AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P vs AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX and the AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P reveals a split personality. The Ryzen 9 8940HX wins 5 of the 15 recorded head-to-head tests, while the EPYC Embedded 8224P takes 10. The data does not point to a single superior processor; it points to two processors with sharply different strengths.

The most dramatic victory for the Ryzen 9 8940HX comes in single-threaded performance. In PassMark single-thread tests, the Ryzen 9 8940HX scores 3874 against the EPYC's 2357, a 64.4% advantage. This is a dominant margin, and it reflects the Ryzen's high boost clock of 5.30 GHz compared to the EPYC's 3.00 GHz. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, but with a twist: the EPYC wins that test. The EPYC scores 590 while the Ryzen scores 292, a 50.5% deficit for the Ryzen. This is an outlier, as the two single-thread tests tell opposite stories, but the PassMark result is more consistent with the clock speed disparity.

Multi-core performance is where the EPYC Embedded 8224P asserts its authority. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the EPYC scores 41542 against the Ryzen's 32521, a 21.7% lead. The EPYC also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core, but the Ryzen takes that one: 5355 versus 4187, a 27.9% win for the Ryzen. These two results are contradictory. The R23 result aligns with the EPYC's 24 cores and 48 threads versus the Ryzen's 16 cores and 32 threads, while the R15 result does not. The most reliable multi-core indicator, PassMark multithread, goes narrowly to the Ryzen, 49731 versus 48873, a 1.8% margin. This suggests that in some workloads, the Ryzen's higher clock speeds compensate for its fewer cores.

The EPYC dominates the remaining PassMark suite. It wins data compression (681754 versus 650984, a 4.5% lead), data encryption (43619 versus 39318, a 9.9% lead), find prime numbers (286 versus 251, a 12.2% lead), floating point math (120066 versus 113921, a 5.1% lead), integer math (193256 versus 189221, a 2.1% lead), physics (4110 versus 2104, a 48.8% lead), and random string sorting (85505 versus 75381, an 11.8% lead). The physics result is particularly striking, nearly doubling the Ryzen's score. The Ryzen wins only extended instructions (47802 versus 46091, a 3.7% lead) among the PassMark tests.

The average benchmark scores reflect this split. The Ryzen 9 8940HX has an average benchmark score of 81103 and sits at the 95th percentile of all CPUs. The EPYC Embedded 8224P has an average score of 76492, also at the 95th percentile. The Ryzen's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon w5-3535X, which scores 81115 (a 0% delta), the Intel Core i9-14900KS at 81127 (0% delta), and the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 at 80762 (a 0.4% delta). The EPYC's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX at 76513 (0% delta), the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX at 76212 (a 0.4% delta), and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX at 76155 (a 0.4% delta). Both processors are competitive with their respective peers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins PassMark single-thread by a wide margin, scoring 3874 versus the EPYC's 2357, a 64.4% lead. However, Cinebench R15 single-core shows the EPYC ahead, 590 versus 292, a 50.5% advantage. The PassMark result is more consistent with the boost clocks.

Q: Does the EPYC Embedded 8224P have more cores?

A: Yes. The EPYC has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. This core advantage helps the EPYC in heavy multi-threaded workloads, though the Ryzen still wins PassMark multithread by a small margin.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P supports ECC memory. The Ryzen 9 8940HX does not list ECC support in the database.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The EPYC has a six-channel memory bus with 230.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen has a dual-channel bus with 83.2 GB/s. The EPYC's bandwidth is nearly triple the Ryzen's.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Ryzen 9 8940HX boosts to 5.30 GHz, while the EPYC boosts to 3.00 GHz. This explains the Ryzen's single-thread wins in PassMark.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does each processor offer?

A: The Ryzen 9 8940HX provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only). The EPYC provides Gen 5 with 96 lanes (CPU only), a significantly higher count for expansion.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a 5 nm process node and TSMC as the foundry, but the architectures diverge from there. The Ryzen 9 8940HX uses Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename, while the EPYC Embedded 8224P uses Zen 4c with the Siena codename. The Zen 4c is a denser variant designed for server efficiency, which explains the EPYC's higher core count in a similar die area. The Ryzen's die size is 2x 71 mm², while the EPYC's is 2x 73 mm², nearly identical, yet the EPYC packs 24 cores versus the Ryzen's 16. The transistor count also differs: the Ryzen has 13,140 million transistors, and the EPYC has 17,750 million.

Cache layouts are similar in capacity but differ in organization. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core. The Ryzen has 64 MB of L3, while the EPYC has 64 MB of shared L3. Neither has 3D V-Cache. The memory controllers are a major divergence. The Ryzen supports dual-channel DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the EPYC supports six-channel DDR5 with 230.4 GB/s. The EPYC also supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen does not.

