AMD Ryzen 3 7440U vs Intel Core i7-1260U Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark database shows a clear split between these two mobile processors, and the right choice depends entirely on the workload. The Intel Core i7-1260U wins 14 of the 19 head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U takes 5. However, the AMD chip claims the single most important modern multi-core test, Cinebench R23 multi-core, by a massive 28.3% margin. For users running sustained all-core workloads like video rendering or 3D scene creation, the Ryzen 3 7440U is the stronger pick. For everything else, from single-threaded tasks to integer math and floating-point operations, the Intel Core i7-1260U leads.

The average benchmark scores place the Intel part at 16,320 versus 15,682 for AMD, a difference of roughly 4%. The Intel chip sits at the 70th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD chip sits at the 69th, so both are in the same performance tier despite their different architectures. The Intel part's nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H, scores 16,341, a 0.1% gap that puts the i7-1260U within statistical noise of that older hexa-core chip. The Ryzen 3 7440U's nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-11400H, scores 15,749, meaning the AMD part trails that older Intel chip by 0.4%.

For buyers, the data supports a simple rule: pick the Intel i7-1260U for general productivity, math-heavy work, and single-threaded responsiveness. Pick the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U for long-duration multi-core rendering where the Cinebench R23 result matters most. Neither chip dominates comprehensively, but the margins in each direction are substantial enough to guide a decision.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-1260U wins across most benchmark categories. In Cinebench R15, it beats the AMD chip by 8.2% in multi-core and by a commanding 40.7% in single-core. That single-core advantage carries through Cinebench R20 (2.1% lead), Cinebench R23 single-core (2.8% lead), and Geekbench multi-core (8.9% lead). In PassMark, Intel wins integer math by 24.8%, floating-point math by 55%, find prime numbers by 67.5%, physics by 11.4%, multithread by 7.9%, data encryption by 2.9%, and single-thread by 20.6%.

The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U wins its victories in fewer but significant areas. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11,042 versus 7,912.5 for Intel is the largest win in the entire comparison, a 28.3% margin. It also wins Geekbench single-core by 3.3%, data compression by 1%, extended instructions by 20%, and random string sorting by 22.1%. The extended instructions result is notable: AMD's Zen 4 core handles SIMD-heavy workloads with a clear advantage, and the random string sorting win suggests better memory subsystem behavior for pointer-chasing tasks.

The pattern shows Intel's hybrid design with 10 cores and 12 threads excels at bursty, latency-sensitive tasks, while AMD's 4-core, 8-thread Zen 4 design with a 4 nm process delivers superior sustained throughput in the most demanding modern render test. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result is often the best predictor of real-world rendering performance, so AMD's win there should not be discounted despite the overall score deficit.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-1260U uses Alder Lake-U, built on Intel's 10 nm process at Intel's foundry. It packs 10 cores and 12 threads with a base clock of 1100 MHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, uses PCIe Gen 4, and includes Iris Xe graphics with 96 execution units. The chip's thermal design power is 9 watts.

The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U belongs to the 7000 series and uses the Zen 4 architecture with the Phoenix2 codename. It is built on TSMC's 4 nm process with a die size of 137 mm² and 20,900 million transistors. The chip has 4 cores and 8 threads with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. Cache amounts to 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. It supports only DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The integrated graphics are Radeon 740M, and the chip uses AMD Socket FP7. Its thermal design power is 28 watts, and it supports ECC memory, which the Intel chip does not.

The process node gap is the most striking difference: 4 nm versus 10 nm. That explains how AMD achieves a 28.3% Cinebench R23 multi-core win with only 4 cores against Intel's 10 cores. The Intel chip compensates with higher core count and a larger L3 cache (12 MB versus 8 MB), which likely drives its wins in integer math, floating-point math, and prime number finding. The AMD chip's higher base clock of 3.00 GHz versus 1.10 GHz gives it a raw frequency advantage for single-threaded tasks, though the Intel chip still wins most single-thread tests due to its boost behavior.

