AMD at 25253. PassMark single-thread results show 4147 for Intel and 3241 for AMD, a 21.8% gap.

The win count is unambiguous: the Intel Core 5 221E wins all 17 head-to-head comparisons. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G records zero wins in the database. Even in the extended instructions test, where the two chips are closest, the Intel part still finishes ahead. The data does not show a single workload where the AMD processor outperforms the Intel processor.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets differ across nearly every major category. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 3.90 GHz for AMD and 2.70 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 4.40 GHz for AMD and 5.20 GHz for Intel. Both are rated at 65 W TDP.

The AMD part uses the Zen 3 architecture with the Cezanne codename, while the Intel part uses the Bartlett Lake codename with no architecture field listed. Process nodes differ: 7 nm at TSMC for AMD, 10 nm at Intel for the Intel part. The AMD die measures 180 mm² with 10,700 million transistors; the Intel die measures 257 mm² with no transistor count listed. Cache configurations differ: AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB L3. Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3.

Memory support shows AMD limited to DDR4 while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. Memory bandwidth is 51.2 GB/s for AMD and 89.6 GB/s for Intel. Both support ECC memory. PCIe support differs: AMD offers Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 7 on AMD and UHD Graphics 730 on Intel. Sockets differ: AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel Socket 1700. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $232; the AMD part has no launch MSRP listed. Release dates differ, with the AMD released in 2024-05-06 and the Intel released in 2025-01-12.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear conclusion. The Intel Core 5 221E is the faster processor in every measured category, with an average benchmark score of 40144 against the AMD's 28032. The Intel part's 87th percentile ranking versus the AMD's 80th percentile confirms its higher standing among all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the Intel part include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 with a 0.2% delta and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 with a 0.2% delta, placing it in strong company. The AMD part's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE at a 0.1% delta and the Intel Core i5-14500T at a 0.1% delta.

The Intel Core 5 221E delivers a 33.5% advantage across the Cinebench suite, which represents sustained rendering and compute workloads. The PassMark results show even larger advantages in physics at 69.2% and prime number finding at 71.7%, indicating strong performance in workload types that stress the processor's full resources. The Intel part also maintains a 21.8% lead in single-threaded PassMark tests and a 33.5% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core, showing that its superiority is not limited to multicore scenarios.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G remains a functional desktop processor with 6 cores and 12 threads, a 4.40 GHz boost clock, and support for DDR4 memory. It sits at the 80th percentile of all CPUs and delivers an average benchmark score of 28032. However, in direct comparison with the Intel Core 5 221E, the AMD part does not win a single benchmark in the database. Users comparing these two specific processors should expect the Intel part to outperform the AMD part in every workload measured.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E wins in every category recorded in the database. For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, the Intel part's 14 cores and 20 threads provide a substantial advantage in multicore workloads, as shown by the 33.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and the 37.3% lead in PassMark multithread. For single-threaded responsiveness, the Intel part's 5.20 GHz boost clock supports a 33.5% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and a 21.8% lead in PassMark single-thread. For memory-intensive tasks, the Intel part's support for DDR5 and its 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth rating exceed the AMD part's DDR4-only support and 51.2 GB/s rating.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G does not win any benchmark in the head-to-head data. Its closest performance to the Intel part comes in the PassMark extended instructions test, where the delta is only 1.5%. This indicates that for workloads specifically exercising extended instruction sets, the two processors are nearly equivalent, with the AMD part trailing by a narrow margin. The AMD part also offers a lower base clock of 3.90 GHz compared to the Intel's 2.70 GHz, which may influence idle and lightly threaded power behavior, though no power measurements are recorded in the database.

The data shows that the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5655G is best considered for scenarios where its specific platform attributes such as the AMD Socket AM4 interface or Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics are the primary selection criteria. The Intel Core 5 221E, with its Intel Socket 1700 platform, UHD Graphics 730, PCIe Gen 5 support, and DDR5 memory compatibility, offers a more modern platform feature set in addition to its benchmark superiority. For performance-focused comparisons between these two processors, the Intel Core 5 221E is the clear choice based on the recorded measurements.