AMD EPYC 4545P vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX and AMD EPYC 4545P represent two fundamentally different approaches to high-performance computing, one aimed at mobile power efficiency and the other at server throughput. Both processors achieve the 95th percentile in the global CPU benchmark distribution, yet their performance profiles diverge sharply across workloads. The data in this comparison reveals a clear split: the Intel part dominates in most measured sub-tests, but the AMD part secures decisive victories in the most demanding multi-threaded rendering workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in this comparison is the Cinebench R23 single-core test, where the AMD EPYC 4545P scores 6646 against the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX’s 2187.5, a 67.1% advantage. This is not a marginal gap; it is a generational leap in single-thread efficiency that reshapes the entire comparison. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where AMD wins 669 to 323.5, a 51.6% delta. However, the Intel part fights back in Cinebench R20 single-core, winning 2856 to 2791, a modest 2.3% margin, which is inconsistent with the R23 result and suggests workload-specific scaling behaviors.

In multi-core rendering, the results are similarly contradictory. The AMD EPYC 4545P wins Cinebench R23 multi-core decisively, scoring 47079 versus 36429.5, a 22.6% lead. Yet in Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX wins 5656.5 to 4745, a 19.2% advantage. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test is nearly tied, with Intel edging ahead 20236 to 19773, just 2.3%. These swings indicate that the two CPUs scale very differently with thread counts and instruction-level parallelism, rather than one being universally faster.

The PassMark suite provides a broader picture, where Intel wins 12 of 17 total head-to-head comparisons. The largest Intel victories are in floating-point math (194998 to 126505, a 54.1% lead) and find prime numbers (460 to 292, a 57.5% lead). Data encryption also favors Intel heavily, 48567 to 37598, a 29.2% margin. Meanwhile, AMD’s biggest PassMark win is in integer math, where it scores 213485 against Intel’s 155076, a 27.4% advantage. AMD also wins data compression, 636279 to 631885, but by only 0.7%, which is effectively a statistical tie.

The remaining Intel wins are consistent but narrower: multithread (56902 to 53504, 6.4%), single-thread (4618 to 4318, 6.9%), physics (3476 to 3260, 6.6%), random string sorting (77196 to 73850, 4.5%), and extended instructions (49148 to 46231, 6.3%). These results suggest that the Intel part has a broad, balanced advantage across most general-purpose tasks, while the AMD part’s strength is concentrated in specific high-intensity workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 4545P wins where raw single-thread performance and certain multi-threaded rendering scenarios matter most. The Cinebench R23 single-core and multi-core victories, along with the R15 single-core win, point to a CPU that excels in applications that rely on deep instruction pipelines and high clock speeds. The 5.40 GHz boost clock and Zen 5 architecture deliver results that are 67.1% ahead in R23 single-core, which is a massive margin for any modern processor. Integer math is another clear AMD stronghold, with a 27.4% lead, indicating superior handling of integer-heavy algorithms such as database operations or compression tasks.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX wins the majority of benchmark categories, making it the more versatile processor for mixed workloads. Its 54.1% lead in floating-point math suggests a strong advantage in scientific computing, simulations, and graphics-related tasks. The 57.5% lead in find prime numbers is notable for cryptographic and number-theoretic applications. Data encryption performance is 29.2% ahead, which is critical for security-focused workloads. The Intel part also maintains a consistent edge in everyday tasks, as shown by its 6.9% lead in single-thread performance and 6.4% lead in multithread performance from PassMark, which are more representative of typical desktop and mobile usage than Cinebench’s extreme rendering loads.

For users prioritizing content creation with Cinebench-style rendering, the AMD EPYC 4545P is the clear pick, particularly for the R23 version of the benchmark. For users with diverse workloads involving encryption, floating-point math, or general productivity, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX offers more consistent wins. The data shows a trade-off rather than a hierarchy: AMD for targeted single-thread and certain multi-thread rendering, Intel for everything else.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is stark. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX is built on a 3 nm process from TSMC, while the AMD EPYC 4545P uses a 4 nm process, also from TSMC. The Intel part packs 24 cores and 24 threads, whereas the AMD part has 16 cores and 32 threads. This means Intel relies on more physical cores without hyperthreading, while AMD uses fewer cores with simultaneous multithreading to reach 32 threads. The Intel die is 243 mm² with 17,800 million transistors; the AMD die is two chiplets at 70.6 mm² each, totaling 16,630 million transistors.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Intel part has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3. The larger L3 on the AMD side likely contributes to its integer math and Cinebench R23 wins, as more cache reduces memory latency for repeated accesses. However, the Intel part’s larger L1 and L2 per core may explain its wins in latency-sensitive tasks like data encryption.

Memory bandwidth is another differentiator. The Intel part supports 102.4 GB/s, while the AMD part is rated at 89.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel DDR5 with ECC support. The Intel part has 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD part has 24 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, giving AMD more expansion headroom for server use cases. The Intel part includes integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units, while the AMD part has basic Radeon Graphics. Both are active production parts, with Intel releasing in January 2025 and AMD in May 2025. The AMD part has a launch MSRP of $549; the Intel part has no listed MSRP. The Intel multiplier is unlocked, while the AMD multiplier is locked. The Intel part uses the BGA 2114 socket, indicating a mobile design, while the AMD part uses the AM5 socket for server/workstation platforms.

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX is the better all-around processor, winning 12 of 17 head-to-head comparisons. Its strengths in floating-point math (54.1% lead), prime number finding (57.5% lead), and data encryption (29.2% lead) make it the superior choice for scientific, cryptographic, and mixed workloads. The 6.9% single-thread and 6.4% multithread leads in PassMark reinforce its position as a high-performance mobile processor that handles a wide range of tasks with consistent competence.

The AMD EPYC 4545P should be selected only for specific use cases. Its 67.1% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 22.6% lead in R23 multi-core make it the undisputed champion for that specific rendering benchmark. The 27.4% lead in integer math also makes it a strong candidate for integer-heavy server workloads such as financial modeling or database indexing. For anyone whose primary application is Cinebench R23 or similarly structured rendering tasks, the AMD part delivers significantly higher scores.

For general users, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX is the safer choice. Its 95th percentile ranking and average benchmark score of 76155 versus AMD’s 75373 put it ahead on aggregate. The nearest rivals for Intel include the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX (-0.1% delta) and AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D (+0.5% delta), showing it is well-positioned among top-tier CPUs. The AMD part’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 (-0.2% delta) and AMD EPYC 8224P (-0.3% delta), indicating it competes in a similar tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD EPYC 4545P scores 6646, which is 67.1% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX’s 2187.5.

Q: What is the largest performance lead for the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX?

A: The largest Intel lead is in PassMark’s find prime numbers test, where it scores 460 versus AMD’s 292, a 57.5% advantage.

Q: Does the AMD EPYC 4545P win any Cinebench multi-core tests?

A: Yes, the AMD part wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 47079, which is 22.6% higher than Intel’s 36429.5.

Q: How do the two processors compare in memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX has a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the AMD EPYC 4545P has 89.6 GB/s, both using dual-channel DDR5.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two?

A: The Intel part is fabricated on a 3 nm process, while the AMD part uses a 4 nm process, both by TSMC.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD EPYC 4545P has 24 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), compared to the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX’s 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.