AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

The benchmark data presents a clear split: the Intel Core 5 221E dominates in Cinebench single-core and multi-core workloads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D sweeps the majority of PassMark tests. Despite the AMD part winning 11 of 15 head-to-head tests, the Intel processor counters with decisive victories in the most widely cited rendering benchmarks, making this a contest between specialized compute efficiency and broad, general-purpose throughput.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Intel Core 5 221E scores 3661 against the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D’s 2080, a massive 76% advantage. This is not a marginal win; it is a categorical statement about Intel’s per-thread performance in this workload. The R23 multi-core test reinforces the trend, with Intel scoring 25933 versus AMD’s 23230, a 11.6% lead. Even in the older Cinebench R15 single-core test, Intel wins 368 to 328, a 12.2% margin.

However, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D strikes back in Cinebench R15 multi-core, scoring 3647 against Intel’s 2613, a 28.4% deficit for the Intel part. This inconsistency—Intel winning newer multi-core tests but losing the older one—suggests workload-specific scaling behavior.

In the PassMark suite, the AMD processor is nearly untouchable. The largest gap is in extended instructions, where AMD scores 38808 versus Intel’s 18216, a 53.1% advantage. Data compression shows AMD at 468017 against Intel’s 324285, a 30.7% lead. The physics test is another blowout: AMD scores 4083, Intel 2230, a 45.4% difference. Prime number finding favors AMD 423 to 173, a 59.1% gap. Multithread performance shows AMD at 40009 versus Intel’s 30510, a 23.7% margin, and random string sorting goes to AMD 48526 to 37686, a 22.3% difference.

Intel’s only PassMark wins are narrow: integer math at 117813 versus 116709 (0.9% ahead) and floating point math at 79028 versus 79456, where AMD wins by a razor-thin 0.5%. The single-thread PassMark score goes to AMD, 4430 to 4147, a 6.4% lead, which contrasts sharply with the Cinebench single-core results.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental divergence lies in process node and die size. Intel fabricates the Core 5 221E on a 10 nm process at its own foundry, with a die size of 257 mm². AMD uses TSMC’s 4 nm node for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, yielding a much smaller 70.6 mm² die with 8,315 million transistors. This 4 nm advantage explains AMD’s dominance in power-sensitive and instruction-heavy workloads.

Core counts differ significantly: Intel packs 14 cores and 20 threads, while AMD offers 8 cores and 16 threads. Cache architecture is another major split. Both share 80 KB of L1 per core, but Intel allocates 2 MB of L2 per core versus AMD’s 1 MB. L3 cache is where AMD pulls ahead dramatically: 96 MB shared versus Intel’s 24 MB shared. This 4x L3 advantage is likely the driver behind AMD’s PassMark data compression and encryption wins.

The memory support differs: Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD is DDR5-only. Memory bandwidth is identical at 89.6 GB/s for both. PCIe lanes favor AMD with 24 Gen 5 lanes versus Intel’s 16. Both support ECC memory. Integrated graphics are present on both: Intel’s UHD Graphics 730 versus AMD’s Radeon Graphics. The Intel part is not multiplier-unlocked, while the AMD is unlocked. Release dates are close, with Intel launching on 2025-01-12 and AMD on 2024-11-06.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E is the clear choice for Cinebench-centric workflows. Its 76% single-core R23 lead and 11.6% multi-core R23 advantage make it superior for applications that mirror those rendering algorithms. The 0.9% integer math win is negligible but does suggest competitive general integer performance. For users running the specific Cinebench R23 suite, the data is unambiguous: Intel wins.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D wins everywhere else. The 53.1% extended instructions lead indicates superior SIMD and specialized instruction handling. Data compression at 468017 versus 324285 means AMD is better suited for file archiving, database workloads, and any task involving data throughput. The 59.1% prime number advantage points to strong integer-heavy algorithmic work. Physics simulation at 4083 versus 2230 shows AMD handling complex computational physics better. The 23.7% multithread PassMark lead confirms AMD’s overall threaded throughput is higher in this specific benchmark suite.

