AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data separates these two processors into distinct roles. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D wins 8 of 11 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core 5 330 takes 3. The AMD part delivers a substantially higher average benchmark score of 37018 versus 18345 for the Intel part, and it sits at the 85th percentile of all CPUs compared to the Intel chip's 72nd percentile. The data indicates the AMD processor is the stronger choice for multi-threaded and cache-sensitive workloads, while the Intel processor offers superior single-thread performance and floating-point math, alongside integrated graphics and a much lower thermal design power of 15 watts. The launch MSRP for the Intel Core 5 330 is $309.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing nodes. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D uses the Zen 3 architecture with the Vermeer codename, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC with a die size of 74 mm². It features 6 cores and 12 threads, indicating simultaneous multithreading. The Intel Core 5 330 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3 nm process at Intel, with 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no multithreading support. The AMD chip is a desktop part on AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel chip is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1516.

Cache configurations differ sharply. The AMD processor provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a large 96 MB shared L3 cache. The Intel processor provides 192 KB of L1 cache total, 2.5 MB of L2 cache total, and only 6 MB of shared L3 cache. This 90 MB difference in L3 capacity is the defining architectural gap.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD chip supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory support. The Intel chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory in a single-channel configuration with higher bandwidth at 59.7 GB/s but no ECC support. PCIe connectivity favors AMD with Gen 4 and 20 lanes, versus Intel's Gen 4 and 6 lanes. The Intel part includes integrated graphics (Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores), while the AMD part has no integrated graphics. The AMD chip's base clock is 3.00 GHz with a boost of 4.00 GHz and a 105 W TDP; the Intel chip has a much lower base clock of 1.50 GHz but a higher boost of 4.60 GHz and a 15 W TDP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core 5 330. In the PassMark single-thread test, it scores 4088 versus 2941 for the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D, a 28.1% advantage for Intel.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D, with 96 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 6 MB of shared L3 cache on the Intel Core 5 330.

Q: Do both processors support multithreading?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D supports 12 threads across 6 cores, while the Intel Core 5 330 supports only 6 threads across 6 cores.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core 5 330, with Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe). The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D does not include integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor has the higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core 5 330, at 59.7 GB/s, despite using a single-channel memory bus. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D offers 51.2 GB/s over a dual-channel bus.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D has a TDP of 105 watts, while the Intel Core 5 330 has a TDP of 15 watts.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D | Intel Core 5 330 |

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

| Manufacturer | AMD | Intel |

| Threads | 12 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 105 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Not specified |

| Codename | Vermeer | Wildcat Lake |

| Process Node | 7 nm (TSMC) | 3 nm (Intel) |

| Die Size | 74 mm² | Not specified |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 192 KB (total) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2.5 MB (total) |

| L3 Cache | 96 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | N/A | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2025-06-04 | 2026-04-15 |

| Part Number | 100-000001504 | SAE3G |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D dominates in integer-heavy and multi-threaded workloads. Its largest win is in PassMark integer math, scoring 60033 versus 33258, a 80.5% advantage. Physics performance shows the biggest percentage gap at 90%, with AMD at 2282 versus Intel's 1201. Data compression favors AMD at 230392 versus 145287, a 58.6% delta. Prime number finding goes to AMD at 170 versus 114, a 49.1% lead. Random string sorting also favors AMD at 23675 versus 17771, a 33.2% gap. The multithread score confirms the trend: AMD at 20363 versus 15471, a 31.6% advantage. Data encryption and extended instructions both favor AMD by 26.1% and 24.3% respectively, with scores of 13967 versus 11076 and 15925 versus 12808.

The Intel Core 5 330 wins three tests, all related to floating-point or single-thread execution. The floating-point math test shows Intel at 43885 versus AMD's 34511, a 21.4% margin for Intel. The single-thread test and its duplicate singlethread test both show Intel at 4088 versus AMD's 2941, a 28.1% margin. These wins indicate the Intel chip's higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz provides an edge in latency-sensitive single-core tasks.

The average benchmark scores place the AMD part at 37018, which sits between the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F (36945, 0.2% lower) and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 (36938, 0.2% lower), with the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 slightly ahead at 37093 (-0.2% delta for the 5500X3D). The Intel Core 5 330 at 18345 sits near the Intel Core i3-14100 (18318, 0.1% lower) and the Intel Core 3 305 (18302, 0.2% lower), with the Intel Core 7 360 slightly ahead at 18374 (-0.2% delta for the Core 5 330). This places the AMD chip in a performance tier roughly double that of the Intel chip.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D is the clear winner for compute-intensive, multi-threaded desktop workloads. The 96 MB shared L3 cache and 12 threads deliver decisive advantages in integer math, compression, encryption, and physics simulations. The 80.5% lead in integer math and the 90% lead in physics indicate this processor handles parallel integer workloads and physics calculations with far greater efficiency. Its 85th percentile ranking and 37018 average score place it among much stronger contenders, within 0.3% of the Intel Core i9-12900T and ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 by 0.2%. This chip targets desktop builds on Socket AM4 with DDR4 memory, ECC support, and 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes.

The Intel Core 5 330 wins where single-thread speed and efficiency matter. Its 28.1% single-thread advantage and 21.4% floating-point advantage reflect the higher 4.60 GHz boost clock. The 15 W TDP makes it suitable for mobile platforms, and the integrated Xe3 graphics remove the need for a discrete GPU. Its 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth, despite single-channel operation, exceeds the AMD chip's dual-channel figure. The 72nd percentile ranking and 18345 average score place it near the Intel Core i3-14100 (0.1% apart) and Intel Core i3-13100 (0.2% apart), indicating competitive entry-level performance within its mobile segment. The data shows these two processors serve different markets: the AMD part for desktop compute throughput, the Intel part for mobile efficiency and single-thread responsiveness.