AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS vs AMD Ryzen 7 7730U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS dominates the benchmark comparison, winning 15 of 17 recorded tests against the AMD Ryzen 7 7730U. The only two victories for the 7730U come in data encryption and integer math, while the 8640HS takes every other category, often by substantial margins.

The single-core gap is the most pronounced. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 8640HS scores 1711 against 1454.5 for the 7730U, a 17.6% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 16% lead (268 versus 231), and Geekbench single-core follows with a 15.4% edge (1778 versus 1541). PassMark single-thread testing confirms the pattern: 3584 versus 3004, a 19.3% delta. These results point to a clear architectural superiority in per-core performance for the Zen 4 part.

Multi-core results are closer but still favor the 8640HS. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 8640HS scores 11486 versus 10801.5, a 6.3% win. The R15 multi-core test is nearly a tie: 1845 versus 1830, only 0.8% apart. Geekbench multi-core gives the 8640HS a 13.6% lead (7461 versus 6565), while PassMark multithread shows a 10.3% gap (19889 versus 18037). The 7730U has two extra cores and four extra threads, but the 8640HS still wins these multi-threaded workloads, which indicates that the newer Zen 4 cores are doing the heavy lifting.

Specialized workloads reveal where each chip has distinct strengths. The 8640HS wins PassMark physics by a stunning 29.2% (970 versus 751) and PassMark find prime numbers by 55.6% (70 versus 45). Random string sorting favors the 8640HS at 15.5% (27316 versus 23651), and extended instructions go to the 8640HS at 8.5% (15855 versus 14619). Floating point math is a modest 3.3% win for the 8640HS (39725 versus 38460), and data compression is nearly identical: 226544 versus 225023, a 0.7% edge.

The 7730U's wins are narrow but real. In data encryption, it scores 14258 against 13551, a 5% advantage. In integer math, it takes 72352 versus 68173, a 5.8% lead. These two results suggest the 7730U's extra cores help in certain integer-heavy and encryption-bound tasks, even if the overall throughput favors the 8640HS.

The average benchmark scores in the database place the 8640HS at 26106 versus 25625 for the 7730U, a gap of roughly 1.9%. Both chips sit at the 78th percentile among all CPUs, but the 8640HS achieves that standing with a lower core count, which speaks to the efficiency of its newer architecture.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and use fundamentally different silicon. The Ryzen 5 8640HS is built on Zen 4 architecture with the Hawk Point codename, fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Ryzen 7 7730U uses Zen 3 with the Barcelo-R codename, built on a 7 nm process, also at TSMC. That process shrink from 7 nm to 4 nm is a major driver of the performance deltas seen in benchmarks.

Transistor counts differ dramatically. The 8640HS packs 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die, while the 7730U has 10,700 million on a 180 mm² die. The 8640HS fits more than twice the transistors into a slightly smaller area, which explains its ability to deliver higher per-core performance despite fewer cores.

Core configuration is reversed. The 8640HS has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the 7730U has 8 cores and 16 threads. The 7730U's base clock is listed at 2000.00 MHz, which is unusually low, but its boost clock reaches 4.50 GHz. The 8640HS has a 3.50 GHz base and boosts to 4.90 GHz. Despite the 7730U's extra cores, the 8640HS wins most multi-threaded tests, meaning the per-core efficiency gap more than compensates for the two missing cores.

Cache layouts differ in L2 only. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core and 16 MB of shared L3, but the 8640HS has 1 MB of L2 per core versus 512 KB per core on the 7730U. That doubling of L2 cache per core is likely a factor in the 8640HS's strong single-thread and physics test results.

Memory support is a major split. The 8640HS uses DDR5 with dual-channel support and a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The 7730U uses DDR4 with dual-channel support and 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The 8640HS has nearly 75% more theoretical memory bandwidth, which matters for data-heavy workloads such as compression and extended instructions.

