AMD Ryzen 5 220 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 228V Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 220 takes 10 wins out of 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V wins 7. The AMD chip leads in overall average benchmark score as well, with 22289 versus 21440 for the Intel part.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The Ryzen 5 220 scores 15502 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 56.1% ahead of the Core Ultra 5 228V's 9932. That is the single largest delta in the entire comparison.

Q: Does the Intel chip have any clear strengths?

A: Yes, in floating-point math, the Intel part scores 53310 versus 35500 for the AMD chip, a 33.4% advantage. It also wins in prime number finding (168 vs 65, a 61.3% edge), physics (1538 vs 983, a 36.1% lead), and single-thread performance in PassMark (3836 vs 3646, a 5% advantage).

Q: What do the overall percentile rankings say?

A: Both processors sit at the 75th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The Ryzen 5 220's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-10700K (0.3% higher average score) and the Intel Core i5-13500H (0.8% lower). The Core Ultra 5 228V's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 at 0.2% higher.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 220 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V has 8 cores and 8 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD chip manages to win most multi-threaded workloads due to its simultaneous multithreading.

Q: Which chip is newer?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V was released on September 23, 2024, while the AMD Ryzen 5 220 came later, on January 5, 2025. Both are currently marked as Active in production status.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 220 is built on the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Hawk Point, using TSMC's 4 nm process. The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V uses the Lunar Lake architecture, also fabricated by TSMC, but on a more advanced 3 nm node. The AMD chip integrates 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die, while the database does not list transistor count or die size for the Intel part.

The core layouts diverge significantly. The Ryzen 5 220 features 6 cores with 12 threads, enabling two threads per core. The Core Ultra 5 228V has 8 cores but only 8 threads, meaning no hyperthreading. The AMD chip's base clock is 3.20 GHz with a boost of 4.90 GHz. The Intel part runs at 2.10 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost, suggesting a more efficiency-oriented design.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Ryzen 5 220 allocates 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 228V has much larger per-core L1 at 192 KB and L2 at 2.5 MB per core, but only 8 MB of shared L3. This means the Intel chip favors per-core locality, while the AMD chip provides a larger shared pool for cross-core data.

Memory support also separates the two. The Ryzen 5 220 supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory bus and a rated bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Core Ultra 5 228V also lists DDR5 support with a dual-channel bus, but its memory bandwidth is not recorded, and the memory support field notes that it depends on the motherboard. Neither chip supports ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity is a notable difference. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V offers PCIe Gen 5 with just 4 lanes (CPU only). The Intel chip's newer PCIe generation is offset by far fewer lanes, which could impact expansion options.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Ryzen 5 220 includes the Radeon 740M, while the Core Ultra 5 228V packs the Arc 130V. The Intel chip's TDP is lower at 17 watts versus 28 watts for the AMD part, which aligns with its lower clock speeds and smaller memory footprint. Both chips use different sockets: AMD Socket FP8 for the Ryzen, Intel BGA 2833 for the Core Ultra. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite reveals a clear split between workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 220 scores 1562 versus 1502.5 for the Intel chip, a modest 4% lead. The margin shrinks to 0.3% in R20 multi-core (6510 vs 6491). Then Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a massive gap: the AMD part scores 15502, which is 56.1% ahead of the Intel's 9932. This suggests the Ryzen 5 220 scales far better under sustained multi-threaded load, likely due to its 12 threads versus 8.

Single-core results are more mixed. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V wins decisively with 267 points versus 220, a 17.6% advantage. However, in R20 single-core, the AMD chip edges ahead with 918 versus 916, a 0.2% margin. In R23 single-core, the Ryzen 5 220 extends its lead to 2188 versus 1758, a 24.5% delta. The inconsistency across Cinebench versions suggests the Intel chip's low-power design performs well in short bursts but loses ground in longer single-threaded runs.

