AMD Ryzen 7 5825U vs AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS is the decisive winner in this matchup, taking all 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the AMD Ryzen 7 5825U. The data shows no contest in raw performance, with the Ryzen 9 leading by double-digit margins in nearly every multi-threaded test, while the Ryzen 7’s only consolation is its dramatically lower power envelope. Benchmark results indicate that the Ryzen 9 6900HS is the clear choice for users prioritizing performance, while the Ryzen 7 5825U remains a compelling option only when efficiency is the primary concern.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most significant gap appears in multi-threaded workloads, where the Ryzen 9 6900HS consistently outperforms the Ryzen 7 5825U by 20% or more. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 9 scores 13,445 against the Ryzen 7’s 10,152, a 24.5% advantage. Similarly, Cinebench R15 multi-core shows an 18.7% lead (2,161 vs 1,757), while Geekbench multi-core shows a 22.9% margin (9,451 vs 7,288). The PassMark multi-thread test confirms the pattern, with the Ryzen 9 scoring 23,152 versus 18,131, a 21.7% difference.

Single-core performance tells a closer but still one-sided story. The Ryzen 9 leads by 6.6% in both Cinebench R23 single-core (1,554 vs 1,452) and Geekbench single-core (1,733 vs 1,618), with a 5.3% margin in Cinebench R15 single-core (245 vs 232) and 5.7% in PassMark single-thread (3,237 vs 3,053). These smaller deltas indicate that while the architectural improvements in the Ryzen 9 matter, the per-core advantage is less pronounced than the multi-core scaling.

Specialized workloads amplify the Ryzen 9’s dominance. PassMark extended instructions show a 28.1% lead (20,015 vs 14,394), the largest single delta in the dataset. Data compression follows at 24.2% (292,842 vs 221,938), with data encryption at 23% (18,303 vs 14,088) and random string sorting at 22.9% (30,528 vs 23,539). Physics simulation shows a 25.6% gap (1,041 vs 774), while floating-point math (48,239 vs 38,482, 20.2%) and integer math (86,449 vs 72,577, 16%) round out the consistent pattern. Even the smallest multi-thread delta, PassMark find prime numbers, favors the Ryzen 9 by 17.2% (58 vs 48).

The Ryzen 7 5825U wins zero head-to-head comparisons. Every benchmark in the dataset, from Cinebench to PassMark, shows the Ryzen 9 6900HS ahead. The magnitude of the losses varies from 5.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core to 28.1% in extended instructions, but the direction is uniform. This is not a case of trade-offs; it is a hierarchical performance ranking.

The Verdict

The verdict is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS is the superior processor in every measured dimension. For users who need maximum compute throughput, the Ryzen 9’s consistent 16% to 28% multi-threaded advantages make it the only rational choice. Its single-core lead, while smaller at 5.3% to 6.6%, still ensures better responsiveness in lightly threaded applications.

The Ryzen 7 5825U, however, serves a distinct purpose. Its 15-watt TDP, compared to the Ryzen 9’s 35-watt TDP, positions it as the efficiency-focused option. Benchmark results indicate that users who prioritize battery life and thermal management over raw performance should consider the Ryzen 7. The data shows that the Ryzen 7 delivers roughly 75% to 84% of the Ryzen 9’s multi-core performance while potentially consuming less than half the power, though exact wattage figures beyond TDP are not available in this dataset.

For content creators, developers, or anyone running sustained multi-threaded workloads, the Ryzen 9 6900HS is the definitive pick. Its 24.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 22.9% lead in Geekbench multi-core translate directly to faster rendering, compilation, and data processing. For ultraportable laptops where the 15-watt TDP of the Ryzen 7 enables thinner designs and longer battery life, the Ryzen 7 5825U remains viable, but only if users accept the significant performance penalty.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different generations and process nodes. The Ryzen 7 5825U uses the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm process from TSMC, with a die size of 180 mm² and 10,700 million transistors. The Ryzen 9 6900HS uses the newer Zen 3+ architecture on a 6 nm process, also from TSMC, with a larger die size of 208 mm² and no transistor count listed in the data.

Both processors share the same core configuration: 8 cores, 16 threads, 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The memory support differs substantially, with the Ryzen 7 supporting DDR4 and the Ryzen 9 supporting DDR5. Memory bandwidth reflects this difference: the Ryzen 7 offers 51.2 GB/s, while the Ryzen 9 reaches 76.8 GB/s, a 50% increase.

