AMD Ryzen 7 4800H vs Intel Core Ultra 7 256V Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 4800H and Intel Core Ultra 7 256V split their head-to-head benchmark wins, with the Intel part taking 10 wins to AMD's 7. The split is not random; it follows a clear pattern based on workload type.

The Ryzen 7 4800H dominates in integer-heavy and data-processing tasks. Its biggest victories come in PassMark integer math, where it scores 63999 against 43358, a 47.6% advantage. Data compression shows a 45.6% lead (269334 vs 184985), and random string sorting goes to AMD by 29.8% (29181 vs 22481). These are classic multi-threaded, throughput-oriented workloads that reward the 4800H's 16 threads.

The Core Ultra 7 256V wins decisively in single-threaded and floating-point workloads. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4029 beats 2597 by 35.5%, and its Cinebench R23 single-core result of 1877.5 versus 1253.5 represents a 33.2% margin. The Intel chip also takes floating-point math (58576 vs 37312, a 36.3% lead) and physics (1595 vs 754, a 52.7% lead). Prime number finding is an outlier in Intel's favor by 82.8% (192 vs 33), a task that benefits from the newer architecture's per-core efficiency.

Geekbench results favor Intel in both single-core (1990 vs 1329, 33.2% ahead) and multi-core (8643 vs 6490, 24.9% ahead). This suggests the Intel chip's overall efficiency per thread is substantially higher, even though AMD's raw thread count helps in some heavy parallel workloads.

For Cinebench multi-core, AMD holds the edge. In R15 multi-core, the 4800H scores 1854 against 1583.5, a 17.1% lead. In R23 multi-core, the margin narrows to 7.1% (11135.5 vs 10399). This indicates the 4800H's 8 cores with 16 threads still matter in rendering-style workloads, though the gap is shrinking against Intel's newer 8-core, 8-thread design.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 4800H uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Renoir codename, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory over a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe is Gen 3. The integrated GPU is Radeon Graphics with 448 shader processors. The socket is AMD Socket FP6, and the TDP is rated at 45 W.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V belongs to the Lunar Lake generation, built on a 3 nm TSMC process. It also has 8 cores but only 8 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. Base clock is 2.20 GHz with a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. Cache layout differs significantly: 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. Memory support is listed as unknown and dependent on the motherboard, with dual-channel bus. PCIe is Gen 5 with 4 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are Arc 140V. The socket is Intel BGA 2833, and the TDP is 17 W.

Several key differences stand out. The Intel part has a much higher boost clock (4.80 vs 4.20 GHz) and a much larger L2 cache per core. The process node advantage (3 nm vs 7 nm) contributes to Intel's efficiency. However, the AMD chip has twice the threads, which explains its multi-threaded wins in integer and compression tasks. The AMD part also has a larger transistor count at 9,800 million, though Intel's transistor count is not listed in the database.

The TDP difference is stark: 45 W for AMD versus 17 W for Intel. This is not just a power figure; it reflects the thermal envelope each chip is designed for. The Intel part is positioned for thin-and-light systems, while the AMD part targets higher-performance laptops.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to two very different use cases.

Pick the AMD Ryzen 7 4800H if your work is heavily multi-threaded and integer-bound. Data compression, integer math, and random string sorting are all areas where it leads by 29.8% to 47.6%. Cinebench multi-core rendering also favors AMD, with a 17.1% lead in R15 and a 7.1% lead in R23. The 16 threads make a measurable difference in these workloads. The 45 W TDP suggests a laptop with better cooling, which is a fair trade for the throughput gains.

Pick the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V if you prioritize single-thread performance, floating-point math, or power efficiency. It wins all single-core tests by margins of 33.2% to 35.5%. It leads in floating-point math by 36.3%, physics by 52.7%, and prime number finding by 82.8%. Geekbench multi-core also goes to Intel by 24.9%, which is notable given AMD's thread advantage. The 17 W TDP indicates this chip can deliver strong per-core performance in a much slimmer chassis.

