AMD Ryzen 5 240 vs AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 240 and AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H represent two distinct philosophies in mobile computing: a modern, efficiency-focused 6-core part against an older, higher-core-count 8-core processor. The data reveals a fascinating split, where the Ryzen 5 240 dominates in single-threaded work but the Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H asserts its authority in multi-threaded and memory-intensive tasks. With 15 head-to-head benchmarks, the Ryzen 9 PRO wins 9, but the Ryzen 5 240 takes the other 6, often with larger margins in its favored tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking divergence appears in single-thread performance. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen 5 240 scores 1742 against 1615 for the Ryzen 9 PRO, a 7.9% lead. This advantage extends to PassMark's single-thread test, where the Ryzen 5 240 posts 3675 versus 3326, a 10.5% gap. The Cinebench R15 single-core result tells a similar story, with the Ryzen 5 240 at 270 compared to 260, a 3.8% win. These aren't marginal differences; the Ryzen 5 240's architectural advantage is clearly visible in latency-sensitive, single-threaded workloads.

However, the Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H strikes back decisively in multi-threaded scenarios. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 13501 versus 13013, a 3.6% lead. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a similar pattern: 2153 versus 2078, a 3.5% advantage. The Ryzen 9 PRO's extra two cores and four threads (8 cores/16 threads versus 6 cores/12 threads) provide a consistent, if modest, edge in rendering workloads.

The most lopsided results appear in PassMark's math and encryption tests. The Ryzen 9 PRO wins integer math by a huge 16% margin, scoring 87132 versus 73189. Data encryption shows a 15.1% gap (18673 versus 15849), and data compression is 10.1% ahead (297936 versus 267963). These are substantial victories that suggest the Ryzen 9 PRO's wider core configuration handles parallel integer operations much more efficiently.

Yet the Ryzen 5 240 finds unexpected wins in specific workloads. It beats the Ryzen 9 PRO in find prime numbers by 12.9% (70 versus 62), a test that often rewards high clock speeds and low latency. Random string sorting goes to the Ryzen 5 240 by 4.9% (32385 versus 30859). Floating point math, however, goes to the Ryzen 9 PRO by 7.2% (48821 versus 45301), and extended instructions are nearly tied, with the Ryzen 9 PRO ahead by just 0.5% (20302 versus 20201).

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this split. The Ryzen 5 240 achieves an average score of 33542, sitting in the 84th percentile of all CPUs. The Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H averages 33201, placing it in the 83rd percentile. Both are remarkably close in overall performance, with the Ryzen 5 240 holding a 1% edge in average score despite losing more individual benchmarks. This suggests the Ryzen 5 240's wins are in tests that weigh heavily toward its strengths.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is stark. The Ryzen 5 240 uses Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm process from TSMC, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H relies on Zen 3+ on a 6 nm process. The die size reflects this: the Ryzen 5 240 measures 178 mm² with 25,000 million transistors, whereas the Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H is larger at 208 mm² with transistor count not listed in the data. The smaller, denser process node gives the Ryzen 5 240 a fundamental manufacturing advantage.

Core and cache configurations differ significantly. The Ryzen 5 240 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H has 8 cores and 16 threads. L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core, but L2 cache differs: the Ryzen 5 240 has 1 MB per core, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H has 512 KB per core. Both share 16 MB of L3 cache. This means the Ryzen 5 240 has a total of 6 MB of L2 cache, versus 4 MB for the Ryzen 9 PRO, giving the smaller chip more cache per core.

Clock speeds tell another story. The Ryzen 5 240 has a base clock of 4.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H starts lower at 3.30 GHz base and boosts to 4.90 GHz. This 100 MHz higher boost clock on the Ryzen 5 240, combined with its newer architecture, explains its single-thread dominance. However, the Ryzen 9 PRO's higher core count compensates in multi-threaded tests.