PCIe capabilities also diverge. The Ryzen 7 provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen 9 offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ as well: the Ryzen 7 uses Radeon Vega 8, while the Ryzen 9 uses the more advanced Radeon 680M. ECC memory support is present on the Ryzen 7 but absent on the Ryzen 9. The sockets differ, with the Ryzen 7 using AMD Socket FP6 and the Ryzen 9 using AMD Socket FP7. Both processors have locked multipliers and are classified as mobile parts, with the Ryzen 7 in the 5000 series and the Ryzen 9 in the 6000 series.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5825U boosts to 4.50 GHz. The base clocks also differ, with the Ryzen 9 at 3.30 GHz and the Ryzen 7 at 2.00 GHz.

Q: How much faster is the Ryzen 9 6900HS in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Ryzen 9 scores 13,445, which is 24.5% higher than the Ryzen 7’s 10,152. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the margin is 18.7% (2,161 vs 1,757).

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 8 cores and 16 threads. They also share identical L1, L2, and L3 cache configurations, with 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3.

Q: What are the TDP differences between the two?

A: The Ryzen 7 5825U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Ryzen 9 6900HS has a TDP of 35 watts. This makes the Ryzen 7 significantly more power-efficient on paper, though actual power consumption depends on workload and system design.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS supports DDR5, with a memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Ryzen 7 5825U supports DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Ryzen 7 5825U wins?

A: No. In the 17 head-to-head benchmarks provided, the Ryzen 9 6900HS wins all of them. The Ryzen 7’s closest margin is 5.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 232 versus the Ryzen 9’s 245.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 9 6900HS wins in every performance category measured. Its largest advantages are in extended instruction workloads (28.1% lead in PassMark extended instructions), physics simulation (25.6% lead), and Cinebench R23 multi-core (24.5% lead). It also dominates data compression (24.2%), data encryption (23%), and Geekbench multi-core (22.9%). Even in single-threaded tests, the Ryzen 9 maintains a consistent 5.3% to 6.6% edge.

The Ryzen 7 5825U’s only clear advantage is its 15-watt TDP, which is less than half of the Ryzen 9’s 35-watt TDP. This makes the Ryzen 7 the better fit for fanless or lightly cooled designs, ultraportable laptops, and any scenario where battery endurance is paramount. The Ryzen 7 also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Ryzen 9, which could appeal to specific reliability-focused use cases. Its smaller die size (180 mm² vs 208 mm²) may also contribute to lower manufacturing costs, though pricing data is not available.

For users with access to both platforms, the choice comes down to performance versus efficiency. The Ryzen 9 6900HS delivers 16% to 28% more performance across multi-threaded workloads and 5.3% to 6.6% more in single-threaded tasks. The Ryzen 7 5825U offers a lower power envelope and ECC support. No benchmark in the dataset favors the Ryzen 7, so the decision rests entirely on non-performance factors like system design and power budgets.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Ryzen 7 5825U uses the Zen 3 architecture with a 7 nm process, while the Ryzen 9 6900HS uses Zen 3+ on a 6 nm process. Die sizes are 180 mm² for the Ryzen 7 and 208 mm² for the Ryzen 9. The Ryzen 7 has 10,700 million transistors, while the Ryzen 9’s transistor count is not listed.

Base clocks differ significantly: 2.00 GHz for the Ryzen 7 versus 3.30 GHz for the Ryzen 9. Boost clocks are 4.50 GHz and 4.90 GHz, respectively. TDP ratings are 15 watts for the Ryzen 7 and 35 watts for the Ryzen 9. The Ryzen 7 uses AMD Socket FP6, while the Ryzen 9 uses FP7.

Memory support is a major divergence: DDR4 for the Ryzen 7 versus DDR5 for the Ryzen 9, with bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on the Ryzen 7 but not on the Ryzen 9. PCIe generations and lanes differ, with the Ryzen 7 offering Gen 3 (16 lanes) and the Ryzen 9 offering Gen 4 (20 lanes). Integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 8 on the Ryzen 7 and Radeon 680M on the Ryzen 9. The Ryzen 7 is from the 5000 series with the codename Barcelo, while the Ryzen 9 is from the 6000 series with the codename Rembrandt. Both are unlocked-multiplier-free mobile processors, but their part numbers differ: 100-000000580 for the Ryzen 7 and 100-000000545100-000000561 for the Ryzen 9.