AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX vs AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 Comparison

AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX and AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 are both 12-core, 24-thread mobile processors from AMD, yet the recorded data separates them clearly by workload type. The Ryzen 7 8840HX dominates the heavy multithreaded tasks, while the Ryzen AI Embedded P185 edges ahead in a narrow single-thread test. The benchmark database shows 9 wins for the 8840HX and 2 wins for the P185 across 11 head-to-head tests, with the largest deltas in prime number calculation and data encryption. This analysis walks through the recorded scores, architectural differences, and the practical meaning of each processor's strengths.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX wins every heavy parallel workload in the head-to-head set. It takes passmark data compression at 496427 against 374429, a 32.6% advantage. Data encryption shows a 52.6% lead with 29919 versus 19612. Extended instructions score 36527 against 26544, a 37.6% gap. The prime number test is the most lopsided: 304 versus 129, a 135.7% margin. Floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, and random string sorting all go to the 8840HX with deltas between 22.9% and 42.9%. These results indicate a processor tuned for sustained heavy computation, likely benefiting from a higher base clock of 2.90 GHz and a higher 55 W TDP.

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 wins only the single-thread tests, and by a thin margin. Passmark single-thread scores 3977 against 3958, a 0.5% advantage. The same delta appears in the duplicate singlethread entry. This suggests the P185 has slightly better per-core efficiency, possibly due to its newer Zen 5 / Zen 5c architecture on a 4 nm process, despite a lower 2.00 GHz base clock. However, this single-thread lead is small in absolute terms, under 20 points, and does not compensate for the 8840HX's large multithreaded leads.

The workload split is clear: choose the 8840HX for compression, encryption, math-heavy, or physics workloads; choose the P185 only when single-thread performance is the sole criterion and the 0.5% edge matters. The database also shows the 8840HX has a 94th percentile versus all CPUs, while the P185 sits at the 93rd percentile, a minor overall ranking difference.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share the same core and thread counts but diverge in nearly every architectural detail. The 8840HX uses Zen 4 architecture on the Dragon Range codename, built on a 5 nm TSMC process. The P185 uses Zen 5 / Zen 5c on the Gorgon Point codename, built on a 4 nm TSMC process. The 8840HX has a die size listed as 2x 71 mm², while the P185 has a single 233 mm² die. Transistor count is recorded only for the 8840HX at 13,140 million; no comparable figure exists for the P185.

Cache differences are substantial. The 8840HX provides 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. The P185 provides 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, but only 16 MB L3. The 8840HX's quadruple L3 capacity likely explains its large leads in cache-sensitive workloads like data compression, where the 32.6% delta appears. The P185's L1 is larger per core, which may aid its slight single-thread lead.

Memory support differs: the 8840HX supports only DDR5, while the P185 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth is higher on the P185 at 89.6 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s on the 8840HX. ECC memory is available only on the P185. PCIe lanes differ sharply: the 8840HX uses Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the P185 uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ: the 8840HX has Radeon 610M, the P185 has Radeon 890M. The P185 has a locked multiplier, while the 8840HX has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. The 8840HX uses AMD Socket FL1, the P185 uses AMD Socket FP8. The 8840HX was released in April 2025; the P185 has a later release date in February 2026.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the Ryzen 7 8840HX is in passmark find prime numbers, where it scores 304 against 129, a 135.7% delta. This test heavily stresses integer repetition and memory latency, and the 8840HX's 64 MB L3 cache likely matters here. The second-largest win is data encryption at 52.6%, with scores of 29919 and 19612. Encryption workloads rely on instruction-level parallelism and cache residency, both areas where the larger L3 and higher base clock favor the 8840HX.

Random string sorting shows a 42.9% delta, with 57971 versus 40557. This test involves pointer chasing and memory allocation patterns, again favoring the 8840HX's cache hierarchy. Extended instructions show a 37.6% delta (36527 vs 26544), indicating the 8840HX handles AVX-like workloads more effectively. Data compression at 32.6% (496427 vs 374429) confirms a consistent pattern: the 8840HX is substantially faster in memory-intensive parallel tasks.

