AMD Ryzen 7 7735H vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235H Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H and AMD Ryzen 7 7735H are both active mobile processors aimed at thin-and-light laptops, but the benchmark data reveals a stark performance gap. The Intel chip, built on a newer Arrow Lake architecture, dominates most compute workloads, while the AMD processor holds its ground in a couple of specific integer and data tasks. The head-to-head results show the Core Ultra 5 winning 13 of 15 benchmarks, with its largest margin reaching 305.1% in prime number finding.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7735H has 8 cores and 16 threads. Intel relies on a higher physical core count with no hyperthreading, while AMD uses simultaneous multithreading to double its thread count from 8 to 16.

Q: How do the two compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H is decisively ahead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 3613 versus AMD’s 1536, a 135.2% advantage. The PassMark single-thread test shows a similar story: Intel at 4359 against AMD’s 3288, a 32.6% lead.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the AMD Ryzen 7 7735H wins?

A: Yes, the AMD chip wins 2 of the 15 head-to-head benchmarks. It takes PassMark data compression with a score of 303502 versus Intel’s 301979 (a 0.5% edge) and PassMark integer math with 86788 versus Intel’s 74247, a 14.5% advantage.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7735H has 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel also has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches: 192 KB and 3 MB per core, respectively, versus AMD’s 64 KB and 512 KB per core.

Q: How do their integrated graphics compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H integrates Arc Graphics 140T, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7735H features Radeon 680M. The data does not include graphics benchmarks, so any comparison must remain qualitative based on the integrated GPU names.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 7735H’s 4.75 GHz. However, the AMD chip has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz compared to Intel’s 2.40 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H is built on the Arrow Lake architecture with a codename of Arrow Lake-H, part of the Core Ultra Series 2. It is fabricated on a 3 nm process node by TSMC, which is a newer and denser node compared to the AMD chip. The AMD Ryzen 7 7735H uses the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt-R, and is manufactured on a 6 nm TSMC process. This process difference is a major factor in the performance gap, as the smaller node generally allows for better power efficiency and higher transistor density.

The core configurations are fundamentally different. Intel’s 14 cores and 14 threads indicate a design without hyperthreading, relying on raw core count. AMD’s 8 cores and 16 threads rely on SMT to reach 16 threads. This explains why Intel excels in heavily parallel workloads like Cinebench multicore, where its 14 physical cores overcome AMD’s 8 physical plus 8 logical threads. The cache hierarchy also differs: Intel provides 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 per core, while AMD offers 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core. Intel’s L3 is 18 MB shared, slightly larger than AMD’s 16 MB shared.

Memory support is another differentiator. The Intel chip supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while the AMD chip only lists DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but Intel’s memory bandwidth is rated at 102.4 GB/s versus AMD’s 76.8 GB/s. The Intel processor also has PCIe Gen 5 with 8 lanes available from the CPU, whereas AMD provides PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. ECC memory support is present on the AMD Ryzen 7 7735H but absent on the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H. The AMD chip has a larger die size at 208 mm², while the Intel die size is not listed in the data.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H should be the choice for anyone prioritizing raw compute performance, especially in CPU-intensive tasks like rendering, physics simulation, and encryption. Its 134.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and 135.2% lead in single-core are massive, suggesting it will handle both threaded workloads and bursty single-thread tasks with far more headroom. The AMD Ryzen 7 7735H is the better pick only in scenarios where integer math operations dominate or where data compression is the primary workload, as it wins those two benchmarks. For general-purpose laptop use, the Intel chip’s 13 out of 15 benchmark wins and its higher average benchmark score of 37522 versus AMD’s 37161 make it the stronger overall performer. The choice is clear for users who need maximum CPU capability; AMD’s only notable advantage is its higher base clock and ECC memory support, but those do not translate to benchmark wins.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7735H has 8 cores and 16 threads. Intel’s base clock is lower at 2.40 GHz compared to AMD’s 3.20 GHz, but Intel’s boost clock is higher at 5.00 GHz versus AMD’s 4.75 GHz. The TDP also differs: Intel is rated at 28 watts, while AMD is rated at 35 watts. The Intel chip uses the Intel BGA 2049 socket, while AMD uses the AMD Socket FP7. The process nodes are distinct, with Intel on 3 nm and AMD on 6 nm, both from TSMC.

