AMD Ryzen 7 7736U vs AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 9 8945HS wins every recorded head-to-head benchmark in the database, 17 wins to 0. This is not a close contest. The biggest gap appears in Geekbench multicore, where the 8945HS scores 12,276 against 7,453 for the 7736U, a 64.7% advantage. PassMark find prime numbers shows a similar 64.3% delta (92 vs 56), confirming that heavily threaded integer workloads strongly favor the higher-clocked part.

The single-core differences are more moderate but still decisive. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 8945HS leads by 16.6% (1,805 vs 1,548). Geekbench single-core shows a 23% gap (2,116 vs 1,721). PassMark single-thread records 3,850 for the 8945HS versus 3,350 for the 7736U, a 14.9% edge. The smallest delta in the entire set is that same 14.9% in PassMark single-thread, meaning the 7736U never gets within 14% of its rival in any test.

Multi-core rendering shows consistent scaling. Cinebench R23 multicore gives the 8945HS a 31.5% lead (16,795 vs 12,768), while R15 multicore shows 30.8% (2,640 vs 2,019). The 8945HS also dominates in PassMark multithread with 29,780 versus 21,725, a 37.1% gap. Memory-sensitive workloads like data compression favor the 8945HS by 29.9% (356,508 vs 274,440), and random string sorting shows a 53.4% delta (43,202 vs 28,172). Encryption workloads show a 36.4% advantage (21,323 vs 15,635), and extended instruction throughput (AVX-style work) lands at 39.1% (26,964 vs 19,384).

Physics simulation in PassMark is another bright spot for the 8945HS: 1,434 versus 1,007, a 42.4% lead. Floating-point math follows with 38.9% (61,821 vs 44,499), and integer math closes at 28.4% (101,226 vs 78,821). The overall picture is one of consistent, broad superiority. No single workload category flips the result, and the 7736U never posts a win in any recorded test.

Architecture Differences

The two chips belong to different generations and microarchitectures. The Ryzen 9 8945HS is an 8000 series part built on Zen 4, codenamed Hawk Point, fabricated on TSMC's 4 nm process. The Ryzen 7 7736U is a 7000 series part using Zen 3+, codenamed Rembrandt-R, on a 6 nm TSMC node. This node shrink is a major factor in the performance gap: Zen 4 brings higher IPC and better clock scaling, while the 4 nm process allows higher frequencies without exploding power draw.

Die sizes differ notably. The 8945HS has a die of 178 mm², while the 7736U measures 208 mm². The database lists transistor counts only for the 8945HS at 25,000 million; the 7736U has no recorded transistor figure. The smaller die with more modern process explains why the 8945HS can push higher clocks while the 7736U targets efficiency.

Cache layouts also diverge. Both share 64 KB L1 per core and 16 MB shared L3, but L2 differs: the 8945HS has 1 MB per core, the 7736U has 512 KB per core. That doubled L2 per core helps the 8945HS in latency-sensitive and data-heavy workloads, which shows up in the compression and sorting benchmarks.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The 8945HS carries Radeon 780M, while the 7736U has Radeon 680M. Both support DDR5 memory in dual-channel configuration, but memory bandwidth is higher on the 8945HS at 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s. ECC memory support is another split: the 7736U supports ECC, the 8945HS does not.

Sockets are different: the 8945HS uses AMD Socket FP8, the 7736U uses FP7. Part numbers reflect the packaging options: the 8945HS lists variants for FP7r2, FP7, and FP8, while the 7736U lists FP7 and FP7r2. Both are mobile segments, both active production, both with locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The 8945HS wins everywhere in the recorded data. For users who need maximum multi-threaded performance in a mobile chassis, it is the clear choice. The 64.7% Geekbench multicore lead and 31.5% Cinebench R23 multicore advantage translate directly to faster video encoding, 3D rendering, and compilation workloads. The 42.4% physics lead and 38.9% floating-point math advantage make it better suited for simulation and scientific computing.

The 7736U's only practical advantages lie outside the benchmark suite. Its 15 W TDP versus 45 W for the 8945HS means it will generate less heat and drain battery more slowly in thin-and-light designs. Its lower base clock of 2.70 GHz versus 4.00 GHz reduces sustained power draw. The 7736U also supports ECC memory, which matters for users who require error-correcting RAM in a workstation-class laptop. None of these advantages show up in raw performance scores, but they matter for specific use cases.

