AMD Ryzen 5 220 vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a lopsided contest. The Intel Core 7 251TE wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen 5 220 takes only 2. The margin of victory for Intel is substantial across nearly every workload category, though one notable exception exists in single-threaded PassMark testing.

Starting with the Cinebench suite, Intel's dominance is consistent and severe. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Core 7 251TE scores 2572 against AMD's 1562, a 39.3% deficit for the Ryzen. The single-core R15 test shows the same pattern: 362 versus 220, again 39.2% behind. Moving to R20, multicore results show 10717 for Intel versus 6510 for AMD, and single-core shows 1512 versus 918, both with the identical 39.3% delta. The R23 results continue the trend: 25518 versus 15502 in multicore and 3602 versus 2188 in single-core, with the same 39.3% gap. The consistency of this delta across all Cinebench versions suggests a structural performance difference rather than workload-specific variation.

The PassMark suite reveals where the Intel processor's advantages are largest. Floating point math shows the biggest separation: Intel scores 85607 while AMD manages 35500, a 58.5% lead for Intel. Integer math follows closely with 125739 versus 57987, a 53.9% advantage. Prime number finding shows 140 versus 65, a 53.6% gap. Physics testing delivers 1938 versus 983, a 49.3% margin. Data encryption shows 22176 versus 12493, a 43.7% difference. These results indicate that Intel's core architecture handles computationally intensive workloads with far greater efficiency.

The narrower margins appear in extended instructions, where Intel leads 16974 to 15512, only 8.6% ahead. This is the smallest Intel win in the entire dataset. Data compression shows a 36.4% gap (334399 versus 212739), random string sorting shows 35.8% (39643 versus 25433), and multithread testing shows 38.1% (30022 versus 18582).

The single exception to Intel's sweep comes from PassMark single-thread testing, where AMD scores 3646 against Intel's 3568. This 2.2% advantage for the Ryzen 5 220 appears in both the single_thread and singlethread entries, confirming it is not a measurement artifact. This result is curious given the Cinebench single-core results, where Intel holds a 39.3% lead. The discrepancy suggests the two test suites measure different aspects of single-thread performance, with PassMark's methodology favoring AMD's architecture.

Where Each One Wins

The data points to a clear workload split. The Intel Core 7 251TE dominates every recorded multi-threaded and compute-heavy task. Its 24 cores and 32 threads provide a substantial parallelism advantage over the Ryzen 5 220's 6 cores and 12 threads. All Cinebench multicore tests, all PassMark math operations, compression, encryption, sorting, and multithread benchmarks fall to Intel.

The AMD Ryzen 5 220's only recorded win is in PassMark single-thread performance. With a score of 3646 versus 3568, it holds a modest 2.2% edge. This indicates that for purely sequential workloads as measured by PassMark's methodology, the AMD design executes instructions more efficiently per clock. However, this advantage does not translate to Cinebench single-core tests, where Intel wins decisively. The divergence between these two single-thread measurements suggests the workloads differ in instruction mix, cache behavior, or branch prediction demands.

For users focused on parallel compute, the Intel part is the clear choice based on recorded data. For applications that stress single-thread PassMark-style operations, the AMD part shows a slight edge. The practical implication is that the Intel processor suits rendering, compilation, scientific computing, and data processing tasks, while the AMD processor may hold a niche in specific sequential workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 uses the Zen 4 architecture with the Hawk Point codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It integrates 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die. The Intel Core 7 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel, with a 215 mm² die size and no transistor count recorded in the database.

Core configurations differ sharply. AMD provides 6 cores and 12 threads, while Intel provides 24 cores and 32 threads. This 4x core count and 2.67x thread count advantage is the primary driver of Intel's multicore dominance. Clock speeds also favor Intel: base clock of 1.40 GHz versus 3.20 GHz for AMD, but boost clock of 5.40 GHz versus 4.90 GHz. The lower base clock with higher boost suggests Intel's design relies on aggressive turbo behavior, while AMD maintains a higher sustained base frequency.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. AMD offers 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Intel offers 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. The larger per-core caches and more than double the L3 capacity give Intel a substantial advantage for data-heavy workloads. Memory support differs as well: AMD supports DDR5 only, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses with identical 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory support is present on Intel but absent on AMD, important for workstation reliability.

PCIe capabilities favor Intel with Gen 5 and 16 lanes, versus Gen 4 and 14 lanes for AMD. Integrated graphics differ: AMD uses Radeon 740M while Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. The AMD part targets the mobile segment with a 28 W TDP and AMD Socket FP8, while Intel targets desktop with a 45 W TDP and Intel Socket 1700. The Intel part also has a recorded launch MSRP of $384. Release dates are close: AMD on January 5, 2025, and Intel on January 12, 2025. Both remain in active production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 220 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Intel holds a 4x core advantage and a 2.67x thread advantage.

Q: Why does the AMD Ryzen 5 220 win the PassMark single-thread test despite losing all Cinebench tests?

A: The AMD scores 3646 versus 3568 for Intel, a 2.2% advantage. However, in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests, Intel leads by 39.3% each time. The two test suites measure different aspects of sequential performance, and the recorded data shows AMD's architecture handles the PassMark workload more efficiently.

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

A: The biggest gap appears in PassMark floating point math, where Intel scores 85607 versus AMD's 35500, a 58.5% lead. Integer math shows the second largest gap at 53.9% (125739 versus 57987).

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel Core 7 251TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD Ryzen 5 220 supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Intel also supports ECC memory, which AMD does not.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: Intel provides 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. AMD provides 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Intel's L3 cache is more than double AMD's capacity.

Q: What are the power and platform differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 220 has a 28 W TDP and uses AMD Socket FP8, targeting mobile devices. The Intel Core 7 251TE has a 45 W TDP and uses Intel Socket 1700, targeting desktop systems. The Intel part also uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while AMD uses PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes.

The Verdict

The recorded benchmark data leaves little ambiguity for most workloads. The Intel Core 7 251TE is the superior processor across nearly every measured category. Its 24-core, 32-thread configuration delivers 39.3% higher Cinebench R23 multicore scores, 58.5% higher floating point math performance, and 53.9% higher integer math performance. The percentile rankings confirm this: Intel sits at the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while AMD sits at the 75th percentile. Intel's average benchmark score of 41650 far exceeds AMD's 22289.

The AMD Ryzen 5 220's only recorded victory is a 2.2% edge in PassMark single-thread testing. This is a narrow margin and applies to a single benchmark methodology. For users whose applications rely on that specific measurement, the AMD part offers a slight advantage. However, this does not offset the substantial deficits in every other category.

The Intel Core 7 251TE also carries advantages in platform features: PCIe Gen 5 support, ECC memory, DDR4 compatibility, and a larger L3 cache. The AMD part counterbalances with a lower TDP of 28 W versus 45 W, making it more power-efficient for mobile deployments. The choice depends on workload demands. For desktop compute density, the Intel part is the clear winner. For power-constrained mobile scenarios where the single-thread PassMark workload dominates, the AMD part shows its only recorded strength.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 220 | Intel Core 7 251TE |

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

| Cores | 6 | 24 |

| Threads | 12 | 32 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Bartlett Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 137 mm² | 215 mm² |

| 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 | 36 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 14 Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 740M | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Launch MSRP | None recorded | $384 |