AMD Ryzen 5 7535U vs Intel Core Ultra 9 288V Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V and AMD Ryzen 5 7535U are both mobile processors aimed at thin-and-light laptops, but benchmark results show they are built for very different workloads. The Intel chip wins 13 of 15 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD chip takes two decisive victories in specific math and compression tasks. The data reveals a clear split between general computing performance and specialized instruction handling.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic gap appears in single-core performance. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V scores 1950 against the AMD’s 1414, a 37.9% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core tells a similar story: 301.5 versus 225, a 34% lead. PassMark single-thread results confirm the trend with 4274 versus 3203, a 33.4% edge. For everyday responsiveness, application launches, and lightly-threaded software, the Intel chip is clearly the faster part.

Multi-core workloads also favor Intel, though by smaller margins. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 10178 versus 8591, an 18.5% win for Intel. Cinebench R15 multi-core delivers 1583 versus 1330, a 19% advantage. PassMark multithread scores sit at 19810 versus 17039, a 16.3% improvement. The Intel’s 8 cores and 8 threads outperform AMD’s 6 cores and 12 threads in these rendering tests, which suggests that the higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz versus 4.55 GHz matters more than the AMD’s extra threads.

Two benchmarks stand out as major wins for the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U. In PassMark integer math, AMD scores 62109 versus Intel’s 44019, a 29.1% advantage. In PassMark data compression, AMD takes 200252 versus 186521, a 6.9% lead. These are not minor differences; the integer math result is one of the largest deltas in the entire comparison. For workloads that rely heavily on integer arithmetic — such as certain database operations, financial calculations, or compression algorithms — the AMD chip is the better choice.

The most lopsided result is PassMark find prime numbers, where Intel scores 195 versus AMD’s 50, a 290% difference. This is a synthetic benchmark, but it highlights how the Intel architecture handles a specific type of loop-heavy calculation. Floating-point math also heavily favors Intel: 59536 versus 33971, a 75.3% lead. Physics simulation in PassMark shows a 95.1% advantage for Intel (1637 versus 839), which suggests better throughput for scientific or simulation workloads.

Other notable Intel wins include PassMark data encryption (14141 versus 12706, 11.3% ahead), extended instructions (15613 versus 13187, 18.4% ahead), and random string sorting (22622 versus 21267, 6.4% ahead). The overall average benchmark score lands at 23219 for Intel versus 22791 for AMD, a modest 1.9% gap that undersells how lopsided individual tests can be.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is the pick for nearly every general-purpose scenario. Single-threaded performance is its strongest suit, with a 33-38% lead across Cinebench and PassMark tests. That translates to faster web browsing, office productivity, and any application that doesn’t scale perfectly across many cores. The 75.3% lead in floating-point math and 95.1% lead in physics simulation point to strengths in engineering software, 3D modeling, and scientific computing. Data encryption also favors Intel, which matters for security-conscious users handling encrypted files or VPN traffic.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7535U wins specifically in integer math and data compression. The 29.1% lead in integer math is substantial and suggests better performance for integer-heavy code like some financial modeling, cryptography algorithms, or compression tools. The 6.9% win in data compression means file archiving and deduplication tasks could complete faster on the AMD chip, even though Intel wins in most other categories.

For multithreaded rendering, Intel still wins with an 18.5% margin in Cinebench R23 multi-core, but the AMD’s 12 threads do close the gap compared to its single-core deficit. If a workload is purely about raw thread count — like video encoding or batch processing — the AMD’s 12 threads versus Intel’s 8 threads make it more competitive, though the benchmark data still shows Intel ahead in the tests listed.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V wins every single-core test by a wide margin. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1950 versus 1414, a 37.9% advantage, and PassMark single-thread scores 4274 versus 3203, a 33.4% lead.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins two of the 15 head-to-head tests. PassMark integer math shows 62109 versus 44019, a 29.1% advantage, and PassMark data compression shows 200252 versus 186521, a 6.9% lead.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-core rendering workloads?

A: Intel leads across all rendering tests. Cinebench R23 multi-core scores 10178 versus 8591, an 18.5% win, and Cinebench R15 multi-core scores 1583 versus 1330, a 19% win. PassMark multithread also favors Intel at 19810 versus 17039, a 16.3% gap.

