AMD Ryzen 7 160 vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a sharp split between the AMD Ryzen 7 160 and the Intel Core 5 330. AMD wins five benchmark categories, Intel wins six, but the margins are lopsided in both directions. The most decisive AMD victory comes in integer math, where the Ryzen 7 160 scores 81,370 against 33,258 for the Core 5 330, a 144.7% advantage. Data compression also strongly favors AMD: 242,634 versus 145,287, a 67% gap. Random string sorting favors AMD by 46.2% (25,981 vs. 17,771), data encryption by 40.1% (15,520 vs. 11,076), and extended instructions by 26.2% (16,170 vs. 12,808).

Intel counters with a dominating floating-point math result. The Core 5 330 scores 43,885 against 6,673 for the Ryzen 7 160, a deficit of 84.8% for AMD. Prime number finding also goes heavily to Intel, 114 versus 43, a 62.3% gap. The multithreaded PassMark score favors Intel by 20.9% (15,471 vs. 12,237), and the physics test favors Intel by 34% (1,201 vs. 793). Single-thread performance also belongs to Intel: 4,088 versus 3,435, a 16% lead.

The data indicates a workload-dependent pairing. AMD's 8-core, 16-thread configuration excels at parallel integer-heavy tasks and compression work. Intel's 6-core, 6-thread design wins floating-point throughput, prime number generation, and physics simulation. The single-thread advantage for Intel (16%) is notable because the Ryzen 7 160 has a higher boost clock (4.75 GHz vs. 4.60 GHz), yet Intel still leads in that metric. The multithread result is counterintuitive given AMD's thread count advantage, but the benchmark data confirms Intel's 15,471 score against AMD's 12,237.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 scores 4,088 in PassMark single-thread, while the AMD Ryzen 7 160 scores 3,435. Intel leads by 16% in this test.

Q: How large is the performance gap in data compression?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 160 scores 242,634 in PassMark data compression, which is 67% higher than the Intel Core 5 330's 145,287.

Q: Which CPU wins the multithreaded PassMark benchmark?

A: The Intel Core 5 330 wins with 15,471 points, beating the AMD Ryzen 7 160's 12,237 points by 20.9%.

Q: What is the difference in floating-point math performance?

A: Intel dominates this test. The Core 5 330 scores 43,885, while the Ryzen 7 160 scores 6,673, giving Intel an 84.8% advantage.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in integer math?

A: AMD has a massive 144.7% lead in integer math, scoring 81,370 against Intel's 33,258.

Q: Which processor has the higher overall benchmark percentile?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 160 sits in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 5 330 ranks in the 72nd percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 160 is the clear choice for data-heavy integer workloads. Its data compression score of 242,634 leads by 67%, and the integer math result of 81,370 is nearly 2.5 times the Intel score. Encryption work also favors AMD (15,520 vs. 11,076), making it stronger for file compression, database operations, and cryptographic tasks. The random string sorting advantage (25,981 vs. 17,771) reinforces this pattern: AMD handles sorting and organizing large datasets more efficiently. Extended instruction workloads also fall to AMD by 26.2%, suggesting an edge in vectorized integer code.

The Intel Core 5 330 is the better option for floating-point math and physics simulation. The floating-point score of 43,885 dwarfs AMD's 6,673, an 84.8% margin that indicates a fundamental advantage in scientific computing, 3D rendering, and any workload that relies heavily on FPU throughput. The physics test (1,201 vs. 793) confirms this, as physics engines typically stress floating-point arithmetic. Prime number generation also belongs to Intel (114 vs. 43), which indicates faster integer division and modular arithmetic in certain patterns.

For general multithreaded performance, the Intel Core 5 330 wins the PassMark multithread test with 15,471 against 12,237, a 20.9% lead despite having only 6 cores and 6 threads versus AMD's 8 cores and 16 threads. This suggests Intel's per-core efficiency is significantly higher, or that the PassMark multithread workload does not scale perfectly with thread count. The single-thread test also goes to Intel (4,088 vs. 3,435), so for lightly threaded applications such as web browsing, office work, and legacy software, Intel holds the advantage.

The overall average benchmark score tells a different story. AMD's average is 37,117, while Intel's is 18,345. The enormous gap in floating-point math (43,885 vs. 6,673) inflates Intel's average, but AMD's consistent wins across more benchmark categories result in a higher overall average. The percentile ranking (85th for AMD vs. 72nd for Intel) reflects this, placing AMD in a higher global tier.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The AMD Ryzen 7 160 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads. AMD's base clock is 2.70 GHz with a boost of 4.75 GHz, while Intel's base is 1.50 GHz with a boost of 4.60 GHz. The thermal design power also diverges: AMD is rated at 28 watts, Intel at 15 watts.

Memory support shows a clear split. AMD uses DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus and 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but only through a single-channel bus, yielding 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. AMD also supports ECC memory, while Intel does not. The PCIe configurations differ as well: AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). This gives AMD a 14-lane advantage for expansion devices.

The integrated graphics units are distinct. AMD uses a Radeon 680M, while Intel uses Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The sockets are not interchangeable: AMD uses AMD Socket FP7, and Intel uses Intel BGA 1516. The part numbers also differ (100-000000991(FP7r2) for AMD, SAE3G for Intel), and neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The release dates are separated by roughly seven months, with AMD appearing in late September 2025 and Intel in mid-April 2026.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different fabrication processes and design philosophies. AMD's Ryzen 7 160 is built on a 6 nm process at TSMC, using the Zen 3+ architecture under the Rembrandt-R codename. Intel's Core 5 330 uses a 3 nm process at Intel's own foundry, under the Wildcat Lake codename. The process node difference gives Intel a density advantage, which likely contributes to its lower 15-watt TDP versus AMD's 28 watts.

Cache structures reveal different strategies. AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel uses a single L1 figure of 192 KB, an L2 of 2.5 MB, and only 6 MB of shared L3. The L3 difference is significant: AMD has 16 MB shared, Intel has 6 MB shared. This larger cache pool helps AMD in data-heavy workloads, which aligns with its wins in compression, encryption, and sorting. Intel's smaller cache is offset by its higher single-thread performance, suggesting the cores themselves are more efficient per clock.

The die sizes also differ. AMD's die is 210 mm², while Intel's die size is not recorded. The foundry choice (TSMC for AMD, Intel for Intel) and the process node (6 nm vs. 3 nm) point to different manufacturing trade-offs. AMD's larger die at a larger process node accommodates 8 cores and 16 threads, while Intel's smaller process node enables a 6-core design at lower power.

Feature sets diverge on memory and I/O. AMD supports ECC memory, which is unusual for a mobile processor and valuable for workstation-class laptops. Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, offering more flexibility in memory type, but at a single-channel bus width. AMD's dual-channel bus provides 28.6% more memory bandwidth (76.8 GB/s vs. 59.7 GB/s), which helps explain its data compression and encryption advantages. Intel's PCIe lane count (6) is much lower than AMD's (20), limiting expansion to a single GPU or a few NVMe drives. AMD's 20 lanes support more simultaneous peripherals.

The integrated graphics also differ in architecture. AMD's Radeon 680M is a known quantity from the Rembrandt generation, while Intel's Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores is a newer design. The benchmark data does not include graphics tests, so direct comparison of GPU performance is not available from recorded measurements. The production status for both is active, and both are mobile market segments. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not supported for either.