AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS vs AMD Ryzen 7 7736U Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS and AMD Ryzen 7 7736U are both 7000-series mobile processors, but the data reveals they are built with fundamentally different priorities. The Ryzen 5 7640HS leverages a newer architecture and higher clocks to dominate single-threaded and many multi-threaded workloads, while the Ryzen 7 7736U counters with more cores and a lower power envelope. With an average benchmark score of 30390 for the 7640HS versus 30364 for the 7736U, the overall performance gap is a razor-thin 0.1% — yet the individual test results tell a story of distinct strengths.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic split in the data comes from Geekbench, where the Ryzen 5 7640HS posts a multicore score of 10389 against the Ryzen 7 7736U’s 7453 — a crushing 39.4% advantage. This is the single largest delta in the entire comparison, and it is particularly striking because the 7736U has two more cores and four more threads. The 7640HS also wins Geekbench single-core by 21.6%, scoring 2093 versus 1721. This suggests that the Zen 4 architecture in the 7640HS delivers far better instructions-per-clock and frequency scaling than the Zen 3+ in the 7736U, at least under this benchmark’s workload.

Cinebench results are more nuanced. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the 7736U actually wins, scoring 12768 against the 7640HS’s 12554 — a modest 1.7% edge. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the 7736U scores 2019 versus 1978, a 2% lead. However, the single-core Cinebench tests heavily favor the 7640HS: it leads by 10.8% in R23 (1715.5 versus 1548) and by 9.6% in R15 (269.5 versus 246). The implication is that the 7736U’s extra cores help in rendering workloads that scale linearly, but the 7640HS’s higher clocks — 5.00 GHz boost versus 4.70 GHz — give it a decisive edge in lightly-threaded tasks.

PassMark tests reveal a mixed bag that underscores the architectural differences. The 7640HS wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, but the 7736U takes 4. The 7736U’s victories include PassMark integer math (78821 versus 73284, a 7% lead) and data compression (274440 versus 269524, a 1.8% lead). These wins suggest that the 7736U’s eight cores provide raw throughput advantages in parallel integer operations. Meanwhile, the 7640HS wins PassMark find prime numbers by 37.5% (77 versus 56), random string sorting by 12.4% (31654 versus 28172), and physics by 14.7% (1155 versus 1007). The 7640HS also leads in floating point math (45220 versus 44499, 1.6%), extended instructions (20556 versus 19384, 6%), and data encryption (15867 versus 15635, 1.5%). Notably, the 7640HS wins PassMark multithread by 5.8% (22979 versus 21725) despite having fewer cores, which reinforces that its per-core efficiency is substantially higher.

Looking at the overall win counts — 13 for the 7640HS versus 4 for the 7736U — the data clearly favors the Ryzen 5 in most scenarios. However, the average benchmark scores are nearly identical, which indicates that the 7736U’s wins in Cinebench multicore and integer-heavy PassMark tests carry significant weight in the aggregate. Both chips rank in the 81st percentile among all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier despite their divergent designs.

Architecture Differences

The foundational difference is the manufacturing process and core architecture. The Ryzen 5 7640HS uses a 4 nm process at TSMC with Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Phoenix, while the Ryzen 7 7736U uses a 6 nm process with Zen 3+, codenamed Rembrandt-R. The process node gap is significant: a 4 nm process generally allows for higher clock speeds and better power efficiency per transistor, which helps explain the 7640HS’s 5.00 GHz boost clock versus the 7736U’s 4.70 GHz. The 7640HS also has a higher base clock of 4.30 GHz against the 7736U’s 2.70 GHz, a 59% difference that directly impacts sustained single-threaded performance.

The core and thread counts differ, with the 7640HS offering 6 cores and 12 threads versus the 7736U’s 8 cores and 16 threads. The 7736U has a larger die size at 208 mm² compared to the 7640HS’s 178 mm², although the 7640HS’s transistor count is listed at 25,000 million while the 7736U’s is not provided. Cache configurations also diverge: both share 16 MB of L3 cache, but the L2 cache differs — the 7640HS has 1 MB per core, while the 7736U has 512 KB per core. L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core. This larger L2 cache on the 7640HS likely contributes to its superior performance in latency-sensitive and single-threaded tasks.

