AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX vs Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX and the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M reveals a clear split between single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. The AMD part wins 4 of the 11 recorded benchmarks, while the Intel Xeon takes 7, but the margins tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

The most decisive result in the entire comparison is in single-thread performance. The Ryzen 7 8745HX scores 3879 in PassMark single-thread testing, which is 67.2% ahead of the Xeon Platinum 8260M's 2320. That is an enormous gap, far larger than any other delta in the dataset. It reflects the fundamental difference in clock strategy between the two processors: the AMD chip boosts to 5.10 GHz while the Intel part tops out at 3.90 GHz.

The AMD processor also wins in data encryption, scoring 21840 versus 17625, a 23.9% advantage. This is notable because encryption workloads often depend on both raw throughput and instruction-set efficiency, and the Ryzen 7's newer architecture clearly handles the cryptographic operations more effectively. The other AMD win is in prime number calculation, where it scores 159 versus the Xeon's 141, a 12.8% edge.

On the Intel side, the wins are larger in absolute terms but generally come with smaller percentage deltas. The biggest Intel victory is in data compression, where the Xeon Platinum 8260M scores 573896 against the Ryzen's 363759, a 36.6% lead. Random string sorting shows a similar pattern: 69236 versus 44494, a 35.7% advantage. These two workloads are heavily parallel and benefit directly from the Xeon's 24 cores and 48 threads.

In integer math, the Xeon scores 129213 versus 100328, a 22.4% lead. Extended instructions go to Intel at 35529 versus 27638, a 22.2% margin. Physics simulation favors the Xeon at 2080 versus 1681, a 19.2% difference. Floating-point math shows a 15.7% Intel advantage, with scores of 73514 and 61972. The multithread benchmark, which is often a good summary metric, goes to Intel at 34592 versus 31517, an 8.9% edge.

What is striking is the asymmetry in the margins. The AMD single-thread win of 67.2% is by far the largest delta in either direction, while the Intel wins range from 8.9% to 36.6%. This suggests that the Ryzen 7 8745HX is dramatically more efficient per thread, while the Xeon's advantage is built on core count rather than per-core prowess.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story. The Ryzen 7 8745HX has an average benchmark score of 60104, while the Xeon Platinum 8260M sits at 58323. Both processors rank at the 92nd percentile against all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same overall performance tier despite their very different strengths.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is generational and fundamental. 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 Xeon Platinum 8260M uses Cascade Lake, specifically Cascade Lake-SP, on Intel's 14 nm process. That is a three-generation process node difference, which explains much of the efficiency disparity.

The transistor counts reflect the different design approaches. The AMD chip packs 6,570 million transistors into a 71 mm² die, while the Intel part uses 8,000 million transistors across a larger, unspecified die size. The density advantage of the 5 nm process is evident: the Ryzen 7 achieves more than 92 million transistors per square millimeter, while the 14 nm Intel die cannot match that density.

Core counts differ substantially. The Ryzen 7 8745HX has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8260M offers 24 cores and 48 threads. This threefold core advantage is the primary source of the Intel wins in parallel workloads. However, the AMD part compensates with much higher clocks: 3.60 GHz base and 5.10 GHz boost, versus 2.40 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost for the Xeon.

Cache hierarchies are similar in structure but different in capacity. Both use 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache differs: the Ryzen has 32 MB shared, while the Xeon has 35.75 MB shared. The Xeon's larger L3 is modest given its core count, but it does provide a slight capacity advantage.

Memory support is another clear differentiator. The Ryzen 7 8745HX supports DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus with 83.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Xeon Platinum 8260M supports DDR4 memory, with the database not listing a memory bus width or bandwidth figure. The AMD part does not support ECC memory, while the Intel Xeon does, which is expected given the server/workstation positioning of the Xeon.

The integrated graphics situation is also one-sided. The Ryzen 7 includes a Radeon 610M iGPU, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics listed. The AMD part also supports PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU, while the Xeon's PCIe configuration is not recorded in the database.

