AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS vs AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data splits these two mobile processors into clear roles. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS wins 12 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H takes 5. The Ryzen 7 8840HS is the better all-around performer for most users, especially for single-threaded work and math-heavy tasks. Its 7.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 9% lead in PassMark single-thread scores make it the pick for responsive everyday use and lightly threaded applications.

The Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H, however, holds advantages in a few specific multi-core workloads. It wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 5% and Cinebench R23 multicore by 3.1%. It also leads in data compression and data encryption. Users who prioritize those specific tasks might prefer it, but the overall database average tells a different story: the 8840HS scores 33667 versus 33201 for the 6950H, placing at the 84th percentile versus the 83rd.

For a new laptop purchase, the Ryzen 7 8840HS is the safer recommendation. It combines a newer architecture, higher boost clock, and more wins across the benchmark suite. The Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H makes sense only if you specifically need its advantages in Cinebench multicore, data compression, or data encryption, and you are choosing between existing machines rather than buying new.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different generations and use different silicon. The Ryzen 7 8840HS is built on Zen 4 architecture with the Hawk Point codename, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H uses Zen 3+ with the Rembrandt codename. The 8840HS is part of the 8000 series, and the 6950H belongs to the 6000 series.

Manufacturing process separates them clearly. The 8840HS uses a 4 nm node from TSMC, while the 6950H uses a 6 nm node from the same foundry. The die sizes differ as well: the 8840HS measures 178 mm², and the 6950H is larger at 208 mm². Transistor counts are only listed for the 8840HS at 25,000 million, which reflects its denser process.

Both chips have 8 cores and 16 threads, so the thread count is identical. The cache layouts differ in one important way. The L1 cache is the same at 64 KB per core, and L3 is the same at 16 MB shared. But the L2 cache differs: the 8840HS has 1 MB per core, while the 6950H has 512 KB per core. That gives the 8840HS twice the L2 per core.

Memory support is DDR5 for both, with dual-channel buses. Memory bandwidth favors the 8840HS at 89.6 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for the 6950H. Integrated graphics differ as well: the 8840HS carries Radeon 780M, and the 6950H has Radeon 680M. Neither supports ECC memory. Both use AMD Socket FP8 and FP7 respectively, and both have Gen 4 PCIe with 20 lanes CPU-only.

Clock speeds show the 8840HS with a base of 3.30 GHz and boost of 5.10 GHz. The 6950H matches the base at 3.30 GHz but boosts lower at 4.90 GHz. TDP ratings also differ, with the 8840HS at 28 watts and the 6950H at 45 watts. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The 8840HS released on 2023-12-05, while the 6950H released on 2022-04-18.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 7 8840HS dominates in most single-threaded and math-oriented tests. Its wins include Cinebench R15 single-core by 3.8%, Cinebench R23 single-core by 7.6%, and PassMark single-thread by 9%. It also wins PassMark find prime numbers by a massive 27.4%, floating point math by 7.7%, integer math by 3.7%, and extended instructions by 2%. Random string sorting goes to the 8840HS by 15.1%, and physics by 3%. In Geekbench multicore, the 8840HS leads by 5.6%, and in PassMark multithread by 5.1%.

These results make the 8840HS the choice for general productivity, spreadsheet work, code compilation, and any workload that benefits from fast single-core response. Its higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz versus 4.90 GHz likely contributes to these wins, along with the newer Zen 4 architecture and larger L2 cache.

The Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H claims a narrower set of victories. It wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 5%, Cinebench R23 multicore by 3.1%, Geekbench single-core by 4.9%, data compression by 1.7%, and data encryption by 5.5%. The two Cinebench multicore wins are notable because they suggest sustained multi-threaded rendering favors the 6950H despite its older architecture. The higher 45 watt TDP may explain this, as it can likely sustain higher power draw for longer periods.

For data-heavy tasks like file compression or encryption workloads, the 6950H has a measurable edge. But these are specific use cases. The 8840HS covers a broader range of tasks with more wins and a higher average benchmark score.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS boosts to 5.10 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H boosts to 4.90 GHz. Both have a base clock of 3.30 GHz.

Q: Do both processors have the same core count?

A: Yes, both have 8 cores and 16 threads. The core and thread configuration is identical between the two.

Q: Which chip is better for single-threaded performance?

