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

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark head-to-head matchups?

A: The Intel Core i7-1260U takes 12 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U wins 5.

Q: How do the two chips compare in average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U posts an average benchmark score of 16663, while the Intel Core i7-1260U averages 16320. Both sit at the 70th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark margin between the two?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U leads by 37.6%, scoring 10884 versus 7912.5 for the Intel chip.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock, and are they equal there?

A: Both processors boost to 4.70 GHz. Their base clocks differ sharply: the AMD runs at 3.00 GHz, while the Intel base clock is listed at 1100.00 MHz (interpreted as 1.10 GHz).

Q: Do these chips use the same process node?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC, while the Intel Core i7-1260U uses Intel's 10 nm process.

Q: Which processor has the higher TDP?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U has a 28 W TDP, substantially higher than the Intel Core i7-1260U's 9 W TDP.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U is a 4-core, 8-thread part based on Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, part of the 8000 series. It uses a 4 nm process fabricated by TSMC, with 20,900 million transistors on a 137 mm² die. Cache layout includes 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3.

The Intel Core i7-1260U is a 10-core, 12-thread processor using Alder Lake architecture under the Alder Lake-U codename. It is built on Intel's 10 nm process. Its cache structure is larger in most respects: 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. Intel does not disclose transistor count or die size for this part.

The core count difference is the most consequential architectural split. Intel's 10 cores versus AMD's 4 cores gives the Intel part more parallel resources, but the AMD chip's Zen 4 cores are newer and built on a more advanced node. The AMD processor also supports only DDR5 memory, while the Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is specified only for the AMD part at 89.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses and lack ECC support.

Integrated graphics differ: AMD pairs the Ryzen 3 8440U with Radeon 740M, while Intel equips the Core i7-1260U with Iris Xe 96EU. PCIe support also differs — AMD offers Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only), while Intel lists simply Gen 4 without specifying lane count. Sockets are not interchangeable: AMD uses Socket FP7, Intel uses BGA 1781.

Release timing favors Intel, which launched in February 2022, while AMD arrived in December 2023. Both are active production parts for mobile.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 8440U is the clear winner in sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 10884 crushes the Intel's 7912.5 — a 37.6% margin. This is the largest single win for either chip. The AMD part also dominates in extended instruction workloads, scoring 11059 versus 8280 (33.6% ahead), and wins in single-thread PassMark tests (3648 versus 3153, a 15.7% advantage). Random string sorting also goes to AMD by 6% (17725 versus 16726).

The Intel Core i7-1260U wins across most other categories. Its 10-core design gives it clear advantages in integer math (45887 versus 37468, +18.3%), floating-point math (31456 versus 23017, +26.8%), and PassMark multi-thread (14011 versus 12805, +8.6%). The Intel chip also dominates in physics calculations (1046 versus 685, +34.5%) and prime number finding (67 versus 43, +35.8%). Data encryption shows a 15.5% Intel edge (9480 versus 8012), and data compression goes Intel's way by 3.9% (152217 versus 146273).

In Cinebench tests, the pattern is split. Intel wins R15 multi-core by 8.8% (1203 versus 1097), R15 single-core by 29.8% (219.5 versus 154), R20 multi-core by 3.5% (4736 versus 4571), R20 single-core by 3.4% (668 versus 645), and R23 single-core by 4.1% (1601 versus 1536). But AMD's R23 multi-core win is so large it overshadows those Intel victories in overall rendering throughput.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 8440U | Intel Core i7-1260U |

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

| Cores | 4 | 10 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 1100.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 9 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP7 | Intel BGA 1781 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Alder Lake-U |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 20,900 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 137 mm² | Not specified |

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

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

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

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 740M | Iris Xe 96EU |

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

The specification table shows a fundamental design divergence. AMD concentrates performance into 4 fast Zen 4 cores with a 28 W TDP, while Intel spreads across 10 cores (including efficiency cores) at just 9 W. The AMD chip has a far higher base clock at 3.00 GHz versus the Intel's 1.10 GHz base, but both boost to 4.70 GHz. AMD's process advantage (4 nm versus 10 nm) allows it to pack 20,900 million transistors into 137 mm², while Intel does not disclose its transistor count or die size.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is Cinebench R23 multi-core, where AMD wins decisively. The Ryzen 3 8440U scores 10884 against Intel's 7912.5 — a 37.6% advantage. This is the single largest delta in the entire comparison and demonstrates that AMD's 4-core Zen 4 design can outperform Intel's 10-core hybrid architecture in a modern multi-threaded render workload.

Intel strikes back in Cinebench R15 single-core with a dominant 29.8% win (219.5 versus 154). This is Intel's largest single-test margin. The Intel part also wins R15 multi-core by 8.8% (1203 versus 1097), showing that in the older R15 test, Intel's core count advantage translates to better scaling.

The PassMark suite reveals a clear split. AMD wins extended instructions by 33.6% (11059 versus 8280) and single-thread by 15.7% (3648 versus 3153). Intel wins floating-point math by 26.8% (31456 versus 23017), integer math by 18.3% (45887 versus 37468), physics by 34.5% (1046 versus 685), and find prime numbers by 35.8% (67 versus 43).

Data workloads favor Intel. Data encryption shows a 15.5% Intel lead (9480 versus 8012), while data compression is closer at 3.9% (152217 versus 146273). Random string sorting is the only data test AMD wins, by 6% (17725 versus 16726).

PassMark multi-thread goes to Intel by 8.6% (14011 versus 12805). Cinebench R20 scores are close: Intel wins multi-core by 3.5% (4736 versus 4571) and single-core by 3.4% (668 versus 645). Cinebench R23 single-core also goes Intel's way by 4.1% (1601 versus 1536).

The overall win count is lopsided: Intel takes 12 tests, AMD takes 5. But AMD's wins are often larger in magnitude, particularly the R23 multi-core blowout and the extended instructions victory.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture: the Intel Core i7-1260U wins more tests (12 versus 5) and dominates in most math, physics, and data workloads. Its 10-core design delivers consistent advantages in integer math, floating-point math, and multi-threaded PassMark scores. For users running varied workloads that include encryption, compression, or physics simulations, the Intel chip is the safer choice based on benchmark results.

However, the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U is not simply a loser. Its 37.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the largest margin in any test, and it wins in extended instructions by 33.6%. This suggests that for applications specifically optimized for modern instruction sets or that scale well with Zen 4's architecture, the AMD chip can outperform Intel by a wide margin. Its single-thread PassMark win of 15.7% also indicates stronger per-core performance.

The specification trade-off is stark. AMD delivers 4 cores at 28 W TDP with a 4 nm process, while Intel offers 10 cores at 9 W TDP on a 10 nm node. The Intel chip is built for power efficiency and parallel throughput; the AMD chip concentrates on per-core strength. Both boost to 4.70 GHz, but AMD starts from a much higher base clock of 3.00 GHz versus Intel's 1.10 GHz.

For buyers prioritizing raw multi-threaded rendering in modern workloads, the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U's Cinebench R23 result is compelling. For those needing a broader spectrum of performance across math, data, and physics tasks, the Intel Core i7-1260U wins more often and by comfortable margins in several key areas. The Intel chip's 9 W TDP also makes it more suitable for fanless or ultra-thin designs, though the AMD part's 28 W TDP enables higher sustained clocks.

The verdict depends on workload. If Cinebench-style rendering or extended instruction execution matters most, choose the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U. If general productivity, data processing, and physics workloads dominate, the Intel Core i7-1260U is the data-backed pick. The Intel chip wins more tests, but the AMD chip wins the biggest one.