AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX vs Intel Xeon w5-2545 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX and Intel Xeon w5-2545 are both high-performance processors aimed at demanding workloads, but they target different segments. The data shows a clear split: the Intel Xeon w5-2545 dominates in almost every multi-threaded and compute-heavy benchmark, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX takes the single-thread crown. This is a battle between a mobile, power-efficient Zen 4 chip and a workstation-class, multi-core behemoth.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon w5-2545 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How do they compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX wins in the PassMark single-thread test with a score of 3879, which is 8.6% ahead of the Intel Xeon w5-2545's score of 3573.

Q: What is the memory configuration difference?

A: The Intel Xeon w5-2545 supports quad-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s, whereas the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX supports dual-channel DDR5 with a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has a higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz, compared to the Intel Xeon w5-2545's boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX includes a Radeon 610M integrated GPU, while the Intel Xeon w5-2545 has no integrated graphics (N/A).

Q: Does the Intel Xeon w5-2545 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon w5-2545 supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX does not.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results are heavily skewed in favor of the Intel Xeon w5-2545. Out of 11 head-to-head benchmarks, the Intel chip wins 9, while the AMD chip wins 2. The Intel Xeon w5-2545 claims victory in all the heavy-lifting scenarios: data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating-point math, integer math, multithreading, physics, and random string sorting. This makes it the clear choice for workloads that scale with core count and raw computational throughput.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX wins exclusively in the two single-thread benchmarks. This indicates that for lightly-threaded tasks where per-core speed is the most critical factor, the 8745HX has an advantage. It also holds a higher boost clock at 5.10 GHz versus 4.70 GHz, reinforcing its strength in single-core responsiveness. The 8745HX is also the only one of the two with integrated graphics, making it a more self-contained package for mobile systems.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and for different markets. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX is a mobile chip from the 8000 series, built on the Zen 4 architecture with the codename "Dragon Range." It is fabricated by TSMC on a 5 nm process node. In contrast, the Intel Xeon w5-2545 is a server/workstation chip with the codename "Sapphire Rapids," fabricated by Intel on a 10 nm process node.

The cache hierarchies also differ. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 32 MB L3 cache. The Intel chip offers a larger 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core, but its L3 cache is slightly smaller at 30 MB. The transistor count and die size are only listed for the AMD part (6,570 million transistors on a 71 mm² die); these figures are not available for the Intel Xeon.

Another key architectural difference is the platform support. The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX uses the AMD Socket FL1 and features 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The Intel Xeon w5-2545 uses the Intel Socket 4677 and offers a much higher 64 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory, which is a critical feature for data integrity in workstation and server environments, while the AMD chip does not.

Specification Differences

The core specification differences are stark. The Intel Xeon w5-2545 has 12 cores and 24 threads, compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX's 8 cores and 16 threads. The base clocks are close (3.50 GHz for Intel vs 3.60 GHz for AMD), but the AMD chip boosts higher at 5.10 GHz versus 4.70 GHz.

The thermal design power (TDP) is a major differentiator, with the Intel chip rated at 210 W compared to the AMD chip's 55 W. Memory support also differs significantly: the Intel Xeon w5-2545 uses a quad-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX uses a dual-channel bus with a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The Intel chip has more PCIe lanes (64 vs 28) and supports ECC memory, while the AMD chip includes integrated Radeon 610M graphics. The Intel Xeon is also a locked multiplier, whereas the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part was released earlier (August 2024) and has a listed launch MSRP of $889.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Xeon w5-2545's dominance is most pronounced in the floating-point math test, where it scores 105,619 against the AMD's 61,972, a margin of 41.3%. This is its largest single-benchmark win. In extended instructions, the Intel chip is 35% ahead (42,515 vs 27,638). It also shows a 31.2% lead in the physics test (2,445 vs 1,681) and a 30% lead in data compression (519,755 vs 363,759).

The Intel Xeon's advantage persists across other heavy workloads. It leads by 26% in integer math (135,576 vs 100,328) and by 23.1% in the multithread test (40,988 vs 31,517). The margins are smaller but still decisive in random string sorting (17% ahead, 53,620 vs 44,494), data encryption (16.9% ahead, 26,266 vs 21,840), and find prime numbers (12.6% ahead, 182 vs 159).

The AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX fights back only in the single-thread tests. It scores 3,879 in the PassMark single-thread benchmark, an 8.6% improvement over the Intel Xeon's 3,573. This is the only area where the AMD chip demonstrates a clear performance advantage, underscoring its high boost clock and efficient Zen 4 core design.

The Verdict

The data leads to an unambiguous conclusion for multi-threaded and workstation-class workloads: the Intel Xeon w5-2545 is the superior performer. With 12 cores versus 8, twice the memory bandwidth (153.6 GB/s vs 83.2 GB/s), and a much higher TDP envelope of 210 W, it is engineered to crush parallel tasks. The benchmark results confirm this, as it wins 9 out of 11 head-to-head comparisons, including the most demanding tests like floating-point math, data compression, and multithreading.

However, the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX should not be dismissed. For users whose primary concern is single-threaded speed, it is the better choice, holding an 8.6% lead in the single-thread benchmark. Its higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz and lower TDP of 55 W make it a more power-efficient and responsive option for mobile applications. The presence of integrated graphics also makes it a more complete package for a laptop.

Ultimately, the choice depends on the target environment. For a server or workstation where raw compute power, ECC memory support, and massive PCIe connectivity are paramount, the Intel Xeon w5-2545 is the obvious pick. For a high-end mobile workstation or gaming laptop where single-core performance and power efficiency are more important, the AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX offers a compelling, though less powerful in multi-core terms, alternative. The Intel Xeon wins on raw might, but the AMD chip wins on speed per thread and portability.