AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS vs Intel Core Ultra 5 115U Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS and Intel Core Ultra 5 115U are both active mobile processors that land in the 70th percentile of all CPUs, yet their benchmark profiles could not be more distinct. The data shows the Intel chip wins 13 of 17 head-to-head tests, but the AMD part dominates the specific workloads where it wins by massive margins. The verdict is a split: the Ultra 5 115U is the general-purpose choice for buyers who want consistent multi-threaded and single-threaded performance, while the Ryzen 5 7235HS is the specialized pick for anyone whose primary tasks involve extended instruction sets, data compression, or encryption.

The Verdict

The benchmark results indicate a clear but nuanced recommendation. The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U is the default pick for most users, as it wins the majority of tests including every Cinebench iteration and the headline PassMark multi-thread score. Its single-thread advantage is consistent across Cinebench R23 (1532 vs 1470) and PassMark single-thread (3057 vs 2873), making it the better choice for everyday responsiveness and lightly-threaded applications. Conversely, the AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS is the specialist's tool. It wins PassMark data compression by 7.2%, data encryption by 5.2%, and extended instructions by a staggering 26.3%. Anyone whose workflow is dominated by those tasks should ignore the overall win count and choose the AMD part. The data does not support picking the AMD chip for general use; its 4-core, 8-thread configuration simply cannot match the Intel part's 8-core, 10-thread layout in most mixed workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS uses the Zen 3+ architecture (Rembrandt-R) on a 6 nm TSMC process, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U uses the Meteor Lake architecture on a 7 nm Intel process. The most immediate difference is core count: AMD provides 4 cores and 8 threads, whereas Intel offers 8 cores and 10 threads. This 2x core advantage for Intel is the primary driver behind its multi-threaded wins. Cache hierarchies also diverge sharply—AMD allocates 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 8 MB shared L3, while Intel gives each core 112 KB L1 and 2 MB L2, plus 10 MB shared L3. The Intel L2 cache is 4x larger per core, and its total L3 is 2 MB larger.

Power and platform targets differ as well. The AMD chip has a 45 W TDP and uses Socket FP7, whereas the Intel chip has a 15 W TDP and uses BGA 2049. This is a 3x TDP difference, though the performance data suggests the Intel part achieves comparable or better results at far lower power. Memory support shows Intel with a higher theoretical bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s versus AMD's 76.8 GB/s, both dual-channel DDR5. AMD supports ECC memory, Intel does not. PCIe lane counts also differ: AMD provides 20 Gen 4 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides 12 Gen 4 lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon 660M on the AMD side versus Arc Xe-LPG 48EU on the Intel side.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U wins in all six Cinebench tests, covering both single-core and multi-core variants from R15 through R23. The deltas are consistently around -4% (in favor of Intel), showing a stable, uniform advantage across rendering workloads. Intel also wins PassMark integer math (41043 vs 40174, a 2.1% edge) and floating-point math (30538 vs 23091, a 24.4% blowout). The physics test is another Intel stronghold at 898 vs 574, a 36.1% lead. Prime number finding shows Intel at 53 vs AMD's 31, a 41.5% gap that suggests a major algorithmic efficiency advantage.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS wins exactly four tests, but they are telling. The extended instructions win is the largest single delta in the entire comparison at 26.3%, indicating a major ISA advantage. Data compression (152168 vs 141945) and encryption (9051 vs 8606) both show AMD ahead by 7.2% and 5.2% respectively. Random string sorting is a narrow 1.1% win for AMD (15294 vs 15124). These are not fringe workloads—they represent real-world server and data-processing tasks. The data implies AMD's Zen 3+ cores execute certain instruction classes far more efficiently than Intel's Meteor Lake, even when Intel has more cores and threads available.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U has 8 cores and 10 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Is the AMD chip faster in any major benchmark?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS wins PassMark extended instructions by 26.3%, data compression by 7.2%, data encryption by 5.2%, and random string sorting by 1.1%.

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

A: The largest delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U scores 53 versus AMD's 31, giving Intel a 41.5% advantage.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory bandwidth?

A: No. The Intel chip has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the AMD chip has 76.8 GB/s, both dual-channel DDR5.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U has a 15 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS has a 45 W TDP.

Q: Do these processors use the same socket?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS uses AMD Socket FP7, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U uses Intel BGA 2049.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive wins for the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U come in the PassMark physics and prime number tests. The physics score of 898 versus 574 represents a 36.1% lead, and the prime number finding score of 53 versus 31 is a 41.5% lead. These are not marginal differences; they reveal a fundamental advantage in integer-heavy, presumably branch-heavy workloads. Floating-point math also goes to Intel by a wide margin: 30538 versus 23091, a 24.4% difference. Even in the Cinebench suite, where AMD's 4-core chip might be expected to compete, Intel wins every test by roughly 4%. The R23 multi-core score is 10855 versus 10418, and the single-core is 1532 versus 1470.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS counters with its own set of lopsided victories. The extended instructions test is the crown jewel: 10887 versus 8620, a 26.3% win. Data compression at 152168 versus 141945 (7.2%) and encryption at 9051 versus 8606 (5.2%) reinforce the narrative that AMD's architecture is superior for cryptographic and data-shuffling operations. The narrow random string sorting win (15294 vs 15124, 1.1%) suggests even in mundane tasks, AMD can edge ahead. The overall passmark multi-thread score goes to Intel at 13024 versus 12243 (6% delta), and the single-thread score goes to Intel at 3057 versus 2873 (6% delta). The data shows a processor that wins two-thirds of tests by small margins and a rival that wins a quarter of tests by enormous margins.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in every major specification category. The AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS is a 7000 series part with Zen 3+ architecture (Rembrandt-R), while the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U is Core Ultra Series 1 with Meteor Lake architecture. Core counts are 4 vs 8, and threads are 8 vs 10. Base clocks diverge significantly: AMD runs at 3.20 GHz while Intel's base is listed at 1500.00 MHz, though both boost to 4.20 GHz. TDP is a major differentiator at 45 W for AMD versus 15 W for Intel. Sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket FP7 versus Intel BGA 2049. Process nodes are 6 nm (TSMC) versus 7 nm (Intel). Cache configurations are entirely different: AMD uses 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 8 MB shared L3, while Intel uses 112 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 per core with 10 MB shared L3. Memory bandwidth favors Intel at 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s. ECC support exists only on the AMD chip. PCIe lanes are 20 on AMD versus 12 on Intel, both Gen 4. Integrated graphics are Radeon 660M versus Arc Xe-LPG 48EU. The Intel part has a release date of December 13, 2023; the AMD part's release date is not specified. Neither processor has a launch MSRP, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.