AMD Ryzen 3 8440U vs Intel Core i5-11400H Comparison

Intel Core i5-11400H vs AMD Ryzen 3 8440U is a matchup between two very different mobile processor generations. The Intel part is a 6-core Tiger Lake-H chip from 2021, while the AMD is a 4-core Zen 4 Hawk Point part from late 2023. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the Intel chip dominates multi-threaded and compute-heavy workloads, while the AMD chip counterattacks in single-threaded throughput and efficiency. This analysis breaks down the recorded scores to help determine which processor fits specific use cases.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the database is the Intel Core i5-11400H's overwhelming victory in CPU-bound math workloads. In the PassMark integer math test, the Intel chip scores 53286 against the AMD's 37468, a 42.2% advantage. Floating point math shows a similar story, with Intel leading 32060 to 23017, a 39.3% gap. These are the largest deltas in the entire head-to-head comparison, and they indicate that the Intel chip's extra two physical cores provide a massive advantage in raw computational throughput.

The Cinebench suite tells a consistent story of Intel dominance across all core counts. In Cinebench R23, the Intel chip scores 12859 in multi-core versus the AMD's 10884, a 18.1% win. The single-core result is equally one-sided, with Intel at 1815 against 1536, a 18.2% advantage. This pattern repeats across Cinebench R15 and R20, where the Intel chip wins both multi-core and single-core by 18.1% in every test. The consistency of this 18% margin across the entire Cinebench suite suggests a fundamental performance gap in both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering workloads.

Data compression and encryption also favor Intel. In PassMark data compression, the Intel chip scores 190855 versus 146273, a 30.5% lead. Data encryption shows a 16.2% advantage, with scores of 9309 and 8012 respectively. Extended instruction workloads, which test SIMD and vector processing, show Intel ahead by 17.3% (12971 vs 11059). Even the random string sorting test, which measures memory access patterns, favors Intel by 27% (22512 vs 17725).

The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U does secure two clear wins in the recorded data. The PassMark single-thread test has AMD at 3648 against Intel's 2975, an 18.4% advantage for AMD. This is the largest single victory for the AMD chip. The other AMD win is in PassMark physics, where AMD scores 685 against Intel's 678, a narrow 1% margin. The PassMark multithread test also favors Intel, with the Core i5-11400H scoring 15346 versus 12805, a 19.8% lead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from completely different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-11400H uses the Tiger Lake-H architecture, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, built on TSMC's 4 nm process, with 4 cores and 8 threads. The process node difference is significant: 10 nm for Intel versus 4 nm for AMD, which helps explain the AMD chip's efficiency characteristics.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has smaller per-core caches at 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2, plus 8 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip's larger L3 cache, combined with its two additional cores, contributes to its multi-threaded performance advantage.

Memory support is another major differentiator. The Intel chip supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The AMD chip supports DDR5 memory, also dual-channel, but offers 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. This 75% higher theoretical bandwidth could benefit the AMD chip in memory-sensitive workloads, though the recorded benchmarks show Intel winning the random string sorting test.

The Intel chip has a 35 W TDP, while the AMD chip has a 28 W TDP. Both have integrated graphics, with Intel using UHD Graphics and AMD using Radeon 740M. PCIe connectivity also differs: Intel provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only). Both processors are locked (multiplier not unlocked), target the mobile market segment, and are currently listed as Active in production status.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-11400H wins in 14 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. Its victories span every rendering test in the Cinebench suite, all math-heavy PassMark tests, data compression, encryption, extended instructions, string sorting, and multithreaded performance. This makes it the clear choice for applications that scale with core count, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, code compilation, and heavy multitasking. The consistent 18% lead in Cinebench suggests it is particularly well-suited for content creation workflows.

The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U wins in the PassMark single-thread test with an 18.4% margin and edges out Intel in the physics test by 1%. Its single-thread advantage indicates it may feel snappier in everyday desktop tasks like web browsing, office applications, and light productivity, where single-core performance often matters more than raw core count. The AMD chip's lower TDP of 28 W versus Intel's 35 W also suggests it may be better suited for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and thermal management are priorities.

For users who primarily run single-threaded applications, the AMD chip's 18.4% single-thread win is notable. However, the Intel chip wins single-threaded tests in the Cinebench suite by 18.2%, which creates a conflicting picture. The PassMark single-thread test measures a specific workload, while Cinebench R23 single-core measures rendering performance. The recorded data shows Intel winning the Cinebench single-core tests and AMD winning the PassMark single-thread test, so the "winner" depends on which application is being used.

Specification Differences

The core specifications show clear differences between the two processors:

| Specification | Intel Core i5-11400H | AMD Ryzen 3 8440U |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base clock | 2.20 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 28 W |

| Process node | 10 nm | 4 nm |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 12 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 14 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics | Radeon 740M |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1787 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| Release date | 2021-05-10 | 2023-12-05 |

| Launch MSRP | $250 | Not available |

The AMD chip has higher base and boost clocks, a more advanced process node, newer memory support, and higher memory bandwidth. The Intel chip has more cores, threads, and larger caches at every level. The Intel chip was released roughly two and a half years earlier, which explains its older architecture and DDR4 support.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400H wins every multi-threaded benchmark in the database. It leads by 18.1% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (12859 vs 10884), by 19.8% in PassMark multithread (15346 vs 12805), and by 42.2% in PassMark integer math (53286 vs 37468).

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U win any benchmarks?

A: Yes. The AMD chip wins the PassMark single-thread test by 18.4% (3648 vs 2975) and the PassMark physics test by 1% (685 vs 678). These are the only two wins for AMD in the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons.

Q: Which processor has better memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U has significantly higher memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s, compared to the Intel chip's 51.2 GB/s. This is due to the AMD chip's DDR5 support, while the Intel chip uses DDR4.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-11400H has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel chip's two additional cores are a primary reason for its multi-threaded performance lead.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The Intel chip has a 35 W TDP, while the AMD chip has a 28 W TDP. The lower TDP on the AMD chip suggests it may generate less heat and consume less power, which could be beneficial in thinner laptops.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i5-11400H's 4.50 GHz. The AMD chip also has a higher base clock at 3.00 GHz versus 2.20 GHz.

The Verdict

The data presents a straightforward choice for most users. The Intel Core i5-11400H is the stronger processor for multi-threaded and compute-heavy workloads, winning 14 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks. Its 42.2% lead in integer math and 39.3% lead in floating point math are decisive for any application that relies on CPU arithmetic. The consistent 18% advantage across the Cinebench suite makes it the recommended pick for rendering, video encoding, and other content creation tasks.

The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U is the better option for users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness in specific workloads. Its 18.4% win in PassMark single-thread is substantial, and its 28 W TDP, smaller 137 mm² die size, and 4 nm process node indicate a more power-efficient design. The chip's 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth nearly doubles the Intel chip's 51.2 GB/s, which could matter for memory-bound applications.

The overall benchmark averages tell a nuanced story. The AMD chip has a higher average benchmark score of 16663, placing it in the 70th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel chip averages 15749 and sits in the 69th percentile. However, this aggregate metric masks the Intel chip's dominance in the specific tests where core count matters. The AMD chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U and Intel Core i5-1235U, while the Intel chip's nearest rivals include AMD EPYC server processors, which highlights the different performance profiles.

For a laptop buyer, the choice depends on the primary use case. Multi-threaded productivity and content creation favor the Intel Core i5-11400H. Single-threaded responsiveness and efficiency favor the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U. The recorded data shows no single winner across all workloads, but the Intel chip's broader range of victories makes it the safer recommendation for general-purpose performance.