AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS vs AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS are two mobile processors that deliver nearly identical overall performance, landing within 0.2% of each other in average benchmark score. The 6850HS takes 12 of 17 head-to-head benchmark wins, while the 8640HS counters with 5 wins, including the crucial single-thread PassMark tests. For users prioritizing multi-threaded workloads like rendering and compression, the Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS is the clear choice; for those who need faster single-thread responsiveness and lower power draw, the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS holds the edge. Both chips are active, mobile-segment parts with integrated graphics, but the 8640HS is the newer design with a more advanced process node and higher boost clock.

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS is the better processor for anything that scales across cores. It wins every Cinebench test by margins of 4.8% to 5.1%, and its PassMark integer math score is 22.4% higher than the 8640HS. The 6850HS also leads in multithread, floating point math, data compression, and data encryption, making it the pick for content creation, code compilation, and heavy multitasking.

The Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS is the right choice when single-thread speed and power efficiency matter more. It beats the 6850HS by 7.3% in PassMark single-thread, wins the prime numbers test by 18.3%, and does so while consuming 28W TDP versus 35W TDP. This makes it the better fit for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and low heat are priorities, and for workloads that are lightly threaded.

The averaged benchmark scores tell the same story: the 6850HS scores 28549, the 8640HS scores 28478, a difference of only 0.2%. Both sit at the 80th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are statistically equivalent in overall capability. Choose based on workload, not raw numbers.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS uses the Zen 3+ architecture on the Rembrandt codename, built on TSMC's 6 nm process. The Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS uses the newer Zen 4 architecture on the Hawk Point codename, built on TSMC's 4 nm process. The die sizes are close — 208 mm² for the 6850HS and 178 mm² for the 8640HS — but the 8640HS packs 25,000 million transistors, a figure not listed for the 6850HS.

The core counts differ significantly: the 6850HS has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the 8640HS has 6 cores and 12 threads. Cache layouts also diverge. Both share 16 MB of L3 cache and 64 KB of L1 per core, but the L2 cache is doubled on the 8640HS at 1 MB per core versus 512 KB per core on the 6850HS.

The integrated graphics differ too: the 6850HS pairs with a Radeon 680M, while the 8640HS uses a Radeon 760M. Memory bandwidth favors the 8640HS at 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for the 6850HS, though both support DDR5 on a dual-channel bus. The 8640HS also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the 6850HS. Both use the same AMD Socket FP7 and PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are uniformly in favor of the 6850HS. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1913 against 1824, a 4.9% lead. Single-core R15 shows 270 vs 257, a 5.1% win. The pattern repeats in R20 multi-core (7971 vs 7603, 4.8%), R20 single-core (1125 vs 1073, 4.8%), R23 multi-core (18980 vs 18104, 4.8%), and R23 single-core (2679 vs 2555, 4.9%). These are consistent, modest margins that reflect the extra two cores and four threads of the 6850HS.

The PassMark suite reveals where each chip excels. The 6850HS dominates integer math with 85459 vs 69839, a 22.4% blowout. It also wins data compression by 10.7% (272838 vs 246446), data encryption by 16% (17350 vs 14962), floating point math by 8.6% (46706 vs 43019), multithread by 4% (22330 vs 21465), and physics by 2.1% (1065 vs 1043).

The 8640HS fights back in specific tests. Its PassMark single-thread score is 3561 vs 3301, a 7.3% advantage. It wins random string sorting by 5.1% (30235 vs 28693), extended instructions by 2.2% (18507 vs 18091), and find prime numbers by an enormous 18.3% (71 vs 58). The prime number test and single-thread scores show the Zen 4 architecture's per-core efficiency advantage.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS | Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 35W | 28W |

| Architecture | Zen 3+ | Zen 4 |

| Codename | Rembrandt | Hawk Point |

| Process Node | 6 nm | 4 nm |

| Transistors | Not listed | 25,000 million |

| Die Size | 208 mm² | 178 mm² |

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

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

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

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

| Release Date | 2022-04-18 | 2024-04-15 |

Both processors share the same L1 cache (64 KB per core), L3 cache (16 MB shared), memory support (DDR5 dual-channel), socket (FP7), PCIe lanes (Gen 4, 20), market segment (Mobile), and production status (Active). Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has better multi-core performance?

A: The Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS wins every multi-core benchmark. It leads Cinebench R23 multi-core by 4.8% (18980 vs 18104) and PassMark multithread by 4% (22330 vs 21465).

Q: Is the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS faster in single-thread tests?

A: Yes. It scores 3561 in PassMark single-thread versus 3301 for the 6850HS, a 7.3% advantage. However, the 6850HS still wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 4.9% (2679 vs 2555).

Q: Which processor is more power-efficient?

A: The Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS has a 28W TDP compared to 35W for the 6850HS, and it achieves its single-thread wins with that lower power envelope.

Q: Do both chips support the same memory?

A: Both support DDR5 on a dual-channel bus, but the 8640HS offers higher memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for the 6850HS, and it adds ECC memory support.

Q: Which one has better integrated graphics?

A: The Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS uses the Radeon 760M, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS uses the Radeon 680M. The benchmark data does not include GPU tests, so the comparison is limited to model names.

Q: How close are these CPUs in overall performance?

A: Nearly identical. The 6850HS has an average benchmark score of 28549, the 8640HS scores 28478, a difference of 0.2%. Both rank at the 80th percentile of all CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS wins in 12 of 17 benchmarks, making it the default choice for multi-threaded productivity. Its 22.4% lead in integer math and 16% lead in data encryption show strength in computation-heavy tasks. The 10.7% win in data compression makes it better for file archiving, and the 8.6% floating point advantage helps with scientific calculations and 3D rendering. All six Cinebench tests go to the 6850HS, confirming its edge in CPU-bound creative workloads.

The Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS wins 5 benchmarks, but they are strategically important. The 7.3% single-thread PassMark win means snappier response in everyday applications like web browsing and office work. The 18.3% win in find prime numbers indicates superior per-core math throughput, useful for certain financial and engineering simulations. The 5.1% random string sorting win helps with database operations, and the 2.2% extended instructions win shows an advantage in newer, specialized instruction sets. Its 28W TDP also makes it the better partner for compact laptops with limited cooling.

For a workstation replacement or a desktop-replacement laptop, the Ryzen 7 PRO 6850HS's extra two cores justify its 35W TDP. For a portable Ultrabook where battery life and low heat are paramount, the Ryzen 5 PRO 8640HS delivers competitive performance at lower power. The data shows both are excellent mobile processors; the choice comes down to whether you need multi-core muscle or per-core efficiency with lower power draw.