The PCIe capabilities are vastly different. The Ryzen offers Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the EPYC offers Gen 5 with 96 lanes (CPU only). This makes the EPYC far more suitable for systems with many high-speed peripherals. The Ryzen includes integrated graphics (Radeon 610M), while the EPYC has no integrated graphics. The sockets also differ: the Ryzen uses AMD Socket FL1, and the EPYC uses AMD Socket SP6. The market segments are distinct, with the Ryzen aimed at mobile and the EPYC at server/workstation. The Ryzen's multiplier is unlocked, while the EPYC's is locked.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear verdict based on workload. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is the choice for single-threaded responsiveness and applications that rely on high clock speeds. Its 64.4% lead in PassMark single-thread and 5.30 GHz boost clock are decisive. It also wins PassMark multithread, despite fewer cores, which indicates that its per-core efficiency can overcome core-count deficits in some parallel workloads. The Ryzen's integrated graphics and unlocked multiplier add flexibility for a mobile platform.

The AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P is the choice for server and workstation environments where core count, memory bandwidth, and ECC matter. Its 24 cores and 48 threads, combined with a 21.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, make it stronger for heavily threaded rendering or compute tasks. The six-channel memory with 230.4 GB/s bandwidth, nearly triple the Ryzen's, is a major advantage for memory-bound workloads. The 96 PCIe lanes and ECC support are critical for enterprise reliability and expansion.

There is no overall winner in absolute terms. The Ryzen 9 8940HX has a higher average benchmark score (81103 versus 76492) and sits at the same 95th percentile, but the EPYC wins more individual tests. The Ryzen's wins are concentrated in single-thread and a few specific PassMark tests, while the EPYC's wins span a broader range of math, encryption, and sorting workloads. The choice comes down to the specific application mix.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the EPYC has 24 cores and 48 threads. The base clocks are 2.40 GHz for the Ryzen and 2.55 GHz for the EPYC. Boost clocks differ significantly: 5.30 GHz for the Ryzen versus 3.00 GHz for the EPYC. The thermal design power is 55 watts for the Ryzen and 160 watts for the EPYC. The sockets are different: AMD Socket FL1 for the Ryzen and AMD Socket SP6 for the EPYC.

The process node is the same (5 nm, TSMC), but the transistor counts differ: 13,140 million for the Ryzen and 17,750 million for the EPYC. The die sizes are close: 2x 71 mm² for the Ryzen and 2x 73 mm² for the EPYC. The L1 and L2 caches are identical per core (64 KB and 1 MB), but the L3 is 64 MB for the Ryzen and 64 MB shared for the EPYC. Memory support is DDR5 for both, but the bus width differs: dual-channel for the Ryzen versus six-channel for the EPYC. Memory bandwidth is 83.2 GB/s versus 230.4 GB/s.

ECC memory is false for the Ryzen and true for the EPYC. PCIe generation is Gen 5 for both, but lane counts are 28 for the Ryzen and 96 for the EPYC. The Ryzen has integrated graphics (Radeon 610M), while the EPYC has none. The market segments are mobile and server/workstation, respectively. The Ryzen's multiplier is unlocked; the EPYC's is not. Release dates differ: the Ryzen was released in 2025-04-22, and the EPYC in 2023-09-17.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins in scenarios that favor high clock speeds and single-thread performance. PassMark single-thread is its strongest case with a 64.4% lead, and PassMark multithread also goes its way by 1.8%. Extended instructions give it a 3.7% win. It also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 27.9%, which is counterintuitive given the EPYC's core advantage, but the Ryzen's boost clock likely compensates in that specific workload. This processor suits applications like interactive design tools, front-end development, or any task with a mix of light multi-threading and heavy single-thread response.

The AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P wins in scenarios that demand many cores, high memory throughput, and ECC reliability. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core lead of 21.7% is its flagship result. The physics test shows a 48.8% advantage, suggesting strong performance in simulation or physics-based computation. Data compression (4.5% lead), encryption (9.9% lead), prime number finding (12.2%), floating point math (5.1%), integer math (2.1%), and random string sorting (11.8%) all favor the EPYC. The six-channel memory bus and 230.4 GB/s bandwidth make it ideal for database workloads, large-scale data processing, or virtualization hosts. The 96 PCIe lanes allow for extensive storage arrays or networking cards.

In summary, the Ryzen 9 8940HX wins a narrow set of tests but wins them by large margins, particularly in single-thread. The EPYC wins a broad set of tests with smaller margins, except for physics and Cinebench R23 multi-core. The recorded data suggests that the Ryzen is a high-clocked mobile part that punches above its core count in some multi-threaded tests, while the EPYC is a high-core-count server part that excels in throughput and expansion. Neither is a clear replacement for the other.