AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX vs Intel Core Ultra X9 378H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head benchmark data splits these two mobile processors into very distinct roles. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H takes 10 of the 11 recorded wins, dominating most computational workloads. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX claims a single but meaningful victory in integer math.

Intel's strengths are broad and decisive. The largest margin comes in the find prime numbers test, where the Ultra X9 378H scores 357 against AMD's 159, a 55.5% advantage. Floating point math shows a similar gap: Intel scores 114500 versus 61972, a 45.9% lead. The physics test also favors Intel heavily, with 3404 against 1681, a 50.6% difference. These three results indicate that Intel's architecture handles heavy mathematical and physics-based calculations with substantially more efficiency.

Data encryption shows Intel ahead by 26.8%, with scores of 29840 versus 21840. Extended instructions favor Intel by 11.7%, and multithread performance gives Intel a 17.7% edge, scoring 38298 against 31517. Single-thread performance also goes to Intel, with 4453 against 3879, a 12.9% advantage. Data compression is closer, Intel leading by 5.9% with 386591 against 363759. Random string sorting is nearly identical, Intel ahead by just 0.3%.

AMD's sole win comes in integer math, where the Ryzen 7 8745HX scores 100328 against Intel's 92603, an 8.3% lead. This suggests AMD's Zen 4 cores retain an advantage in certain integer-heavy workloads, even though the overall multithread score favors Intel.

The average benchmark scores reflect this split. AMD's average sits at 60104, placing it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, while Intel's average is 47468, placing it in the 89th percentile. Despite Intel winning most head-to-head tests, AMD's average is higher because the database includes benchmarks beyond the shared PassMark suite, such as Cinebench results for Intel, which the average calculation incorporates differently.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different design approaches. AMD's Ryzen 7 8745HX is built on the Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename, fabricated on a 5 nm process at TSMC. Intel's Core Ultra X9 378H uses the Panther Lake codename under the Panther Lake-H generation, on a 3 nm process at Intel's own foundry.

Core counts differ significantly. AMD provides 8 cores and 16 threads, while Intel provides 16 cores and 16 threads. This means Intel has twice as many physical cores but no hyperthreading, while AMD relies on simultaneous multithreading to reach its thread count. The base clocks reflect different strategies: AMD runs at 3.60 GHz, Intel at 2.00 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with AMD at 5.10 GHz and Intel at 5.00 GHz.

Cache hierarchies diverge substantially. AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and only 18 MB of shared L3. Intel's larger per-core cache allocations suggest a design focused on feeding its many cores individually, while AMD's larger shared L3 pool benefits workloads that reuse data across cores.

Memory support also differs. AMD uses DDR5 with dual-channel access and a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. Intel uses LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, but with memory bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s, which is 84.5% higher. This bandwidth advantage likely contributes to Intel's strong performance in memory-intensive tests like data compression and encryption.

PCIe lanes show a major difference. AMD offers Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU, while Intel offers Gen 5 with only 4 lanes from the CPU. AMD's unlocked multiplier allows overclocking, while Intel's multiplier is locked. Integrated graphics also differ: AMD pairs with Radeon 610M, Intel with Arc B390.

The process node difference is notable. Intel's 3 nm process is smaller than AMD's 5 nm, which typically allows higher transistor density. However, AMD lists 6,570 million transistors on a 71 mm² die, while Intel does not report transistor count or die size in the database.

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a clear performance hierarchy, but the choice depends on workload profile. Intel's Core Ultra X9 378H wins the majority of shared benchmarks, particularly in physics, prime number calculation, floating point math, and encryption. These are compute-heavy tasks where Intel's 16 physical cores and higher memory bandwidth provide a substantial edge.

AMD's Ryzen 7 8745HX wins integer math and holds a higher average benchmark score overall. Its 92nd percentile ranking versus Intel's 89th percentile indicates that AMD's overall standing in the full database is stronger, even though Intel wins the direct comparisons. AMD also offers an unlocked multiplier, which enables overclocking, and a much higher base clock of 3.60 GHz versus 2.00 GHz.

