AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a definitive picture: the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins all 11 recorded head-to-head tests against the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX. This dominance is not marginal; the Intel chip leads by significant margins across nearly every workload category. The largest gap appears in floating point math, where Intel scores 160624 against AMD's 61972, a delta of 159.2%. Similarly, Intel crushes the AMD part in prime number finding, with a score of 400 versus 159 (151.6% delta).

The Intel processor also shows a substantial lead in multi-threaded performance, recording 48234 in PassMark's multithread test compared to AMD's 31517, which is a 53% difference. Encryption workloads heavily favor Intel as well, with a score of 39499 versus 21840 (80.9% delta). Extended instruction performance follows the same trend; Intel hits 41247 and AMD trails at 27638, for a 49.2% delta.

Other notable wins for Intel include data compression (515143 vs 363759, 41.6% delta), random string sorting (62591 vs 44494, 40.7% delta), integer math (127126 vs 100328, 26.7% delta), and physics simulation (2926 vs 1681, 74.1% delta). Even in single-thread performance, a category where AMD's Zen 4 architecture is traditionally competitive, Intel holds a clear advantage with a score of 4562 against AMD's 3879, a 17.6% delta.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded data, the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins in every measured category. There is no single benchmark in the database where the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX comes out ahead.

For users whose workloads align with tasks like data compression and encryption, the Intel chip is the stronger choice. The data shows a 41.6% advantage in compression, which directly benefits file archiving and storage tasks. For heavily threaded physics simulations, the 53% delta in the multithread benchmark suggests Intel is better equipped for complex, parallel-heavy tasks like 3D rendering. Similarly, the 159.2% lead in floating point math indicates superior performance in scientific computing applications.

The AMD processor, with its lower scores across the board, still offers capable performance but sits at a lower tier relative to Intel in this comparison. Its single-thread score of 3879 is not an outlier, but it is less than Intel's 4562. The data suggests that for any workload that depends on the specific tasks benchmarked, the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is the preferable choice. Even in integer math, where AMD's score of 100328 is respectable, it is still 26.7% behind Intel's 127126.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is part of the Core Ultra Series 2, using the Arrow Lake-HX architecture on a 3 nm process node from TSMC. It is a 20-core, 20-thread processor with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes a large L2 cache of 3 MB per core and a shared L3 cache of 30 MB, alongside an L1 cache of 192 KB per core. The Intel chip houses 17,800 million transistors on a die size of 243 mm².

The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX is based on the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Dragon Range. It is a smaller part with 8 cores and 16 threads, running on TSMC's 5 nm process node. It has a higher base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, but a smaller cache footprint with 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core and 32 MB shared L3 cache. This design uses only 6,570 million transistors on a die size of 71 mm².

Both support DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, though memory bandwidth differs. Intel leads with 102.4 GB/s, while AMD trails at 83.2 GB/s. PCIe support is also a differentiator: Intel supports Gen 5 with 20 lanes CPU only. The AMD chip supports Gen 5 with 28 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well, with Intel fielding its Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU and AMD using the Radeon 610M. Both are unlocked parts with Active production status. Intel offers a 93rd percentile vs all CPUs, while AMD sits at the 92nd.

The Intel processor's higher core count and thread count, combined with its larger L2 and L1 caches, align with its benchmark results, especially in multi-core tasks. The AMD processor, with fewer cores, relies on higher clock speeds and a more substantial L3 cache to achieve its performance. The architectural decisions from Intel on Arrow Lake-HX with a 3 nm node focus on raw throughput, leveraging its physical size and chiplet architecture for maximum processing power.

Intel's TDP is rated at 55W and AMD is also 55W, so power consumption is identical.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX outperforms the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX in every benchmark recorded. The Intel part should be selected by users who need the absolute highest performance for multi-threaded workloads, encryption, and math-heavy applications. Its 53% lead in multithread and 80.9% lead in encryption are decisive. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX, while a solid processor, is consistently behind in this comparison. Its lower scores in all tests make it the secondary choice for any task measured in this database.

For users building a mobile workstation where every bit of CPU strength matters for rendering, simulation, or data processing, the Intel processor is the correct choice based on the numbers. The AMD chip may be a viable alternative for those who prioritize its other features, but within the scope of this data set, the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is the superior performer. The prevalence of Intel wins across all categories means the verdict is straightforward: for maximum performance, choose Intel.

FAQ

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX win any benchmark in this comparison?

A: No. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins all 11 head-to-head benchmark tests recorded in the database.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest delta is in the floating point math test, where the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX scores 160624 compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX's 61972, a difference of 159.2%.

Q: How significant is the single-thread performance difference?

A: The Intel chip leads by a notable margin of 17.6% in the PassMark single-thread test, scoring 4562 versus the AMD's 3879.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX has 20 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Do both CPUs support DDR5 memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, though the Intel part has a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s compared to AMD's 83.2 GB/s.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX | AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Series | Core Ultra Series 2 | 8000 series |

| Architecture | Arrow Lake | Zen 4 |

| Codename | Arrow Lake-HX | Dragon Range |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 5 nm |

| Transistors | 17,800 million | 6,570 million |

| Die Size | 243 mm² | 71 mm² |

| Cores | 20 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 3 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 30 MB (shared) | 32 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 102.4 GB/s | 83.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 28 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU | Radeon 610M |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2114 | AMD Socket FL1 |

| Part Number | SRVFG | 100-000001851 |

| Release Date | 2025-01-12 | 2025-04-22 |

| Percentile (vs all CPUs) | 93 | 92 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 62738 | 60104 |