FAQ

Q: Which chip is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and by how much?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U scores 11,042 versus 7,912.5 for the Intel Core i7-1260U, a 28.3% lead for AMD. This is the largest performance gap in the entire head-to-head comparison.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any multi-core tests at all?

A: Yes. The Intel Core i7-1260U wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 8.2%, Cinebench R20 multi-core by 2.1%, Geekbench multi-core by 8.9%, and PassMark multithread by 7.9%. It only loses the Cinebench R23 multi-core test.

Q: How do the two compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel chip wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 40.7%, Cinebench R20 single-core by 2.1%, Cinebench R23 single-core by 2.8%, and PassMark single-thread by 20.6%. The AMD chip wins Geekbench single-core by 3.3%.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-1260U has a 9-watt TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U has a 28-watt TDP. The AMD chip consumes more power under load, which aligns with its higher sustained multi-core performance.

Q: Does either chip support ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-1260U does not.

Q: Which chip has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-1260U has 10 cores and 12 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite fewer cores, the AMD chip wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest Intel wins come in specialized math workloads. In PassMark find prime numbers, the Intel chip scores 67 versus 40, a 67.5% advantage. This test favors the Intel chip's higher core count and larger cache. PassMark floating-point math shows a 55% lead for Intel (31,456 versus 20,291), and integer math follows with a 24.8% margin (45,887 versus 36,758). These three tests alone demonstrate that the Intel chip is dramatically better at raw arithmetic throughput.

The Cinebench R15 single-core result is the second-largest Intel win: 219.5 versus 156, a 40.7% margin. This is a legacy benchmark, but the gap indicates the Intel chip's single-core boost behavior is far more aggressive in short bursts. PassMark single-thread also favors Intel by 20.6% (3,153 versus 2,614), confirming that the Intel architecture delivers higher peak single-core performance in most tests.

The AMD chip's wins are concentrated in modern and memory-sensitive workloads. Cinebench R23 multi-core is the headline: 11,042 versus 7,912.5, a 28.3% margin. PassMark extended instructions shows AMD ahead by 20% (10,356 versus 8,280), indicating superior SIMD execution. PassMark random string sorting gives AMD a 22.1% lead (21,479 versus 16,726), a test that stresses memory access patterns. Data compression is nearly even, with AMD ahead by just 1% (153,689 versus 152,217).

Geekbench single-core is the only test where AMD wins by a small margin: 2,003 versus 1,936, a 3.3% lead. This is notable because the Intel chip wins all three Cinebench single-core tests, showing that different benchmark suites measure different aspects of single-thread performance. The AMD chip's higher base clock of 3.00 GHz likely contributes to its Geekbench single-core advantage, while the Intel chip's boost clock of 4.70 GHz helps it in Cinebench.

Overall, the head-to-head tally is 14 wins for Intel and 5 for AMD. However, the average benchmark scores tell a closer story: Intel's average is 16,320, AMD's is 15,682, a difference of only 638 points. The Intel chip's percentile ranking of 70 versus 69 for AMD confirms that both processors perform at essentially the same level in the broader CPU landscape.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ across nearly every specification category. The Intel Core i7-1260U has 10 cores and 12 threads; the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 1100 MHz for Intel and 3000 MHz for AMD, while boost clocks are identical at 4.70 GHz for both. Thermal design power differs significantly: 9 watts for Intel, 28 watts for AMD.

The process node separates them by manufacturing generation: Intel uses 10 nm at its own foundry, while AMD uses 4 nm at TSMC. The AMD chip has disclosed transistor count and die size: 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die. The Intel chip does not have those figures recorded. Cache layouts differ as well: Intel has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3; AMD has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3.

Memory support shows Intel offering both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but AMD specifies a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, a figure not recorded for Intel. ECC memory is supported on AMD only. Both use PCIe Gen 4, though AMD specifies 14 lanes for the CPU. The integrated graphics differ: Intel uses Iris Xe with 96 execution units, AMD uses Radeon 740M. Sockets are different (Intel BGA 1781 versus AMD Socket FP7), and the release dates are about 14 months apart, with Intel launching in February 2022 and AMD in May 2023. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.