AMD Ryzen 5 240 vs AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive picture: the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 wins all 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the AMD Ryzen 5 240. No test shows a single victory for the Ryzen 5 240. The margins, however, vary sharply by workload type, revealing where the architecture gap is largest.

The widest separation appears in multi-threaded rendering. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 scores 21761 versus 13013 for the Ryzen 5 240, a 40.2% advantage. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a similar 39.1% gap, with scores of 3409.5 and 2078. These are the largest deltas in the entire comparison, and they align with the core-count difference: 12 cores and 24 threads against 6 cores and 12 threads.

Single-thread performance tells a more moderate story. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 leads by only 7.5% in Passmark single-thread tests, scoring 3973 versus 3675. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 13.7% lead (2018 versus 1742), while Cinebench R15 single-core shows 11.9% (306.5 versus 270). The single-thread advantage is real but far smaller than the multi-thread margins, suggesting that per-core efficiency gains in Zen 5 are modest compared to the raw throughput increase from doubling the core count.

PassMark's integer math test shows the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 reaching 122933 against the Ryzen 5 240's 73189, a 40.5% gap. Floating-point math follows closely with 76892 versus 45301, a 41.1% difference. The physics test, another heavily parallel workload, shows a 43.6% gap (1881 versus 1060). Prime number finding, which scales with both core count and instruction efficiency, shows the largest relative gap at 44.4% (126 versus 70).

Memory-related and encryption workloads show smaller but still substantial gaps. Data compression favors the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 by 39.9% (445719 versus 267963), while data encryption shows a 28.8% lead (22252 versus 15849). Random string sorting, which tests memory access patterns, shows a 33.5% difference (48723 versus 32385). Extended instructions, a measure of SIMD throughput, show a 36.2% gap (31653 versus 20201).

The overall average benchmark score confirms the hierarchy: the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 sits at 37904, while the Ryzen 5 240 reaches 33542. That places the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in the 86th percentile of all CPUs in the database, versus the 84th percentile for the Ryzen 5 240. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370's nearest rival, Intel Core i9-14901E, matches it almost exactly with a 0% delta. The Ryzen 5 240's closest competitor, Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, also sits within 0% delta, meaning both chips are tightly grouped with their immediate peers.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different generations of AMD mobile silicon. The Ryzen 5 240 uses Zen 4 architecture with the Hawk Point codename, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 uses Zen 5 with the Strix Point codename. Both are built on TSMC's 4 nm process, but the die sizes diverge: the Ryzen 5 240 measures 178 mm², while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is larger at 233 mm². The larger die accommodates the additional cores and the Zen 5's more complex execution resources.

Core configuration is the defining difference. The Ryzen 5 240 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 doubles that to 12 cores and 24 threads. The generation string for the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 explicitly notes a hybrid layout: Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. The Ryzen 5 240 uses only Zen 4 cores. This hybrid arrangement likely explains why the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 can sustain a lower base clock of 2.00 GHz against the Ryzen 5 240's 4.30 GHz, yet still boost higher at 5.10 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. The efficiency cores handle background loads, while the performance cores reach the higher boost ceiling.

Cache hierarchies differ in the L1 and L2 levels. The Ryzen 5 240 provides 64 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 increases L1 to 80 KB per core while keeping 1 MB of L2 per core. Both share 16 MB of L3, but the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370's L3 is listed without the "(shared)" qualifier, suggesting a different distribution across the hybrid core clusters.

Memory support diverges as well. The Ryzen 5 240 supports DDR5 only, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 adds LPDDR5X. Both use dual-channel memory buses with identical peak bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory.

The integrated graphics differ substantially. The Ryzen 5 240 carries a Radeon 760M, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 steps up to a Radeon 890M. The database records no benchmark scores for these iGPUs, but the naming hierarchy suggests the Radeon 890M is the higher-tier solution.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Ryzen 5 240 offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Ryzen 5 240 actually has more PCIe lanes, which may matter for external GPU or NVMe expansion in some laptop designs.

Power envelopes move in opposite directions. The Ryzen 5 240 carries a 45 W TDP, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is rated at 28 W. Despite the higher power draw, the Ryzen 5 240 delivers significantly lower multi-thread performance. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 achieves its large performance lead at 17 W lower TDP, indicating substantial efficiency gains from Zen 5.

Release dates show the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 launched earlier, on 2024-06-30, while the Ryzen 5 240 arrived on 2025-01-05. Both remain in active production. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 leads decisively. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 21761 versus 13013 for the Ryzen 5 240, a 40.2% advantage. Passmark multithread shows 35148 versus 22658, a 35.5% gap.

