AMD Ryzen 7 8700F vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data splits this comparison into two distinct performance profiles. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F dominates in raw single-threaded and heavy multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H leads in sustained throughput, floating-point math, and physics simulations. The win count favors Intel, 10 wins to 7, but the magnitude of AMD's victories is often larger.

The most dramatic gap appears in Cinebench R23. The AMD chip scores 26,646 in multi-core, a 44.9% advantage over Intel's 18,395. The single-core gap is even wider: AMD's 3,761 versus Intel's 2,040, a staggering 84.4% difference. These are the two largest deltas in the entire head-to-head set. The R15 multi-core test tells a different story, with Intel ahead at 3,055 versus AMD's 2,685, a 12.1% margin. In R20 multi-core, Intel leads 12,153 to 11,191, a 7.9% edge, and the same 7.9% delta repeats in R20 single-core, where Intel scores 1,715 against AMD's 1,579.

The PassMark suite reveals complementary strengths. Intel wins floating-point math decisively, scoring 103,128 to AMD's 62,629, a 39.3% gap. Physics simulation also favors Intel heavily: 2,895 versus 1,553, a 46.4% lead. Prime number finding goes to Intel by 70%, with scores of 327 and 98 respectively. Data encryption favors Intel at 26,345 versus 22,117, a 16% margin. PassMark's multithread test puts Intel ahead 33,978 to 30,893, a 9.1% edge, and single-thread performance goes to Intel at 4,072 to 3,872, a 4.9% margin.

AMD's wins are concentrated in integer-heavy and compression workloads. Integer math shows AMD at 100,371 versus Intel's 83,111, a 20.8% advantage. Data compression gives AMD 378,160 to Intel's 336,177, a 12.5% lead. Random string sorting favors AMD at 45,425 versus 40,990, a 10.8% edge. Extended instructions go to AMD by a slim 2.1%, with scores of 28,474 and 27,898.

The overall benchmark averages confirm the split. Intel's average benchmark score of 41,215 places it at the 87th percentile among all CPUs, while AMD's average of 30,746 sits at the 82nd percentile. Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 with an average score of 41,208 and a delta of 0%, plus the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X at 41,376 with a -0.4% delta. AMD's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-13600H at 30,548 with a 0.6% delta and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T at 30,468 with a 0.9% delta.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. AMD's Ryzen 7 8700F uses the Zen 4 architecture on the Phoenix codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads in a 178 mm² die with 25,000 million transistors. Intel's Core Ultra 7 356H uses the Panther Lake architecture, built on a 3 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It offers 16 cores and 16 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading, with thread counts matching core counts.

Cache layouts diverge sharply. AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Intel gives each core 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 18 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L2 on Intel suggests a different prefetch and latency strategy, while AMD's larger L3 pool benefits shared data access patterns.

Clock speeds reflect their market positioning. AMD runs at a 4.10 GHz base clock with a 5.00 GHz boost, while Intel operates at a 1.90 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost. The 65 W TDP for AMD versus 25 W for Intel explains some of the frequency gap, but the architectural efficiency differences are also visible. AMD's boost clock reaches 5.00 GHz, a full 300 MHz higher than Intel's maximum.

Memory and connectivity differ substantially. AMD supports only DDR5 on a dual-channel bus with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a dual-channel bus with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth, a 38.5% higher theoretical ceiling. PCIe generations also diverge: AMD uses Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while Intel uses Gen 5 with 12 CPU lanes. Intel includes integrated Intel Xe3 Graphics, while AMD has no integrated graphics. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, Intel's is locked.

The market segments align with these design choices. AMD targets desktop systems on Socket AM5, while Intel targets mobile platforms on BGA 2540. AMD's release date is March 2024, Intel's is January 2026. Production status for both is listed as active.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F scores 3,761 versus Intel's 2,040, giving AMD an 84.4% advantage in that specific test.

Q: Does the Intel chip outperform AMD in floating-point math?

A: Yes, Intel's PassMark floating-point score of 103,128 is 39.3% higher than AMD's 62,629.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration difference?