Both processors use DDR5 memory with dual-channel support, but the memory bandwidth differs. The Ryzen 5 240 achieves 89.6 GB/s, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H manages 76.8 GB/s. This 16.7% bandwidth advantage for the Ryzen 5 240 likely contributes to its wins in memory-bound tests like random string sorting. The integrated graphics also differ: the Ryzen 5 240 has a Radeon 760M, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H has a Radeon 680M. Both use socket types specific to their generation — FP8 for the Ryzen 5 240 and FP7 for the Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H — meaning they are not interchangeable in the same motherboard.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 240 is the clear choice for single-threaded performance and latency-sensitive applications. Its 10.5% lead in PassMark single-thread and 7.9% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core indicate superior responsiveness in everyday tasks, web browsing, and lightly threaded applications. The 12.9% win in find prime numbers suggests it excels in mathematical calculations that don't scale well across cores. Its higher memory bandwidth (89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s) makes it better suited for workloads that frequently access large datasets, as evidenced by its 4.9% win in random string sorting.

The Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H is the multi-threaded workhorse. Its wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core (3.6% lead) and R15 multi-core (3.5%) make it the better option for video rendering, 3D modeling, and compilation tasks. The 16% advantage in integer math and 15.1% in encryption point to strengths in scientific computing, cryptography, and financial modeling. Data compression at 10.1% ahead makes it preferable for data archival and backup workloads. The 7.2% lead in floating-point math suggests advantages in physics simulations and engineering applications.

The Ryzen 9 PRO also wins in PassMark multithread (23770 versus 22658, a 4.7% lead) and physics (1115 versus 1060, a 4.9% lead). These results reinforce its position for parallel computation. However, the Ryzen 5 240's higher average benchmark score (33542 versus 33201) suggests that for mixed workloads, the newer architecture provides a more balanced overall experience.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice based on workload priorities. Users who primarily run single-threaded applications, require fast response times, or work with memory-bandwidth-sensitive tasks should choose the AMD Ryzen 5 240. Its 10.5% single-thread advantage and 7.9% Cinebench R23 single-core lead are compelling for desktop-like responsiveness in a mobile form factor. The higher memory bandwidth and larger L2 cache per core (1 MB versus 512 KB) provide tangible benefits in latency-critical operations.

For users who regularly push multi-threaded workloads, the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H is the superior pick. Its 16% lead in integer math and 15.1% in encryption are decisive for compute-heavy tasks. The 8-core/16-thread configuration provides 33% more cores and threads than the Ryzen 5 240's 6-core/12-thread setup, and this shows in the consistent multi-core wins across Cinebench and PassMark tests. The Ryzen 9 PRO's 83rd percentile ranking versus the Ryzen 5 240's 84th is nearly identical, but the nature of the workloads matters more than the overall average.

Neither processor is a universal winner. The Ryzen 5 240 offers better single-threaded performance and a more modern platform with higher memory bandwidth. The Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H offers better parallel processing and wins in 9 of 15 benchmarks. The choice ultimately depends on whether the user prioritizes snappy single-core performance or robust multi-threaded throughput.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 240 has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, compared to 4.90 GHz for the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H.

Q: How much faster is the Ryzen 5 240 in single-thread performance?

A: The Ryzen 5 240 leads by 10.5% in PassMark single-thread (3675 versus 3326) and 7.9% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1742 versus 1615).

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark integer math, where the Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H leads by 16% (87132 versus 73189).

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR5 memory with dual-channel buses, but the Ryzen 5 240 has higher memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for the Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 240 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How do their overall benchmark scores compare?

A: The Ryzen 5 240 has an average benchmark score of 33542, slightly ahead of the Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H's 33201. The Ryzen 5 240 ranks in the 84th percentile, while the Ryzen 9 PRO ranks in the 83rd.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 240 | AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 4.30 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Zen 3+ |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Rembrandt |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 6 nm |

| Die Size | 178 mm² | 208 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 760M | Radeon 680M |

| Release Date | 2025-01-05 | 2022-04-18 |

| Part Number | 100-000001727 | 100-000000541100-000000563 |