AMD Ryzen 5 40 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive sweep in favor of the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H. Across all 15 shared benchmark tests, the Intel part wins every single comparison. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 secures zero wins, while the Intel processor claims all 15. The margins, however, vary considerably by workload type.

The largest single gap appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Intel part scores 327 against the AMD's 20, a delta of -93.9% from the AMD's perspective. That means the Intel chip delivers roughly 16 times the throughput in that specific integer workload. Floating point math shows a similarly lopsided result: Intel scores 103,128 versus 15,194, a -85.3% delta, which is approximately 6.8 times higher. PassMark physics follows the same pattern, with Intel at 2,895 and AMD at 432, a -85.1% delta, roughly 6.7 times higher.

The Cinebench multi-core results tell a clear story about sustained all-core performance. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H scores 18,395 against the AMD Ryzen 5 40's 4,841, a -73.7% delta. That is roughly 3.8 times the multi-core score. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a similar ratio: 3,055 versus 790, a -74.1% delta, again about 3.9 times higher.

Single-core performance is closer but still firmly in Intel's favor. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 2,040 versus 1,150, a -43.6% delta. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 303 versus 165.5, a -45.4% delta. PassMark single-thread shows 4,072 versus 2,477, a -39.2% delta, which is the smallest relative gap in the entire dataset. Even so, the Intel part is roughly 1.6 times faster in that test.

Encryption and extended instruction workloads show some of the larger gaps. PassMark data encryption: Intel 26,345 versus AMD 6,646, a -74.8% delta, roughly 4 times higher. PassMark extended instructions: Intel 27,898 versus AMD 6,437, a -76.9% delta, roughly 4.3 times higher. Data compression is less extreme: Intel 336,177 versus AMD 141,533, a -57.9% delta, roughly 2.4 times higher. Integer math lands at -62% (83,111 versus 31,598), and random string sorting at -63.1% (40,990 versus 15,124).

The average benchmark score in the database reflects this overall dominance. The Intel part averages 41,215 across all recorded tests, while the AMD part averages 15,882. That difference places the Intel processor in the 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database, whereas the AMD processor sits in the 70th percentile. The nearest rivals for the Intel part include the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 at a 0% delta and the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H at -0.1%, which indicates the Intel part is competitive with those processors. The AMD part's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 75F3 at 0.1% and the Intel Core Ultra 5 134U at -0.2%, showing that the AMD chip is comparable to those in aggregate score.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design approaches. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Mendocino codename, built on a 6 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses the Panther Lake architecture, which serves as both the architecture and codename, built on a 3 nm process at Intel. The process node difference alone, 6 nm versus 3 nm, indicates a significant generational gap in transistor density and power efficiency.

Core and thread counts diverge sharply. The AMD part has 4 cores and 8 threads, meaning it relies on simultaneous multithreading to reach 8 threads. The Intel part has 16 cores and 16 threads, with no thread-doubling. The raw core count difference is 12 cores, and the total thread count difference is 8 threads. This explains much of the multi-core benchmark gap, though the single-core advantage suggests architectural improvements as well.

Cache hierarchies differ in size and organization. The AMD processor allocates 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. The Intel processor allocates 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The L3 cache alone is 14 MB larger on the Intel part. Per-core L2 is also 2 MB larger, and per-core L1 is 128 KB larger.

Memory support and bandwidth favor the Intel part. AMD supports only LPDDR5, while Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bus width is dual-channel on both. Memory bandwidth is 88.0 GB/s on the AMD part versus 115.2 GB/s on the Intel part, a difference of 27.2 GB/s in favor of Intel. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The AMD processor provides Gen 3 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The Intel processor provides Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only). That is both a newer PCIe generation and triple the lane count.

Integrated graphics differ as well. AMD uses the Radeon 610M, while Intel uses the Intel Xe3 Graphics. The database does not include graphics benchmark scores for either, so no direct comparison is possible from the recorded data.

Clock speeds show an interesting split. The AMD part has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The Intel part has a base clock of 1.90 GHz but a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The Intel part boosts 0.40 GHz higher, while the AMD part holds a 0.90 GHz higher base clock. The lower base clock on the Intel part likely reflects its higher core count and the thermal constraints of a 25 W TDP versus the AMD's 15 W TDP.

Socket and physical specs differ as well. AMD uses the AMD Socket FT6, while Intel uses the Intel BGA 2540. The AMD die size is 100 mm², while the Intel die size is not recorded. The AMD part is unlocked? No: multiplierUnlocked is false for both. The Intel part has a part number of SA4RGQ9EU, while the AMD part number is unknown.

