AMD Ryzen 7 4800H vs Intel Core Ultra 5 228V Comparison

The data presents a clear generational clash: Intel’s Lunar Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm TSMC process, goes head-to-head against AMD’s Zen 2 Renoir silicon from 2020. Despite the Ryzen 7 4800H having double the threads and a much higher 45 W TDP, the Core Ultra 5 228V matches it in overall average score (21,440 vs 21,749), with the AMD part holding a mere 1.4% edge. The benchmark results reveal a fascinating split: the Intel chip dominates single-thread and specialized math workloads, while the AMD chip leverages its 16 threads to crush multi-core and integer-heavy tasks. This is not a story of a clear winner, but of two very different design philosophies optimized for distinct workloads.

The Verdict

The data points to a decisive split based on workload type. For users whose primary applications are single-threaded or rely on floating-point math, physics simulation, or prime number calculations, the Intel Core Ultra 5 228V is the clear choice. Its 40.2% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 47.7% lead in Passmark single-thread performance are substantial, not marginal. The 409.1% advantage in Passmark find prime numbers is staggering, indicating a massive efficiency and instruction-level advantage in specific computational tasks.

Conversely, the AMD Ryzen 7 4800H is the pick for multi-threaded productivity and data-heavy workloads. Its 16 threads provide a significant edge in Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,135.5 vs 9,932, a 10.8% lead) and an even larger 35.4% win in Passmark data compression. The 38% lead in integer math suggests it handles general-purpose computing and code compilation more effectively. The verdict is not about which is "better" overall—their average benchmark scores are nearly identical—but about matching the silicon to the task. The 4800H is a workhorse for parallel processing; the 228V is a sprinter for latency-sensitive and single-threaded applications. The 0% delta in Passmark multithread (18,227 vs 18,222) is a statistical tie, showing that in some aggregate multi-threaded scenarios, the Intel chip’s superior per-core efficiency can overcome its lack of threads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V is part of the Core Ultra Series 2, using the Lunar Lake architecture on a 3 nm TSMC process. It features 8 cores and 8 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading, with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Its cache hierarchy is notable: 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. It uses an Intel BGA 2833 socket and supports PCIe Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes.

The AMD Ryzen 7 4800H, from the 4000 series, uses the Zen 2 architecture (codename Renoir) on a 7 nm TSMC process. It has 8 cores and 16 threads thanks to SMT, with a higher base clock of 2.90 GHz but a lower boost clock of 4.20 GHz. Its cache is smaller per core (64 KB L1, 512 KB L2) but shares the same 8 MB L3. It uses a 45 W TDP compared to Intel’s 17 W, sits in an AMD Socket FP6, and is limited to PCIe Gen 3. The transistor counts tell the story of the process difference: AMD packs 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die, while Intel’s die size is not listed, but the 3 nm node allows for a much more power-efficient design. The integrated graphics also differ—Intel has the Arc 130V, while AMD has Radeon Graphics 448SP. The memory support is a point of divergence, with Intel’s being listed as dependent on the motherboard and AMD’s explicitly supporting DDR4 and LPDDR4 with a 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a stark contrast in performance profiles. Intel wins 8 of the 15 direct comparisons, but the margins tell a nuanced story. The most lopsided Intel victories are in specialized math: Passmark find prime numbers (168 vs 33, +409.1%) and Passmark physics (1,538 vs 754, +104%). These are followed by strong single-thread wins: Cinebench R23 single-core (1,758 vs 1,253.5, +40.2%), Cinebench R15 single-core (267 vs 188, +42%), and Passmark single-thread (3,836 vs 2,597, +47.7%). The Intel chip also wins in floating-point math (53,310 vs 37,312, +42.9%), showing a clear advantage in scientific and analytical workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 7 4800H wins 7 comparisons, with its largest margins in data-heavy and integer tasks. The biggest win is in Passmark data compression (269,334 vs 173,924, +35.4%), followed by Passmark integer math (63,999 vs 39,679, +38%). It also wins in random string sorting (29,181 vs 21,254, +27.2%), data encryption (15,530 vs 13,032, +16.1%), and extended instructions (17,035 vs 14,801, +13.1%). In multi-core rendering, it takes Cinebench R23 (11,135.5 vs 9,932, +10.8%) and Cinebench R15 (1,854 vs 1,502.5, +19%). The Passmark multithread test is a dead heat (18,227 vs 18,222, 0% delta), which is remarkable given the AMD chip has twice the threads.

