AMD Ryzen 7 8700F vs Intel Core Ultra 9 386H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data splits these two processors along clear lines of work. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F takes six wins, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H takes eleven. That distribution alone suggests the Intel part dominates overall volume, but the AMD part wins in some of the most demanding single-threaded workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F wins in Cinebench R23 multicore with a score of 26646 against 20547, a 29.7% advantage. It also wins Cinebench R23 singlecore by an enormous margin, 3761 versus 2071.5, which is 81.6% ahead. Cinebench R15 singlecore also goes to AMD, 378 versus 303.5, a 24.5% lead. These three wins share a theme: the AMD chip delivers higher peak performance per thread in rendering tasks, especially in the newest Cinebench version.

The other three AMD wins come from PassMark workloads that favor integer and data manipulation work. PassMark integer math shows 100371 versus 87284, a 15% lead for AMD. PassMark data compression goes to AMD at 378160 versus 352365, a 7.3% edge. PassMark random string sorting also favors AMD, 45425 versus 42135, a 7.8% advantage. These results indicate the AMD processor handles sorting, compression, and integer-heavy code with better throughput.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H wins every other recorded comparison. Its largest victories come in PassMark physics, 3028 versus 1553, a 48.7% margin, and PassMark floating point math, 108527 versus 62629, a 42.3% margin. PassMark find prime numbers shows a massive 71.3% lead for Intel, 341 versus 98. PassMark data encryption favors Intel, 27150 versus 22117, an 18.5% edge. PassMark multithread also goes to Intel, 35399 versus 30893, a 12.7% advantage.

The Intel part also wins several Cinebench tests. Cinebench R15 multicore goes to Intel, 3223 versus 2685, a 16.7% margin. Cinebench R20 multicore favors Intel, 12820 versus 11191, a 12.7% edge. Cinebench R20 singlecore also goes to Intel, 1809 versus 1579, again a 12.7% margin. PassMark single thread goes to Intel, 4218 versus 3872, an 8.2% lead. PassMark extended instructions is close, with Intel ahead by only 2.3%, 29138 versus 28474.

The pattern is consistent: AMD wins the newest Cinebench render test and the single-threaded Cinebench tests, while Intel wins most PassMark compute tests, older Cinebench versions, and all encryption and physics workloads. The Intel part also holds the higher overall percentile, 88 versus 82, and the higher average benchmark score, 43210 versus 30746. That average includes a broader set of tests, which explains why the Intel processor sits in a higher performance class despite losing some key single-threaded render tests.

The Verdict

The data indicates two different usage profiles. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F is the stronger choice for single-threaded rendering performance, specifically in Cinebench R23. Its 81.6% lead in R23 singlecore and 29.7% lead in R23 multicore are the largest wins recorded in the head-to-head set. Anyone running the latest Cinebench version, or workloads that scale similarly with Zen 4 single-thread efficiency, should look at the AMD part first.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H is the stronger choice for everything else in the recorded data. It wins 11 of 17 comparisons, including all PassMark compute tests except integer math, compression, and random string sorting. Its physics score is nearly double the AMD score, and its floating point math score is 73% higher. The Intel part also leads in PassMark multithread, single thread, data encryption, and extended instructions. The Intel processor reaches the 88th percentile among all CPUs, while the AMD processor reaches the 82nd.

The Intel part also carries integrated graphics, Intel Xe3 Graphics, while the AMD part has no integrated graphics. For a mobile platform, that makes the Intel chip self-sufficient for display output. The AMD chip is a desktop part and requires a separate graphics solution. The Intel part also supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, while the AMD part supports only DDR5. Memory bandwidth favors Intel as well, 115.2 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s.

The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, so it supports overclocking. The Intel multiplier is locked. The AMD part also has a higher boost clock, 5.00 GHz versus 4.90 GHz, and a higher base clock, 4.10 GHz versus 2.10 GHz. The Intel part compensates with 16 cores versus 8, though both have 16 threads. The Intel part uses a larger L3 cache, 18 MB shared versus 16 MB shared, and larger per-core L1 and L2 caches.

The verdict from the data: the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F is the pick for Cinebench R23 and integer-heavy PassMark workloads, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H is the pick for broader compute, physics, floating point, encryption, and multithreaded PassMark work. The Intel part also fits mobile designs with its 25 W TDP and BGA socket, while the AMD part targets desktop builds with a 65 W TDP and AM5 socket.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin in the entire comparison is Cinebench R23 singlecore, where the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F scores 3761 against 2071.5 for the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H. That is an 81.6% difference. No other test comes close to that gap. It suggests the AMD Zen 4 architecture sustains much higher single-thread performance in the latest Cinebench renderer, despite the Intel part holding a higher PassMark single thread score.

The second largest margin also belongs to AMD, but in the opposite direction. Cinebench R23 multicore shows AMD at 26646 and Intel at 20547, a 29.7% lead. This is notable because the Intel part has twice as many cores, 16 versus 8, yet still loses the R23 multicore test. The AMD chip compensates for fewer cores with higher clocks and per-core efficiency.

