AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison
AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX
Core 5 221E
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX vs Intel Core 5 221E
# The Verdict
The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX and Intel Core 5 221E target different use cases despite similar multithreaded performance. The AMD part is a mobile processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, built on a 5 nm process, and it wins 5 of the 11 head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel part is a desktop processor with 14 cores and 20 threads, built on a 10 nm process, and it wins 6 of the 11 head-to-head benchmarks.
The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX carries a 92nd percentile ranking versus all CPUs, while the Intel Core 5 221E sits at the 87th percentile. The average benchmark score for AMD is 60104, versus 40144 for Intel. However, the head-to-head results show a closer contest: AMD wins multithreaded PassMark by 3.3% (31517 versus 30510), while Intel wins single-thread PassMark by 6.5% (4147 versus 3879).
The data suggests that the AMD chip is the better choice for workloads involving data compression, encryption, extended instructions, random string sorting, and overall multithreaded throughput. The Intel chip is the better choice for prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, physics simulations, and single-threaded tasks. The Intel part also supports ECC memory and DDR4 alongside DDR5, which matters for certain workstation or embedded deployments.
Architecture Differences
The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX uses the Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The thermal design power is 55 W, and the socket is AMD Socket FL1, which targets mobile systems. The chip includes 6,570 million transistors on a 71 mm² die, and its cache layout is 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3.
The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. It has 14 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The thermal design power is 65 W, and the socket is Intel Socket 1700, which targets desktop systems. The die size is 257 mm², and the cache layout is 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3.
The AMD chip is unlocked for overclocking, while the Intel chip is locked. The AMD chip uses DDR5 memory only, with dual-channel support and a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The AMD chip does not support ECC memory; the Intel chip does. The AMD chip offers PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ as well: AMD uses Radeon 610M, Intel uses UHD Graphics 730.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX dominates in several specific workloads. In PassMark data compression, AMD scores 363759 versus Intel's 324285, a 12.2% advantage. In data encryption, AMD scores 21840 versus 19205, a 13.7% advantage. The largest AMD win is in extended instructions: 27638 versus 18216, a 51.7% margin. Random string sorting also favors AMD, with 44494 versus 37686, an 18.1% edge. The multithreaded PassMark score goes to AMD at 31517 versus 30510, a 3.3% lead.
The Intel Core 5 221E takes the remaining wins. In find prime numbers, Intel scores 173 versus 159, an 8.1% advantage. Floating point math favors Intel heavily: 79028 versus 61972, a 21.6% margin. Integer math also goes to Intel: 117813 versus 100328, a 14.8% edge. Physics simulations show Intel at 2230 versus 1681, a 24.6% advantage. Single-thread PassMark favors Intel at 4147 versus 3879, a 6.5% lead. The duplicate single-thread test confirms the same 6.5% margin.
These results present a clear pattern. AMD wins workloads that rely on specific instruction efficiency and memory access patterns, particularly compression, encryption, and extended instructions. Intel wins raw arithmetic throughput, physics simulation, and single-thread responsiveness. The multithreaded score difference is modest, at 3.3%, meaning neither chip dominates in general parallel workloads.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads; Intel has 14 cores and 20 threads. AMD's base clock is 3.60 GHz, Intel's is 2.70 GHz. AMD's boost clock is 5.10 GHz, Intel's is 5.20 GHz. The TDP differs: 55 W for AMD versus 65 W for Intel. The process node differs: 5 nm for AMD versus 10 nm for Intel. The die size differs significantly: 71 mm² for AMD versus 257 mm² for Intel. Transistor count is only listed for AMD at 6,570 million; no transistor count is recorded for Intel.
Cache configurations differ. AMD uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. Intel uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. Memory support differs: AMD supports only DDR5, while Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth differs: 83.2 GB/s for AMD versus 89.6 GB/s for Intel. ECC memory support is absent on AMD and present on Intel. PCIe lanes differ: AMD has 28 Gen 5 lanes, Intel has 16 Gen 5 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: Radeon 610M on AMD, UHD Graphics 730 on Intel. The market segment differs: AMD is mobile, Intel is desktop. The socket differs: AMD Socket FL1 versus Intel Socket 1700. The multiplier is unlocked on AMD, locked on Intel. The launch MSRP for Intel is $232; no launch MSRP is recorded for AMD. Release dates differ: AMD was released on 2025-04-22, Intel on 2025-01-12.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has the higher multithreaded benchmark score?
A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX scores 31517 in PassMark multithreaded, which is 3.3% higher than the Intel Core 5 221E's 30510.
Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded performance?
A: The Intel Core 5 221E scores 4147 in PassMark single-thread, which is 6.5% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX's 3879.
Q: Does the Intel Core 5 221E support ECC memory?
A: Yes, the Intel Core 5 221E has ECC memory support. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX does not support ECC memory.
Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two processors?
A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX wins PassMark extended instructions by 51.7%, scoring 27638 versus the Intel Core 5 221E's 18216.
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The Intel Core 5 221E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has 8 cores and 16 threads.
Q: What memory types does each processor support?
A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX supports DDR5 only. The Intel Core 5 221E supports both DDR4 and DDR5.
Where Each One Wins
The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX wins in data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, random string sorting, and multithreaded PassMark. These are workloads that benefit from the Zen 4 architecture's instruction efficiency and the larger 32 MB shared L3 cache. The extended instructions win is particularly decisive at 51.7%, indicating strong SIMD or specialized instruction throughput. For mobile users running compression tools, encryption tasks, or parallel workloads, the AMD chip delivers measurable advantages.
The Intel Core 5 221E wins in find prime numbers, floating point math, integer math, physics, and single-thread PassMark. These are arithmetic-heavy workloads where the higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz and the larger L1 and L2 per-core caches (80 KB and 2 MB respectively) provide an edge. The physics win at 24.6% suggests better performance in simulation or gaming physics calculations. The single-thread win at 6.5% indicates snappier responsiveness in lightly threaded applications.
The overall win count is close: Intel wins 6 benchmarks, AMD wins 5. The average benchmark scores differ substantially (60104 versus 40144), but that average includes tests not present in the head-to-head set. The percentile rankings place AMD at 92 and Intel at 87, confirming AMD's higher overall standing in the database. The Intel chip's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 with a 0.2% delta, while AMD's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX with a 0% delta.
For a mobile platform with lower power draw (55 W) and higher per-core clock speeds, the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX fits workloads that need efficient parallel processing and compression or encryption throughput. For a desktop platform with ECC support, DDR4 compatibility, and higher arithmetic throughput, the Intel Core 5 221E fits workloads that demand raw math performance, physics simulation, or single-thread speed. The choice depends on the platform and the dominant workload type, not on a single overall winner.