AMD Ryzen 7 170 vs AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers a decisive verdict: the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 wins every single head-to-head comparison against the AMD Ryzen 7 170. Across all 11 recorded PassMark tests, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 takes the victory, with the Ryzen 7 170 recording zero wins.

The largest margin comes in the find prime numbers test, where the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 scores 122 against the Ryzen 7 170's 49, a 59.8% advantage. This workload heavily favors the newer architecture's integer throughput and higher core count. Physics simulation shows a similar story, with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 scoring 1819 versus 890, a 51.1% lead. Floating point math also goes strongly to the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, which delivers 75153 compared to 44979, a 40.2% gap.

The extended instructions test shows a 38.1% advantage for the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, scoring 29269 against 18107. Random string sorting follows at 37.6% ahead, with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 posting 44552 versus 27804. The multithread score, a broad indicator of parallel performance, gives the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 a 36.9% lead at 32916 versus 20760.

Integer math results in a 34.5% advantage for the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, which scores 121754 against 79738. Data compression shows a 34.3% gap, with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 reaching 404918 versus 265920. Data encryption is closer in relative terms, but the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 still leads by 22.7%, scoring 20802 against 16078.

The smallest margin is in single-thread performance, where the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 scores 3867 against 3128, a 19.1% lead. While this is the narrowest gap in the dataset, it remains substantial and confirms that the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 is not merely a multi-core specialist; it also holds a clear single-thread advantage.

The average benchmark score reinforces the overall picture. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 records an average of 46030, placing it in the 89th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Ryzen 7 170 averages 43689, sitting in the 88th percentile. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 at a 0.1% higher average score and the Intel Core i9-13900HX at 0.1% higher, while the Ryzen 7 170's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 at an identical average score and the AMD Ryzen 7 260 at 0.1% lower. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 competes in a slightly higher performance tier.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing nodes. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 uses the Zen 3+ architecture under the Rembrandt-R codename, built on a 6 nm TSMC process with a die size of 210 mm². The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Strix Point codename, built on a 4 nm TSMC process with a die size of 233 mm². The newer 4 nm node and Zen 5 cores explain much of the performance gap observed in the benchmarks.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has 12 cores and 24 threads, a 50% increase in both core and thread counts. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375's generation is listed as Ryzen AI 300 with a hybrid Zen 5 / Zen 5c design, while the Ryzen 7 170 is a homogeneous Zen 3+ design.

Cache configurations also differ. The Ryzen 7 170 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of L3 cache. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches on the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 contribute to its single-thread advantage.

Clock speeds tell a nuanced story. The Ryzen 7 170 has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has a lower 2.00 GHz base clock. However, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 boosts higher, reaching 5.10 GHz versus 4.75 GHz. The lower base clock on the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 likely reflects its lower TDP of 28 watts, compared to 35 watts for the Ryzen 7 170.

Memory support differs in scope. The Ryzen 7 170 supports DDR5 only, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth favors the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 at 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s. The Ryzen 7 170 supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 does not. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Ryzen 7 170 offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 offers Gen 4 with 16 lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The Ryzen 7 170 uses the Radeon 680M, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 uses the Radeon 890M. Both use different sockets: the Ryzen 7 170 uses AMD Socket FP7, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 uses AMD Socket FP8. The release dates differ, with the Ryzen 7 170 released in September 2025 and the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 in June 2024.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data shows no benchmark category where the AMD Ryzen 7 170 comes out ahead. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 dominates across every measured workload, from integer and floating point math to encryption, compression, and single-thread tasks.

The Ryzen 7 170's closest performance relative to its rival comes in data encryption, where it trails by 22.7%, and single-thread performance, where it trails by 19.1%. These remain clear losses, but they indicate that the Ryzen 7 170's older architecture holds up relatively better in these specific workloads than in physics simulation or prime number finding.

The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375's strengths are most pronounced in integer-heavy and physics-based workloads. The 59.8% lead in prime number finding and the 51.1% lead in physics suggest that its Zen 5 cores with larger L1 and L2 caches handle computationally dense tasks with far greater efficiency. The 40.2% lead in floating point math and 38.1% lead in extended instructions reinforce this pattern.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded productivity, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375's 36.9% lead in multithread performance and 34.5% lead in integer math make it the clear choice. For workloads that depend on data compression, the 34.3% lead is equally decisive. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 also holds a 37.6% advantage in random string sorting, which reflects its superior memory bandwidth and cache hierarchy.

The Ryzen 7 170's only distinguishing advantages in the data are architectural rather than performance-based: it supports ECC memory, offers more PCIe lanes (20 versus 16), and has a higher base clock. These features matter for specific use cases, but they do not translate into any benchmark victory.

The percentile rankings summarize the positioning. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 sits in the 89th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen 7 170 sits in the 88th percentile. The average benchmark score difference of 2341 points (46030 versus 43689) places the two processors in adjacent but distinct performance tiers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 scores 3867 in the single-thread PassMark test, compared to 3128 for the AMD Ryzen 7 170, a 19.1% advantage.

Q: How much faster is the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 scores 32916 in the multithread PassMark test, versus 20760 for the Ryzen 7 170, a 36.9% lead.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each processor?

A: The Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 does not.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The Ryzen 7 170 supports DDR5 only. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Q: What is the architecture of each processor?

A: The Ryzen 7 170 uses Zen 3+ architecture (Rembrandt-R) on a 6 nm process. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 uses Zen 5 architecture (Strix Point) on a 4 nm process.

The Verdict

The benchmark data supports only one conclusion: the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 is the superior processor in every measured performance category. It wins all 11 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, holds a higher average benchmark score (46030 versus 43689), and sits in a higher percentile ranking (89th versus 88th).

The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 delivers its largest advantages in compute-heavy workloads. The 59.8% lead in prime number finding, 51.1% lead in physics, and 40.2% lead in floating point math demonstrate that its Zen 5 architecture, 12 cores, and larger per-core caches provide a substantial performance uplift over the Zen 3+ based Ryzen 7 170. Even in the closest category, single-thread performance, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 holds a 19.1% advantage.

The Ryzen 7 170 does offer features that the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 lacks: ECC memory support, 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes versus 16, and a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz versus 2.00 GHz. It also has a lower TDP of 35 watts compared to 28 watts, though this difference is modest. These features may matter for specific system configurations, but they do not offset the performance gap.

The Ryzen AI 9 HX 375's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and the Intel Core i9-13900HX, both of which score within 0.1% of its average. The Ryzen 7 170's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 at an identical average score and the AMD Ryzen 7 260 at 0.1% lower. These groupings confirm that the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 competes in a higher performance class.

For any workload measured in the database, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 is the stronger choice. The Ryzen 7 170 remains a viable processor for systems requiring ECC memory or additional PCIe lanes, but its benchmark results place it clearly behind its newer rival.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 170 | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 12 |

| Threads | 16 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.75 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 28 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP7 | AMD Socket FP8 |

| Architecture | Zen 3+ | Zen 5 |

| Codename | Rembrandt-R | Strix Point |

| Process Node | 6 nm | 4 nm |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 233 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

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

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 16 MB |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 680M | Radeon 890M |

| Release Date | 2025-09-30 | 2024-06-30 |

| Part Number | 100-000000989 | 100-000001682 |