The Intel part posts its biggest wins in PassMark physics, floating point math, and prime number finding. PassMark physics shows 3028 versus 1553, a 48.7% margin. PassMark floating point math shows 108527 versus 62629, a 42.3% margin. PassMark find prime numbers shows 341 versus 98, a 71.3% margin. These three tests indicate the Intel part handles physics simulation, floating point arithmetic, and prime search algorithms far better than the AMD part.

Cinebench R15 multicore goes to Intel, 3223 versus 2685, a 16.7% margin. Cinebench R20 multicore also goes to Intel, 12820 versus 11191, a 12.7% margin. The same 12.7% margin appears in Cinebench R20 singlecore, with Intel at 1809 and AMD at 1579. The Intel part wins all Cinebench versions except R23, which flips decisively toward AMD.

PassMark multithread favors Intel, 35399 versus 30893, a 12.7% margin. PassMark single thread favors Intel, 4218 versus 3872, an 8.2% margin. PassMark data encryption favors Intel, 27150 versus 22117, an 18.5% margin. PassMark extended instructions favors Intel narrowly, 29138 versus 28474, a 2.3% margin. The AMD wins in PassMark come from integer math, compression, and random string sorting, with margins of 15%, 7.3%, and 7.8% respectively.

The head-to-head data shows that the two processors trade blows across different test generations. The AMD chip dominates the most recent Cinebench release while losing older Cinebench versions. The Intel chip dominates most PassMark tests while losing the integer and data-oriented ones. The overall average benchmark score, 43210 for Intel versus 30746 for AMD, reflects the Intel part's broader strength across the recorded test suite.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher Cinebench R23 multicore score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F scores 26646, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H scores 20547. That gives AMD a 29.7% lead in that specific test.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H win any PassMark tests?

A: Yes. It wins PassMark physics, floating point math, find prime numbers, data encryption, multithread, single thread, and extended instructions. Its physics score is 3028 versus 1553, and its floating point score is 108527 versus 62629.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H has 16 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F has 8 cores. Both have 16 threads.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H supports 115.2 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F supports 83.2 GB/s. Intel also supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while AMD supports only DDR5.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H includes Intel Xe3 Graphics. The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which processor has a higher overall percentile ranking?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H ranks in the 88th percentile among all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8700F ranks in the 82nd percentile. The Intel part also has a higher average benchmark score, 43210 versus 30746.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 8700F uses the Zen 4 architecture with the Phoenix codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H uses the Panther Lake architecture with the Panther Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process at Intel. The AMD part has 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel part has no recorded transistor count or die size in the database.

The AMD processor uses an AMD Socket AM5 and belongs to the 8000 series. The Intel processor uses an Intel BGA 2540 socket and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 3. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel multiplier is locked. The AMD part lists 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the Intel part lists 12 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The Intel part uses the newer PCIe generation, but the AMD part offers more lanes.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel part has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The Intel part has larger per-core caches and a larger shared L3. The AMD part has no v-cache option recorded.

Memory support also differs. The AMD part supports DDR5 only, while the Intel part supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The Intel part has a higher recorded memory bandwidth, 115.2 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

The market segments are opposite. The AMD part is a desktop processor with a 65 W TDP. The Intel part is a mobile processor with a 25 W TDP. The Intel part includes integrated graphics, while the AMD part does not. The AMD part was released in 2024, while the Intel part was released in 2026. The AMD part has a recorded launch MSRP of $270, while the Intel part has no recorded launch MSRP.

Specification Differences

The core counts differ: AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads, while Intel has 16 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks differ significantly, with AMD at 4.10 GHz and Intel at 2.10 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with AMD at 5.00 GHz and Intel at 4.90 GHz. The AMD part runs at a 65 W TDP, while the Intel part runs at a 25 W TDP.

The process nodes differ, with AMD on 4 nm and Intel on 3 nm. The foundries differ as well, TSMC for AMD and Intel for the Intel part. The AMD part has a recorded transistor count of 25,000 million and a die size of 178 mm², while the Intel part has neither recorded. The sockets differ, AM5 for AMD and BGA 2540 for Intel.

Cache specifications differ across all levels. AMD uses 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Intel uses 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. Memory support differs, with AMD supporting only DDR5 and Intel supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth differs, with AMD at 83.2 GB/s and Intel at 115.2 GB/s.

PCIe support differs by generation and lane count. AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 12 lanes. Integrated graphics differ, with AMD having none and Intel having Intel Xe3 Graphics. The multiplier differs, with AMD unlocked and Intel locked. The market segment differs, with AMD as desktop and Intel as mobile. The release dates differ, with AMD in 2024 and Intel in 2026. The launch MSRP is recorded for AMD at $270, with no price recorded for Intel.