Multithread score shows 41732 versus 31817, a 31.2% delta. Integer math shows 146506 versus 117832, a 24.3% delta. Floating point math shows 86747 versus 70587, a 22.9% delta. Physics shows 2185 versus 1772, a 23.3% delta. All these remain above 20%, reinforcing the 8840HX's superiority in sustained parallel compute.

The single-thread tests are the only wins for the P185, by 0.5% in both passmark single-thread and singlethread entries, with scores of 3977 and 3958. This is a negligible margin in practical terms. The P185's higher memory bandwidth (89.6 GB/s) and newer architecture do not translate into meaningful single-core dominance. The overall average benchmark score confirms the gap: the 8840HX averages 71797, while the P185 averages 62839, a 14.2% difference in the database's aggregate metric.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher base clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX has a base clock of 2.90 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 has a base clock of 2.00 GHz. Both share the same boost clock of 5.10 GHz.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The 8840HX has 64 MB of shared L3 cache, while the P185 has 16 MB of L3 cache. The L1 cache per core is 64 KB on the 8840HX and 80 KB on the P185; both have 1 MB L2 per core.

Q: What is the margin in the single-thread benchmark?

A: The P185 wins passmark single-thread with 3977 against 3958 for the 8840HX, a delta of 0.5%. This is the only head-to-head test the P185 wins, along with its duplicate singlethread entry.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX does not, according to the recorded data.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The 8840HX has an average benchmark score of 71797, while the P185 has 62839. The 8840HX ranks in the 94th percentile versus all CPUs, and the P185 ranks in the 93rd percentile.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The 8840HX has a TDP of 55 W, while the P185 has a TDP of 28 W. The 8840HX also uses Gen 5 PCIe with 28 lanes, whereas the P185 uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes.

The Verdict

The data directs buyers toward the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX for nearly all compute-heavy scenarios. Its 9 wins across 11 head-to-head tests, including all multithreaded and math-intensive workloads, make it the clear choice for data compression, encryption, scientific calculations, and physics simulations. The 135.7% lead in prime number calculation and the 52.6% lead in encryption are decisive. The 8840HX also offers a higher base clock, four times the L3 cache, and an unlocked multiplier, all recorded in the database.

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 is only preferable when per-core single-thread performance is the sole metric, and even then the 0.5% delta is marginal. Its advantages lie elsewhere: a 28 W TDP for lower power draw, ECC memory support, LPDDR5X memory compatibility, and a newer 4 nm process with a Radeon 890M integrated GPU. These features may suit embedded or power-constrained applications, but the benchmark scores show a 14.2% lower average performance. The P185's 93rd percentile ranking versus the 8840HX's 94th confirms the overall gap.

For raw throughput, the 8840HX is the superior processor. For low-power embedded use with ECC and newer graphics, the P185 has a place, but it cannot match the 8840HX in the recorded workloads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in these recorded fields:

• Base clock: 2.90 GHz (8840HX) vs 2.00 GHz (P185)
• TDP: 55 W (8840HX) vs 28 W (P185)
• Socket: AMD Socket FL1 (8840HX) vs AMD Socket FP8 (P185)
• Codename: Dragon Range (8840HX) vs Gorgon Point (P185)
• Generation: Ryzen 7 (Zen 4 Dragon Range) vs Ryzen AI Embedded (Zen 5 / Zen 5c)
• Process node: 5 nm (8840HX) vs 4 nm (P185)
• Die size: 2x 71 mm² (8840HX) vs 233 mm² (P185)
• Transistors: 13,140 million (8840HX) vs not recorded (P185)
• L1 cache per core: 64 KB (8840HX) vs 80 KB (P185)
• L3 cache: 64 MB shared (8840HX) vs 16 MB (P185)
• Memory support: DDR5 (8840HX) vs DDR5 and LPDDR5X (P185)
• Memory bandwidth: 83.2 GB/s (8840HX) vs 89.6 GB/s (P185)
• ECC memory: false (8840HX) vs true (P185)
• PCIe: Gen 5, 28 lanes (8840HX) vs Gen 4, 16 lanes (P185)
• Integrated graphics: Radeon 610M (8840HX) vs Radeon 890M (P185)
• Multiplier unlocked: true (8840HX) vs false (P185)
• Part number: 100-000001850 (8840HX) vs unknown (P185)
• Release date: 2025-04-22 (8840HX) vs 2026-02-28 (P185)