AMD Ryzen 7 170 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a decisive sweep: the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus wins all 11 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the AMD Ryzen 7 170. There are no individual test victories for the AMD part, which makes the performance gap consistent across every workload category measured.

The largest margin appears in the prime number calculation test. The Intel chip scores 482 against 49 for the AMD processor, a delta of -89.8% from the AMD perspective. This indicates the Intel part completes this workload at roughly ten times the speed. Floating point math shows a similarly wide gap: 163,567 for Intel versus 44,979 for AMD, a -72.5% delta. The physics test also leans heavily toward Intel, with 3,843 versus 890, a -76.8% difference.

The Intel advantage narrows somewhat in integer-heavy tasks. In integer math, the Intel part scores 122,449 against 79,738, a -34.9% delta. Single-thread performance follows a similar pattern, with 4,764 versus 3,128, also a -34.3% delta. These are still substantial margins, but they show that the AMD chip is relatively more competitive in integer and single-thread work than in floating point or prime number calculations.

Data compression and encryption results continue the trend. The Intel processor records 493,179 in data compression versus 265,920, a -46.1% delta. Data encryption shows 37,813 versus 16,078, a -57.5% delta. Extended instructions score 39,283 versus 18,107, a -53.9% delta. Random string sorting delivers 60,020 versus 27,804, a -53.7% delta. The multithread score of 48,270 versus 20,760 represents a -57% delta.

The average benchmark score in the database places the Intel part at 61,834, while the AMD chip sits at 43,689. The Intel processor ranks in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the AMD part ranks in the 88th percentile. The Intel chip's closest rivals are the Intel Core i9-13900KF at 61,841 (0% delta), the Intel Core i9-13900K at 61,766 (0.1% delta), the Intel Core i9-13900T at 61,723 (0.2% delta), and the Intel Xeon 636 at 61,360 (0.8% delta). The AMD part's nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 at 43,704 (0% delta), the AMD Ryzen 7 260 at 43,717 (-0.1% delta), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 at 43,431 (0.6% delta), and the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 at 43,326 (0.8% delta).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing nodes and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 uses a 6 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus uses a 3 nm process, also from TSMC. The Intel part carries 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, whereas the AMD part has a die size of 210 mm² with no transistor count recorded in the database.

Core counts differ significantly. The AMD chip has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel chip has 20 cores and 20 threads. This means the Intel part has no hyperthreading, instead relying on a higher physical core count. The AMD part's architecture is listed as Zen 3+ with the codename Rembrandt-R, while the Intel part uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename under the Core Ultra Series 2 family.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The AMD part provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel part provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L1 and L2 on the Intel chip, combined with nearly double the L3, likely contributes to its advantage in cache-sensitive workloads.

Clock speeds show a trade-off. The AMD chip has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz versus 2.40 GHz, but the Intel chip has a higher boost clock at 5.30 GHz versus 4.75 GHz. The Intel part also has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD part does not.

Memory support is DDR5 for both, with dual-channel buses. The Intel chip has a higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s. The AMD chip supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not. PCIe connectivity also differs, with the AMD part using Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes and the Intel part using Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD chip uses the Radeon 680M, while the Intel chip uses the Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. Both are mobile processors, and both are listed as active in production. The AMD part has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel part has a TDP of 55 watts. The AMD part was released on September 30, 2025, while the Intel part has a release date of March 16, 2026. The AMD part uses the AMD Socket FP7 socket, while the Intel part uses the Intel BGA 2114 socket.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows no workload category where the AMD Ryzen 7 170 takes the lead. Every recorded test, from single-thread to multithread, from integer math to floating point, favors the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus.

The closest margins for the AMD chip come in single-thread and integer math, where the deltas are -34.3% and -34.9% respectively. These are still large gaps, but they represent the areas where the AMD processor is least disadvantaged. The AMD chip's base clock advantage of 3.20 GHz versus 2.40 GHz may help in short single-thread bursts, though the Intel part's 5.30 GHz boost clock ultimately wins the recorded single-thread test outright.

The Intel part shows its largest advantages in prime number finding, floating point math, and physics simulations. The -89.8% delta in prime numbers, -72.5% delta in floating point, and -76.8% delta in physics suggest workloads that rely on heavy mathematical computation benefit most from the Intel architecture. The larger L3 cache of 30 MB versus 16 MB, the higher memory bandwidth, and the additional physical cores likely drive these results.

Data compression and encryption also favor Intel strongly, with deltas of -46.1% and -57.5%. The multithread score delta of -57% indicates that the 20-core Intel part scales better in parallel workloads than the 8-core AMD part. The extended instructions test, with a -53.9% delta, and random string sorting, with a -53.7% delta, round out a consistent pattern of Intel dominance across all measured categories.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear performance hierarchy between these two mobile processors. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus delivers higher scores in every benchmark recorded in the database, with average benchmark scores 41.5% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 170 (61,834 versus 43,689). The Intel part also ranks higher in the overall percentile distribution, at 93 compared to 88.

The AMD Ryzen 7 170 offers advantages in specific non-performance attributes recorded in the database. It supports ECC memory, has a lower TDP of 35 watts versus 55 watts, and uses a smaller die at 210 mm² versus 243 mm². It also has a higher base clock and an earlier release date. For workloads where ECC support or lower power draw matters, the AMD part has documented benefits.

However, for raw computational performance across the measured benchmarks, the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is the stronger choice. Its nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i9-13900KF and Intel Core i9-13900K, both desktop-class processors, which places its performance in a higher tier. The AMD part's nearest rivals are all AMD mobile and AI-series processors with similar average scores.

The Intel part also offers PCIe Gen 5 support, a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, and an unlocked multiplier. The AMD part counters with ECC support and a lower TDP. Users who prioritize maximum benchmark scores should select the Intel processor. Users who require ECC memory or lower power consumption should consider the AMD processor.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus scores 4,764 in the PassMark single-thread test, while the AMD Ryzen 7 170 scores 3,128, a -34.3% delta for the AMD part.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 20 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus does not.

Q: How do the processors compare in memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 76.8 GB/s. Both use DDR5 with a dual-channel bus.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has a TDP of 55 watts.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 30 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 16 MB of shared L3 cache.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 170 | Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus |

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

| Cores | 8 | 20 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.75 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 55 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP7 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| Process Node | 6 nm | 3 nm |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | 210 mm² | 243 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB per core | 192 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB per core | 3 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB shared | 30 MB shared |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 680M | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release Date | 2025-09-30 | 2026-03-16 |