A: AMD offers 8 cores with 16 threads using simultaneous multithreading. Intel offers 16 cores with 16 threads, with no multithreading overhead.

Q: Which processor has the higher memory bandwidth?

A: Intel's 115.2 GB/s exceeds AMD's 83.2 GB/s, aided by support for LPDDR5X in addition to DDR5.

Q: How do the overall benchmark averages compare?

A: Intel's average score of 41,215 places it at the 87th percentile, while AMD's 30,746 places it at the 82nd percentile.

Q: Which chip supports faster PCIe connectivity?

A: Intel supports PCIe Gen 5 with 12 CPU lanes, while AMD uses Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 8700F | Intel Core Ultra 7 356H |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 8 | 16 |

| Threads | 16 | 16 |

| Base clock | 4.10 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Phoenix | Panther Lake |

| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 cache | 64 KB per core | 192 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 2.5 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 16 MB shared | 18 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 lanes | Gen 5, 12 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | N/A | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release date | 2024-03-31 | 2026-01-04 |

| Launch MSRP | $270 | N/A |

The Verdict

The data indicates two different tools for two different jobs. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F is the stronger choice for single-threaded responsiveness and integer-heavy desktop workloads. Its Cinebench R23 single-core lead of 84.4% is the single largest deltas in the comparison. The 44.9% multi-core lead in the same test confirms that heavily threaded rendering tasks also favor AMD, despite Intel's higher core count.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins the aggregate benchmark race. Its average benchmark score of 41,215 versus AMD's 30,746 represents a 34% overall advantage. The 87th percentile placement versus AMD's 82nd percentile indicates broader general performance. Intel's wins in floating-point math, physics, encryption, and multithread tests suggest strength in simulation, scientific computing, and workloads that leverage wide vector units.

The power envelope is a major differentiator. Intel's 25 W TDP versus AMD's 65 W means the mobile chip sustains competitive performance at less than half the power budget. The 16+ core count on Intel with no multithreading avoids the scheduling complexities of simultaneous multithreading, while AMD's 8-core, 16-thread design leans on higher clocks and thread duplication.

For desktop builders with AM5 platforms, the AMD chip offers a higher boost clock, unlocked multiplier, and lower memory bus complexity. For mobile system integrators, Intel's BGA package, integrated graphics, and faster memory bandwidth make it the more complete platform solution. The verdict depends entirely on the target system class.

Where Each One Wins

AMD Ryzen 7 8700F wins in scenarios where raw clock speed and single-thread efficiency dominate. The 5.00 GHz boost clock and 4.10 GHz base clock drive the 84.4% Cinebench R23 single-core lead and the 24.8% R15 single-core lead. Integer math, data compression, and random string sorting all favor AMD, indicating strength in database operations, file compression utilities, and general office productivity. The 20.8% integer math advantage and 12.5% compression edge make it suitable for software compilation and archival tasks. The unlocked multiplier allows overclocking headroom that the locked Intel chip cannot match.

Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins in floating-point-heavy and parallel throughput scenarios. The 39.3% floating-point math lead and 46.4% physics lead point toward simulation and 3D rendering workloads that use SIMD instructions. The 70% prime number finding advantage suggests strong branch prediction and integer division hardware. Data encryption at 16% ahead indicates faster cryptographic operations. The multithread score 9.1% higher and the 25 W TDP make it the efficiency champion for sustained mobile workloads. The integrated Xe3 graphics eliminate the need for a separate GPU in basic display tasks. The 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth supports high-throughput data movement.

The 16-core design without multithreading gives Intel an advantage in workloads that scale across physical cores without SMT interference. The 18 MB L3 cache and 2.5 MB L2 per core provide generous local storage for working sets. The PCIe Gen 5 interface, despite fewer lanes, offers higher per-lane bandwidth for next-generation peripherals. The 87th percentile placement among all CPUs reflects its standing as a top-tier mobile processor, while AMD's 82nd percentile still ranks among the better desktop chips.