The socket and market segment differ completely. The Ryzen 7 uses AMD Socket FL1 and targets the mobile market, while the Xeon uses Intel Socket 3647 and targets server/workstation deployments. The Ryzen 7 has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon's multiplier is locked. The release dates are far apart: the Ryzen 7 launched in April 2025, while the Xeon dates to December 2018.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 7 8745HX is the clear choice for single-threaded and latency-sensitive applications. Its 67.2% lead in single-thread performance makes it dominant in everyday responsiveness, lightly threaded applications, and workloads that cannot scale across many cores. The 23.9% encryption win also positions it well for secure communications and VPN workloads, where per-thread cryptographic throughput matters. The 12.8% advantage in prime number calculation suggests it handles integer-heavy, branch-dependent code efficiently.

The Xeon Platinum 8260M wins wherever parallelism is the priority. Its 36.6% lead in data compression and 35.7% edge in random string sorting make it the better fit for database workloads, log processing, and any task that moves large volumes of data through sorting or compression pipelines. The 22.4% integer math advantage and 22.2% extended instructions lead reinforce its suitability for scientific computing and simulation workloads that can utilize all 48 threads.

The multithread benchmark, which Intel wins by 8.9%, is the best summary of the overall throughput picture. The Xeon is faster in aggregate multithreaded work, but the margin is far smaller than the core count difference might suggest. A 3x core advantage yielding only an 8.9% multithread win speaks to the efficiency of the Zen 4 architecture and the high clock speeds of the Ryzen 7.

For mobile users, the Ryzen 7 8745HX is the only realistic option given its mobile market segment and 55 W TDP. The Xeon's 165 W TDP and server socket make it unsuitable for portable systems. For server racks and workstation towers where power is less constrained and parallel throughput is paramount, the Xeon's 24 cores and 48 threads provide the raw capacity that the Ryzen cannot match.

The average benchmark scores place both processors at the same overall percentile (92nd), but the Ryzen's higher average score of 60104 versus 58323 indicates that its efficiency wins carry more weight in the aggregate. The Ryzen 7 8745HX sits within 0.8% of the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D and 0.2% of the Intel Core i9-14900F, while the Xeon Platinum 8260M is within 0.4% of the Intel Core i9-14900 and 0.9% of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX is dramatically faster, scoring 3879 versus 2320 in PassMark single-thread testing, a 67.2% advantage.

Q: How much faster is the Intel Xeon in multithreaded workloads?

A: The Xeon Platinum 8260M scores 34592 versus 31517 in the PassMark multithread benchmark, an 8.9% lead despite having three times the core count (24 versus 8).

Q: Do both processors rank at the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are at the 92nd percentile against all CPUs in the database. The Ryzen 7 has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 60104 versus 58323 for the Xeon.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The Ryzen 7 8745HX supports DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth and does not support ECC. The Xeon Platinum 8260M supports DDR4 memory and does support ECC.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has integrated graphics, featuring a Radeon 610M. The Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: What are the release dates for these two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX was released in April 2025, while the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M was released in December 2018.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category in the database.

Core and Thread Count: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M has 24 cores and 48 threads.

Clock Speeds: The Ryzen 7 runs at 3.60 GHz base and 5.10 GHz boost. The Xeon runs at 2.40 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost.

Thermal Design Power: The Ryzen 7 has a 55 W TDP. The Xeon has a 165 W TDP.

Process and Foundry: The Ryzen 7 uses a 5 nm process at TSMC. The Xeon uses a 14 nm process at Intel.

Transistor Count: The Ryzen 7 contains 6,570 million transistors. The Xeon contains 8,000 million transistors.

Die Size: The Ryzen 7 has a 71 mm² die. The Xeon's die size is not listed.

L3 Cache: The Ryzen 7 has 32 MB shared L3 cache. The Xeon has 35.75 MB shared L3 cache.

Memory Support: The Ryzen 7 supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon supports DDR4 with no memory bus or bandwidth listed.

ECC Memory: The Ryzen 7 does not support ECC. The Xeon does support ECC.

PCIe: The Ryzen 7 supports PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU. The Xeon's PCIe configuration is not listed.

Integrated Graphics: The Ryzen 7 includes a Radeon 610M. The Xeon has no integrated graphics.

Socket: The Ryzen 7 uses AMD Socket FL1. The Xeon uses Intel Socket 3647.

Market Segment: The Ryzen 7 targets mobile. The Xeon targets server/workstation.

Multiplier: The Ryzen 7 has an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon has a locked multiplier.

Release Date: The Ryzen 7 launched in April 2025. The Xeon launched in December 2018.

Production Status: The Ryzen 7 is active in production. The Xeon's production status is not listed.