Specification Differences

The core specification differences are stark and define the performance gap. The most obvious is threads: Intel has 8, AMD has 16. This directly explains the multi-core benchmark wins. The process node differs significantly (3 nm vs 7 nm), which contributes to the massive TDP difference: Intel’s 17 W versus AMD’s 45 W. This makes the Intel chip far more suitable for thin-and-light devices, while the AMD chip is designed for larger laptops with better cooling. The cache layout is also different: Intel has a much larger L1 (192 KB vs 64 KB per core) and L2 (2.5 MB vs 512 KB per core), while both share 8 MB L3. The base and boost clocks are inverted in a sense: AMD has a higher base (2.90 GHz vs 2.10 GHz) but Intel has a higher boost (4.50 GHz vs 4.20 GHz). The socket (Intel BGA 2833 vs AMD Socket FP6) makes them incompatible. Finally, PCIe support differs (Gen 5 vs Gen 3), and the integrated graphics are different (Arc 130V vs Radeon 448SP). The release dates are separated by over four years, with Intel launching in 2024 and AMD in 2020.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V is clearly superior in single-threaded workloads. It leads by 40.2% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1,758 vs 1,253.5) and by 47.7% in Passmark single-thread (3,836 vs 2,597).

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 4800H faster in multi-core tasks?

A: Yes, in most rendering and data-intensive tasks. It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 10.8% (11,135.5 vs 9,932) and Cinebench R15 multi-core by 19% (1,854 vs 1,502.5). However, the Passmark multithread score is a tie (18,227 vs 18,222).

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The Intel chip has a 17 W TDP, while the AMD chip has a 45 W TDP. This indicates the Intel processor is designed for much lower power consumption, likely enabling longer battery life and thinner chassis designs.

Q: Which CPU is more efficient for integer math operations?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4800H has a decisive win in Passmark integer math, scoring 63,999 versus Intel’s 39,679, a 38% advantage. This suggests better performance in general-purpose computing tasks.

Q: What is the difference in their manufacturing processes?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V is built on a 3 nm TSMC process, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4800H uses a 7 nm TSMC process. The smaller node contributes to Intel’s lower power draw and higher clock speeds.

Q: Do they have the same amount of L3 cache?

A: Yes, both processors have 8 MB of shared L3 cache. However, Intel has larger L1 (192 KB vs 64 KB per core) and L2 (2.5 MB vs 512 KB per core) caches.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 228V wins in scenarios that are latency-bound or require high single-thread throughput. This includes everyday desktop responsiveness, web browsing, office applications, and most games that rely on single-core performance. The 47.7% lead in Passmark single-thread and 40.2% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core make it the better choice for these tasks. Furthermore, its dominance in floating-point math (+42.9%) and physics (+104%) indicates a strong fit for scientific computing, financial modeling, and any application using physics engines. The massive 409.1% win in prime number finding suggests it excels in cryptography and certain algorithmic workloads. Its 17 W TDP also makes it the obvious winner for ultra-portable laptops where battery life and low heat are priorities.

The AMD Ryzen 7 4800H wins in heavily parallel, multi-threaded environments. Its 16 threads provide a clear advantage in video encoding, 3D rendering, and software compilation. The 35.4% lead in data compression and 38% lead in integer math make it superior for database operations, file archiving, and general server-like workloads. The wins in random string sorting (+27.2%) and data encryption (+16.1%) further cement its place in data-heavy applications. While it loses the single-thread race, its multi-core performance in Cinebench R23 (11,135.5) is a solid 10.8% ahead, making it the pick for content creators who render on a deadline. The higher 45 W TDP indicates it is meant for performance laptops with active cooling, trading efficiency for raw parallel compute power.