AMD Ryzen 5 40 vs AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P174 Comparison

AMD Ryzen 5 40 and AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P174 are both active mobile processors from AMD, but they target very different segments of the performance spectrum. The Ryzen 5 40 is a compact, efficient part built on the Zen 2 architecture, while the Ryzen AI Embedded P174 is a higher-core-count, higher-power chip using the newer Zen 5 / Zen 5c design. The database shows a clear split in their intended roles: the Ryzen 5 40 is measured for mainstream mobile workloads, whereas the P174 is positioned for embedded systems requiring more parallel throughput and I/O capabilities.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data splits the two processors along predictable lines of core count and power envelope. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 wins in scenarios where low power consumption and adequate single-thread performance are the primary constraints. With a 15 W TDP and only 4 cores, it is suited for thin-and-light mobile devices where sustained multi-core loads are less common. Its benchmark results, however, show it can still deliver respectable multi-threaded scores for its class, achieving a 4841 in Cinebench R23 multicore and a 9341 in PassMark multithread.

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P174 wins in heavily parallel workloads and embedded applications that demand more cores, threads, and memory bandwidth. Its 10 cores and 20 threads, combined with a 28 W TDP, give it a structural advantage in any task that scales with core count. The P174 also supports ECC memory and DDR5/LPDDR5X, which makes it more appropriate for reliability-sensitive embedded deployments. The Ryzen 5 40 lacks ECC support and is limited to LPDDR5 memory.

The Ryzen 5 40 has a higher base clock of 2.80 GHz versus 2.00 GHz on the P174, which helps in lightly threaded tasks where the processor does not need to boost. Conversely, the P174 has a significantly higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus 4.30 GHz, giving it a ceiling advantage for short bursts of single-thread activity. The data indicates that the Ryzen 5 40 is the efficient choice for everyday mobile use, while the P174 is the compute-oriented part for embedded systems with higher power budgets.

Architecture Differences

The two chips share the same manufacturer and foundry, TSMC, but they are built on different process nodes. The Ryzen 5 40 uses a 6 nm process, while the Ryzen AI Embedded P174 uses a 4 nm process. This node difference contributes to the P174's ability to pack more cores and higher clocks into its 233 mm² die, compared to the Ryzen 5 40's 100 mm² die.

The core architectures diverge significantly. The Ryzen 5 40 uses Zen 2 under the codename Mendocino, with a generation listed as Ryzen 5 (Zen 2 (Mendocino)). The P174 uses a hybrid arrangement of Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores under the codename Gorgon Point, belonging to the Ryzen AI Embedded generation. This is a fundamental difference: Zen 2 is an older architecture with lower instructions-per-clock, while Zen 5 represents a major microarchitectural leap.

Cache hierarchies are also distinct. The Ryzen 5 40 provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The P174 offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a much larger 16 MB of L3 cache. The larger caches on the P174 are critical for feeding its 10 cores and for handling embedded workloads that often have high data reuse.

Memory support differs as well. The Ryzen 5 40 supports only LPDDR5, while the P174 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth is close: 88.0 GB/s for the Ryzen 5 40 versus 89.6 GB/s for the P174, both over a dual-channel bus. The P174 adds ECC memory support, which is absent on the Ryzen 5 40, a key feature for embedded reliability.

PCIe connectivity is another major separator. The Ryzen 5 40 has PCIe Gen 3 with only 4 lanes from the CPU, while the P174 has PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes. This gives the P174 a substantial advantage in I/O throughput and the ability to attach more peripherals or accelerators, a common requirement in embedded platforms.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Ryzen 5 40 uses a Radeon 610M, while the P174 uses a Radeon 880M. The latter is a more capable integrated GPU, which may matter for embedded systems that need display output or light GPU compute without a discrete card.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database does not contain any direct head-to-head benchmark entries between these two processors. The Ryzen AI Embedded P174 has no recorded benchmark scores, so direct comparisons are based on architectural specifications and the Ryzen 5 40's own measured performance.

The Ryzen 5 40's recorded scores provide a reference point. In Cinebench R23, it scores 4841 multicore and 1150 singlecore. In Cinebench R15, it scores 790 multicore and 165.5 singlecore. PassMark results include a multithread score of 9341, a single-thread score of 2477, integer math at 31598, floating-point math at 15194, and data compression at 141533. These numbers show a processor that is competent for its core count but not exceptional in absolute terms.

Given the P174's 2.5x core count and higher boost clock, it is reasonable to infer that the P174 would significantly outperform the Ryzen 5 40 in multi-threaded benchmarks such as Cinebench R23 multicore and PassMark multithread. The P174's 20 threads would scale better in parallel workloads, and its 16 MB of L3 cache would reduce memory stalls. The Ryzen 5 40 would likely retain a small advantage in single-thread performance in sustained loads due to its higher base clock, but the P174's 5.00 GHz boost clock could overtake it in short bursts.

The Ryzen 5 40's percentile ranking is 70 among all CPUs, while the P174 sits at the 50th percentile. This data is counterintuitive given the P174's superior specifications, but it likely reflects the fact that the P174's benchmark scores are unrecorded, pulling its average down to zero. The nearest rivals for the Ryzen 5 40 include the AMD EPYC 75F3 (avg score 15859, delta 0.1%), the Intel Core Ultra 5 134U (avg score 15910, delta -0.2%), the AMD EPYC 9354P (avg score 15826, delta 0.4%), and the AMD EPYC 9334 (avg score 15940, delta -0.4%). These deltas are negligible, indicating that the Ryzen 5 40's average benchmark score of 15882 is tightly clustered with server-class chips, which is surprising for a low-power mobile part but reflects the specific benchmark mix.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P174 has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 40 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has a TDP of 15 W, and the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P174 has a TDP of 28 W.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P174 supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 40 does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P174 has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, compared to 4.30 GHz on the AMD Ryzen 5 40.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 supports LPDDR5, while the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P174 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Q: What is the process node for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 is built on a 6 nm process, and the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P174 is built on a 4 nm process.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 4 (Ryzen 5 40) versus 10 (P174)
• Threads: 8 versus 20
• Base Clock: 2.80 GHz versus 2.00 GHz
• Boost Clock: 4.30 GHz versus 5.00 GHz
• TDP: 15 W versus 28 W
• Socket: AMD Socket FT6 versus AMD Socket FP8
• Architecture: Zen 2 versus Zen 5 / Zen 5c
• Codename: Mendocino versus Gorgon Point
• Process Node: 6 nm versus 4 nm
• Die Size: 100 mm² versus 233 mm²
• L1 Cache: 64 KB per core versus 80 KB per core
• L2 Cache: 512 KB per core versus 1 MB per core
• L3 Cache: 4 MB shared versus 16 MB
• Memory Support: LPDDR5 versus DDR5, LPDDR5X
• Memory Bandwidth: 88.0 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s
• ECC Memory: false versus true
• PCIe: Gen 3, 4 Lanes versus Gen 4, 16 Lanes
• Integrated Graphics: Radeon 610M versus Radeon 880M
• Release Date: 2025-09-30 versus 2026-02-28

The Ryzen 5 40 is a lower-power, smaller-die part with fewer cores and older architecture. The P174 is a larger, more powerful chip with newer architecture, more cache, and more I/O lanes. The data confirms that these are not direct competitors but rather two distinct solutions for different segments of the mobile and embedded markets.