PassMark tests show complementary strengths. The Ryzen 5 220 dominates integer math with 57987 versus 39679, a 46.1% lead. It also wins data compression by 22.3% (212739 vs 173924), random string sorting by 19.7% (25433 vs 21254), and extended instructions by 4.8% (15512 vs 14801). The multithread score is close, with the AMD chip ahead by 1.9% (18582 vs 18227).

The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V counters with strong results in specific areas. Floating point math shows a 33.4% advantage (53310 vs 35500). Prime number finding is the largest Intel win at 61.3% (168 vs 65). Physics simulation favors Intel by 36.1% (1538 vs 983). Data encryption goes to Intel by 4.1% (13032 vs 12493). Single-thread PassMark also favors Intel at 3836 versus 3646, a 5% margin.

Overall, the Ryzen 5 220 wins 10 tests and the Intel chip wins 7. The AMD part's victories are often larger in magnitude, especially in Cinebench R23 multi-core and integer math. The Intel chip's wins are concentrated in specialized compute tasks like floating-point and prime number generation.

The Verdict

The data paints a nuanced picture. For users prioritizing multi-threaded productivity, the AMD Ryzen 5 220 is the clear choice. Its 56.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 46.1% advantage in integer math indicate substantial headroom for compilation, rendering, or data processing workloads. The 10 out of 17 benchmark wins reinforce this position.

However, the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V appeals to a different set of use cases. Its 33.4% advantage in floating-point math and 36.1% lead in physics simulation suggest scientific computing or simulation tasks would run faster on this chip. The 17-watt TDP also makes it more suitable for fanless or ultraportable designs, though the database does not directly measure power efficiency.

The single-thread story is ambiguous. The Intel chip wins PassMark single-thread by 5% and Cinebench R15 single-core by 17.6%, but the AMD chip leads Cinebench R23 single-core by 24.5%. Users who rely on specific single-threaded applications should examine their workloads carefully, as the results vary by benchmark version and duration.

The 75th percentile ranking for both chips places them in the same overall performance tier. The Ryzen 5 220's average score of 22289 is 4% higher than the Intel chip's 21440, but both sit near comparable rivals like the Intel Core i7-10700K and the AMD Ryzen 5 2600. Neither chip represents a dramatic outlier in the broader CPU landscape.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 220 | Intel Core Ultra 5 228V |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 17 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Lunar Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Transistors | 20,900 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 137 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB per core | 192 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB per core | 2.5 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB shared | 8 MB shared |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not listed |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 740M | Arc 130V |

| Release Date | 2025-01-05 | 2024-09-23 |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 220 wins in multi-core rendering and data processing. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a 56.1% advantage, a dominant margin for video rendering or 3D modeling. Integer math performance is 46.1% higher, which benefits database operations, compression algorithms, and general productivity software. Data compression is 22.3% faster, and random string sorting is 19.7% faster, making the AMD chip the better fit for file archiving or text processing tasks. Extended instructions score 4.8% higher, suggesting slight gains in vectorized workloads.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V excels in computationally specialized tasks. Floating-point math is 33.4% faster, which helps scientific simulations, financial modeling, and certain engineering applications. Prime number finding is 61.3% faster, a strong indicator for cryptography or number theory workloads. Physics simulation is 36.1% faster, pointing to advantages in game physics or particle systems. Data encryption is 4.1% faster, and single-thread PassMark is 5% higher, making the Intel chip stronger for lightly threaded interactive applications.

The 17-watt TDP of the Intel chip versus 28 watts for the AMD part suggests the Core Ultra 5 228V may fit in thinner, quieter notebooks, though the database does not provide direct thermal or battery life measurements. The AMD chip's 14 PCIe Gen 4 lanes versus 4 Gen 5 lanes on the Intel part means the Ryzen 5 220 offers more expansion capacity for NVMe drives or discrete GPUs, while the Intel chip's Gen 5 support provides higher per-lane bandwidth when used.

Both chips share the 75th percentile ranking, so the choice depends on workload profile. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 is the multi-threaded workhorse with larger aggregate wins. The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V is the specialized compute and efficiency option, winning where floating-point and physics matter most.