AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a decisive picture: Intel Core Ultra 9 285 wins every single head-to-head test in the database. Across all 17 recorded comparisons, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U fails to secure a single victory. The margins are substantial, but they vary considerably depending on the workload.

The most one-sided result appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Intel part scores 696 against AMD's 219, a delta of -68.5%. This pattern repeats across the entire Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel processor delivers 48945 points versus 15456 for the AMD, a -68.4% gap. The single-core R23 result shows the same -68.4% delta, with Intel at 6909 and AMD at 2182. The R20 and R15 multi-core tests mirror this exactly at -68.4%: 20556 against 6491, and 4933 against 1557 respectively.

The PassMark suite reveals where each architecture shows relative strength. The closest contest occurs in PassMark single-thread, where Intel scores 4881 and AMD scores 3563, a -27% delta. This remains a clear Intel win, but the gap narrows to less than a third of the margins seen elsewhere. That suggests the AMD core's single-thread performance is competitive in relative terms, even if the raw score still trails.

The largest deficit for AMD appears in PassMark find prime numbers. Intel records 459, AMD records 66, a -85.6% delta. Floating-point math also shows a wide divide: Intel at 194988, AMD at 34865, a -82.1% gap. These two tests indicate that the Intel part's computational throughput in mathematically intensive workloads dwarfs the AMD mobile chip.

Data compression shows Intel at 602121 versus AMD at 205703, a -65.8% delta. Integer math follows at -65.6%, with Intel scoring 164869 and AMD 56738. Extended instructions show a -66% delta, Intel at 45357 and AMD at 15410. Random string sorting lands at -66.3%, Intel 73651, AMD 24797. Multithread performance in PassMark shows Intel at 56602 against AMD's 18218, a -67.8% delta.

Encryption and physics workloads show some of the wider gaps. PassMark data encryption gives Intel 46949 and AMD 12319, a -73.8% delta. PassMark physics records Intel at 3598 and AMD at 983, a -72.7% delta.

The average benchmark scores reflect this dominance. Intel Core Ultra 9 285 holds an average benchmark score of 75488, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs in the database. AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U averages 23709, sitting in the 76th percentile. Intel's nearest rivals in the database include AMD EPYC 8224P at 75582 with a -0.1% delta, AMD EPYC 4545P at 75373 with 0.2%, AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755X3D at 75716 with -0.3%, and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755 at 75738 with -0.3%. AMD's nearest rivals include Intel Core i5-11500 at 23718 with 0% delta, Intel Xeon 6333P at 23823 with -0.5%, Intel Core 3 100HL at 23545 with 0.7%, and AMD Ryzen 7 8840U at 23982 with -1.1%.

The data indicates that Intel's absolute scores are approximately three times higher in most multi-threaded tests. The -68.4% deltas across the Cinebench suite consistently reflect this ratio. Single-thread tests show a smaller but still decisive advantage for Intel.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different market segments, which explains the benchmark gulf. AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U is a mobile chip in the 8000 series, built on Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename. Intel Core Ultra 9 285 is a desktop part in Core Ultra Series 2, using Arrow Lake architecture under the Arrow Lake-S codename.

Core counts differ sharply. AMD provides 6 cores and 12 threads, while Intel provides 24 cores and 24 threads. The Intel part has no hyperthreading, yet its core count quadruples the AMD processor's physical core count. Thread counts show Intel at 24 versus AMD's 12, a 2x advantage.

Clock speeds tell a more nuanced story. AMD's base clock runs at 3.20 GHz with a boost of 4.90 GHz. Intel's base clock sits lower at 2.50 GHz, but its boost reaches 5.60 GHz. The Intel part boosts higher by 0.70 GHz, while the AMD chip maintains a higher sustained base frequency by 0.70 GHz.

Manufacturing processes differ by one node step. AMD uses TSMC's 4 nm process, while Intel uses TSMC's 3 nm process. Transistor counts are close, with AMD at 20,900 million and Intel at 17,800 million. Die sizes diverge significantly: AMD measures 137 mm², Intel measures 243 mm². Intel packs fewer transistors into a larger die, consistent with its higher core count and larger cache allocation.

