AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U vs Intel Core 7 253PE Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U and Intel Core 7 253PE target different segments, and the benchmark data reflects that split clearly. The Intel part wins every single head-to-head comparison in the database, but the margins vary wildly depending on the workload. The AMD chip is a 28 W mobile processor, while the Intel chip is a 65 W desktop part, so the performance gap is best understood through that lens.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core 7 253PE dominates the Cinebench suite with consistent margins. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 24880 against AMD's 19982, a delta of -19.7%. Single-core R23 shows the same pattern: Intel at 3512, AMD at 2821, also a -19.7% difference. The R20 and R15 results mirror this exactly, with every Cinebench test landing at a -19.7% delta in Intel's favor. This uniformity suggests the gap is structural, not workload-specific.

PassMark tests reveal where the gap widens. Floating point math is the largest single disparity: Intel scores 80870, AMD scores 45265, a -44% difference. Prime number finding shows Intel at 138 versus AMD at 78, a -43.5% gap. Physics tests follow with Intel at 1845 and AMD at 1154, a -37.5% delta. Integer math is also heavily Intel-favored at 114158 versus 74875, a -34.4% difference.

The narrowest margins appear in single-threaded and memory-sensitive workloads. PassMark single-thread shows Intel at 3955 versus AMD at 3732, just a -5.6% gap. Random string sorting is the closest contest: Intel at 32777, AMD at 32114, only a -2% delta. Data encryption favors Intel by -13.8% (18385 versus 15843), and extended instructions by -12.3% (21806 versus 19130). Data compression sits in the middle at -23.1% (339133 versus 260925), and multithread at -22.1% (29271 versus 22795).

The average benchmark scores place the Intel part at 40557, which ranks in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD part averages 30254, ranking in the 81st percentile. Intel's nearest rivals in the database are the Intel Core 5 223PE (40585, -0.1%), Intel Core Ultra X7 368H (40518, 0.1%), Intel Xeon 6357P (40630, -0.2%), and AMD Ryzen 9 7940H (40431, 0.3%). AMD's nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 7 2700X (30213, 0.1%), AMD Ryzen 7 7736U (30364, -0.4%), AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS (30390, -0.4%), and Intel Core i9-11980HK (30422, -0.6%).

The Verdict

The data shows a clear overall winner in raw performance: the Intel Core 7 253PE wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The average score difference is substantial, 40557 versus 30254, a gap of roughly 34%. Anyone building a desktop system that prioritizes compute-heavy tasks should choose the Intel part based on these measurements.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U is not competitive on raw throughput, but it operates in a different power class. Its 28 W TDP versus Intel's 65 W TDP means the AMD chip belongs in thin-and-light mobile systems where battery life and thermal limits matter more than peak performance. The Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U still delivers respectable scores for a 28 W part, and its 81st percentile ranking confirms it sits above most CPUs in the database.

The closest benchmark, random string sorting at -2%, hints that memory-bound workloads narrow the gap considerably. The single-thread margin of -5.6% also shows AMD's Zen 4 architecture is not far behind in lightly threaded scenarios. For users who need occasional bursts of performance in a low-power mobile chassis, the AMD part is the sensible pick. For sustained multi-core work on desktop power, the Intel part is the only choice.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U uses the Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, codenamed Hawk Point. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Intel Core 7 253PE uses the Bartlett Lake architecture on Intel's 10 nm process, with 10 cores and 20 threads, a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz.

Cache layouts differ significantly. AMD uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Intel uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3. The larger L2 and L3 caches on the Intel part help explain its advantage in integer math and floating point workloads.

Memory support also diverges. AMD supports DDR5 only, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe capabilities favor Intel. The Core 7 253PE provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The Intel part also has a higher boost clock, 5.50 GHz versus 4.90 GHz, which contributes to its single-thread advantage.

Integrated graphics differ as well. AMD uses the Radeon 760M, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 730. The AMD part uses the AMD Socket FP7, and the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $384. The AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE wins every multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 24880 versus AMD's 19982, a -19.7% delta. PassMark multithread shows 29271 versus 22795, a -22.1% difference.

Q: How close are the two in single-thread performance?

A: The gap is smaller than in multi-core. PassMark single-thread scores are 3955 for Intel and 3732 for AMD, a -5.6% delta. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 3512 versus 2821, still -19.7%.

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes. Both the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U and the Intel Core 7 253PE support ECC memory.

Q: What process nodes do these CPUs use?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U uses a 4 nm process from TSMC. The Intel Core 7 253PE uses Intel's 10 nm process.

Q: Which CPU has higher average benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE averages 40557, placing it in the 87th percentile. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U averages 30254, placing it in the 81st percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 253PE wins every recorded benchmark category, but its advantages cluster in specific workload types. Floating point math shows the largest margin at -44%, making the Intel part the clear choice for scientific computing, physics simulations, and any workload that relies heavily on FPU throughput. Prime number finding at -43.5% and physics at -37.5% reinforce this pattern. Integer math at -34.4% covers general productivity applications, data processing, and compilation tasks. The Intel part also leads in data compression at -23.1%, which matters for file archiving and database workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U shows its best relative performance in memory-heavy and single-threaded tasks. Random string sorting at -2% is nearly a tie, suggesting the AMD memory subsystem handles pointer-chasing workloads adequately. Single-thread at -5.6% shows Zen 4's efficiency in lightly threaded scenarios, where the lower power envelope does not hurt as much. Data encryption at -13.8% and extended instructions at -12.3% are also relatively closer margins, indicating AMD's architecture handles cryptographic and SIMD-style instructions more competitively.

The use-case split comes down to power and platform. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8640U is a 28 W mobile processor for the AMD Socket FP7, designed for laptops where thermal headroom is limited. Its Radeon 760M integrated graphics and Gen 4 PCIe make it suitable for thin-and-light business or productivity machines. The Intel Core 7 253PE is a 65 W desktop processor for Intel Socket 1700, with Gen 5 PCIe and a higher boost clock. It fits desktop builds where sustained multi-core throughput and the largest possible cache matter more than power efficiency. The Intel part's 33 MB of shared L3 cache versus AMD's 16 MB gives it a structural advantage in workloads that benefit from large working sets.