AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX vs Intel Core Ultra 3 205 Comparison

AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX vs Intel Core Ultra 3 205: a mobile 8-core processor with 16 threads and a desktop 8-core with 8 threads. The benchmark data shows two distinct philosophies: the AMD chip leans on simultaneous multithreading to win heavy parallel workloads, while the Intel part uses a smaller, denser process to claim single-thread and math-specific victories. The record shows a 6-to-5 split in benchmark wins, but the magnitude of those wins matters more than the count.

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX is the choice for multi-threaded, integer-heavy, and data-processing tasks. It wins PassMark MultiThread by 20.4%, integer math by 83.2%, data compression by 39.6%, random string sorting by 43.1%, and extended instructions by 22.4%. This processor sits at the 92nd percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 60104, placing it alongside the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX (delta 0%) and Intel Core i9-14900F (delta 0.2%). For users running database workloads, compression pipelines, or parallel compilation, the AMD part delivers substantially higher throughput.

The Intel Core Ultra 3 205 is the pick for single-thread response, floating-point math, and prime-number calculations. It wins PassMark Single Thread by 15.2%, floating point math by 17.5%, find prime numbers by 40.7%, and physics by 16.6%. This desktop processor holds the 82nd percentile with an average score of 31473, matching the Intel Core 7 240H (delta 0%) and AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX (delta -0.1%). The Intel part has a lower absolute average score, but its per-core efficiency is evident in the single-thread result of 4575 versus 3879 for AMD.

The data indicates a clear trade-off. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX is a mobile processor (AMD Socket FL1) aimed at high-end laptops, while the Intel Core Ultra 3 205 is a desktop chip (Intel Socket 1851). The AMD chip supports 16 threads with a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The Intel chip has 8 threads with a boost of 4.90 GHz. If the workload is heavily parallel and integer-based, the AMD part is the data-backed winner. If the workload is single-threaded or floating-point-centric, the Intel part is the better performer.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX uses the Zen 4 architecture on the Dragon Range codename, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra 3 205 uses the Arrow Lake architecture on the Arrow Lake-S codename, built on a 3 nm process, also at TSMC. The process node difference is significant: Intel uses a denser 3 nm node, which helps explain the higher single-thread score despite the lower boost clock.

The transistor counts diverge sharply. The AMD chip has 6,570 million transistors on a 71 mm² die. The Intel chip has 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The Intel die is much larger and packs nearly three times the transistor count, which supports a larger L2 cache and a different core layout.

Cache configurations differ in every level. The AMD chip uses 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 32 MB shared L3. The Intel chip uses 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 15 MB shared L3. The Intel core has three times the L1 and L2 per core, while AMD has more than double the L3 capacity. This cache split explains the benchmark pattern: Intel wins latency-sensitive single-thread and physics tests, AMD wins large-data compression and sorting tests.

Memory bandwidth also differs. Both support DDR5 dual-channel, but AMD records 83.2 GB/s while Intel records 102.4 GB/s. The Intel part has a higher theoretical memory ceiling. PCIe lanes differ as well: AMD exposes Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), Intel exposes Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The AMD chip has more PCIe throughput potential.

The integrated graphics are different. AMD uses the Radeon 610M, while Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. Both are present, but the benchmark data does not include graphics performance. The AMD multiplier is unlocked; the Intel multiplier is locked. The AMD chip released on 2025-04-22, the Intel chip on 2025-07-31.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX dominates in integer math. The score of 100328 versus 54755 is the largest single delta in the head-to-head set at 83.2%. This indicates that the Zen 4 architecture with 16 threads handles integer-heavy code efficiently. The chip also wins data compression by 39.6%, random string sorting by 43.1%, and extended instructions by 22.4%. These four wins point to a processor that excels at data manipulation, archiving, and SIMD-style extended workloads.

AMD also wins the PassMark MultiThread test by 20.4%, scoring 31517 against 26167. This is the headline multi-core result. The 16 threads versus 8 threads is the likely cause. The AMD chip also wins data encryption by 16.3%, which is a modest but consistent lead.

The Intel Core Ultra 3 205 wins the PassMark Single Thread test by 15.2%, scoring 4575 against 3879. This is the headline single-core result. The higher base clock of 3.80 GHz versus 3.60 GHz, plus the denser 3 nm process, contributes to this win. The Intel chip also wins find prime numbers by 40.7%, which is a very large margin. This test is typically sensitive to per-core clock speed and cache latency.

