AMD Ryzen 7 170 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 170 and Intel Core Ultra 7 356H are both mobile processors aimed at performance laptops, but the benchmark data reveals a stark contrast in their capabilities. The Intel chip dominates the head-to-head comparison, winning all 11 recorded tests, often by substantial margins. This analysis breaks down the specific performance gaps, architectural reasons behind them, and what the data implies for different workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is the clear winner across every benchmark category recorded. The largest single margin appears in the `passmark_find_prime_numbers` test, where Intel scores 327 against AMD's 49, a delta of -85%. This test is highly sensitive to raw integer processing and memory latency, indicating a fundamental advantage in the Intel architecture's execution efficiency.

Other major wins for Intel come in floating-point and physics workloads. The `passmark_floating_point_math` score shows Intel at 103128 versus AMD's 44979, a -56.4% delta. This suggests that the Intel processor's floating-point units are significantly more capable, likely due to a wider execution pipeline. Similarly, the `passmark_physics` test shows Intel at 2895 versus AMD's 890, a -69.3% delta. Physics simulations often rely on both floating-point throughput and cache efficiency, where Intel's larger L3 cache plays a role.

Encryption and extended instruction workloads also favor Intel heavily. The `passmark_data_encryption` score is 26345 for Intel versus 16078 for AMD, a -39% delta. The `passmark_extended_instructions` test shows Intel at 27898 versus AMD's 18107, a -35.1% delta. These tests leverage modern instruction sets like AES-NI and AVX, where Intel's newer Panther Lake architecture appears to have more mature implementations.

Even in the more moderate comparisons, Intel maintains a lead. The `passmark_multithread` score is 33978 for Intel versus 20760 for AMD, a -38.9% delta. This is a direct reflection of Intel's 16 cores versus AMD's 8 cores, though both have 16 threads. The `passmark_integer_math` test is the closest race, with Intel at 83111 versus AMD at 79738, a -4.1% delta. Here, the core count advantage is partially offset by AMD's higher boost clock of 4.75 GHz versus Intel's 4.70 GHz.

Single-thread performance is also clearly in Intel's favor. The `passmark_single_thread` score is 4072 for Intel versus 3128 for AMD, a -23.2% delta. This indicates that Intel's per-core performance is significantly stronger, which is surprising given AMD's higher clock speed. The architecture's IPC (instructions per clock) must be substantially higher on the Intel side.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins in every single benchmark category. There are no recorded workloads where the AMD Ryzen 7 170 comes out ahead. This creates a clear picture: for any task that involves data compression, encryption, mathematical calculations, physics simulation, or sorting, the Intel processor delivers higher performance.

The AMD processor's only potential advantage lies in its lower power profile. With a TDP of 35 watts versus Intel's 25 watts, the AMD chip is rated for a higher power draw, which could imply it runs hotter under sustained load. However, the data does not include thermals or power efficiency measurements, so this remains speculative. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, which the Intel chip does not, a feature relevant for specific professional or server-like workloads.

For users who prioritize raw compute throughput, the Intel chip is the only choice based on these results. The data shows that even in the closest test, `passmark_integer_math`, Intel still leads by 4.1%. The AMD chip's scores are consistently lower, often by double-digit percentages. This is not a close competition; it is a dominant performance victory for Intel.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 uses the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt-R, built on a 6 nm process from TSMC. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.75 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is 210 mm².

In contrast, the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses the Panther Lake architecture, built on Intel's 3 nm process. It features 16 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The cache hierarchy is much larger: 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The die size is not recorded.

The core count difference is striking. Intel has double the cores of AMD, but both have 16 threads. This implies that the Intel chip uses a hybrid architecture with a mix of performance and efficiency cores, where only the performance cores support hyper-threading. The AMD chip uses a more traditional homogeneous design with 8 full cores, each capable of two threads.

The process node difference is also notable. Intel's 3 nm process is more advanced than AMD's 6 nm process, which likely contributes to Intel's higher efficiency per clock. The larger L1 and L2 caches on Intel provide more on-chip data storage, reducing latency for frequently accessed data. The memory bandwidth also favors Intel, with 115.2 GB/s versus AMD's 76.8 GB/s, though both use dual-channel DDR5.

Another key difference is PCIe support. The AMD chip offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while Intel offers Gen 5 with 12 lanes. The newer Gen 5 standard provides higher bandwidth per lane, which can benefit discrete GPUs and NVMe drives. The integrated graphics also differ: AMD uses the Radeon 680M, while Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics. The data does not include integrated graphics benchmarks, so their relative performance is unknown.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is the superior processor for all recorded workloads. It wins every single head-to-head test, with deltas ranging from -4.1% to -85%. The Intel chip's 16 cores, larger caches, and more advanced 3 nm process deliver a significant performance advantage across the board.

The AMD Ryzen 7 170 does offer ECC memory support and a higher boost clock, but these features do not translate into any recorded performance wins. The AMD chip's 35 W TDP is higher than Intel's 25 W, which could be a disadvantage in thin-and-light laptops where thermal management is critical.

For users selecting a processor purely based on compute performance, the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is the clear choice. The data shows that it leads in single-thread, multi-thread, and every specialized workload tested. The AMD chip is not competitively positioned in any of these categories. The only scenario where the AMD chip might be preferable is if ECC memory support is a hard requirement, as the Intel chip does not support it.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-threaded workloads?

A: In the `passmark_multithread` test, Intel scores 33978 versus AMD's 20760, a -38.9% delta in Intel's favor.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any benchmark?

A: No. The recorded data shows Intel winning all 11 head-to-head benchmark tests.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size?

A: The Intel chip has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD chip has 16 MB.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H does not.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has a TDP of 35 watts, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has a TDP of 25 watts.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 170 | Intel Core Ultra 7 356H |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Architecture | Zen 3+ | Panther Lake |

| Process Node | 6 nm | 3 nm |

| Cores | 8 | 16 |

| Threads | 16 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.75 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 25 W |

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

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 5, 12 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 680M | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP7 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |