AMD Ryzen 5 7540U vs Intel Core Ultra 9 288V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between these two mobile processors, with the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V winning 10 of the 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7540U takes 5 wins. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

The Intel part dominates single-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ultra 9 288V scores 301.5 against the Ryzen's 264, a 14.2% advantage. That gap widens slightly in Cinebench R23 single-core, where Intel leads 1950 to 1699, a 14.8% edge. PassMark single-thread testing reinforces the trend with a 4274 to 3544 result, a 20.6% lead for the Lunar Lake chip.

The most lopsided Intel victories come in specialized workloads. The find prime numbers test shows a 195.5% advantage (195 vs 66), while floating-point math favors Intel by 65% (59536 vs 36077). Physics simulation also goes strongly to Intel, 1637 vs 964, a 69.8% margin. Data encryption sees Intel ahead by 12.6% (14141 vs 12563), and extended instructions show a narrower 2% edge (15613 vs 15307). PassMark multithread goes to Intel by 6.6%, 19810 vs 18576.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7540U fights back in other areas. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it wins 1676 vs 1583, a 5.5% margin. The R23 multi-core result is closer, with AMD ahead 10383 to 10178, just 2% better. Data compression favors AMD significantly, 211581 vs 186521, an 11.8% edge. Integer math is the largest AMD victory at 26.8% (60152 vs 44019), and random string sorting goes to AMD by 8.6% (24760 vs 22622).

Overall average benchmark scores place the AMD part slightly higher at 24188 versus 23219 for the Intel chip, a difference of roughly 4%. Both processors sit at the 76th percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating comparable general positioning despite their divergent workload strengths.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V uses Lunar Lake architecture on a 3 nm process from TSMC, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7540U uses Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm process, also from TSMC. The smaller node gives Intel a manufacturing advantage, though AMD's design compensates in certain workloads.

Core and thread counts differ notably. The Intel chip has 8 cores and 8 threads with no simultaneous multithreading, while the AMD chip offers 6 cores and 12 threads, leveraging SMT to double its thread count. This explains why AMD holds the multi-core Cinebench leads despite having fewer physical cores. The Ryzen's 12 threads let it distribute integer-heavy and compression workloads more effectively.

Cache configurations are also distinct. 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, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a larger 16 MB shared L3. The larger AMD L3 pool benefits data-heavy tasks, while the Intel cache hierarchy appears optimized for latency-sensitive single-threaded execution.

Memory support diverges as well. The Intel chip uses LPDDR5X with dual-channel support and a memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. AMD supports DDR5 with dual-channel operation and a lower 89.6 GB/s bandwidth figure. That bandwidth gap likely contributes to Intel's strong floating-point and encryption results, where memory throughput matters. The AMD chip supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not.

Platform connectivity differs. Intel offers PCIe Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes, while AMD provides PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes. The Intel socket is BGA 2833, the AMD socket is FP7. Integrated graphics also differ: Intel pairs the CPU with Arc 140V, AMD with Radeon 740M. The AMD chip has a publicly documented transistor count of 25,000 million and a die size of 178 mm², while those figures are not recorded for the Intel part.

Base and boost clocks are close. Intel runs at 3.30 GHz base and 5.10 GHz boost, while AMD runs at 3.20 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost. The Intel chip carries a 30 W TDP versus 28 W for AMD, a small power gap that does not fully explain the performance differences.

The Verdict

The data supports a workload-based choice rather than a blanket recommendation. The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is the better option for single-threaded responsiveness, floating-point math, physics simulation, and encryption tasks. Its 20.6% single-thread lead in PassMark and 14.8% edge in Cinebench R23 single-core make it the stronger pick for lightly threaded applications, scientific calculations, and workloads that depend on fast memory bandwidth.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7540U wins where thread count matters most. Its 12 threads give it the edge in Cinebench R23 multi-core by 2%, and it pulls ahead by 26.8% in integer math and 11.8% in data compression. Users running heavily parallel integer workloads, compression tools, or multi-threaded rendering will see better results from the AMD part.

