AMD Ryzen 5 220 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 266V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear overall victor, with the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V winning 14 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the AMD Ryzen 5 220. However, the margin of victory and the specific workloads tell a nuanced story about each processor's strengths.

The Intel chip's most dominant wins come in compute-heavy and physics-based tests. In PassMark's find prime numbers test, the Ultra 7 266V scores 191 against the Ryzen 5 220's 65, a massive 193.8% advantage. Floating point math shows a 60.3% lead (56923 vs 35500), and the physics test reveals a 63.6% gap (1608 vs 983). These results indicate a substantial advantage in raw mathematical throughput and simulation workloads.

Single-threaded performance consistently favors Intel. In PassMark single thread, the Ultra 7 266V leads by 8.1% (3943 vs 3646). The Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests all show a similar pattern, with Intel ahead by 6.8%, 6.8%, and 6.7% respectively. This consistency across rendering generations suggests a fundamental per-core performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Multi-core rendering also favors Intel, though by a smaller margin. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the Ultra 7 266V scoring 16544 versus 15502 for the Ryzen 5 220, a 6.7% difference. The R15 and R20 multi-core results mirror this at 6.7% each. The PassMark multithread test shows a narrower 4.7% lead (19461 vs 18582). Interestingly, the Intel chip achieves this despite having 8 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD part offers 6 cores and 12 threads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 220 claims three wins, all in PassMark workloads. Integer math is its largest victory, scoring 57987 against Intel's 41558, a 28.3% advantage. Data compression shows a 12.1% lead (212739 vs 187050), and random string sorting comes in 9.9% ahead (25433 vs 22905). These wins highlight AMD's strength in data manipulation and integer-heavy tasks.

Data encryption is another Intel win, with the Ultra 7 266V scoring 13822 versus 12493, a 10.6% advantage. Extended instructions also favor Intel, but narrowly at 2.7% (15928 vs 15512). The pattern is clear: Intel dominates floating-point, physics, and single-threaded tasks, while AMD counters in integer math and compression.

Architecture Differences

The two processors take fundamentally different design approaches. The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V is built on Lunar Lake architecture using a 3 nm process from TSMC, while the AMD Ryzen 5 220 uses Zen 4 architecture (codename Hawk Point) on a 4 nm TSMC node. The smaller process node gives Intel a manufacturing advantage in density and efficiency.

Core configuration differs significantly. Intel packs 8 cores with 8 threads, opting for a 1:1 core-to-thread ratio. AMD provides 6 cores with 12 threads, using simultaneous multithreading to double the thread count. The Ryzen 5 220's base clock is higher at 3.20 GHz versus Intel's 2.20 GHz, but the Ultra 7 266V reaches a higher boost clock at 5.00 GHz against AMD's 4.90 GHz.

Cache hierarchies are also distinct. Intel allocates 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 2.5 MB of L2 per core, while AMD uses 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core. The shared L3 cache favors AMD, which offers 16 MB versus Intel's 12 MB. The AMD chip also discloses 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die, while Intel's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database.

Memory support differs notably. Intel uses LPDDR5X with bandwidth dependent on the motherboard, delivering 136.5 GB/s. AMD supports DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The bandwidth gap is substantial, with Intel offering roughly 52% more theoretical memory bandwidth.

PCIe connectivity shows a trade-off. Intel provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes, while AMD offers Gen 4 with 14 lanes. This means Intel has faster per-lane throughput but far fewer lanes for expansion. Integrated graphics also differ: Intel includes Arc 140V, while AMD pairs the Ryzen 5 220 with Radeon 740M.

The thermal design power reflects their positioning. Intel is rated at 17 W, considerably lower than AMD's 28 W. This suggests the Intel part is designed for thinner, more power-efficient systems, while the AMD chip targets slightly higher performance envelopes. Both use different sockets: Intel BGA 2833 for Intel, AMD Socket FP8 for AMD.

Release timing differs by roughly three and a half months. The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V launched on September 23, 2024, while the AMD Ryzen 5 220 followed on January 5, 2025. Both are in active production and neither has an unlocked multiplier. Both target the mobile market segment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V wins all recorded single-thread tests. PassMark single thread shows 3943 versus 3646 (8.1% ahead), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2335 versus 2188 (6.7% ahead).

Q: How do the two compare in multi-core rendering?

A: Intel leads across all Cinebench multi-core tests. R15 shows 1667 versus 1562, R20 shows 6948 versus 6510, and R23 shows 16544 versus 15502, each with a 6.7% margin. PassMark multithread also favors Intel at 19461 versus 18582 (4.7% ahead).

Q: In which workloads does the AMD Ryzen 5 220 outperform the Intel chip?

A: AMD wins three PassMark tests: integer math by 28.3% (57987 vs 41558), data compression by 12.1% (212739 vs 187050), and random string sorting by 9.9% (25433 vs 22905).

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 220 has 6 cores and 12 threads, using simultaneous multithreading.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: Intel offers 136.5 GB/s with LPDDR5X support. AMD provides 89.6 GB/s with DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: How do the thermal design power ratings compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V is rated at 17 W, while the AMD Ryzen 5 220 is rated at 28 W.

The Verdict

The data supports the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V for users prioritizing single-threaded performance, floating-point math, physics simulation, and rendering workloads. Its consistent 6.7% lead across all Cinebench versions, combined with a 60.3% advantage in floating-point math and a 63.6% lead in physics, makes it the stronger choice for creative applications, engineering simulations, and general responsiveness.

The AMD Ryzen 5 220 appeals to workloads that rely on integer operations and data manipulation. Its 28.3% lead in integer math and 12.1% advantage in data compression suggest it handles database-style operations, compression tasks, and certain scientific computing workloads more efficiently. The 12 threads may also benefit highly parallel integer workloads despite the lower core count.

Power efficiency favors Intel. The 17 W TDP versus AMD's 28 W, combined with comparable or better performance in most tests, indicates the Ultra 7 266V delivers more performance per watt in the recorded benchmarks. This matters for thin-and-light laptops where thermal headroom is limited.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect the head-to-head results. Intel's average is 23297, placing it at the 76th percentile of all CPUs, while AMD's average is 22289 at the 75th percentile. Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H (0.1% behind) and Intel Core i9-11900F (0.2% behind), while AMD sits near the Intel Core i5-13500H (0.8% ahead) and Intel Core i7-1270P (0.9% ahead). The percentile difference is marginal, but the workload distribution is not.

For buyers choosing between these two mobile processors, the decision hinges on workload. The Intel chip is the data-backed pick for rendering, physics, encryption, and single-threaded applications. The AMD chip is preferable for integer math, compression, and string sorting tasks. Given that Intel wins 14 of 17 benchmarks with particularly large margins in compute-heavy tests, the Ultra 7 266V is the stronger all-around performer in this comparison.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 7 266V | AMD Ryzen 5 220 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 17 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2833 | AMD Socket FP8 |

| Architecture | Lunar Lake | Zen 4 (Hawk Point) |

| Process Node | 3 nm (TSMC) | 4 nm (TSMC) |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 20,900 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 137 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X (depends on motherboard) | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 136.5 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 14 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc 140V | Radeon 740M |

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

| Part Number | SRPMMSRPMY | 100-000001611 |