Cache hierarchies scale with core count. AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Intel allocates 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. Total L3 cache favors Intel at 36 MB versus 16 MB, a 2.25x advantage.

Memory support shows both platforms using DDR5 with dual-channel buses. Intel's memory bandwidth reaches 102.4 GB/s, while AMD's reaches 89.6 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs by generation and lane count: AMD provides Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes, Intel provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics also differ. AMD includes Radeon 740M, while Intel includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. Power envelopes reflect their market positions: AMD has a 28 W TDP for mobile use, Intel has a 65 W TDP for desktop use. Sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket FP7 versus Intel Socket 1851.

Production status shows both as Active. AMD released on 2024-04-15, Intel on 2024-12-31. Intel carries a launch MSRP of $579. AMD's launch MSRP is not listed in the database. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Part numbers are listed as 100-000001329 (FP7r2) and 100-000001331 (FP7) for AMD, and SRQD4 for Intel.

The Verdict

The data supports only one conclusion for raw performance: Intel Core Ultra 9 285 dominates every recorded benchmark. The 24-core desktop part outperforms the 6-core mobile part across all 17 head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from -27% in single-thread to -85.6% in prime number calculation. The average benchmark score of 75488 versus 23709, and the 95th versus 76th percentile placement, confirm that these chips occupy different performance tiers entirely.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U is a mobile processor with a 28 W TDP and Zen 4 architecture. Its benchmark scores place it near the Intel Core i5-11500, Intel Xeon 6333P, Intel Core 3 100HL, and AMD Ryzen 7 8840U in the database. Those rivals sit within 1.1% of its average score in either direction. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285, by contrast, sits alongside AMD EPYC server processors and AMD Ryzen 7 PRO parts, with deltas no larger than 0.3% against its nearest rivals.

Users seeking a desktop processor with maximum multi-threaded throughput should choose the Intel part. The data shows no workload category where AMD wins. Users constrained to a mobile platform with lower power consumption would select the AMD part, since it offers a 28 W envelope and Socket FP7 compatibility, but they will accept a substantial performance penalty in every measured test.

The launch MSRP for the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 is $579. No pricing information exists for the AMD part in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in the database?

A: Intel Core Ultra 9 285 wins all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U records zero wins.

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

A: The largest gap appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where Intel scores 459 and AMD scores 66, a -85.6% delta for AMD.

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

A: The smallest gap appears in PassMark single-thread, where Intel scores 4881 and AMD scores 3563, a -27% delta.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has 24 cores and 24 threads. AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 support ECC memory, and both use DDR5 with dual-channel buses.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: Intel Core Ultra 9 285 averages 75488, placing in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U averages 23709, placing in the 76th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core Ultra 9 285 wins in every category where performance matters. Multi-threaded rendering workloads, represented by Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, all favor Intel by -68.4%. The 24-core configuration provides a decisive throughput advantage for parallel workloads. Data compression, integer math, floating-point math, encryption, physics simulation, extended instructions, random string sorting, and prime number calculation all go to Intel, with margins from -65.6% to -85.6%.

The single-thread category shows the closest race. Intel still wins PassMark single-thread by -27%, and Cinebench single-core tests by -68.4% to -68.5%. The AMD processor's single-core performance, while lower in absolute terms, narrows the gap compared to its multi-threaded deficit. This indicates that the Zen 4 core design in the AMD chip is relatively stronger per core, but the Intel part's higher boost clock of 5.60 GHz and newer 3 nm process still carry it to victory.

AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8540U wins no benchmark categories in the database. Its advantages are architectural rather than performance-based. The 28 W TDP makes it suitable for mobile platforms, while Intel's 65 W TDP targets desktop systems. The AMD part uses the smaller 137 mm² die and the AMD Socket FP7, whereas Intel uses the 243 mm² die and Intel Socket 1851. For workloads that fit within a mobile power envelope, the AMD chip exists as the only viable option between these two, since the Intel part cannot operate in that segment. But for any measured performance metric, the data gives every win to Intel Core Ultra 9 285.