Intel wins floating point math by 17.5%, scoring 75136 against 61972. This is notable because floating-point is often a strong area for AMD, but the Intel Arrow Lake architecture takes it here. Intel also wins the physics test by 16.6%, scoring 2016 against 1681. The physics test often rewards higher per-core clocks.

The split is clean. AMD wins the integer, compression, sorting, encryption, and multi-thread categories. Intel wins the single-thread, floating-point, prime-number, and physics categories. The workloads that use many threads and large data sets favor AMD. The workloads that use fewer threads and require per-core speed favor Intel.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 3 205 has 8 threads. Both have 8 cores.

Q: What is the biggest benchmark win for AMD?

A: The AMD chip wins PassMark Integer Math by 83.2%, scoring 100328 against 54755.

Q: What is the biggest benchmark win for Intel?

A: The Intel chip wins PassMark Find Prime Numbers by 40.7%, scoring 268 against 159.

Q: Which processor is faster in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 3 205 is faster, scoring 4575 in PassMark Single Thread versus 3879 for the AMD chip, a delta of 15.2%.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has an average benchmark score of 60104, which places it at the 92nd percentile. The Intel Core Ultra 3 205 has an average score of 31473, at the 82nd percentile.

Q: Are both processors on the same process node?

A: No. The AMD chip uses a 5 nm process. The Intel chip uses a 3 nm process. Both are fabricated by TSMC.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest AMD victory is the PassMark Integer Math test. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX scores 100328 against 54755 for the Intel Core Ultra 3 205, a delta of 83.2%. This is a decisive margin that shows the value of the 16-thread configuration in arithmetic-heavy code. The AMD chip also wins PassMark Random String Sorting by 43.1%, scoring 44494 against 31083. Sorting is often memory-latency and cache-sensitive, and the larger 32 MB L3 cache on the AMD part likely helps here.

The AMD chip wins PassMark Data Compression by 39.6%, scoring 363759 against 260651. This is a large absolute gap of over 100,000 points. The AMD chip wins PassMark Extended Instructions by 22.4%, scoring 27638 against 22578. This indicates a strong AVX-style instruction throughput. The AMD chip wins PassMark MultiThread by 20.4%, scoring 31517 against 26167. This is a solid overall multi-core lead. The AMD chip wins PassMark Data Encryption by 16.3%, scoring 21840 against 18772.

The Intel Core Ultra 3 205 takes the PassMark Find Prime Numbers test by 40.7%, scoring 268 against 159. This is a large percentage win, though the absolute scores are low. The Intel chip wins PassMark Floating Point Math by 17.5%, scoring 75136 against 61972. This is a significant reversal in a category where AMD often competes. The Intel chip wins PassMark Physics by 16.6%, scoring 2016 against 1681. The Intel chip wins PassMark Single Thread by 15.2%, scoring 4575 against 3879. The single-thread and singlethread tests are duplicates, both showing the same scores.

The pattern is consistent. The AMD chip wins the six tests that stress parallel throughput and large data movement. The Intel chip wins the five tests that stress per-core speed and floating-point execution. The average benchmark score confirms the overall picture: the AMD part averages 60104, which is 91% higher than the Intel part's 31473, but that average is driven by the large integer and compression wins. For a desktop user focused on single-thread responsiveness, the Intel part is the data-backed winner.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 3 205 has 8 cores and 8 threads. The thread count is the most consequential difference for multi-threaded workloads.

Clock speeds differ. The AMD chip has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The Intel chip has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Intel chip has a higher base clock, but the AMD chip has a higher boost clock.

Thermal design power is close. The AMD chip has a TDP of 55 watts. The Intel chip has a TDP of 57 watts. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FL1, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1851.

Process node and foundry are the same foundry but different nodes. Both use TSMC. The AMD chip is 5 nm, the Intel chip is 3 nm. Transistor count differs: 6,570 million for AMD, 17,800 million for Intel. Die size differs: 71 mm² for AMD, 243 mm² for Intel.

Cache per core differs. AMD uses 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core. Intel uses 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 per core. Shared L3 differs: AMD has 32 MB, Intel has 15 MB.

Memory specs differ. Both support DDR5 dual-channel. AMD records 83.2 GB/s bandwidth, Intel records 102.4 GB/s. Both do not support ECC memory. PCIe differs: AMD has Gen 5 with 28 lanes, Intel has Gen 5 with 20 lanes.

Integrated graphics differ. AMD uses Radeon 610M. Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, the Intel multiplier is locked. The AMD release date is 2025-04-22, the Intel release date is 2025-07-31. The Intel launch MSRP is $140. The AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP. The market segments differ: AMD is mobile, Intel is desktop.