AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225H Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS are both mobile processors aimed at the same performance tier, but the benchmark data reveals two very different personalities. The Intel part is a multi-threaded powerhouse that wins the vast majority of head-to-head tests, while the AMD chip, despite its lower core count, counters with superior results in specific single-threaded and memory-intensive workloads. The data shows 13 benchmark wins for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H against 4 for the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS, but the margin and nature of those wins tell the full story.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H is the clear winner for heavily parallel workloads. Its 14 cores and 14 threads give it a structural advantage that shows up across Cinebench and PassMark tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 2397.5 against the AMD's 1989, a 20.5% lead. That advantage expands in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the Intel part leads by 21.1% (10041 vs 8291). The PassMark multithread test confirms the trend, with the Intel chip scoring 28119 versus 23569, a 19.3% advantage. For rendering, video encoding, or any workload that scales across cores, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H is the stronger choice.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS wins in Cinebench R23, both single-core and multi-core, and in two PassMark tests. The most striking win is Cinebench R23 multicore, where the AMD chip scores 19742 versus 14629.5, a 25.9% lead. This is a reversal from the older Cinebench versions, suggesting the AMD part scales better under the R23 workload's specific demands. The AMD chip also wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 29.4% (2787 vs 1969), which is a massive gap. Additionally, the AMD part leads in PassMark integer math (72740 vs 68520, a 5.8% edge) and random string sorting (35472 vs 33654, a 5.1% lead). These wins point to strengths in integer-heavy calculations and memory access patterns.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H dominates in floating-point math, scoring 86540 versus 45481, a 90.3% lead. It also wins PassMark physics by 55.4% (1877 vs 1208) and find prime numbers by 201.4% (220 vs 73). The Intel part's lead in data encryption is 23.2% (21428 vs 17387), and in data compression it is 6.6% (283451 vs 265826). For single-threaded PassMark, the Intel chip leads by 10.4% (4258 vs 3858). The overall pattern is clear: the Intel chip wins the majority of tests, often by large margins, while the AMD chip wins specific tests that highlight its architectural efficiency.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different foundations. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H uses the Arrow Lake architecture on a 3 nm process node from TSMC, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS uses Zen 4 on a 4 nm node, also from TSMC. The Intel chip has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading, while the AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads, using SMT to double its thread count. The Intel part's base clock is 1.70 GHz with a boost of 4.90 GHz, while the AMD part runs at a much higher base clock of 4.30 GHz and boosts to 5.00 GHz.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The Intel chip has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel part's larger per-core L2 cache is notable, but the AMD chip has a higher base clock that likely contributes to its single-thread wins in Cinebench R23.

Memory support also separates the two. The Intel chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while the AMD chip supports only DDR5. Both are dual-channel, but the Intel part has a higher memory bandwidth rating at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for the AMD chip. The AMD chip supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not. The Intel chip uses PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD chip uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well, with the Intel part featuring Arc Graphics 130T and the AMD part featuring Radeon 760M. The AMD chip also has a larger die size at 178 mm² with 25,000 million transistors, while the Intel part's die size and transistor count are not recorded.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 220 against the AMD chip's 73, a 201.4% advantage. This is a decisive victory in a pure integer calculation test. The floating-point math test also favors Intel heavily, with a 90.3% lead (86540 vs 45481). Physics is another strong Intel win, at 55.4% (1877 vs 1208). These three tests show the Intel chip's raw computational throughput in math-heavy scenarios.

The Intel chip also wins the Cinebench R15 and R20 tests by consistent margins. In R15 multicore, it leads by 20.5%, and in R20 multicore, by 21.1%. The single-core R20 test shows a 21.1% lead for Intel (1417 vs 1170). PassMark single-thread shows Intel at 4258 versus 3858, a 10.4% lead. Data encryption favors Intel by 23.2%, and extended instructions by 3.3%. Data compression is closer, at 6.6% for Intel.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS has its own set of convincing wins. The largest is Cinebench R23 single-core, where it leads by 29.4% (2787 vs 1969). This is the most significant single-core margin in the dataset. Cinebench R23 multicore also goes to AMD by 25.9% (19742 vs 14629.5). These two results are a stark contrast to the older Cinebench versions, suggesting the AMD chip's higher boost clock and architecture are better suited to the R23 workload. PassMark integer math goes to AMD by 5.8% (72740 vs 68520), and random string sorting by 5.1% (35472 vs 33654). These wins are narrower but consistent in pointing to the AMD chip's efficiency in integer and sorting workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS wins 4.

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

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H scores 220 versus 73 for the AMD chip, a 201.4% advantage.

Q: Does the AMD chip win any single-threaded tests?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 29.4% (2787 vs 1969), but the Intel chip wins PassMark single-thread by 10.4% (4258 vs 3858).

Q: How do the core counts affect the results?

A: The Intel chip has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel chip's higher core count drives its wins in Cinebench R15, R20, and PassMark multithread tests.

Q: Which chip has better memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H has a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS has 89.6 GB/s.

Q: Is there a difference in process node?

A: Yes, the Intel chip uses a 3 nm process node, while the AMD chip uses 4 nm, both fabricated by TSMC.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several fundamental specifications. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel chip's base clock is 1.70 GHz with a boost of 4.90 GHz, while the AMD chip runs at a base of 4.30 GHz and boosts to 5.00 GHz. Thermal design power differs as well, with the Intel chip rated at 28 W and the AMD chip at 45 W.

Cache hierarchies are distinct. The Intel chip has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Memory support shows the Intel chip accepting both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while the AMD chip supports only DDR5. The Intel chip's memory bandwidth is 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for the AMD chip. ECC memory support is present on the AMD chip but absent on the Intel chip.

PCIe lanes and generation differ: the Intel chip uses Gen 5 with 8 lanes, while the AMD chip uses Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The integrated graphics units are different, with the Intel chip featuring Arc Graphics 130T and the AMD chip featuring Radeon 760M. The AMD chip has a listed die size of 178 mm² and 25,000 million transistors, while these figures are not recorded for the Intel chip. The sockets also differ, with the Intel chip using Intel BGA 2049 and the AMD chip using AMD Socket FP7.

The Verdict

For users who prioritize multi-threaded performance across a broad range of tests, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225H is the clear choice. It wins the majority of benchmarks, including Cinebench R15 and R20, PassMark multithread, physics, and floating-point math. The data shows a 20.5% to 21.1% lead in the older Cinebench multicore tests, a 19.3% lead in PassMark multithread, and a dominant 90.3% lead in floating-point math. The Intel chip also wins single-threaded PassMark by 10.4%, making it the more consistent performer overall.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS is the pick for workloads that mirror Cinebench R23's specific demands. It wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 29.4% and multicore by 25.9%, which are substantial margins. Its wins in PassMark integer math and random string sorting, though smaller, indicate strengths in integer-heavy and memory-access-sensitive tasks. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, which may matter for certain professional or server-adjacent uses, and it has a higher base clock at 4.30 GHz versus 1.70 GHz for the Intel chip.

The recorded data does not support a single universal winner. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225H is the better all-around performer for most multi-threaded and math-heavy scenarios, with 13 wins and an average benchmark score of 31508. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 8645HS, with an average score of 30879, is a more specialized option that excels in Cinebench R23 and specific integer tasks. The choice depends on whether the user's software aligns with the AMD chip's strengths or the Intel chip's broader dominance.