The single-thread PassMark discrepancy—AMD winning 4430 to 4147 despite losing Cinebench single-core—suggests that the two suites measure different aspects of single-thread performance. AMD’s higher base clock of 4.70 GHz versus Intel’s 2.70 GHz may help in certain short-burst single-thread tasks, while Intel’s boost clock of 5.20 GHz matches AMD’s but delivers better sustained performance in Cinebench’s rendering loop.

Specification Differences

• Cores: 14 (Intel) vs 8 (AMD)
• Threads: 20 (Intel) vs 16 (AMD)
• Base Clock: 2.70 GHz (Intel) vs 4.70 GHz (AMD)
• Boost Clock: 5.20 GHz (both)
• TDP: 65 W (Intel) vs 120 W (AMD)
• Process Node: 10 nm (Intel) vs 4 nm (AMD)
• Foundry: Intel vs TSMC
• Die Size: 257 mm² (Intel) vs 70.6 mm² (AMD)
• L2 Cache: 2 MB per core (Intel) vs 1 MB per core (AMD)
• L3 Cache: 24 MB shared (Intel) vs 96 MB shared (AMD)
• Memory Support: DDR4, DDR5 (Intel) vs DDR5 (AMD)
• PCIe Lanes: 16 (Intel) vs 24 (AMD)
• Integrated Graphics: UHD Graphics 730 (Intel) vs Radeon Graphics (AMD)
• Multiplier Unlocked: No (Intel) vs Yes (AMD)
• Launch MSRP: $232 (Intel) vs $479 (AMD)
• Part Number: SRQDVQ659 (Intel) vs 100-000001084 (AMD)

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E scores 3661, which is 76% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D’s 2080.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D win any multi-core benchmarks?

A: Yes, in Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 3647 versus Intel’s 2613, a 28.4% lead. However, Intel wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 25933 versus AMD’s 23230.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark extended instructions, where AMD leads by 53.1% (38808 vs 18216). The next largest is in prime number finding, a 59.1% AMD advantage (423 vs 173).

Q: How do their cache sizes compare?

A: Intel has 2 MB L2 per core and 24 MB shared L3, while AMD has 1 MB L2 per core and 96 MB shared L3. Both have 80 KB L1 per core.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No, Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR5. Both have dual-channel memory buses with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 24 Gen 5 lanes, while the Intel Core 5 221E has 16 Gen 5 lanes.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear specialization split. For Cinebench R23 workloads—a proxy for modern 3D rendering and video encoding—the Intel Core 5 221E is the superior part, offering a 76% single-core and 11.6% multi-core advantage. Its 14 cores and 20 threads provide more parallel resources, and the higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz matches AMD while delivering better sustained performance in these tests.

For everything else in the PassMark suite, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the definitive winner. It takes 11 of 15 head-to-head benchmarks, including decisive victories in extended instructions, data compression, physics, and prime number finding. The 96 MB L3 cache and 4 nm process node give it a fundamental architectural edge that Intel cannot overcome in these workloads. Its 120 W TDP reflects the higher power draw, but the performance return is substantial.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical—Intel at 40144 and AMD at 39768—but the distribution of wins is heavily skewed. The Intel part’s 87th percentile ranking matches AMD’s, yet the AMD’s wins are more numerous and often larger in magnitude. The Intel’s four wins include two Cinebench tests and one narrow integer math victory, while AMD’s wins span the broader PassMark suite.

Choose the Intel Core 5 221E if your primary workloads are Cinebench-based rendering or if you need DDR4 compatibility and a lower 65 W TDP. Choose the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D if you want broader general-purpose performance, superior cache capacity, and the flexibility of an unlocked multiplier. The data does not support a single universal winner; it supports two distinct tools for two distinct jobs.