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

A: The largest delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where Intel scores 195 versus AMD’s 50, a 290% difference. Floating-point math is also lopsided at 75.3% in Intel’s favor.

Q: Which CPU is better for scientific or simulation workloads?

A: Benchmark results indicate Intel is stronger. PassMark physics simulation shows 1637 versus 839, a 95.1% advantage, and floating-point math shows 59536 versus 33971, a 75.3% lead.

Q: Are the two CPUs comparable in overall benchmark scores?

A: The average benchmark scores are close — 23219 for Intel versus 22791 for AMD — but this masks the uneven distribution. Intel wins most tests by significant margins, while AMD’s two wins are concentrated in specific areas.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V uses 8 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U uses 6 cores and 12 threads. Intel’s base clock is 3.30 GHz versus AMD’s 2.90 GHz, and Intel’s boost clock reaches 5.10 GHz versus AMD’s 4.55 GHz. The TDP is close: 30 watts for Intel and 28 watts for AMD.

Cache configurations diverge significantly. Intel allocates 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. AMD uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L1 and L2 on Intel likely contributes to its single-core advantage, while AMD’s larger L3 pool helps in cache-sensitive multi-threaded tasks.

Memory support differs in both type and bandwidth. Intel supports LPDDR5X with a dual-channel bus and 136.5 GB/s of bandwidth. AMD supports DDR5 with a dual-channel bus but only 76.8 GB/s. Intel’s memory bandwidth is nearly double, which explains some of its advantage in memory-intensive tests like data encryption.

PCIe connectivity is another major difference. Intel offers Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The AMD’s higher lane count supports more expansion devices, but the Intel’s Gen 5 standard provides faster per-lane throughput. The integrated graphics are also different: Intel uses Arc 140V, while AMD uses Radeon 660M.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architecture is where these chips diverge most. Intel’s Core Ultra 9 288V is built on Lunar Lake architecture using a 3 nm process node from TSMC. AMD’s Ryzen 5 7535U uses Zen 3+ architecture on a 6 nm process node, also from TSMC. The 3 nm node gives Intel a transistor density advantage that directly correlates with its higher clock speeds and better power efficiency.

Cache organization reflects different design philosophies. Intel uses larger per-core caches — 192 KB L1 and 2.5 MB L2 — while AMD uses smaller per-core caches — 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 — but compensates with a larger shared L3 pool of 16 MB versus Intel’s 12 MB. Intel’s per-core approach favors single-threaded performance, while AMD’s larger L3 helps when multiple cores share data.

Memory controllers are another architectural split. Intel’s LPDDR5X support with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth is a newer, faster standard compared to AMD’s DDR5 at 76.8 GB/s. This gives Intel a massive memory bandwidth advantage that shows up in memory-bound workloads like data encryption and sorting tests.

The AMD chip supports ECC memory, which Intel does not. This makes the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U more suitable for error-sensitive environments like NAS builds or data integrity-critical applications. The process node difference — 3 nm versus 6 nm — also affects the physical characteristics, with AMD’s die size listed at 208 mm² while Intel’s die size is not provided in the data.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice for most users: the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is the faster processor in the majority of scenarios. With 13 wins out of 15 head-to-head benchmarks, including decisive leads in single-core, floating-point math, and physics simulation, it is the better all-rounder for general productivity, content creation, and engineering workloads. The 37.9% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 75.3% lead in floating-point math are not marginal differences — they represent real-world responsiveness and compute throughput gains.

However, the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U should not be dismissed. Its 29.1% win in integer math and 6.9% win in data compression indicate that for specific workloads — particularly integer-heavy calculations and file compression — it is the faster chip. The 12 threads versus 8 also provide more parallel execution paths, even if the benchmarks show Intel winning multithreaded tests. The ECC memory support is a practical advantage for those who need error correction.

For a typical laptop buyer who values snappy performance, faster application loading, and better scientific computing, the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is the data-backed recommendation. For someone running compression tools all day or relying on integer math for their work, the AMD Ryzen 5 7535U offers specific advantages that the average score does not capture. Both chips sit at the 76th percentile versus all CPUs, so either is a capable mobile processor, but the benchmark distribution favors Intel for most use cases.