Release dates place the AMD part earlier. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has a release date of 2025-09-30. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has a release date of 2026-01-04. Both are listed as Active in production status, and both target the Mobile market segment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the largest benchmark gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Intel part scores 327 versus the AMD's 20, a delta of -93.9%.

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

A: In PassMark single-thread, the Intel part scores 4,072 versus 2,477, a -39.2% delta. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel part scores 2,040 versus 1,150, a -43.6% delta.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 supports only LPDDR5 with 88.0 GB/s.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has a 15 W TDP. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has a 25 W TDP.

Q: Do both processors have unlocked multipliers?

A: No. Both the AMD Ryzen 5 40 and the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H have multiplierUnlocked set to false.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward outcome. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins every recorded benchmark against the AMD Ryzen 5 40. The average benchmark score difference is substantial: 41,215 versus 15,882. The Intel part also holds a higher percentile ranking in the database, 87th versus 70th.

The AMD Ryzen 5 40 does not win a single test in the head-to-head set. Its closest relative performance appears in single-threaded workloads, where the deficit narrows to roughly 39% to 45%, but even there the Intel part remains clearly ahead. The AMD part's lower TDP of 15 W versus 25 W indicates a lower power envelope, but the database contains no power efficiency metrics to quantify the trade-off.

The Intel part's nearest rival in the database is the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 at a 0% delta, followed by the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H at -0.1%. This places the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H at the edge of a cluster of similarly performing processors. The AMD Ryzen 5 40's nearest rivals are the AMD EPYC 75F3 at 0.1% and the Intel Core Ultra 5 134U at -0.2%, which are server and low-power mobile parts respectively. Those comparisons show the AMD part is competitive within its own performance class, but that class is far below the Intel part's class.

For workloads measured in this database, the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is the stronger processor across the board. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 offers a lower TDP and an earlier release date, but no performance advantage in any recorded test.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every recorded specification category.

• Cores: AMD 4, Intel 16
• Threads: AMD 8, Intel 16
• Base clock: AMD 2.80 GHz, Intel 1.90 GHz
• Boost clock: AMD 4.30 GHz, Intel 4.70 GHz
• TDP: AMD 15 W, Intel 25 W
• Socket: AMD Socket FT6, Intel BGA 2540
• Architecture: Zen 2, Panther Lake
• Process node: 6 nm, 3 nm
• Foundry: TSMC, Intel
• Die size: 100 mm², not recorded
• L1 cache: 64 KB per core, 192 KB per core
• L2 cache: 512 KB per core, 2.5 MB per core
• L3 cache: 4 MB shared, 18 MB shared
• Memory support: LPDDR5, DDR5 and LPDDR5X
• Memory bandwidth: 88.0 GB/s, 115.2 GB/s
• PCIe: Gen 3 with 4 lanes, Gen 5 with 12 lanes
• Integrated graphics: Radeon 610M, Intel Xe3 Graphics
• Release date: 2025-09-30, 2026-01-04
• Part number: unknown, SA4RGQ9EU
• Generation: Ryzen 5 (Zen 2, Mendocino), Ultra 7 (Panther Lake-H)

Both share the following: dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, no unlocked multiplier, Active production status, and Mobile market segment.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins in every measured category. The strongest relative advantages appear in integer-heavy and math-heavy workloads. PassMark find prime numbers shows the largest margin at -93.9%. PassMark floating point math at -85.3% and PassMark physics at -85.1% are nearly as large. These results indicate the Intel part is particularly suited to compute-intensive tasks such as scientific calculations, physics simulations, and encryption workloads.

The Intel part also dominates in multi-core rendering. Cinebench R23 multi-core at -73.7% and Cinebench R15 multi-core at -74.1% show roughly 3.8 to 3.9 times the AMD score. Content creation workloads that scale across cores would benefit from this margin. The 16-core configuration with 18 MB of L3 and 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth supports this pattern.

The AMD Ryzen 5 40's only relative strength is the smaller performance gap in single-threaded tests. PassMark single-thread at -39.2% is the closest margin in the whole dataset. Cinebench R23 single-core at -43.6% and Cinebench R15 single-core at -45.4% are also among the smaller gaps. This suggests that in lightly threaded tasks, the AMD part is less disadvantaged, though still behind.

The AMD part also carries a lower TDP of 15 W versus 25 W, which may indicate lower power draw in constrained chassis designs. The database does not include power consumption measurements, so this remains a specification-level observation rather than a tested result.

For workloads that require maximum throughput, the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is the clear choice based on the recorded data. For workloads that prioritize the lowest power envelope and can tolerate lower performance, the AMD Ryzen 5 40 presents the lower TDP option, but every performance metric in the database favors Intel.