Cache sizes differ across all levels. Intel has 192 KB L1 per core and 3 MB L2 per core, while AMD has 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core. The shared L3 is 18 MB on Intel and 16 MB on AMD. Memory support favors Intel with DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while AMD only lists DDR5. Memory bandwidth is significantly higher on Intel at 102.4 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s on AMD. ECC memory is supported on AMD but not on Intel. PCIe connectivity differs with Intel offering Gen 5 at 8 lanes and AMD offering Gen 4 at 20 lanes. The integrated graphics are Arc Graphics 140T on Intel and Radeon 680M on AMD. The release dates are also different: Intel launched on 2025-01-12, while AMD launched on 2023-03-31.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench tests show the most dramatic separation. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H scores 25598 versus AMD’s 10920, a 134.4% advantage. The single-core R23 test is similar: Intel at 3613 versus AMD at 1536, a 135.2% lead. In the older Cinebench R15, Intel wins multicore with 2580 versus 1825 (41.4% ahead) and single-core with 364 versus 246 (48% ahead). These results indicate that Intel’s architecture provides a massive uplift in both parallel and sequential rendering workloads.

PassMark tests reveal a more nuanced picture. Intel wins floating point math decisively, scoring 93509 against AMD’s 49260, an 89.8% margin. Intel also dominates find prime numbers with 239 versus 59, a 305.1% blowout. Physics tests show Intel at 1985 versus AMD’s 1056, an 88% lead. Data encryption favors Intel at 23121 versus 18990 (21.8% ahead), and extended instructions also go Intel’s way with 23354 versus 21214 (10.1% ahead). Multithread performance in PassMark has Intel at 30091 versus 23765, a 26.6% lead, while single-thread tests put Intel at 4359 versus 3288, a 32.6% advantage. Random string sorting goes to Intel with 36208 versus 31676, a 14.3% win.

The AMD Ryzen 7 7735H wins two areas. In data compression, AMD scores 303502 versus Intel’s 301979, a slim 0.5% edge. In integer math, AMD takes a more comfortable win with 86788 versus 74247, a 14.5% lead. These two wins show that AMD’s Zen 3+ core retains some strength in integer-heavy and compression algorithms, but it is not enough to offset Intel’s dominance elsewhere.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235H is the winner for most compute-intensive use cases. Its 134.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore makes it ideal for video rendering, 3D modeling, and any workload that scales across multiple cores. The 135.2% single-core advantage benefits everyday responsiveness, application launching, and lightly threaded software. Floating point math at 89.8% ahead suggests a strong fit for scientific computing and simulations. The 305.1% win in prime number finding points to exceptional integer throughput in specific algorithms. Encryption performance is also stronger on Intel, with a 21.8% edge, making it suitable for VPNs, disk encryption, and secure communications. Physics scores at 88% higher indicate better performance in physics-based simulations and some game engines.

The AMD Ryzen 7 7735H has a narrow but real niche. Its 14.5% win in integer math means it may be preferable for workloads like code compilation, database operations, or other integer-heavy tasks. The 0.5% lead in data compression suggests it can match Intel in compression and decompression tasks, though the margin is minimal. AMD also has ECC memory support, which Intel lacks, making it the only choice for users who require error-correcting memory in a mobile platform. The higher base clock of 3.20 GHz could provide better sustained performance in power-constrained scenarios, but the benchmark scores do not reflect a general advantage. For users whose primary tasks are integer math or compression, the AMD chip is competitive; for everything else, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235H is the data-backed choice.