AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX vs AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 Comparison

AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX and AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 are both mobile processors aimed at different priorities. The 8745HX is an 8-core, 16-thread Dragon Range chip built for high-throughput workloads, while the AI 5 PRO 435 is a 6-core, 12-thread Gorgon Point part focused on efficiency and platform features. Benchmark results show a clear performance hierarchy, with the 8745HX winning all 11 recorded head-to-head tests, but the AI 5 PRO 435 counters with lower power draw, a newer architecture, and a different feature set.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX wins in every measured benchmark category. The largest margin comes in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where it scores 159 against the AI 5 PRO 435's 57, a 178.9% advantage. This test is heavily dependent on integer throughput and core count, which favors the 8745HX's 8 cores and 16 threads. The 8745HX also dominates in passmark_data_encryption with a 93.8% lead (21840 vs 11267), indicating strong cryptographic processing capabilities. For multi-threaded workloads, the passmark_multithread score of 31517 versus 19091 gives the 8745HX a 65.1% edge, a direct result of its higher core and thread counts.

The AI 5 PRO 435 does not win a single benchmark, but its strengths lie outside raw performance. It has a 28W TDP compared to the 8745HX's 55W, suggesting it draws significantly less power under load. Its Zen 5 architecture on a 4nm node is newer than the 8745HX's Zen 4 on 5nm, which typically translates to better performance per watt. The AI 5 PRO 435 also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the 8745HX, and includes the Radeon 840M integrated graphics versus the Radeon 610M in the 8745HX. For single-threaded tasks, the gap narrows: the 8745HX scores 3879 versus 3757, a modest 3.2% lead, showing the AI 5 PRO 435 is closer in lightly threaded scenarios.

The Verdict

The data supports the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX for users who prioritize maximum compute throughput. Its 8 cores, 16 threads, and higher clock speeds (3.60 GHz base, 5.10 GHz boost) deliver decisive wins in multi-threaded tests like passmark_multithread and passmark_integer_math. It also leads in single-thread performance, albeit by a small margin, making it the better choice for both productivity and general responsiveness. The 8745HX sits in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, while the AI 5 PRO 435 lands in the 86th, confirming the former's higher overall standing.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 is the pick for efficiency-focused builds or systems requiring ECC memory. Its 6 cores and 12 threads are sufficient for everyday tasks, and its lower TDP of 28W makes it suitable for thinner laptops or fanless designs. The newer Zen 5 architecture and 4nm process node indicate better energy efficiency, though the benchmark scores do not show a compensatory performance boost. The AI 5 PRO 435's integrated graphics, Radeon 840M, is a step up from the Radeon 610M, which could matter for light gaming or media playback without a discrete GPU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is passmark_find_prime_numbers, where the 8745HX scores 159 versus the AI 5 PRO 435's 57, a 178.9% difference. This test stresses integer arithmetic and memory latency, and the 8745HX's larger L3 cache (32 MB vs 4 MB) likely contributes to the massive gap. In passmark_data_encryption, the 8745HX posts 21840 against 11267, a 93.8% lead, indicating superior AES and hashing performance. The passmark_random_string_sorting test shows a 78.4% advantage (44494 vs 24936), which reflects the 8745HX's ability to handle memory-intensive sorting operations faster.

The passmark_multithread score of 31517 versus 19091 is a 65.1% difference, aligning closely with the 8745HX's 16 threads versus 12 threads. Passmark_extended_instructions gives the 8745HX a 65.3% lead (27638 vs 16724), suggesting better SIMD and AVX throughput. Passmark_integer_math follows at 64.8% (100328 vs 60879), while passmark_physics shows a 68.9% edge (1681 vs 995). The floating-point test, passmark_floating_point_math, gives a 50.7% advantage (61972 vs 41114), and passmark_data_compression shows a 56.3% lead (363759 vs 232803). The closest contest is passmark_single_thread, where the 8745HX wins by only 3.2% (3879 vs 3757), indicating that per-core performance is nearly equal between the two chips.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX. It scores 31517 in passmark_multithread versus 19091 for the AI 5 PRO 435, a 65.1% difference.

Q: How big is the single-thread performance gap?

A: The 8745HX leads by 3.2% with a passmark_single_thread score of 3879 versus 3757 for the AI 5 PRO 435.

Q: Does the AI 5 PRO 435 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is listed as supported. The 8745HX does not support ECC.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The 8745HX has 8 cores and 16 threads. The AI 5 PRO 435 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?

A: The 8745HX boosts to 5.10 GHz, while the AI 5 PRO 435 boosts to 4.50 GHz.

Q: How do their integrated graphics compare?

A: The 8745HX uses Radeon 610M, while the AI 5 PRO 435 uses Radeon 840M.

Architecture Differences

The 8745HX is built on Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename, while the AI 5 PRO 435 uses Zen 5 with the Gorgon Point codename. The process nodes differ: 5nm for the 8745HX and 4nm for the AI 5 PRO 435, both from TSMC. The transistor count for the 8745HX is 6,570 million on a 71 mm² die, while the AI 5 PRO 435 has no recorded transistor or die size data. Cache configurations are distinct: the 8745HX offers 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 32 MB shared L3, whereas the AI 5 PRO 435 provides 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and only 4 MB L3. The AI 5 PRO 435's smaller L3 cache is a significant architectural difference, likely impacting workloads that depend on large data sets.

The 8745HX uses AMD Socket FL1, while the AI 5 PRO 435 uses AMD Socket FP8. The 8745HX has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the AI 5 PRO 435 is locked. The 8745HX supports PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes, while the AI 5 PRO 435 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes. The AI 5 PRO 435 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, while the 8745HX only supports DDR5. Neither chip supports 3D V-Cache.

Specification Differences

The core counts differ: 8 for the 8745HX versus 6 for the AI 5 PRO 435, with corresponding thread counts of 16 and 12. Base clocks are 3.60 GHz for the 8745HX and 2.00 GHz for the AI 5 PRO 435. Boost clocks are 5.10 GHz and 4.50 GHz respectively. TDP ratings are 55W for the 8745HX and 28W for the AI 5 PRO 435. Memory bandwidth is slightly higher for the AI 5 PRO 435 at 89.6 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s for the 8745HX. The 8745HX has a larger L3 cache at 32 MB, while the AI 5 PRO 435 has 4 MB. The AI 5 PRO 435 supports ECC memory, which the 8745HX does not. The integrated GPU differs: Radeon 610M for the 8745HX and Radeon 840M for the AI 5 PRO 435. The 8745HX has 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, while the AI 5 PRO 435 has 14 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. The 8745HX has an unlocked multiplier, the AI 5 PRO 435 is locked. Release dates are 2025-04-22 for the 8745HX and 2026-01-04 for the AI 5 PRO 435.