The average benchmark scores favor AMD slightly, 24188 vs 23219, and both sit at the 76th percentile. That near parity in overall standing means neither chip is a clear class leader. The decision comes down to the specific mix of applications. For general productivity with heavy single-threaded interaction, the Intel part delivers better responsiveness. For batch processing and multi-threaded integer work, the AMD part extracts more from its additional threads.

The Intel chip also offers higher memory bandwidth at 136.5 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s, which shows up in its floating-point and encryption wins. ECC support on the AMD side may matter for users with data integrity requirements. PCIe Gen 5 on Intel versus Gen 4 on AMD could influence future expansion choices, though the lane count favors AMD at 20 lanes versus 4.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 9 288V | AMD Ryzen 5 7540U |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.10 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 30 W | 28 W |

| Process node | 3 nm | 4 nm |

| L1 cache | 192 KB per core | 64 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 2.5 MB per core | 1 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 12 MB shared | 16 MB shared |

| Memory type | LPDDR5X | DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 136.5 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC support | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 4 lanes | Gen 4, 20 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Arc 140V | Radeon 740M |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2833 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 25,000 million |

| Die size | Not recorded | 178 mm² |

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V wins every recorded single-thread test. It leads by 14.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 14.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core, and 20.6% in PassMark single-thread.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 7540U win any multi-threaded benchmarks?

A: Yes. It wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 5.5% and Cinebench R23 multi-core by 2%. However, PassMark multithread goes to Intel by 6.6%, so the multi-threaded picture is mixed.

Q: What explains the AMD wins in integer math and compression?

A: The AMD chip has 12 threads versus 8 on Intel. The additional threads help in parallel integer workloads. AMD leads integer math by 26.8% and data compression by 11.8%, while Intel counters with a 65% lead in floating-point math.

Q: Which chip has more memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V supports LPDDR5X with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen 5 7540U supports DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s. That bandwidth gap likely contributes to Intel's wins in physics simulation and encryption.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 7540U supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V does not.

Q: How do the two chips compare in overall benchmark standing?

A: Both sit at the 76th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The AMD part has a higher average benchmark score at 24188 versus 23219 for Intel, but the head-to-head win count favors Intel at 10 wins versus 5.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is the clear choice for users who prioritize single-threaded performance and memory-sensitive workloads. Its wins in Cinebench R23 single-core by 14.8% and PassMark single-thread by 20.6% make it ideal for everyday application responsiveness, web browsing, and office productivity where most tasks rely on one or two threads. The 65% lead in floating-point math points to advantages in scientific computing, 3D simulation, and financial modeling. The 69.8% physics simulation margin suggests better performance in physics-based applications and certain game workloads. The 12.6% encryption advantage makes it the better pick for security-focused tasks, and the 195.5% lead in prime number calculation indicates exceptional performance in number-crunching workloads that rely on strong single-thread execution.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7540U is the better option for multi-threaded integer workloads. Its 26.8% win in PassMark integer math makes it the stronger choice for code compilation, data processing, and spreadsheet-heavy workloads that scale across threads. The 11.8% data compression advantage benefits file archiving, backup software, and database operations. The 8.6% random string sorting win points to advantages in text processing and sorting-heavy applications. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core win by 2% shows that rendering workloads benefit from the 12-thread configuration, even if the margin is modest. The larger 16 MB L3 cache and ECC memory support make it attractive for reliability-focused deployments where data integrity is a priority.

For mixed workloads, the average benchmark scores suggest near parity, with AMD at 24188 and Intel at 23219. The passmark multithread result favors Intel by 6.6%, so users running heavily parallel but floating-point-heavy workloads may still prefer the Intel chip. The decision ultimately hinges on thread count versus single-thread efficiency. AMD's 12 threads win integer and compression tasks, while Intel's 3 nm process and higher memory bandwidth dominate floating-point, encryption, and single-threaded scenarios.