AMD Ryzen 3 7440U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 134U Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 134U and AMD Ryzen 3 7440U are two very different mobile processors that end up nearly tied in overall average benchmark scores, yet they achieve that parity through opposite design philosophies. The Intel part wins 9 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the AMD part wins 8, making this a genuine split decision. The data shows a clear pattern: Intel dominates in integer and floating-point math tasks, while AMD takes command in Cinebench multi-core tests and memory-intensive workloads. This is not a case of one chip being universally faster, but rather a matter of matching the silicon to the workload.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 134U is the clear winner for mathematically intensive workloads that rely on raw arithmetic throughput. Its most decisive victory comes in PassMark floating-point math, where it scores 32,425 against AMD’s 20,291, a massive 59.8% advantage. It also leads in integer math by 39.6% (51,306 vs 36,758) and in prime number finding by 40% (56 vs 40). These results indicate the Intel chip is better suited for scientific computing, financial modeling, or any task that crunches large volumes of numbers.

The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U, conversely, is the stronger choice for multi-threaded rendering and data manipulation. It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by a staggering 49.5% (11,042 vs 5,572), and also leads in data compression by 18.8% (153,689 vs 124,771) and random string sorting by 36.2% (21,479 vs 13,702). For video encoding, 3D rendering, or database operations, the AMD chip’s efficiency in handling parallel threads becomes apparent. The AMD part also wins the two other Cinebench multi-core tests, R15 by 19.6% and R20 by a narrow margin, though the R15 delta is notable at 894 vs 1,112.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages, which explains their divergent benchmark profiles. The Intel Core Ultra 5 134U is built on the Meteor Lake architecture, using Intel’s 7 nm process node. It packs 12 cores and 14 threads, a configuration that leverages a hybrid design to balance performance and power. The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U uses the Zen 4 architecture with the Phoenix2 codename, manufactured by TSMC on a 4 nm node. It is a more traditional 4-core, 8-thread design, but each core is larger and more capable.

Cache hierarchies also differ significantly. The Intel chip carries 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD’s design uses 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. This gives Intel a larger total cache footprint, which likely helps in workloads that reuse data. The transistor count reveals a stark difference in complexity: AMD lists 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die, while Intel does not disclose transistor or die size data, making direct comparison impossible.

Power envelopes diverge sharply. Intel’s TDP is 9 watts, while AMD’s is 28 watts. This is the single most important architectural difference for mobile users, as it dictates thermal output and battery life. The Intel chip is designed for ultra-low-power, fanless or passively cooled systems, while the AMD chip requires more active cooling but offers higher sustained performance. Intel pairs its CPU with Arc Xe-LPG 64EU integrated graphics, while AMD uses the Radeon 740M. Both support dual-channel DDR5 memory, but AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while Intel provides no bandwidth figure.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single victory in the entire comparison belongs to AMD in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The Ryzen 3 7440U scores 11,042 versus Intel’s 5,572, a 49.5% delta. This is not a marginal edge but a near-doubling of performance, suggesting AMD’s Zen 4 cores scale much better under sustained multi-threaded load. In contrast, Intel wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 41.7% (221 vs 156), though this test appears to be an outlier given the smaller margins in other single-core tests.

Intel’s other major wins are all in PassMark math tests. The floating-point math score of 32,425 vs 20,291 gives Intel a 59.8% lead, its largest across all benchmarks. Integer math follows at 39.6% (51,306 vs 36,758), and prime number finding at 40% (56 vs 40). These are synthetic tests designed to stress arithmetic units, and Intel’s architecture clearly has a throughput advantage here. AMD also loses the PassMark single-thread test by 17.2% (3,063 vs 2,614), a significant margin for a single-core test.

AMD’s wins beyond Cinebench R23 include data encryption (9,215 vs 8,077, a 12.3% lead), extended instructions (10,356 vs 7,002, a 32.4% lead), and random string sorting (21,479 vs 13,702, a 36.2% lead). In PassMark multi-thread, AMD wins narrowly by 4.1% (12,991 vs 12,464), and in physics it wins by 6% (939 vs 883). The Cinebench R20 multi-core test is the closest result, with Intel winning by just 1.9% (4,725 vs 4,637), showing that the two chips are nearly interchangeable in that specific workload.