PCIe generations also differ. The 8640HS offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the 7730U is limited to Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The 8640HS also has a newer integrated GPU: Radeon 760M versus Radeon Graphics (Vega 8) on the 7730U. ECC memory support is present on the 7730U but absent on the 8640HS. Sockets differ as well: the 8640HS uses AMD Socket FP8, while the 7730U uses FP6.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Ryzen 5 8640HS wins every single-core test. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 17.6% lead, Geekbench single-core shows 15.4%, and PassMark single-thread shows 19.3%.

Q: Does the 8-core Ryzen 7 7730U beat the 6-core Ryzen 5 8640HS in multi-threaded workloads?

A: No. The 8640HS wins multi-core Cinebench R23 by 6.3%, Geekbench multi-core by 13.6%, and PassMark multithread by 10.3%. The extra two cores on the 7730U do not overcome the per-core advantage of the Zen 4 architecture.

Q: What tests does the Ryzen 7 7730U win?

A: It wins only two tests: PassMark data encryption with a 5% advantage and PassMark integer math with a 5.8% advantage. Both are narrow victories.

Q: How do the memory systems compare?

A: The 8640HS supports DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the 7730U supports DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s. The 8640HS also has PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes versus PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the 7730U.

Q: What is the process node difference?

A: The 8640HS is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC, while the 7730U uses a 7 nm process at TSMC. The 8640HS also has 25,000 million transistors versus 10,700 million on the 7730U.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same cache hierarchy?

A: They share 64 KB of L1 per core and 16 MB of shared L3, but differ in L2. The 8640HS has 1 MB of L2 per core, while the 7730U has 512 KB per core.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is decisive. The Ryzen 5 8640HS is the faster processor across nearly every workload category, despite having fewer cores and a lower core count. Its 15 wins versus 2 losses, combined with the large single-core and physics margins, make it the clear choice for performance-focused users.

The 7730U holds two specific niches: data encryption and integer math. If those workloads are the primary use case, the 7730U offers a measurable advantage. It also supports ECC memory, which the 8640HS does not, and carries a lower TDP of 15 watts versus 28 watts for the 8640HS. That lower power envelope may matter for fanless or ultra-thin designs, though the database does not include battery life or thermal measurements.

For general computing, content creation, or any task that benefits from high single-thread speed, the 8640HS is the better choice. Its 17.6% Cinebench R23 single-core lead and 19.3% PassMark single-thread lead translate directly to snappier application response and faster compilation times. The 55.6% advantage in find prime numbers and 29.2% in physics further cement its position for scientific and simulation workloads.

The 7730U remains viable only where its two wins matter most, or where ECC memory and the lower TDP are non-negotiable. Everywhere else, the 8640HS is the superior silicon.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS | AMD Ryzen 7 7730U |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 2000.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Barcelo-R |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 7 nm |

| Transistors | 25,000 million | 10,700 million |

| Die Size | 178 mm² | 180 mm² |

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

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | false | true |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 760M | Radeon Graphics (Vega 8) |

| Release Date | 2023-12-05 | 2023-01-03 |

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 8640HS wins in every major benchmark category except two. Its single-core dominance is comprehensive: Cinebench R15, Cinebench R23, Geekbench, and PassMark all show double-digit percentage leads over the 7730U. Multi-core performance also favors the 8640HS, with wins ranging from 0.8% in Cinebench R15 multi-core to 13.6% in Geekbench multi-core. Specialized tests like physics, prime number finding, random string sorting, extended instructions, and floating point math all go to the 8640HS.

The Ryzen 7 7730U wins only in data encryption (5% lead) and integer math (5.8% lead). These wins suggest that its 8-core, 16-thread configuration is better suited to certain encryption algorithms and integer-heavy arithmetic loops. The 7730U also offers ECC memory support, a feature absent on the 8640HS, and operates at a lower TDP of 15 watts, which may be relevant for power-constrained laptop designs.

For most users, the 8640HS is the obvious pick. Its 19.3% single-thread advantage and 29.2% physics advantage will be felt in everyday use and demanding applications alike. The 7730U is a specialized choice for encryption-focused workflows or scenarios where ECC memory is required, but the data shows it is outmatched in the vast majority of tasks.