The power envelope differs as well. AMD lists a TDP of 55 watts, Intel at 25 watts. This suggests Intel achieves its results with lower thermal design power, which may be relevant for thin-and-light laptops. AMD's higher TDP implies a need for more robust cooling.

For users prioritizing raw multithreaded compute, physics simulations, or encryption workloads, the data favors Intel. For integer-heavy tasks, overclocking flexibility, and a higher overall percentile ranking, AMD holds the advantage. The 16-core Intel design without hyperthreading still outperforms AMD's 8-core design with hyperthreading in most tests, but the single integer win and higher average score prevent a blanket recommendation.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: Intel's Core Ultra X9 378H has 16 cores, while AMD's Ryzen 7 8745HX has 8 cores. Both have 16 threads, with Intel relying on physical cores and AMD using simultaneous multithreading.

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

A: The largest margin is in the find prime numbers test. Intel scores 357 against AMD's 159, a 55.5% advantage. The physics test shows a similar gap at 50.6%, and floating point math at 45.9%.

Q: Does AMD win any benchmark?

A: Yes, AMD wins the passmark integer math test with a score of 100328 against Intel's 92603, an 8.3% lead.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: AMD's average benchmark score is 60104, placing it in the 92nd percentile. Intel's average is 47468, placing it in the 89th percentile.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: Intel's Core Ultra X9 378H has a memory bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s using LPDDR5X. AMD's Ryzen 7 8745HX has 83.2 GB/s using DDR5.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. AMD's Ryzen 7 8745HX has an unlocked multiplier, while Intel's Core Ultra X9 378H has a locked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive Intel wins come in computationally intense workloads. The find prime numbers test shows Intel at 357 versus AMD's 159, a 55.5% advantage that indicates a fundamental difference in how each architecture handles iterative integer operations. The physics test follows closely, with Intel at 3404 and AMD at 1681, a 50.6% gap. Floating point math gives Intel 114500 against AMD's 61972, a 45.9% lead. These three results alone establish Intel's dominance in scientific and simulation-oriented tasks.

Data encryption shows Intel ahead by 26.8%, scoring 29840 versus 21840. This workload benefits from Intel's higher memory bandwidth and the efficiency of its 16 physical cores. Extended instructions follow with an 11.7% Intel advantage, scoring 31315 against 27638. Multithread performance gives Intel a 17.7% lead, with 38298 against 31517, despite AMD having fewer cores but more threads per core.

Single-thread performance favors Intel by 12.9%, with scores of 4453 versus 3879. This is notable because AMD's base clock is substantially higher at 3.60 GHz versus 2.00 GHz, yet Intel still wins in single-threaded execution. Data compression is a closer contest, with Intel ahead by 5.9% at 386591 versus 363759. Random string sorting is nearly even, Intel winning by only 0.3% with 44648 against 44494.

AMD's only win is integer math, where it scores 100328 against Intel's 92603, an 8.3% advantage. This result shows that for certain integer-heavy calculations, AMD's Zen 4 architecture with its higher clock speeds can outperform Intel's wider core configuration. However, this single win does not offset Intel's dominance across the other ten shared tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. AMD uses the Zen 4 architecture with Dragon Range codename, while Intel uses Panther Lake with Panther Lake-H generation. AMD is fabricated on a 5 nm process at TSMC with 6,570 million transistors on a 71 mm² die. Intel uses a 3 nm process at its own foundry, though the database does not record its transistor count or die size.

Core and thread counts differ: AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads, Intel has 16 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 3.60 GHz for AMD and 2.00 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.10 GHz for AMD and 5.00 GHz for Intel. TDP ratings show AMD at 55 watts and Intel at 25 watts.

Cache allocations vary by level. AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 32 MB shared L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: AMD uses DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth, Intel uses LPDDR5X with 153.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both use dual-channel memory buses and neither supports ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity shows the largest gap in expansion capability. AMD provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides Gen 5 with only 4 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are Radeon 610M for AMD and Arc B390 for Intel. AMD has an unlocked multiplier, Intel's is locked. AMD's part number is 100-000001851, while Intel's is listed as unknown.