Specification Differences

The most consequential specification difference is TDP: Intel runs at 9 watts, AMD at 28 watts. This explains why AMD can sustain higher multi-core performance but also means it will generate more heat and drain batteries faster. The core and thread counts differ dramatically, with Intel offering 12 cores and 14 threads versus AMD’s 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite having three times the cores, Intel cannot match AMD in Cinebench R23 multi-core, proving that core count is not the sole determinant of performance.

Clock speeds also vary. Intel’s base clock is 700.00 MHz with a boost of 4.40 GHz, while AMD’s base is 3.00 GHz with a boost of 4.70 GHz. AMD’s higher base clock is a significant advantage for lightly threaded tasks that do not trigger boost states. Socket compatibility is another differentiator: Intel uses BGA 2551, while AMD uses Socket FP7. Process nodes differ as well, with Intel at 7 nm and AMD at 4 nm, though both are produced by different foundries (Intel for Intel, TSMC for AMD).

AMD supports ECC memory while Intel does not, a feature that matters for data integrity in professional workloads. PCIe lane counts also differ: AMD offers 14 lanes (CPU only) versus Intel’s 8 lanes, giving AMD more headroom for expansion devices. Intel’s release date is 2023-12-13, while AMD’s is 2023-05-02, making AMD earlier to market by about seven months. Intel’s launch MSRP is $332, while AMD has no listed launch MSRP. The total L3 cache differs (12 MB on Intel vs 8 MB on AMD), and AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s while Intel does not.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 134U wins all single-thread benchmarks. It leads in Cinebench R15 single-core by 41.7% (221 vs 156), Cinebench R20 single-core by 1.8% (666 vs 654), Cinebench R23 single-core by 1.2% (1,576 vs 1,558), and PassMark single-thread by 17.2% (3,063 vs 2,614).

Q: Which processor is better for multi-threaded rendering?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U is superior. It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 49.5% (11,042 vs 5,572) and Cinebench R15 multi-core by 19.6% (1,112 vs 894). Intel narrowly wins Cinebench R20 multi-core by 1.9% (4,725 vs 4,637), but the larger R23 delta is more representative of rendering workloads.

Q: How do the two compare in power consumption?

A: The Intel chip has a TDP of 9 watts, while the AMD chip has a TDP of 28 watts. Intel’s design is intended for much lower power draw, which is a significant advantage for battery life in thin-and-light laptops.

Q: What are the differences in memory support?

A: Both support dual-channel DDR5 memory. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while Intel does not provide a bandwidth figure. AMD also supports ECC memory, which Intel does not.

Q: Which chip has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 134U has 12 cores and 14 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U has 4 cores and 8 threads. Intel’s core count is three times higher, yet AMD wins most multi-core Cinebench tests.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, compared to Intel’s 4.40 GHz. AMD also has a much higher base clock at 3.00 GHz versus Intel’s 700.00 MHz.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear division of labor. The Intel Core Ultra 5 134U is the better choice for users who prioritize raw arithmetic performance and ultra-low power consumption. Its 59.8% lead in floating-point math and 39.6% lead in integer math make it the preferred option for spreadsheet crunching, financial analysis, or any workload that is heavily reliant on number-crunching. The 9-watt TDP also makes it the better candidate for fanless designs, where thermal noise and battery life are paramount.

The AMD Ryzen 3 7440U is the better choice for users who need sustained multi-threaded performance in a mobile form factor. Its 49.5% victory in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the single most impactful benchmark result in this comparison, indicating that it will render videos, compile code, or process photo libraries significantly faster. The 28-watt TDP is a trade-off, but for users who plug in regularly or use the laptop on a desk, the performance gain is worth the extra power draw.

For a buyer deciding between the two, the question is whether they spend more time in math-heavy applications or in multi-threaded content creation. The Intel chip wins 9 benchmarks, the AMD chip wins 8, but the margins tell the story. Intel’s wins are often massive (59.8%, 40%, 39.6%), while AMD’s wins are more moderate, with only the Cinebench R23 multi-core test showing a truly decisive margin. The Intel chip also holds a 1-point percentile advantage over all CPUs (70th vs 69th), but the average benchmark scores are nearly identical (15,910 vs 15,682). This is a coin flip for general use, but a clear choice for specialized workloads. Choose Intel for math, AMD for rendering.