Memory bandwidth is another differentiator. The 7640HS supports 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth versus the 7736U’s 76.8 GB/s, even though both use dual-channel DDR5. This 16.7% bandwidth advantage for the 7640HS may explain its wins in data-heavy workloads like random string sorting and physics. Both processors support ECC memory and PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, and both are mobile parts with unlocked multipliers disabled. The integrated graphics differ as well: the 7640HS features a Radeon 760M, while the 7736U has a Radeon 680M. The socket also differs — the 7640HS uses AMD Socket FP8, whereas the 7736U uses FP7. Notably, the 7736U has a TDP of 15 watts versus the 7640HS’s 35 watts, which is a critical power consideration for thin-and-light laptops.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear trade-off between raw performance and power efficiency. The Ryzen 5 7640HS wins 13 of 17 benchmarks, including all single-threaded tests and the majority of multi-threaded tests, despite having fewer cores. Its 39.4% lead in Geekbench multicore and 21.6% lead in Geekbench single-core are the standout figures, indicating that Zen 4’s architectural improvements deliver substantial real-world advantages. For users who prioritize CPU performance in diverse workloads — from productivity to content creation — the 7640HS is the stronger choice based on the benchmark evidence.

The Ryzen 7 7736U, however, is not without merit. It wins Cinebench R23 and R15 multicore by 1.7% and 2% respectively, and it leads in PassMark integer math by 7% and data compression by 1.8%. These wins suggest that the 7736U’s eight cores provide an edge in specific heavily-threaded, integer-heavy applications. Its 15-watt TDP is less than half of the 7640HS’s 35 watts, which means it is likely more suitable for fanless or passively-cooled designs and longer battery life — though the FACT PACK does not provide battery or thermal data to confirm this. The 7736U also has a release date of 2023-01-03, while the 7640HS’s release date is not listed, so the 7736U may be the more mature platform.

Given the near-identical average benchmark scores (30390 versus 30364) and the 7640HS’s decisive win count, the Ryzen 5 7640HS appears to offer better overall performance per core and per thread. However, the 7736U’s lower TDP and multicore wins in Cinebench make it a compelling option for users who prioritize power efficiency and specific rendering workloads. The choice ultimately depends on whether the user values the 7640HS’s broad performance superiority or the 7736U’s efficiency and core count.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS wins every single-core benchmark in the data. It leads by 21.6% in Geekbench single-core (2093 versus 1721), by 10.8% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1715.5 versus 1548), and by 9.1% in PassMark single-thread (3654 versus 3350).

Q: Does the Ryzen 7 7736U ever outperform the Ryzen 5 7640HS?

A: Yes, the 7736U wins 4 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks. It leads in Cinebench R15 multicore (2019 versus 1978, 2%), Cinebench R23 multicore (12768 versus 12554, 1.7%), PassMark data compression (274440 versus 269524, 1.8%), and PassMark integer math (78821 versus 73284, 7%).

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Ryzen 5 7640HS has an average benchmark score of 30390, while the Ryzen 7 7736U scores 30364. The delta is 0.1% in favor of the 7640HS, and both processors rank in the 81st percentile among all CPUs.

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

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench multicore, where the Ryzen 5 7640HS scores 10389 versus the Ryzen 7 7736U’s 7453 — a 39.4% advantage for the 7640HS.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Both support DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration. The 7640HS has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the 7736U has 76.8 GB/s. Both also support ECC memory.

Q: Are there differences in the integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Ryzen 5 7640HS features a Radeon 760M, while the Ryzen 7 7736U has a Radeon 680M. The FACT PACK does not include graphics benchmark scores, so relative GPU performance cannot be assessed from this data.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 7640HS wins across the majority of tested workloads, making it the go-to choice for general performance. Its single-core dominance — with leads of 9.6% to 21.6% across Cinebench, Geekbench, and PassMark — makes it ideal for applications that rely on fast response times, such as web browsing, office productivity, and lightly-threaded software. The 39.4% lead in Geekbench multicore suggests it handles mixed multi-threaded workloads exceptionally well, including compilation, photo editing, and multitasking. Its wins in PassMark physics (14.7%) and random string sorting (12.4%) also point to strengths in simulation and data manipulation tasks. The 7640HS’s higher memory bandwidth (89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s) likely supports its edge in bandwidth-sensitive operations like floating point math and extended instructions.

The Ryzen 7 7736U wins in a narrower but specific set of scenarios. Its Cinebench multicore victories (1.7% to 2% leads) make it the better choice for sustained rendering workloads in applications like Blender or video encoding that scale with core count. Its 7% lead in PassMark integer math indicates superior performance in integer-heavy computations, such as cryptography or certain scientific simulations. The data compression win (1.8%) suggests it handles file archiving and compression tasks slightly better. Most importantly, the 7736U’s 15-watt TDP versus the 7640HS’s 35-watt TDP means it is the more power-efficient option, which could translate to longer battery life and quieter operation in laptops — though the FACT PACK does not include direct battery or thermal measurements.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS | AMD Ryzen 7 7736U |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 4.30 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Zen 3+ |

| Codename | Phoenix | Rembrandt-R |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 6 nm |

| Die Size | 178 mm² | 208 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 76.8 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 760M | Radeon 680M |

| Release Date | Not listed | 2023-01-03 |