AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 vs Intel Core 5 221E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents one of the more one-sided head-to-head comparisons in the database. Across fifteen benchmark entries, the Intel Core 5 221E wins every single test. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 does not register a single victory. The magnitude of the Intel lead varies considerably by workload, ranging from a modest 15.2% advantage in single-threaded PassMark tests to a dominant 75.7% margin in prime number finding.

Starting with single-core performance, the Intel part posts 368 points in Cinebench R15 single-core against 199.9 for the AMD chip, a 45.7% deficit for the latter. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 3661 versus 1812, a 50.5% gap. The PassMark single-thread test shows a narrower spread: Intel at 4147 and AMD at 3515, a 15.2% difference. This pattern suggests that the Intel Core 5 221E holds a consistent but variable single-thread advantage, with the largest margins appearing in Cinebench workloads.

Multi-core results amplify the Intel lead considerably. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core 5 221E scores 25933 against 7840 for the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330, a 69.8% deficit. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows Intel at 2613 versus 1191, a 54.4% gap. PassMark multi-thread places Intel at 30510 and AMD at 12797, a 58.1% difference. These figures indicate that the Intel processor delivers roughly two to three times the multi-threaded throughput, depending on the benchmark.

The PassMark suite reveals the largest single delta in the entire comparison. In the find prime numbers test, Intel scores 173 while AMD manages only 42, a 75.7% shortfall for the AMD part. Floating point math favors Intel by 66.9%, with scores of 79028 versus 26196. Integer math shows a 67.9% gap, 117813 versus 37771. Data encryption shows Intel at 19205 against 7251, a 62.2% deficit. Data compression favors Intel by 53.1%, 324285 versus 152012. Extended instructions show the smallest multi-core gap at 38.9%, with Intel at 18216 and AMD at 11124. Random string sorting gives Intel a 57% advantage, 37686 versus 16188. Physics simulation rounds out the list with Intel at 2230 and AMD at 705, a 68.4% gap.

The average benchmark score in the database reinforces this hierarchy. The Intel Core 5 221E sits at an average score of 40144, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 averages 18811, placing it in the 73rd percentile. The nearest rivals for the Intel part include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 at 40081 (0.2% behind), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 at 40048 (0.2% behind), the AMD Ryzen 9 270 at 40246 (0.3% ahead), and the Intel Core i9-13905H at 40313 (0.4% ahead). For the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330, the nearest rivals are the Intel Core i7-1355U at 18730 (0.4% behind), the AMD EPYC 7643 at 18697 (0.6% behind), the Intel Core i5-12400 at 18683 (0.7% behind), and the AMD EPYC 7773X at 18979 (0.9% ahead). These figures show that the AMD part competes with mid-range processors from several generations ago, while the Intel part aligns with modern high-performance desktop chips.

FAQ

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The recorded data shows zero wins for the AMD processor across all fifteen benchmark tests. The Intel Core 5 221E wins all fifteen.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Intel Core 5 221E scores 173 against 42 for the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330, a 75.7% deficit for the AMD part.

Q: What is the smallest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The smallest gap appears in the PassMark single-thread test, where the Intel Core 5 221E scores 4147 against 3515 for the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330, a 15.2% deficit.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core 5 221E scores 25933, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 scores 7840. This represents a 69.8% deficit for the AMD processor.

Q: Where does the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 rank relative to its nearest rivals?

A: The AMD part averages 18811, which places it 0.4% behind the Intel Core i7-1355U, 0.6% behind the AMD EPYC 7643, 0.7% behind the Intel Core i5-12400, and 0.9% ahead of the AMD EPYC 7773X.

Q: Where does the Intel Core 5 221E rank relative to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel part averages 40144, which places it 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, 0.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 270, and 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i9-13905H.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and manufacturing approaches. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 uses the Zen 5 architecture under the codename Krackan Point 2, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 5 221E uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. This process node difference contributes to significant disparities in transistor density and power characteristics.

Core counts differ dramatically. The AMD part has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel part has 14 cores and 20 threads. This 10-core and 12-thread advantage explains much of the multi-core performance gap. The AMD processor belongs to the Ryzen AI 300 generation with a mix of Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores, while the Intel processor belongs to the Core 5 generation under Bartlett Lake.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. Both processors use 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache differs: AMD uses 1 MB per core, while Intel uses 2 MB per core. The L3 cache shows the largest structural difference: AMD has 4 MB total, while Intel has 24 MB shared. This sixfold difference in L3 capacity likely contributes to the Intel part's advantage in workloads that benefit from larger shared caches.

Memory support shows overlapping but distinct capabilities. The AMD processor supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, while the Intel processor supports DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses with identical peak bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel part supports ECC memory, while the AMD part does not.

PCIe connectivity differs by generation and lane count. The AMD processor provides PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes from the CPU. The Intel processor provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. This gives the Intel part both a newer PCIe standard and additional lanes.

