AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX vs AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive overall victory for the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX, which wins 12 of the 13 recorded comparisons. The most significant margin appears in the passmark_find_prime_numbers test, where the 8840HX scores 304 against 117 for the Ryzen AI 9 365, a 159.8% advantage. This result indicates a fundamental difference in how the two processors handle integer-heavy prime calculation workloads.

The Ryzen 7 8840HX also dominates in data encryption, posting 29919 versus 18297, a 63.5% lead. Extended instruction throughput follows the same pattern, with the 8840HX at 36527 compared to 25113, a 45.5% advantage. Random string sorting shows a 47% difference, with scores of 57971 and 39447 respectively. These three results together suggest that the 8840HX delivers substantially higher throughput in encryption, SIMD-style operations, and memory-intensive sorting tasks.

Multi-threaded performance reinforces the same conclusion. In cinebench_r23_multicore, the 8840HX records 25265 against 18698, a 35.1% lead. Passmark multithread shows a 41.6% gap, with scores of 41732 and 29467. Integer math follows at 43.9% (146506 versus 101831), floating point math at 38.1% (86747 versus 62802), and data compression at 40% (496427 versus 354510). Physics simulation also favors the 8840HX, 2185 versus 1704, a 28.2% margin.

The single counter-example is cinebench_r23_singlecore, where the Ryzen AI 9 365 wins with 1992 against 1857, a 6.8% advantage. This is the only test in the head-to-head set where the newer Zen 5 architecture takes the lead. In the PassMark single-thread tests, however, the 8840HX edges ahead by 3%, scoring 3958 versus 3841. The discrepancy between the two single-thread tests is notable: the Cinebench result favors the Ryzen AI 9 365, while PassMark favors the Ryzen 7 8840HX. The average benchmark score reinforces the overall picture, with the 8840HX at 71797 and the Ryzen AI 9 365 at 40048.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different design generations and different market positions within AMD's mobile lineup. The Ryzen 7 8840HX belongs to the 8000 series, uses the Zen 4 architecture, and carries the codename Dragon Range. It is built on TSMC's 5 nm process node and uses 13,140 million transistors across a dual-die design with a die size of 2x 71 mm². The Ryzen AI 9 365 is part of the Ryzen AI 300 generation, uses the Zen 5 / Zen 5c architecture, and carries the codename Strix Point. It is manufactured on a 4 nm process node from TSMC, with a monolithic die of 233 mm².

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The 8840HX provides 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Ryzen AI 9 365 provides 10 cores and 20 threads. This two-core, four-thread advantage explains much of the multi-threaded benchmark gap. Clock speeds also favor the 8840HX: its base clock is 2.90 GHz and boost clock is 5.10 GHz, compared to 2.00 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost for the Ryzen AI 9 365. The power envelope is very different as well, with the 8840HX rated at 55 W TDP versus 28 W for the Ryzen AI 9 365.

Cache configurations reflect the different architectures. The 8840HX has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and a large 64 MB shared L3 cache. The Ryzen AI 9 365 has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, but only 16 MB of L3. The 64 MB versus 16 MB L3 difference is one of the largest architectural gaps between the two, and it helps explain the 8840HX's strong showing in data compression and random string sorting, workloads that benefit from larger on-die caches.

Memory support also differs. Both use dual-channel memory, but the 8840HX supports DDR5 with a recorded memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, while the Ryzen AI 9 365 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a higher recorded bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Despite the lower L3 cache, the Ryzen AI 9 365 has a modest bandwidth advantage. PCIe connectivity also differs: the 8840HX offers Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen AI 9 365 offers Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ as well, with the 8840HX using Radeon 610M and the Ryzen AI 9 365 using the more capable Radeon 880M.

The sockets are different: the 8840HX uses AMD Socket FL1, while the Ryzen AI 9 365 uses AMD Socket FP8. The 8840HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the Ryzen AI 9 365 does not. Neither processor supports ECC memory. The release dates also differ, with the Ryzen AI 9 365 released on 2024-06-30 and the Ryzen 7 8840HX released on 2025-04-22.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates that the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX is the stronger processor for multi-threaded and compute-heavy workloads. Its 12-core, 24-thread configuration, higher clocks, larger L3 cache, and higher TDP combine to produce substantial leads across nearly every recorded test. The 35.1% advantage in cinebench_r23_multicore, the 40% lead in data compression, and the 63.5% lead in data encryption all point to a processor that delivers significantly more throughput in parallel tasks.

The Ryzen AI 9 365 wins only in cinebench_r23_singlecore, with a 6.8% margin. Its Zen 5 architecture and higher per-core efficiency are visible in that single result, but the PassMark single-thread tests do not confirm an overall single-thread superiority, as the 8840HX holds a 3% edge there. The Ryzen AI 9 365 also operates at a much lower 28 W TDP, which makes it the more power-efficient option, and its 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth is higher than the 8840HX's 83.2 GB/s. Its Radeon 880M integrated graphics are also a step above the Radeon 610M in the 8840HX.