The overall average benchmark scores are close: AMD sits at 21749 with a 75th percentile ranking, while Intel sits at 21112 with the same 75th percentile. AMD's nearest rival is the Ryzen 5 5600X at a 0.1% delta, and Intel's nearest rival is the Ryzen 5 7530U at a 0.1% delta. Both are mid-pack performers in the broader CPU landscape.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V wins every single-thread benchmark. PassMark single-thread is 4029 vs 2597 (35.5% ahead), Cinebench R23 single-core is 1877.5 vs 1253.5 (33.2% ahead), and Geekbench single-core is 1990 vs 1329 (33.2% ahead).

Q: Which processor is better for multi-threaded rendering?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4800H leads in Cinebench multi-core. In R15 multi-core it scores 1854 vs 1583.5 (17.1% ahead), and in R23 multi-core it scores 11135.5 vs 10399 (7.1% ahead).

Q: How do their thread counts differ?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4800H has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has 8 cores and 8 threads, meaning no hyper-threading support.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V boosts to 4.80 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 7 4800H boosts to 4.20 GHz.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 4800H is rated at 45 W. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is rated at 17 W.

Q: Which processor wins in floating-point math?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V wins PassMark floating-point math with 58576 vs 37312, a 36.3% lead.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in either direction belongs to PassMark find prime numbers, where Intel wins by 82.8% (192 vs 33). This is a dramatic gap that shows the newer architecture's per-core efficiency in mathematical workloads.

Intel also wins PassMark physics by 52.7% (1595 vs 754). This is a simulation-style workload that responds well to high per-thread performance and a high boost clock.

AMD's biggest win is PassMark integer math at 47.6% (63999 vs 43358). This is a classic 16-thread advantage scenario where the Ryzen's additional threads allow it to process more integer operations in parallel.

Data compression goes to AMD by 45.6% (269334 vs 184985). This workload scales with both thread count and cache, and the 4800H's 16 threads make the difference.

Random string sorting is another AMD win by 29.8% (29181 vs 22481). This task benefits from parallel execution and the AMD chip's thread advantage.

Single-thread tests consistently favor Intel. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 34.2% Intel lead (285.5 vs 188). Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 33.2% lead (1877.5 vs 1253.5). Geekbench single-core shows the same 33.2% margin (1990 vs 1329).

Geekbench multi-core goes to Intel by 24.9% (8643 vs 6490). This is notable because it is a multi-threaded test where AMD's 16 threads do not overcome Intel's per-core advantage.

PassMark multithread is a narrow Intel win at 6.7% (19530 vs 18222). This shows that despite AMD's thread advantage, the Intel chip's efficiency per thread nearly closes the gap.

Cinebench R15 multi-core is a 17.1% AMD win (1854 vs 1583.5), while Cinebench R23 multi-core narrows to a 7.1% AMD win (11135.5 vs 10399). The R23 test is more demanding and stresses sustained performance, where the Intel chip's efficiency matters more.

Data encryption is a close AMD win at 10.9% (15530 vs 13998). Extended instructions also favor AMD by 8.9% (17035 vs 15643). These are moderate wins that reflect the AMD chip's broader multi-threading advantage in these specific workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category.

The AMD Ryzen 7 4800H is built on 7 nm at TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V is built on 3 nm at TSMC.

AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads. Intel has 8 cores and 8 threads.

AMD's base clock is 2.90 GHz. Intel's base clock is 2.20 GHz. AMD's boost clock is 4.20 GHz. Intel's boost clock is 4.80 GHz.

AMD's TDP is 45 W. Intel's TDP is 17 W.

AMD uses AMD Socket FP6. Intel uses Intel BGA 2833.

AMD's architecture is Zen 2 with the Renoir codename. Intel's architecture is Lunar Lake with the same codename.

AMD has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 per core. Intel has 192 KB of L1 per core and 2.5 MB of L2 per core. AMD has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

AMD supports DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory. Intel's memory support is listed as unknown and dependent on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory buses. AMD's memory bandwidth is listed at 51.2 GB/s; Intel's is not listed.

AMD uses PCIe Gen 3. Intel uses PCIe Gen 5 with 4 lanes from the CPU.

AMD's integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics with 448 shader processors. Intel's integrated graphics are Arc 140V.

AMD has 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die. Intel's transistor count and die size are not listed in the database.

Both processors are mobile market segments, both are active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. Neither supports ECC memory. AMD's release date is January 5, 2020. Intel's release date is September 23, 2024.