A: The Ryzen 7 8840HS wins most single-thread tests. It leads Cinebench R23 single-core by 7.6%, PassMark single-thread by 9%, and Cinebench R15 single-core by 3.8%. The Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H wins Geekbench single-core by 4.9%, but that is the exception.

Q: Which chip wins multi-core benchmarks?

A: It depends on the test. The Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 5% and Cinebench R23 multicore by 3.1%. However, the Ryzen 7 8840HS wins Geekbench multicore by 5.6% and PassMark multithread by 5.1%.

Q: Is the Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H better for encryption workloads?

A: Yes, the data shows it wins PassMark data encryption by 5.5% and data compression by 1.7%. If those tasks are a priority, the 6950H has the advantage.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Ryzen 7 8840HS has 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H has 76.8 GB/s. Both support DDR5 with dual-channel buses.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the Ryzen 7 8840HS comes in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 79 against 62, a 27.4% advantage. This is a clear indicator of integer-heavy mathematical performance. Random string sorting also favors the 8840HS by 15.1%, with scores of 35517 versus 30859. These two tests show the 8840HS handling algorithmic and data manipulation tasks with significantly more efficiency.

PassMark single-thread results reinforce the pattern: 3626 for the 8840HS versus 3326 for the 6950H, a 9% gap. The same margin appears in the duplicate PassMark singlethread entry. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 7.6% lead for the 8840HS with 1737 versus 1615. Floating point math goes to the 8840HS by 7.7%, scoring 52582 against 48821. Geekbench multicore favors the 8840HS by 5.6%, at 10104 versus 9571. PassMark multithread gives the 8840HS a 5.1% win with 24990 against 23770.

Integer math, physics, and extended instructions all go to the 8840HS by smaller margins: 3.7%, 3%, and 2% respectively. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a modest 3.8% lead for the 8840HS, scoring 270 versus 260.

The Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H takes its biggest win in Cinebench R15 multicore, scoring 2153 against 2045, a 5% margin. Cinebench R23 multicore also goes its way, 13501 versus 13082, a 3.1% lead. Data encryption shows a 5.5% advantage for the 6950H with 18673 versus 17650. Geekbench single-core goes to the 6950H by 4.9%, scoring 1996 against 1899. Data compression rounds out its wins with a 1.7% margin, 297936 versus 292888.

The overall win count is decisive: 12 for the 8840HS, 5 for the 6950H. When comparing average benchmark scores, the 8840HS sits at 33667, and the 6950H at 33201. The nearest rivals for the 8840HS include the AMD Ryzen 5 7645HX at 33668 with a 0% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT at 33736 with a -0.2% delta. The 6950H sits near the Intel Core i7-14701E at 33206 with a 0% delta, and the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS at 33244 with a -0.1% delta.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Ryzen 7 8840HS uses the Zen 4 architecture with Hawk Point codename, while the Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H uses Zen 3+ with Rembrandt. The 8840HS is on a 4 nm process from TSMC, and the 6950H is on a 6 nm process. Die size favors the 8840HS at 178 mm², while the 6950H measures 208 mm². Transistor count is listed only for the 8840HS at 25,000 million.

Cache configurations differ in L2 only. Both have 64 KB L1 per core and 16 MB shared L3. The 8840HS has 1 MB L2 per core, and the 6950H has 512 KB per core. L2 is the only cache level where they differ.

Memory bandwidth is higher on the 8840HS at 89.6 GB/s, compared to 76.8 GB/s for the 6950H. Both support DDR5 with dual-channel memory buses. Neither supports ECC memory.

Clock speeds show the 8840HS with a 3.30 GHz base and 5.10 GHz boost. The 6950H matches the 3.30 GHz base but boosts to 4.90 GHz. TDP differs significantly: the 8840HS is rated at 28 watts, and the 6950H at 45 watts.

Integrated graphics are not identical. The 8840HS includes Radeon 780M, and the 6950H includes Radeon 680M. Both use Gen 4 PCIe with 20 lanes CPU-only. The 8840HS uses AMD Socket FP8, while the 6950H uses AMD Socket FP7. Both have locked multipliers and are classified as mobile market segment parts.

Release dates separate them by roughly 1.5 years. The 8840HS launched on 2023-12-05, and the 6950H on 2022-04-18. Both remain active in production. Neither has a listed launch MSRP in the database.