AMD Ryzen 3 8440U vs Intel Core i7-1260P Comparison

The Intel Core i7-1260P and AMD Ryzen 3 8440U represent two distinct approaches to mobile processing. The Intel part relies on a high core count and hybrid architecture, while the AMD chip uses a smaller number of faster, more modern cores. Benchmark data from the database shows a clear split: the Intel Core i7-1260P wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U takes 4. However, the margins and the specific tests where each wins tell a more nuanced story than the raw tally suggests.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-1260P is the dominant choice for heavily multithreaded and math-intensive workloads. In PassMark integer math, the Intel chip scores 62316 against 37468 for the AMD, a 66.3% advantage. The gap is even larger in floating-point math, where the Intel part scores 42417 versus 23017, a 84.3% lead. This pattern extends to data encryption, where Intel leads 11238 against 8012 (40.3% higher), and data compression, where Intel scores 182968 versus 146273 (25.1% higher). The Intel part also leads in physics, scoring 1092 against 685, a 59.4% margin.

The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U wins the most important single-threaded test. In PassMark single-thread, it scores 3648 against 3250 for Intel, a 10.9% advantage. It also wins in extended instructions, scoring 11059 against 10493, a 5.1% lead. The most notable AMD victory, however, is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 10884 against the Intel’s 9711, a 10.8% advantage. This is a key result, as it shows the AMD chip’s ability to outperform a higher-core count competitor in a current-generation rendering workload. The AMD’s wins are concentrated in areas that favor raw single-core efficiency and modern instruction sets.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different designs. The Intel Core i7-1260P uses the Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, with a die size of 217 mm². It has 12 cores and 16 threads, a hybrid design that combines performance and efficiency cores. The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U uses the Zen 4 architecture, built on a 4 nm process by TSMC, with a die size of 137 mm². It has 4 cores and 8 threads, a traditional symmetrical design. The AMD chip integrates 20,900 million transistors, while the Intel chip’s transistor count is not listed.

Cache configurations differ sharply. The Intel has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The AMD has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The Intel’s larger cache pool is directly tied to its higher multithreaded scores. The AMD supports DDR5 memory only, with a dual-channel bus and a stated memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with no bandwidth figure listed. Both have a 28 W TDP, but the AMD has a higher base clock of 3.00 GHz against 2.10 GHz, while both boost to 4.70 GHz. The Intel uses the BGA 1744 socket, while the AMD uses the FP7 socket. The AMD is built for a newer generation, with a release date in late 2023, while the Intel was released in early 2022.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher PassMark single-thread score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U scores 3648, which is 10.9% higher than the Intel i7-1260P’s 3250.

Q: How large is the Intel's advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-1260P scores 1626 against the AMD’s 1097, a 48.2% higher score.

Q: Does the AMD processor ever win a multi-core benchmark?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U wins Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 10884 against the Intel’s 9711, a 10.8% advantage.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: The Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. The AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, both the Intel Core i7-1260P and the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U have the multiplier locked, meaning they do not support unlocked overclocking.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth figure for the AMD?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U has a stated memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel’s memory bandwidth is not listed.

Specification Differences

• Cores: Intel 12, AMD 4
• Threads: Intel 16, AMD 8
• Base Clock: Intel 2.10 GHz, AMD 3.00 GHz
• Boost Clock: Both 4.70 GHz
• Process Node: Intel 10 nm, AMD 4 nm
• Foundry: Intel, TSMC
• Die Size: Intel 217 mm², AMD 137 mm²
• Transistors: Intel not listed, AMD 20,900 million
• L1 Cache (per core): Intel 80 KB, AMD 64 KB
• L2 Cache (per core): Intel 1.25 MB, AMD 1 MB
• L3 Cache (shared): Intel 18 MB, AMD 8 MB
• Memory Support: Intel DDR4, DDR5; AMD DDR5
• Memory Bandwidth: Intel not listed, AMD 89.6 GB/s
• PCIe Lanes: Intel 20 (Gen 4), AMD 14 (Gen 4)
• Integrated Graphics: Intel Iris Xe 96EU, AMD Radeon 740M
• Socket: Intel BGA 1744, AMD Socket FP7
• Release Date: Intel 2022-02-22, AMD 2023-12-05

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-1260P’s most dominant wins come in raw computational tests. In PassMark floating-point math, it scores 42417 against 23017, a 84.3% lead. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison. The Intel’s integer math score is 62316 against 37468, a 66.3% lead. In PassMark physics, the Intel scores 1092 against 685, a 59.4% lead. The Intel also wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core by 48.2% (1626 vs 1097) and in Cinebench R15 single-core by 57.8% (243 vs 154). The Cinebench R20 results show a 28.5% lead for Intel in both multi-core (5874 vs 4571) and single-core (829 vs 645). In data encryption, the Intel leads by 40.3% (11238 vs 8012), and in find prime numbers, by 46.5% (63 vs 43). The Intel also wins PassMark multithread by 31% (16775 vs 12805) and random string sorting by 16.1% (20586 vs 17725).

The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U’s wins are more concentrated. In PassMark single-thread, it leads by 10.9% (3648 vs 3250). In extended instructions, it leads by 5.1% (11059 vs 10493). The most significant win is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the AMD scores 10884 against the Intel’s 9711, a 10.8% advantage. Cinebench R23 is a modern, demanding workload, and this result shows that the AMD’s Zen 4 cores can overcome a core count deficit in this specific test. The AMD also wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 13.1% (1737.5 vs 1536), although the Intel wins Cinebench R20 single-core by the same 28.5% margin it holds in multi-core.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear choice based on workload type. The Intel Core i7-1260P is the stronger processor for general productivity and multi-threaded applications. Its 12 cores and 16 threads, combined with a large 18 MB L3 cache, deliver decisive wins in math-based tasks, physics, encryption, and compression. Users who run video encoding, 3D rendering (in older benchmarks), or data processing will see a significant performance advantage from the Intel part. Its 84.3% lead in floating-point math and 66.3% lead in integer math are the largest margins in the comparison.

The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U is the better choice for single-threaded performance and newer rendering workloads. Its 10.9% advantage in PassMark single-thread and its 10.8% win in Cinebench R23 multi-core demonstrate that its Zen 4 architecture is highly efficient. For users running modern applications that are optimized for single-core performance or for current Cinebench releases, the AMD chip is the better performer. It also has a much higher base clock (3.00 GHz vs 2.10 GHz) and a more advanced 4 nm process, suggesting better power efficiency, though the database does not measure that directly.

In summary, the Intel Core i7-1260P is the raw-performance champion for legacy multi-threaded tasks, while the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U is the efficiency-focused alternative that wins in the most modern rendering test and in pure single-thread workloads. The choice depends on whether the user prioritizes core count and cache capacity or single-core speed and newer architecture. The Intel’s higher core and thread count also make it more suitable for heavy multitasking, as indicated by its 31% lead in PassMark multithread. The AMD’s strengths are more niche but are in the most current CPU benchmark.