Q: How close are the two in single-thread performance?

A: The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 wins by 7.5% in Passmark single-thread (3973 versus 3675). Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 13.7% lead (2018 versus 1742). The margin is much smaller than in multi-threaded tests.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Ryzen 5 240 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 has 12 cores and 24 threads, exactly double.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 boosts to 5.10 GHz, while the Ryzen 5 240 reaches 5.00 GHz. The base clocks are reversed: 2.00 GHz for the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 versus 4.30 GHz for the Ryzen 5 240.

Q: How does power consumption compare?

A: The Ryzen 5 240 has a 45 W TDP, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is rated at 28 W. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 delivers far higher performance at the lower power envelope.

Q: What are the architecture generations?

A: The Ryzen 5 240 uses Zen 4 with the Hawk Point codename. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 uses Zen 5 with the Strix Point codename, employing a hybrid Zen 5 / Zen 5c core layout.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 240 | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 12 |

| Threads | 12 | 24 |

| Base clock | 4.30 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 28 W |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Zen 5 |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Strix Point |

| Generation | Ryzen 5 (Zen 4, Hawk Point) | Ryzen AI 300 (Zen 5 / Zen 5c) |

| Die size | 178 mm² | 233 mm² |

| Transistors | 25,000 million | Not listed |

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

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 1 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 16 MB (shared) | 16 MB |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Dual-channel |

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

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 lanes | Gen 4, 16 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 760M | Radeon 890M |

| Release date | 2025-01-05 | 2024-06-30 |

| Part number | 100-000001727 | 100-000000994 |

The two chips share several traits: both use AMD Socket FP8, both are built on TSMC's 4 nm process, both have dual-channel memory buses with identical bandwidth, neither supports ECC memory, both target the mobile segment, both remain in active production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 outscores the AMD Ryzen 5 240 in every recorded benchmark, with margins ranging from 7.5% in single-thread tests to over 44% in prime number finding. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 also achieves this at a lower 28 W TDP versus 45 W, making it the more efficient part by a wide margin.

For workloads that scale with core count, such as video rendering, physics simulation, and heavy integer math, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370's 12 cores and 24 threads provide a decisive advantage. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21761 versus 13013 is the clearest signal: users who compile code, render 3D scenes, or run virtual machines will see roughly 40% better throughput.

For single-thread-sensitive tasks, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 still leads, but by a much narrower margin. The 7.5% Passmark single-thread advantage and 13.7% Cinebench R23 single-core lead suggest that Zen 5's per-core improvements are incremental rather than transformative. Users upgrading from a Zen 4 chip primarily for single-thread gains will see modest improvement.

The Ryzen 5 240's higher base clock of 4.30 GHz versus 2.00 GHz does not translate into a performance win. Sustained workloads rely on boost behavior and core count, not base frequency alone. The Ryzen 5 240 does offer more PCIe lanes (20 versus 16), which could benefit laptops with multiple high-bandwidth devices, but this is a narrow advantage.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 wins in every measured category, but the magnitude of the win varies by workload. Its largest advantages appear in heavily parallel tasks: prime number finding (44.4% ahead), physics simulation (43.6%), floating-point math (41.1%), and multi-core rendering (40.2% in Cinebench R23). These workloads fully exploit the doubled core and thread count.

Its smallest advantages appear in single-threaded and lightly threaded tasks. Passmark single-thread shows only 7.5% separation, while Cinebench R23 single-core shows 13.7%. Data encryption falls in between at 28.8%, suggesting that cryptographic workloads benefit from the newer Zen 5 cores but less from additional cores.

The AMD Ryzen 5 240 has no benchmark wins in the database. Its only relative advantages are structural: a higher base clock (4.30 GHz versus 2.00 GHz) and more PCIe lanes (20 versus 16). These factors may matter in specific configurations, such as systems that sustain low-load operation at fixed frequencies or those requiring additional PCIe connectivity for storage or expansion. The 45 W TDP compared to 28 W also means the Ryzen 5 240 draws more power, which could be a consideration for battery life in comparable chassis, though the database does not record battery test results.

The percentile rankings place both chips in the upper tier of all CPUs: 84th percentile for the Ryzen 5 240 and 86th for the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370's closest rival, Intel Core i9-14901E, matches it at a 0% delta, while the Ryzen 5 240's nearest competitor, Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, also sits at 0%. Both chips are well-regarded in their respective performance classes.