AMD Ryzen 3 8440U vs Intel Core i5-1235U Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U and Intel Core i5-1235U are both mobile processors targeting the same performance tier, with average benchmark scores of 16663 and 16770 respectively. The data shows a remarkably close contest, with the Intel chip holding a marginal 0.6% lead in average score and the AMD part winning more individual tests. This head-to-head analysis breaks down where each processor excels and where its architecture gives it a decisive edge.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 3 8440U dominates the Cinebench suite, winning every single-core and multi-core test by a consistent margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 10884 against Intel’s 9774, a 10.2% advantage. The single-core story is identical: 1536 versus 1379, again a 10.2% gap. This pattern holds across Cinebench R15 (1097 vs 985 multi-core, 154 vs 138 single-core) and R20 (4571 vs 4105 multi-core, 645 vs 579 single-core). The Ryzen’s lead in these rendering workloads is uniform and substantial.

The Intel i5-1235U fights back in several PassMark subtests, often with dramatic margins. The most extreme example is find prime numbers, where Intel scores 954 against AMD’s 43 — a staggering 2118.6% difference. Floating point math also heavily favors Intel: 43303 versus 23017, an 88.1% lead. Integer math shows a 29.6% advantage for Intel (48553 vs 37468), and data encryption goes Intel’s way by 16.7% (9347 vs 8012).

Other tests are closer. PassMark multi-thread scores nearly identical: 12923 for Intel versus 12805 for AMD, a 0.9% edge for Intel. Physics is a dead heat at 686 versus 685. Data compression favors Intel by just 0.8% (147450 vs 146273). Random string sorting goes AMD’s direction, 17725 versus 17050, a 3.8% gap. The biggest AMD win outside Cinebench is PassMark single-thread, where the Ryzen scores 3648 against Intel’s3151, a 13.6% lead.

The extended instructions test shows a notable AMD advantage of 26.1% (11059 vs 8176). Overall, AMD wins 10 of the 17 head-to-head tests, but Intel’s wins include several with enormous deltas. The benchmark data paints a picture of two very different performance profiles: AMD excels at sustained threaded workloads and single-core responsiveness, while Intel’s hybrid design powers through specialized math and encryption tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-1235U is built on Alder Lake architecture with a 10 nm process node from Intel’s own foundry. It packs 10 cores and 12 threads using a hybrid arrangement, though the fact pack does not specify performance versus efficiency core counts. The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U uses Zen 4 architecture on TSMC’s 4 nm node, with 4 cores and 8 threads. AMD’s process advantage is clear in the specs: 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die, compared to Intel’s unspecified transistor count.

Cache configurations differ substantially. Intel allocates 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. AMD uses smaller per-core caches — 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 — with 8 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 on Intel may help in certain workloads, but the benchmark results suggest AMD’s newer architecture compensates effectively.

Memory support is a key differentiator. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses. AMD lists a specific memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s; Intel’s bandwidth is not provided in the data. PCIe connectivity also differs: Intel offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes.

Integrated graphics are another major split. Intel uses Iris Xe with 80 execution units, while AMD pairs the Ryzen with Radeon 740M. Neither GPU is benchmarked in the provided data, so performance comparisons must remain qualitative. The release dates show Intel launching first on 2022-02-22, with AMD following on 2023-12-05. Both are currently marked as Active in production.

Clock speeds favor AMD on paper: 3.00 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost versus Intel’s 1.30 GHz base and 4.40 GHz boost. However, thermal design power tells a different story — Intel’s TDP is 15 watts, while AMD’s is 28 watts. This higher power envelope likely contributes to AMD’s sustained performance advantage in multi-core tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-1235U edges out the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U with an average score of 16770 versus 16663, a 0.6% difference. Both sit at the 70th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Does the AMD chip win in single-core performance?

A: Yes. The Ryzen 3 8440U leads in every single-core benchmark: Cinebench R23 (1536 vs 1379, 10.2% faster), R20 (645 vs 579), R15 (154 vs 138), and PassMark single-thread (3648 vs 3151, 13.6% faster).

Q: What is Intel’s biggest victory in these benchmarks?

A: The largest delta comes in PassMark find prime numbers, where Intel scores 954 against AMD’s 43 — a 2118.6% advantage. This suggests a specialized instruction path that heavily favors Intel’s architecture.

Q: How do the two chips compare in power consumption?

A: Intel’s TDP is 15 watts, while AMD’s is 28 watts. The AMD chip uses nearly double the power budget, which likely explains its higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz versus Intel’s 4.40 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports more PCIe lanes?

A: Intel provides 20 Gen 4 lanes (CPU only), while AMD offers 14 Gen 4 lanes. This gives Intel more headroom for high-speed peripherals.

Q: Are there any tests where the two chips are effectively tied?

A: PassMark physics is nearly identical at 686 for Intel and 685 for AMD, a 0.1% difference. PassMark multi-thread is also close, with Intel ahead by just 0.9% (12923 vs 12805).

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-1235U | AMD Ryzen 3 8440U |

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

| Cores | 10 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base clock | 1.30 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| Architecture | Alder Lake | Zen 4 |

| Process node | 10 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not specified | 20,900 million |

| Die size | Not specified | 137 mm² |

| 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 | DDR5 only |

| Memory bandwidth | Not specified | 89.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 lanes | Gen 4, 14 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Iris Xe 80EU | Radeon 740M |

| Release date | 2022-02-22 | 2023-12-05 |

The Verdict

The benchmark data supports a clear split decision based on workload type. The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U is the better choice for users prioritizing rendering performance and general responsiveness. Its consistent 10.2% lead in Cinebench multi-core and 13.6% lead in PassMark single-thread indicates strong all-around CPU capability. The higher 28-watt TDP and newer 4 nm process appear to pay off in sustained threaded workloads.

The Intel Core i5-1235U remains compelling for specific tasks. Its enormous wins in find prime numbers (2118.6%), floating point math (88.1%), and integer math (29.6%) suggest superiority in scientific computing, financial modeling, or other math-heavy applications. The 16.7% advantage in data encryption also matters for security-focused workloads. Intel’s lower 15-watt TDP makes it the more power-efficient option, which could be a deciding factor for thin-and-light laptops where thermals and battery life matter more than peak performance.

For a buyer who runs Cinebench-style rendering or uses single-thread-bound applications, the Ryzen 3 8440U is the data-backed pick. For users whose workflows involve heavy arithmetic, encryption, or prime number calculations, the i5-1235U’s specialized strengths are hard to ignore. The near-identical average scores (16770 vs 16663) mean neither chip is a bad choice; the deciding factors should be the specific applications and the power envelope of the host system. The AMD chip’s later release date and newer architecture give it a modern edge, but Intel’s hybrid design still wins enough niche tests to justify its place in the market.