AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

# The Verdict

The recorded data splits this comparison cleanly by workload type. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX wins 6 of the 11 head-to-head benchmark categories, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins 5. The AMD part takes the overall average benchmark score by a wide margin: 60104 versus 33989, a 76.8% gap. That places the Ryzen 7 8745HX at the 92nd percentile among all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 5 338H sits at the 84th percentile.

For users focused on integer-heavy workloads, compression, encryption, or multithreaded throughput, the Ryzen 7 8745HX is the clear choice from this data. Its 8-core, 16-thread configuration with a 5.10 GHz boost clock delivers scores that rival much higher-tier desktop parts; its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX at a 0% delta and the Intel Core i9-14900F at a 0.2% delta. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H, by contrast, sits among mobile-class competitors like the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H at a -0.3% delta and the Intel Core i7-12800HX at a 0.3% delta.

For users whose workloads lean on floating-point math, physics simulation, prime-number finding, or single-threaded responsiveness, the Core Ultra 5 338H wins outright. Its single-thread score of 4180 beats the Ryzen's 3879, and its physics score of 2697 is 37.7% higher. The Core Ultra 5 338H also uses far less power on paper, with a 25 W TDP versus 55 W, making it the more efficient option for thin-and-light mobile designs.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design schools. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX uses the Zen 4 architecture on a 5 nm TSMC process, with the Dragon Range codename. It is built for high-performance mobile gaming and workstation laptops, evident from its 55 W TDP and unlocked multiplier. The part uses an 8-core, 16-thread layout with simultaneous multithreading, and it carries 6,570 million transistors on a 71 mm² die.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H belongs to the Panther Lake family, built on Intel's 3 nm process. It is a 12-core, 12-thread part with no hyperthreading, and it uses a different cache hierarchy: 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and a much larger 32 MB shared L3. The larger L3 on the AMD side likely contributes to its strong showing in compression and integer workloads.

Memory architecture also differs. The AMD processor supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a measured bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The Intel part supports LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, but with a higher bandwidth figure of 136.5 GB/s. PCIe lane counts diverge sharply: the AMD part provides Gen 5 with 28 CPU lanes, while the Intel part provides Gen 5 with only 4 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well, with the AMD Radeon 610M on the Ryzen side and the Arc B370 on the Intel side.

The Intel part is locked (multiplier not unlocked), while the AMD part allows overclocking. The AMD processor also has a higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 1.90 GHz, and a higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz versus 4.70 GHz.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX comes in integer math, where it scores 100328 against the Intel part's 64934, a 54.5% advantage. This is the biggest delta in either direction across all recorded tests. Data compression also favors AMD substantially: 363759 versus 276539, a 31.5% lead. Random string sorting follows with 44494 versus 34082, a 30.5% margin. Extended instructions show a 15.6% lead for AMD (27638 versus 23906), and multithread performance gives AMD a 9.8% edge (31517 versus 28717). Data encryption is nearly even, with AMD ahead by just 2.2% (21840 versus 21367).

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H counters in several categories. Its largest win is in prime-number finding, where it scores 304 against AMD's 159, a 47.7% advantage. Physics simulation shows Intel ahead by 37.7% (2697 versus 1681). Floating-point math gives Intel a 26.3% lead (84067 versus 61972). Single-thread performance favors Intel by 7.2% in both recorded single-thread tests, with scores of 4180 versus 3879.

The wins are not evenly distributed by test type. AMD dominates in memory-intensive and integer-logic tasks, while Intel dominates in floating-point and physics-style workloads. The multithread score, which reflects overall parallel throughput, still favors AMD by 9.8%, suggesting that the Ryzen's 16 threads provide a tangible advantage despite the Intel part having 12 physical cores.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences between the two parts are as follows:

• Cores: AMD has 8, Intel has 12.
• Threads: AMD has 16, Intel has 12.
• Base clock: AMD at 3.60 GHz, Intel at 1.90 GHz.
• Boost clock: AMD at 5.10 GHz, Intel at 4.70 GHz.
• TDP: AMD at 55 W, Intel at 25 W.
• Socket: AMD Socket FL1 versus Intel BGA 2540.
• Process node: 5 nm TSMC versus 3 nm Intel.
• L1 cache: 64 KB per core versus 192 KB per core.
• L2 cache: 1 MB per core versus 2.5 MB per core.
• L3 cache: 32 MB shared versus 18 MB shared.
• Memory support: DDR5 versus LPDDR5X.
• Memory bandwidth: 83.2 GB/s versus 136.5 GB/s.
• PCIe lanes: 28 lanes versus 4 lanes.
• Integrated graphics: Radeon 610M versus Arc B370.
• Multiplier: Unlocked on AMD, locked on Intel.
• Transistor count: 6,570 million on AMD, not recorded for Intel.
• Die size: 71 mm² on AMD, not recorded for Intel.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, compared to 4.70 GHz for the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H.

Q: How much faster is the AMD part in integer math?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX scores 100328 in integer math, which is 54.5% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H's score of 64934.

Q: Does the Intel part have any clear performance wins?

A: Yes. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins in floating-point math (84067 versus 61972, a 26.3% lead), physics (2697 versus 1681, a 37.7% lead), prime-number finding (304 versus 159, a 47.7% lead), and single-thread performance (4180 versus 3879, a 7.2% lead).

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has an average benchmark score of 60104, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has an average of 33989. The AMD part is 76.8% higher overall.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H supports LPDDR5X with a recorded bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX supports DDR5 at 83.2 GB/s.

Q: How do their nearest rivals compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX with a 0% delta, followed by the Intel Core i9-14900F at 0.2%. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H's closest rival is the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H at -0.3%, followed by the Intel Core i7-12800HX at 0.3%.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX is the stronger part for multithreaded productivity and data-processing workloads. Its 16 threads and large 32 MB L3 cache drive wins in data compression, integer math, random string sorting, and extended instructions. The 54.5% lead in integer math and the 31.5% lead in compression make it the better fit for compilation, database operations, and similar integer-bound tasks. Its 9.8% multithread advantage also suggests better sustained parallel performance for rendering or video encoding, even though the Intel part has more physical cores.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is the better part for floating-point-heavy scientific workloads and physics simulation. Its 26.3% lead in floating-point math and 37.7% lead in physics indicate a design that handles vector math and simulation more efficiently. The 47.7% lead in prime-number finding and 7.2% lead in single-thread performance also make it the preferable choice for single-threaded applications that depend on low-latency responsiveness. The Intel part's 25 W TDP, less than half of the AMD part's 55 W, further positions it for fanless or thin-and-light designs where power draw matters more than raw throughput.

The overall average benchmark score strongly favors AMD, but the split in test categories shows that neither part dominates universally. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX is the database's pick for raw multithreaded score and integer performance, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H takes the efficiency and floating-point categories. Buyers choosing between the two should match the workload profile to the recorded strengths, not to the overall average alone.