AMD Ryzen 5 240 vs Intel Core 5 221TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is decisively one-sided. The AMD Ryzen 5 240 wins all 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core 5 221TE, with no wins recorded for the Intel part. The margin is not uniform, however, and the spread reveals where each architecture has its strengths.

The largest single-thread advantage appears in PassMark single-thread testing, where the AMD part scores 3675 against Intel's 1734, a delta of 111.9%. That same gap repeats in the duplicate passmark_singlethread entry, confirming the consistency of the measurement. In extended instruction testing, the AMD Ryzen 5 240 delivers 20201 points versus 9655 for the Intel Core 5 221TE, a 109.2% advantage. These two results represent the widest margins in the entire comparison.

Random string sorting also shows a large gap. The AMD processor scores 32385 compared to 16929, a 91.3% delta. Integer math follows at 73% ahead, with the AMD part posting 73189 against 42303. Data encryption shows a 76.8% lead for AMD, with scores of 15849 versus 8963. Data compression is similarly lopsided at 71% ahead, 267963 versus 156682.

The Cinebench results are closer, particularly in the newer R23 test. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD Ryzen 5 240 scores 13013 against 11305 for Intel, a 15.1% lead. Single-core R23 shows a 9.1% advantage, 1742 versus 1596. The older R15 test shows a much wider spread: multicore favors AMD by 82.4% (2078 vs 1139), and single-core by 68.8% (270 vs 160).

Multithread performance in PassMark gives AMD a 70.3% lead, 22658 versus 13301. Floating-point math shows a 43.1% advantage for AMD, 45301 versus 31661. The smallest margin in the entire set is PassMark physics, where AMD leads by 8.5%, 1060 versus 977. Prime number finding shows an 18.6% gap, 70 versus 59.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 240 wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split is not about choosing a winner in specific tasks. Instead, the data indicates relative strengths. The AMD part is proportionally strongest in single-threaded workloads, where its PassMark single-thread score of 3675 nearly doubles the Intel's 1734. Extended instruction execution also shows a massive proportional advantage, suggesting the AMD architecture handles specialized instruction sets with significantly higher throughput.

The Intel Core 5 221TE is not without competitive positioning, but it comes from a different angle. Its 10-core, 16-thread configuration provides more physical cores, and the L3 cache is larger at 24 MB shared versus 16 MB on the AMD part. The Intel chip also supports DDR4 in addition to DDR5, giving platform flexibility. The recorded data, however, shows that these attributes do not translate into benchmark wins. The closest contest is PassMark physics, where Intel trails by just 8.5%, and Cinebench R23 multicore at 15.1% behind. These are the areas where the Intel part is least disadvantaged.

For workloads dominated by single-thread performance, encryption, compression, or extended instructions, the AMD Ryzen 5 240 is substantially ahead. For physics simulation or newer multicore rendering workloads, the gap narrows but still favors AMD. The Intel Core 5 221TE has no recorded benchmark category where it leads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design approaches. The AMD Ryzen 5 240 uses Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC with 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 221TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a 215 mm² die size. Intel's transistor count is not recorded in the database.

Core configuration differs significantly. The AMD part has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel part has 10 cores and 16 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD processor wins all multicore benchmarks, indicating higher per-core efficiency. Base clocks show a major divergence: the AMD Ryzen 5 240 runs at 4.30 GHz base, while the Intel Core 5 221TE sits at 1.80 GHz base. Both reach 5.00 GHz boost, which explains why the AMD part's advantage narrows in some multicore tests where boost clocks matter more.

Cache hierarchy differs in both size and organization. The AMD L1 is 64 KB per core, L2 is 1 MB per core, and L3 is 16 MB shared. The Intel L1 is 80 KB per core, L2 is 1.25 MB per core, and L3 is 24 MB shared. Intel has more cache at every level, yet the AMD part delivers higher benchmark scores.

Memory support differs. The AMD processor supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel access and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel, with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the Intel part but not on the AMD part. PCIe generations also differ: AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

The integrated graphics differ substantially. AMD uses Radeon 760M, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 730. The AMD part is classified as a mobile processor on AMD Socket FP8, whereas the Intel part is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700. The AMD part's release date is 2025-01-05, and the Intel part's release date is 2025-01-12. The Intel part has a recorded launch MSRP of $232, while the AMD part has no launch MSRP in the database. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 240 has an average benchmark score of 33542, which places it in the 84th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 5 221TE has an average score of 17860, placing it in the 71st percentile.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: In PassMark single-thread testing, the AMD Ryzen 5 240 scores 3675 versus 1734 for the Intel Core 5 221TE, a 111.9% advantage. The Cinebench R23 single-core test shows a smaller gap of 9.1%, with 1742 versus 1596.

Q: Does the Intel processor win any benchmark category?

A: No. The database records 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, and the AMD Ryzen 5 240 wins all 15. The Intel Core 5 221TE has zero wins.

Q: What are the closest benchmark results between the two?

A: The narrowest margin is PassMark physics, where the AMD part leads by 8.5% (1060 vs 977). Cinebench R23 single-core follows at 9.1%, and Cinebench R23 multicore at 15.1%.

Q: How do the memory bandwidth specifications compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 240 has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s with DDR5 support only. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 76.8 GB/s bandwidth and supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 240 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 5 221TE has 10 cores and 16 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD processor wins all multicore benchmarks.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The AMD Ryzen 5 240 outperforms the Intel Core 5 221TE in every single recorded measurement, with margins ranging from 8.5% to 111.9%. The average benchmark score difference is substantial: 33542 for AMD versus 17860 for Intel, a gap that places the AMD part in the 84th percentile of all CPUs compared to the 71st percentile for the Intel part.

The AMD processor achieves this with fewer cores (6 vs 10) and less cache at every level. The Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm process delivers higher per-core performance, evidenced by the 4.30 GHz base clock versus 1.80 GHz for Intel. The boost clocks are equal at 5.00 GHz, but the AMD part still maintains leads in all tests.

The Intel Core 5 221TE offers some platform advantages that are not reflected in benchmark scores. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, includes ECC support, and uses PCIe Gen 5. Its larger 24 MB L3 cache and 10-core configuration might appeal in specific deployment scenarios, but the recorded data does not show any performance benefit from these features.

For any workload represented in the benchmark set, the AMD Ryzen 5 240 is the faster processor. The Intel Core 5 221TE's closest performance comes in physics and Cinebench R23 multicore, where the gap narrows to single-digit or low-double-digit percentages. In single-thread, encryption, compression, and extended instruction workloads, the AMD part is more than 70% ahead.

The percentile rankings confirm the overall picture. The AMD Ryzen 5 240 sits near the 84th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 5 221TE sits at the 71st percentile. The average score difference of 15682 points is not a marginal distinction; it represents a different performance class entirely.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 240 | Intel Core 5 221TE |

|---------------|-----------------|-------------------|

| Cores | 6 | 10 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base clock | 4.30 GHz | 1.80 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Bartlett Lake |

| Process node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die size | 178 mm² | 215 mm² |

| Transistors | 25,000 million | Not recorded |

| L1 cache | 64 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 1.25 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 16 MB shared | 24 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 760M | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release date | 2025-01-05 | 2025-01-12 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $232 |

| Part number | 100-000001727 | SRVQS |