For single-threaded responsiveness, the 8945HS still wins, but the gap is smaller. A 14.9% PassMark single-thread lead means everyday app launching and web browsing will feel snappier on the 8945HS, though the 7736U is not sluggish by comparison. The 7736U's 4.70 GHz boost clock is respectable, but it cannot match the 8945HS's 5.20 GHz boost.

The 8945HS also offers better memory bandwidth (89.6 GB/s vs 76.8 GB/s), which benefits integrated graphics performance. Since both chips rely on system RAM for the iGPU, the higher bandwidth gives the 8945HS's Radeon 780M a clear edge in any gaming or media workload that uses shared memory.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key fields. Base clock: 4.00 GHz on the 8945HS versus 2.70 GHz on the 7736U. Boost clock: 5.20 GHz versus 4.70 GHz. TDP: 45 W versus 15 W. Socket: FP8 versus FP7. Architecture: Zen 4 versus Zen 3+. Codename: Hawk Point versus Rembrandt-R. Process node: 4 nm versus 6 nm. Die size: 178 mm² versus 208 mm². L2 cache: 1 MB per core versus 512 KB per core. Memory bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s. ECC support: no versus yes. Integrated graphics: Radeon 780M versus Radeon 680M. Release date: 2023-12-05 versus 2023-01-03.

Identical between the two: 8 cores, 16 threads, 64 KB L1 per core, 16 MB shared L3, DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, mobile market segment, active production status, locked multiplier, no 3D V-Cache, and no recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which chip has higher multi-core performance?

A: The Ryzen 9 8945HS wins all multi-core tests. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 16,795 versus 12,768 (31.5% lead), and Geekbench multicore shows 12,276 versus 7,453 (64.7% lead).

Q: Is the single-core performance gap as large as the multi-core gap?

A: No, it is smaller. PassMark single-thread shows 3,850 versus 3,350 (14.9%), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1,805 versus 1,548 (16.6%). The 8945HS still wins, but by a narrower margin.

Q: Does the 7736U have any advantage in cache or memory features?

A: The 7736U supports ECC memory while the 8945HS does not. However, the 8945HS has larger L2 cache (1 MB per core versus 512 KB per core) and higher memory bandwidth (89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s).

Q: What is the TDP difference and what does it mean practically?

A: The 8945HS has a 45 W TDP, while the 7736U has a 15 W TDP. The 7736U will fit in fanless or ultra-thin designs, while the 8945HS requires more substantial cooling.

Q: Which chip has the newer integrated graphics?

A: The 8945HS has Radeon 780M, while the 7736U has Radeon 680M. The 8945HS also has higher memory bandwidth, which benefits iGPU performance.

Q: Are these chips on the same socket?

A: No. The 8945HS uses AMD Socket FP8, while the 7736U uses AMD Socket FP7. They are not interchangeable in the same motherboard.

The Verdict

Pick the Ryzen 9 8945HS if you prioritize performance above all else. It wins every recorded benchmark, with multi-core leads ranging from 28.4% to 64.7% depending on the workload. The 5.20 GHz boost clock, 4 nm Zen 4 architecture, and doubled L2 cache per core give it a clear edge in rendering, encoding, simulation, and heavy multitasking. The 45 W TDP is a real cost, but for laptops with adequate cooling, the performance payoff is substantial.

Pick the Ryzen 7 7736U only if efficiency and specific feature support matter more than raw speed. Its 15 W TDP enables fanless or passively cooled designs that the 8945HS cannot match. ECC memory support makes it suitable for reliability-focused workloads where data integrity is critical. The 7736U's 4.70 GHz boost clock is still capable for everyday tasks, and its 81st percentile ranking versus all CPUs means it is not slow by absolute standards.

The database's measured data is unambiguous: 17 head-to-head benchmark wins for the 8945HS, zero for the 7736U. The 8945HS sits at the 82nd percentile versus all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 31,074, while the 7736U sits at the 81st percentile with 30,364. The overall average scores are close, but the head-to-head results show the 8945HS is consistently faster across the board. If you need the fastest mobile AMD processor in this comparison, the Ryzen 9 8945HS is the only choice. If you need a low-power processor with ECC support and are willing to accept 15-65% lower performance in every measured category, the Ryzen 7 7736U serves that niche.