Integrated graphics also differ. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 carries a Radeon 820M, while the Intel Core 5 221E carries UHD Graphics 730. These are distinct GPU implementations with different driver ecosystems and feature sets.

The physical packages reflect different market segments. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket FP8, which is a mobile socket, while the Intel processor uses Intel Socket 1700, a desktop socket. This distinction aligns with their market segment classifications: the AMD part is listed as Mobile, while the Intel part is listed as Desktop.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear hierarchy. The Intel Core 5 221E outperforms the AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 in every measured workload, with margins ranging from 15.2% to 75.7%. The average benchmark score for the Intel part is more than double that of the AMD part, 40144 versus 18811. The percentile rankings reinforce this: Intel sits at the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while AMD sits at the 73rd percentile.

The Intel processor's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 7700, AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, AMD Ryzen 9 270, and Intel Core i9-13905H, all within a 0.4% band. This places the Intel part firmly in the upper mid-range to high-end desktop tier. The AMD processor's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-1355U, AMD EPYC 7643, Intel Core i5-12400, and AMD EPYC 7773X, all within a 0.9% band. This places the AMD part in a much lower performance tier, closer to older mid-range desktop chips and modern mobile processors.

For users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput, the Intel Core 5 221E is the clear choice based on the recorded data. Its 14 cores and 20 threads deliver substantially higher scores in every parallel workload. For users who need single-thread performance, the Intel part also wins, though by a smaller margin. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 does not hold an advantage in any category measured.

The market segment difference matters for platform selection. The AMD part targets mobile devices with a 28 W TDP and Socket FP8, while the Intel part targets desktop systems with a 65 W TDP and Socket 1700. The Intel part also supports ECC memory and PCIe Gen 5, which may matter for workstation or server-adjacent use cases. The AMD part uses a smaller 4 nm process and supports LPDDR5X memory, which may matter for power-sensitive mobile designs.

The production status for both processors is Active, indicating both remain available. The release dates show the AMD part launching on 2025-07-15 and the Intel part launching on 2025-01-12, making the Intel processor roughly six months older in the database.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. Core count stands at 4 for the AMD part versus 14 for the Intel part. Thread count stands at 8 versus 20. Base clock speeds are 2.00 GHz for AMD and 2.70 GHz for Intel. Boost clock speeds are 4.50 GHz for AMD and 5.20 GHz for Intel. The TDP ratings are 28 W for AMD and 65 W for Intel.

The sockets differ: AMD Socket FP8 versus Intel Socket 1700. The process nodes differ: 4 nm at TSMC for AMD versus 10 nm at Intel for the Intel part. The codenames differ: Krackan Point 2 for AMD versus Bartlett Lake for Intel. The die size for the Intel part is 257 mm², while the AMD part has no recorded die size.

Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3. Both use 80 KB L1 per core. AMD uses 1 MB L2 per core, while Intel uses 2 MB per core. AMD has 4 MB L3, while Intel has 24 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs: AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory support is present on the Intel part but absent on the AMD part. PCIe configurations differ: AMD uses Gen 4 with 14 lanes, while Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

Integrated graphics differ: Radeon 820M for AMD versus UHD Graphics 730 for Intel. Market segments differ: Mobile for AMD versus Desktop for Intel. The part numbers differ: 100-000001897 for AMD versus SRQDVQ659 for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $232, while the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 5 221E wins in every benchmark category recorded in the database. The smallest margin comes in single-threaded PassMark tests at 15.2%, which indicates that the Intel part's higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz provides a meaningful but modest single-core advantage over the AMD part's 4.50 GHz boost.

The Intel part's largest wins appear in multi-threaded workloads. The 75.7% margin in prime number finding, the 69.8% margin in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and the 68.4% margin in physics simulation all point to the Intel part's core and thread advantage being decisive in heavily parallel tasks. The 24 MB shared L3 cache likely assists in workloads that repeatedly access large data sets, such as data compression and encryption.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 does not win any recorded benchmark. Its closest performance comes in single-threaded tests, where the 15.2% gap suggests that its Zen 5 architecture is competitive on a per-core basis. However, the Intel part's higher clocks and larger cache overcome even this.

For mobile use cases, the AMD part's 28 W TDP and support for LPDDR5X memory make it suitable for thin-and-light systems. The Intel part's 65 W TDP and desktop socket indicate a system designed for sustained performance with adequate cooling. The Intel part's ECC memory support and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity serve workstation-class workloads, while the AMD part's smaller process node and mobile socket serve portable designs.

The database shows that the Intel Core 5 221E belongs in a higher performance tier, competing with processors like the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 and Ryzen AI 9 365. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 belongs in a lower tier, competing with the Intel Core i7-1355U and Core i5-12400. Users selecting between these two parts should base their decision on platform requirements, power budgets, and workload demands, with the Intel part offering superior performance in every measured category.