AMD Ryzen 3 7440U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 115U Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data separates these two mobile processors into distinct usage profiles. The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U wins 11 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U takes 6. However, the nature of those wins matters more than the count. AMD dominates in Cinebench rendering across all three versions (R15, R20, R23) and in several PassMark workloads, with margins ranging from 1.3% to 42%. Intel counters decisively in floating-point math (33.6% ahead), single-thread PassMark (14.5% ahead), and integer math (10.4% ahead).

For users prioritizing sustained multi-core rendering, the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U is the clear choice. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11042 versus Intel's 10855 represents a 1.7% advantage, consistent across every Cinebench iteration. AMD also leads in data compression by 8.3% and data encryption by 7.1%. The Intel part is better suited for workloads that leverage its higher single-thread PassMark score of 3057 versus AMD's 2614, particularly in floating-point intensive tasks where it posts 30538 versus 20291.

The aggregate benchmark scores tell a slightly different story. Intel's average benchmark score of 16753 places it in the 70th percentile of all CPUs, while AMD's 15682 average lands in the 69th percentile. Intel's nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-1235U, sits only 0.1% away, while AMD's closest competitor, the Intel Core i5-11400H, is 0.4% ahead. These are effectively equivalent overall performers, but with sharply different workload characteristics.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. AMD uses the Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, with the Phoenix2 codename. The chip packs 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. It contains 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die. The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Intel's Core Ultra 5 115U uses the Meteor Lake architecture on Intel's 7 nm process. It fields 8 cores and 10 threads, indicating a hybrid configuration with performance and efficiency cores. The base clock reads 1500.00 MHz with a 4.20 GHz boost. Cache allocations are larger: 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 10 MB of shared L3. Neither chip has a 3D V-Cache option.

The memory interfaces are identical in bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s with dual-channel DDR5 support. AMD supports ECC memory; Intel does not. PCIe lane counts differ, with AMD offering Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only) versus Intel's Gen 4 with 12 lanes. Integrated graphics also diverge: AMD pairs with the Radeon 740M, while Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG 48EU.

Thermal design power varies substantially. AMD is rated at 28 watts, while Intel draws 15 watts, a significant efficiency advantage for the Intel part. The sockets are incompatible: AMD uses Socket FP7, Intel uses BGA 2049. Release dates also differ, with AMD launching on 2023-05-02 and Intel following on 2023-12-13.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent, narrow AMD lead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 1112 against Intel's 1094, a 1.6% margin. Single-core R15 shows 156 versus 154, a 1.3% edge. R20 multi-core delivers 4637 versus 4559 (1.7%), and single-core 654 versus 643 (also 1.7%). R23 continues the pattern: 11042 versus 10855 for multi-core and 1558 versus 1532 for single-core, both at 1.7%. This uniformity suggests a stable architectural advantage in rendering workloads.

PassMark results reveal where each chip excels. AMD wins data compression decisively: 153689 versus 141945, an 8.3% margin. Data encryption goes to AMD at 9215 versus 8606, a 7.1% lead. Extended instructions show AMD's biggest win: 10356 versus 8620, a 20.1% advantage. Physics tests favor AMD at 939 versus 898, a 4.6% edge. Random string sorting is AMD's largest victory: 21479 versus 15124, a full 42% gap.

Intel's wins come in math-heavy and single-thread workloads. Floating-point math shows Intel at 30538 versus AMD's 20291, a massive 33.6% advantage. Integer math favors Intel 41043 versus 36758, a 10.4% margin. Prime number finding goes to Intel 53 versus 40, which translates to a 24.5% difference. PassMark single-thread (recorded twice as both single_thread and singlethread) shows Intel at 3057 versus 2614, a 14.5% lead. The multithread test is nearly tied, with Intel at 13024 versus AMD's 12991, only 0.3% apart.

The data indicates AMD wins where instruction-level parallelism and cache efficiency matter, while Intel wins where raw math throughput and single-thread speed dominate. The random string sorting result, with a 42% delta, is the largest single-workload separation in either direction.

Specification Differences

The table below isolates only the fields where the two processors differ in the database.

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 7440U | Intel Core Ultra 5 115U |

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

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 8 | 10 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 1500.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP7 | Intel BGA 2049 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Meteor Lake |

| Codename | Phoenix2 | Meteor Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 20,900 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 137 mm² | Not specified |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB per core | 112 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB per core | 2 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB shared | 10 MB shared |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 14 lanes | Gen 4, 12 lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 740M | Arc Xe-LPG 48EU |

| Release Date | 2023-05-02 | 2023-12-13 |

| Part Number | 100-000001068 (FP7r2), 100-000001071 (FP7) | SRN6F |

Both use dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, are active in production, target the mobile segment, and have locked multipliers. Neither has a launch MSRP recorded in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U scores 11042 versus the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U at 10855, giving AMD a 1.7% advantage. This margin is consistent across R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests.

Q: Why does the Intel chip win in floating-point math?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U scores 30538 in PassMark floating-point math versus AMD's 20291, a 33.6% lead. This likely stems from the Intel part's 8 cores and 10 threads, which provide more parallel execution resources for math-heavy workloads.

Q: Does the higher core count on Intel translate to overall benchmark leadership?

A: Not directly. Intel's 8 cores and 10 threads versus AMD's 4 cores and 8 threads yield a 0.3% advantage in PassMark multithread (13024 versus 12991) but AMD wins 11 of 17 head-to-head tests. The aggregate average benchmark score favors Intel at 16753 versus 15682, yet both CPUs sit within one percentile point of each other (70th versus 69th).

Q: What is the largest performance gap in either direction?

A: AMD's biggest win is in PassMark random string sorting, where it scores 21479 versus Intel's 15124, a 42% difference. Intel's largest win is in floating-point math, where it leads by 33.6% (30538 versus 20291).

Q: Which processor has a lower thermal design power?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U is rated at 15 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U is rated at 28 watts. This gives Intel a substantial efficiency advantage for thin-and-light laptops.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same memory?

A: Both support dual-channel DDR5 with identical memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. However, AMD supports ECC memory while Intel does not. The memory support on Intel is noted as dependent on the motherboard.