AMD Ryzen 5 7400F vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F and Intel Core Ultra 5 225T represent two distinct approaches to the 65 W desktop processor. The AMD part relies on a 6-core, 12-thread Zen 4 design, while Intel counters with a 10-core, 10-thread Arrow Lake configuration. The benchmark data shows a competitive split, with the Intel chip winning 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, yet the AMD chip posting a higher overall average benchmark score. The Ryzen 5 7400F records an average score of 32750 against the Ultra 5 225T's 30468, placing them at the 83rd and 82nd percentiles of all CPUs respectively. This creates a nuanced picture where the choice depends heavily on the specific workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite presents a consistent, though narrow, victory for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T. Across all six recorded Cinebench tests, the Intel processor wins with a margin of approximately 0.9% to 1%. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Ultra 5 225T scores 21971 against the Ryzen 5 7400F's 21765, a 0.9% advantage. The single-core results follow the same pattern, with Intel scoring 3101 versus AMD's 3072 in Cinebench R23 single-core, also a 0.9% lead. The R20 and R15 tests show identical relative performance, with Intel ahead by 0.9% or 1% in each case. These are tight margins, indicating that in pure rendering workloads the two chips are effectively equivalent.

The Passmark suite reveals where the architectures diverge sharply. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F demonstrates clear superiority in several integer-heavy and data-oriented tasks. Its most significant win comes in data compression, where it scores 289999 against Intel's 233998, a commanding 23.9% lead. Integer math shows a similar story, with AMD at 74745 versus Intel's 59543, a 25.5% advantage. The AMD chip also wins in extended instructions by 8.3% (21747 against 20083) and in random string sorting by 22% (35096 versus 28774). The multithread test goes to AMD by a slim 1.1% margin (25645 against 25358).

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T counters with equally decisive wins in other Passmark categories. The largest margin is in floating point math, where Intel scores 82751 against AMD's 45799, a massive 44.7% lead. Find prime numbers also heavily favors Intel, with scores of 284 versus 191, a 32.7% difference. Physics simulation goes to Intel by 19.1% (2053 against 1660). Data encryption favors Intel by 8.6% (18289 versus 16712). The single-thread test shows a notable Intel advantage of 15.2%, with a score of 4348 against AMD's 3689.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F has an average benchmark score of 32750, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T records 30468.

Q: How does the Intel chip compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Core Ultra 5 225T sits 0.2% above the Intel Core i9-11980HK and 0.3% above the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS. It is 0.3% below the Intel Core i5-13600H.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in the head-to-head tests?

A: The largest gap is in Passmark floating point math, where the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T leads by 44.7%, scoring 82751 against the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F's 45799.

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head tests?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks.

Q: How close is the Cinebench multicore performance?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T scores 21971, and the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F scores 21765, a difference of only 0.9%.

Q: Does the AMD chip win any test by a large margin?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F leads by 23.9% in Passmark data compression, scoring 289999 against Intel's 233998.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F uses the Zen 4 architecture with the Raphael codename, belonging to the 7000 series generation. It is fabricated on a 5 nm process at TSMC, with 6,570 million transistors on a 71 mm² die. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T uses the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-S codename, part of the Core Ultra Series 2 generation. It is fabricated on a 3 nm process, also at TSMC, but packs 17,800 million transistors onto a much larger 243 mm² die.

The core configurations differ significantly. The AMD chip features 6 cores and 12 threads, relying on simultaneous multithreading. The Intel chip has 10 cores but only 10 threads, meaning it does not use hyperthreading. Cache layouts also diverge. AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a shared 32 MB L3 pool. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2 per core, but only 20 MB of shared L3. The transistor count difference is substantial, with Intel using nearly three times the transistors of AMD, likely due to the larger core count and integrated graphics.

The integrated graphics situation is a major architectural distinction. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units. Memory support includes DDR5 for both, with dual-channel buses. ECC memory support is present on the AMD chip but absent on the Intel chip. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket AM5, while Intel uses Socket 1851.

Specification Differences

Several key specifications separate the two processors. The core count differs, with the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F offering 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T provides 10 cores and 10 threads. The base clock is higher on the AMD chip at 3.70 GHz, but the Intel chip has a higher boost clock at 4.90 GHz versus AMD's 4.70 GHz. Both have a TDP of 65 W.

The process node favors Intel, which uses a 3 nm process, while AMD uses 5 nm. The transistor count is markedly different: 6,570 million for AMD versus 17,800 million for Intel. Die size also varies, with AMD at 71 mm² and Intel at 243 mm². PCIe support shows AMD with Gen 5 at 24 lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 at 20 lanes.

Memory bandwidth is higher on the Intel chip, rated at 102.4 GB/s versus AMD's 83.2 GB/s. The cache hierarchy differs per core, with AMD providing 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, while Intel provides 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 per core. Shared L3 cache is larger on AMD at 32 MB, against Intel's 20 MB. ECC memory support exists only on the AMD side. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel chip is locked. The AMD chip has a launch MSRP of $229 and was released on 2025-01-08, while the Intel chip has no recorded launch MSRP and a release date of 2024-12-31.

The Verdict

The data shows two chips with different strengths, and the choice depends on the workload. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F delivers a higher average benchmark score of 32750 and wins in data compression by 23.9%, integer math by 25.5%, random string sorting by 22%, and extended instructions by 8.3%. These are tasks that benefit from high thread counts and the 12-thread configuration. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory and has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, factors not measured in the benchmark scores but present in the specifications.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T counters with wins in 12 of 17 tests, including floating point math by 44.7%, prime number finding by 32.7%, and physics by 19.1%. It also leads in single-thread performance by 15.2% and data encryption by 8.6%. The Cinebench results favor Intel across the board, though by less than 1%. The Intel chip provides integrated Arc Xe-LPG graphics, which is absent on the AMD part. Its higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s may benefit certain memory-intensive operations.

For users prioritizing raw compute throughput in integer operations, data compression, and string processing, the AMD Ryzen 5 7400F is the stronger candidate. For floating point calculations, prime number searches, physics simulation, and single-threaded responsiveness, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has the advantage. The overall average score places AMD higher, but the Intel chip wins more individual tests. Neither chip is a universal winner, and the specific application determines which processor delivers better performance.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400F wins in Passmark data compression, integer math, extended instructions, random string sorting, and the multithread test. The 23.9% lead in data compression is the largest of its wins, making it well-suited for archiving, file compression, and database workloads. The 25.5% advantage in integer math suggests strength in general productivity, spreadsheet calculations, and code compilation. The 22% lead in random string sorting indicates efficiency in sorting algorithms and text processing. The extended instructions win of 8.3% covers specialized instruction set workloads.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins in all six Cinebench tests, confirming its edge in rendering and content creation tasks. The 44.7% lead in floating point math is its most decisive victory, pointing to strengths in scientific computing, 3D rendering, and numerical simulation. The 32.7% advantage in prime number finding shows strong integer division and loop performance. The 19.1% physics win indicates better performance in physics simulation and gaming physics. The 15.2% single-thread lead means faster response in lightly threaded applications, while the 8.6% encryption advantage benefits security-related workloads.

The overall wins count favors Intel at 12 versus AMD at 5, but the average benchmark scores favor AMD at 32750 against 30468. This suggests the AMD chip performs better in the tests where it wins, while the Intel chip wins more frequently but with narrower margins in some cases. The Cinebench results are all within 1%, so the Intel wins there are marginal. The Passmark results show larger deltas in both directions, with AMD winning by up to 25.5% and Intel by up to 44.7%. Users should assess their primary applications against these specific test categories to determine the better fit.