AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX and Intel Core Ultra 7 356H represent two distinct approaches to high-performance mobile computing. The database records the AMD part with a 92nd percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the Intel processor sits at the 87th percentile. Their average benchmark scores differ substantially, with the AMD chip posting 60104 points against 41215 for the Intel part, a gap that stems from different architectural priorities rather than a simple core-count comparison. This analysis walks through the recorded specifications and benchmark data to clarify where each processor delivers its strengths.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX records an average benchmark score of 60104, which is significantly higher than the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H's 41215 average.

Q: How do their core counts and thread counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX uses 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses 16 cores and 16 threads, so it has double the cores but the same thread count.

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H leads in the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 4072, compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX's 3879, a 4.7% advantage for Intel.

Q: What is the difference in their TDP ratings?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has a TDP of 55, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has a TDP of 25. The Intel part is rated for substantially lower power draw.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX supports DDR5 only, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth rating?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H records a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX's 83.2 GB/s.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX is built on the Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename, manufactured by TSMC on a 5 nm process node. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses the Panther Lake architecture with the Panther Lake codename, produced by Intel on a 3 nm process node. These foundational differences shape the rest of their characteristics.

The AMD processor contains 8 cores with 16 threads, while the Intel processor contains 16 cores with 16 threads. The Intel part achieves its core count through a heterogeneous design, whereas the AMD part relies on simultaneous multithreading to reach 16 threads from 8 physical cores. Cache layouts diverge as well: the AMD chip provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip provides 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

Clock speeds follow different philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The AMD part starts from a much higher base frequency and boosts slightly higher, while the Intel part starts much lower, likely reflecting its lower TDP of 25 compared to the AMD's 55.

Memory support differs in scope. The AMD processor supports DDR5 memory only, while the Intel processor supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Intel part records a higher memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s for the AMD part. Neither processor supports ECC memory according to the database.

PCIe connectivity also diverges. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX offers Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H offers Gen 5 with 12 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ as well, with the AMD part using Radeon 610M and the Intel part using Intel Xe3 Graphics. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel processor does not.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates that the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX is the stronger overall processor for general compute workloads. Its average benchmark score of 60104 places it at the 92nd percentile, and its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX with a 0% delta, the Intel Core i9-14900F with a 0.2% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D with a 0.8% delta. This places the AMD part in the company of top-tier desktop and mobile processors.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H, with an average score of 41215 and an 87th percentile ranking, sits in a lower performance tier. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 with a 0% delta, the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H with a -0.1% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X with a -0.4% delta. The Intel processor's average score is roughly 31% lower than the AMD part's average, which translates to a clear overall performance deficit in the recorded benchmarks.

However, the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins 8 of the 11 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, including several with substantial margins. This means the choice depends heavily on workload. Users who prioritize integer math, data compression, or random string sorting should select the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX. Users who prioritize floating-point math, physics simulations, prime number finding, data encryption, or single-threaded tasks should select the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H. The data shows no single processor dominates across all categories.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category recorded in the database. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX uses 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses 16 cores and 16 threads. The AMD base clock is 3.60 GHz versus the Intel base clock of 1.90 GHz. The AMD boost clock is 5.10 GHz versus the Intel boost clock of 4.70 GHz. TDP ratings are 55 for AMD and 25 for Intel.

Socket types differ: AMD uses AMD Socket FL1, while Intel uses Intel BGA 2540. The architecture is Zen 4 for AMD and Panther Lake for Intel. Process nodes are 5 nm for AMD and 3 nm for Intel. Cache configurations differ across all levels: L1 cache is 64 KB per core for AMD versus 192 KB per core for Intel, L2 cache is 1 MB per core for AMD versus 2.5 MB per core for Intel, and L3 cache is 32 MB shared for AMD versus 18 MB shared for Intel.

Memory support differs, with AMD supporting DDR5 only and Intel supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth is 83.2 GB/s for AMD and 115.2 GB/s for Intel. PCIe configurations differ, with AMD offering Gen 5 with 28 lanes and Intel offering Gen 5 with 12 lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon 610M for AMD and Intel Xe3 Graphics for Intel. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, while the Intel multiplier is locked. Release dates also differ, with the AMD part recorded as 2025-04-22 and the Intel part as 2026-01-04.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a clear split between the two processors. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX wins 3 of the 11 comparisons, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins 8. The largest AMD victory comes in PassMark integer math, where the AMD scores 100328 against the Intel's 83111, a 20.7% advantage. The AMD part also wins PassMark random string sorting with a score of 44494 versus 40990, an 8.5% margin, and PassMark data compression with 363759 versus 336177, an 8.2% margin.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H claims several decisive wins. Its largest margin is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 327 against the AMD's 159, a 51.4% advantage. PassMark floating-point math shows the Intel part scoring 103128 against 61972, a 39.9% margin. PassMark physics gives the Intel part 2895 against 1681, a 41.9% gap. PassMark data encryption favors Intel with 26345 against 21840, a 17.1% margin.

Smaller Intel wins appear in PassMark multithread, where the Intel scores 33978 against 31517, a 7.2% margin, and PassMark single-thread, where the Intel scores 4072 against 3879, a 4.7% margin. The narrowest Intel win is in PassMark extended instructions, with the Intel scoring 27898 against 27638, a 0.9% margin. The data shows that the AMD processor dominates integer-heavy and compression workloads, while the Intel processor dominates floating-point, physics, and prime number workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX is the clear choice for integer math operations, where it outperforms the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H by 20.7% in the PassMark integer math test. It also leads in data compression by 8.2% and random string sorting by 8.5%. These results indicate that the AMD processor handles tasks involving large-scale data organization, compression algorithms, and general integer computation more efficiently. Its higher average benchmark score of 60104 and 92nd percentile ranking further support its suitability for demanding compute workloads that benefit from its higher clock speeds and larger L3 cache.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is the stronger option for floating-point math, where it beats the AMD part by 39.9% in the PassMark floating-point math test. It also wins decisively in physics simulations by 41.9% and in prime number finding by 51.4%. These categories suggest that the Intel processor excels at scientific computing, physics engines, and tasks that require extensive mathematical calculations. Its lower TDP of 25 also makes it a more power-efficient choice for sustained workloads, though the database does not record power consumption measurements beyond TDP ratings.

For single-threaded performance, the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H holds a 4.7% advantage in the PassMark single-thread test. This makes it the better option for applications that rely heavily on single-core performance, such as legacy software or lightly threaded workloads. The Intel part also wins in multithread performance by 7.2%, despite having the same thread count as the AMD processor, which indicates its 16 physical cores provide an advantage in parallel workloads that do not benefit from simultaneous multithreading.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX remains the better overall processor based on average benchmark scores and percentile ranking. Its wins in integer math, data compression, and string sorting cover common productivity tasks. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H, despite its lower average score, demonstrates superior performance in specialized computational tasks. The recorded data shows that neither processor is universally faster, and the optimal choice depends on whether the workload leans toward integer operations or floating-point calculations.