For users who prioritize raw compute throughput, the data clearly favors the Ryzen 7 8840HX. Its 94th percentile ranking among all CPUs, compared to the 87th percentile of the Ryzen AI 9 365, confirms its higher overall standing. The nearest rivals for the 8840HX include the Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF at a 0.2% lower average score, the Intel Xeon Platinum 8270 at 0.6% higher, and the Intel Xeon 6517P and Xeon 6724P at 0.8% lower. The Ryzen AI 9 365 sits near the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (0.1% lower), Intel Core 5 221E (0.2% lower), AMD Ryzen 9 270 (0.5% lower), and Intel Core i9-13905H (0.7% lower). The 8840HX competes in a higher performance tier entirely.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX is faster in every recorded multi-threaded test. It leads by 35.1% in cinebench_r23_multicore, 41.6% in passmark_multithread, 43.9% in integer math, and 38.1% in floating point math.

Q: Does the Ryzen AI 9 365 win any benchmark?

A: Yes. The Ryzen AI 9 365 wins cinebench_r23_singlecore with a score of 1992 versus 1857, a 6.8% advantage. It does not win any of the PassMark tests in the head-to-head set.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Ryzen 7 8840HX has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Ryzen AI 9 365 has 10 cores and 20 threads. The 8840HX therefore provides two additional cores and four additional threads.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The Ryzen 7 8840HX is rated at 55 W, while the Ryzen AI 9 365 is rated at 28 W. The 8840HX uses substantially more power, which aligns with its higher performance in multi-threaded tests.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Ryzen 7 8840HX has 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen AI 9 365 has 16 MB of L3 cache. The 8840HX has four times the L3 capacity.

Q: How do the integrated GPUs differ?

A: The Ryzen 7 8840HX uses Radeon 610M integrated graphics. The Ryzen AI 9 365 uses Radeon 880M integrated graphics. The Ryzen AI 9 365 has the more advanced integrated GPU.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 7 8840HX wins in all multi-threaded and compute-heavy categories. Its largest margins are in prime number finding (159.8%), data encryption (63.5%), random string sorting (47%), and extended instructions (45.5%). These results make it the clear choice for workloads that involve encryption, compression, large dataset sorting, and sustained parallel computation. The 64 MB L3 cache and 12-core configuration are the structural reasons for these wins. The 8840HX also holds a 3% advantage in the PassMark single-thread tests, indicating that its per-core performance is competitive even in lightly threaded scenarios, despite the Zen 4 architecture being one generation older.

The Ryzen AI 9 365 wins in cinebench_r23_singlecore, where its Zen 5 architecture delivers a 6.8% advantage. This single result suggests that in applications that are strictly single-threaded and well-optimized for the newer architecture, the Ryzen AI 9 365 can outperform the 8840HX. The Ryzen AI 9 365 also has advantages that are not captured in the compute benchmarks: a lower 28 W TDP, higher memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s, support for LPDDR5X memory, a newer 4 nm process node, and the more capable Radeon 880M integrated graphics. Its monolithic 233 mm² die, compared to the dual-die 2x 71 mm² design of the 8840HX, also indicates a different physical layout.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in every major specification category. The Ryzen 7 8840HX uses 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Ryzen AI 9 365 uses 10 cores and 20 threads. The base clock of the 8840HX is 2.90 GHz versus 2.00 GHz for the Ryzen AI 9 365. The boost clock is 5.10 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. TDP is 55 W versus 28 W. The socket differs: AMD Socket FL1 for the 8840HX, AMD Socket FP8 for the Ryzen AI 9 365.

The architecture is Zen 4 (Dragon Range) for the 8840HX and Zen 5 / Zen 5c (Strix Point) for the Ryzen AI 9 365. The process node is 5 nm versus 4 nm, both from TSMC. The 8840HX uses 13,140 million transistors across a 2x 71 mm² die; the Ryzen AI 9 365 has no recorded transistor count and uses a 233 mm² die. L1 cache is 64 KB per core versus 80 KB per core. L2 cache is 1 MB per core for both. L3 cache is 64 MB shared versus 16 MB. Memory support is DDR5 for the 8840HX and DDR5 plus LPDDR5X for the Ryzen AI 9 365. Memory bandwidth is 83.2 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 5 with 28 lanes versus Gen 4 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon 610M versus Radeon 880M. The 8840HX has an unlocked multiplier; the Ryzen AI 9 365 does not. Neither supports ECC memory. The Ryzen AI 9 365 released on 2024-06-30, while the Ryzen 7 8840HX released on 2025-04-22.