AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX vs Intel Core 5 213PE Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split between the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX and the Intel Core 5 213PE is heavily lopsided, with the AMD part taking 10 of the 13 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The AMD processor wins every multi-threaded and most specialized workload in the database, while the Intel part claims only three wins, all in single-thread performance.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX dominates in throughput-oriented tasks. Its largest margins come in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where it scores 304 versus Intel's 114, a 166.7% advantage. Data encryption shows an 88% gap (29919 versus 15916), and extended instructions show an 86.7% gap (36527 versus 19565). Random string sorting runs 81% faster (57971 versus 32027). These are not marginal differences; they represent workloads where the AMD processor more than doubles or nearly doubles the Intel part's output.

The Intel Core 5 213PE wins in Cinebench R23 single-core, posting 3172 against AMD's 1857, a 41.5% advantage. It also edges out the AMD chip in PassMark single-thread, 4060 versus 3958, though that margin is only 2.5%. These single-thread results are notable because they flip the expected relationship between the two processors, but they do not compensate for the AMD part's sweeping multi-core lead.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX scores 25265 versus 22468 for Intel, a 12.4% margin. PassMark multi-thread shows a larger gap: 41732 versus 26434, or 57.9%. Integer math runs 59.1% faster on AMD (146506 versus 92089), and floating-point math runs 26.5% faster (86747 versus 68587). The AMD part also wins data compression by 66.1% (496427 versus 298804) and physics by 34.5% (2185 versus 1624).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design points. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX uses Zen 4 architecture on a 5 nm TSMC process, with the Dragon Range codename. It is built for mobile systems, using AMD Socket FL1, and features 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 5 213PE uses Bartlett Lake on a 10 nm Intel process, targets desktop systems on Intel Socket 1700, and provides 8 cores and 16 threads.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The AMD processor has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. The Intel part carries 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, but only 24 MB of shared L3. The AMD part's larger L3 pool, combined with more cores, helps explain its multi-threaded performance advantage. The Intel part's larger per-core L1 and L2 may contribute to its single-thread strength.

Clock speeds tell a mixed story. The AMD chip has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost of 5.10 GHz. The Intel chip starts lower at 2.70 GHz but boosts higher to 5.20 GHz. Despite the Intel part's higher boost, its single-thread Cinebench score of 3172 is dramatically ahead of AMD's 1857, which suggests architectural efficiency differences beyond raw clock speed. The AMD part's 55 W TDP is lower than Intel's 65 W, yet it delivers far more multi-threaded throughput.

Memory and I/O also differ. The AMD processor supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel memory and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the Intel part but not on the AMD part. PCIe connectivity favors AMD with Gen 5 and 28 lanes, versus Intel's Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ too: AMD uses Radeon 610M, Intel uses UHD Graphics 730.

The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. Production status for both is listed as Active. The AMD processor's release date is 2025-04-22, while the Intel part's release date is 2026-03-08, making the Intel chip a later entry.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload type. For any multi-threaded, parallel, or data-heavy task, the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX is the stronger choice. Its 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with 64 MB of L3 cache, produce wins in every multi-core benchmark in the database. The margins range from 12.4% in Cinebench R23 multi-core to 166.7% in prime number finding. The AMD part also has a lower TDP (55 W versus 65 W), which matters in mobile systems.

The Intel Core 5 213PE wins only where single-thread performance dominates. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3172 is 41.5% ahead of the AMD part, and its PassMark single-thread score of 4060 is 2.5% ahead. This makes it a candidate for lightly threaded applications where each thread's efficiency matters more than core count. The Intel part also supports ECC memory and both DDR4 and DDR5, which could be relevant for specific system requirements.

The percentile rankings place the AMD part at 94% of all CPUs, versus 85% for the Intel part. Average benchmark scores reinforce the gap: AMD's average is 71797, while Intel's is 35428. The AMD processor's nearest rivals include Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF (avg 71910, delta -0.2%), Intel Xeon Platinum 8270 (avg 71370, delta 0.6%), Intel Xeon 6517P (avg 72350, delta -0.8%), and Intel Xeon 6724P (avg 72396, delta -0.8%). The Intel part's nearest rivals are Intel Core i7-13700T (avg 35403, delta 0.1%), Intel Core i7-12700KF (avg 35365, delta 0.2%), Intel Core i5-13600T (avg 35305, delta 0.3%), and Intel Core i7-12700K (avg 35287, delta 0.4%).

Neither processor is universally superior. The AMD part is the multi-threaded leader with a 94th percentile ranking. The Intel part offers a single-thread advantage and ECC support, sitting at the 85th percentile. The choice depends entirely on whether the workload is parallel or serial.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core 5 213PE has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Does the Intel processor beat the AMD processor in any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 5 213PE wins in Cinebench R23 single-core (3172 versus 1857, a 41.5% lead) and in PassMark single-thread (4060 versus 3958, a 2.5% lead). Both recorded single-thread tests go to Intel.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in the head-to-head results?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX scores 304 versus Intel's 114, a 166.7% advantage.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 5 213PE supports ECC memory (true), while the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX does not (false).

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX has an average benchmark score of 71797, while the Intel Core 5 213PE has an average of 35428.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 5 213PE boosts to 5.20 GHz, slightly higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX's 5.10 GHz.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head table shows 13 comparisons, with AMD winning 10 and Intel winning 3. The AMD wins are concentrated in multi-threaded and specialized workloads, while Intel's wins are both single-thread tests.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX's most decisive win is in PassMark find prime numbers: 304 versus 114, a 166.7% delta. This is followed by data encryption at 88% (29919 versus 15916) and extended instructions at 86.7% (36527 versus 19565). Random string sorting shows an 81% delta (57971 versus 32027). These four tests all show the AMD part delivering roughly double the Intel part's output.

In integer math, AMD scores 146506 versus 92089, a 59.1% lead. Data compression runs at 496427 versus 298804, a 66.1% lead. PassMark multi-thread shows 41732 versus 26434, a 57.9% lead. Floating-point math has AMD ahead at 86747 versus 68587, a 26.5% delta. Physics scores 2185 versus 1624, a 34.5% lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core is the closest AMD win at 25265 versus 22468, a 12.4% delta.

The Intel Core 5 213PE's wins are less numerous but notable in magnitude. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 3172 versus 1857, a 41.5% delta in Intel's favor. PassMark single-thread shows 4060 versus 3958, a 2.5% delta. The single-thread results are consistent across both Cinebench and PassMark, confirming that Intel's single-thread efficiency is a real advantage, not a benchmark artifact.

The multi-thread gap is the defining feature of this comparison. In every test that uses more than one thread, the AMD part wins by double-digit percentages. The smallest multi-thread margin is 12.4% (Cinebench R23), and the largest is 166.7% (prime numbers). The Intel part's single-thread wins do not offset this scale of multi-thread deficit.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category.

Cores and threads: AMD has 12 cores and 24 threads; Intel has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Clocks: AMD base is 2.90 GHz with a 5.10 GHz boost. Intel base is 2.70 GHz with a 5.20 GHz boost.

TDP: AMD is rated at 55 W, Intel at 65 W.

Socket: AMD uses AMD Socket FL1, Intel uses Intel Socket 1700.

Architecture and process: AMD uses Zen 4 on a 5 nm TSMC process, with Dragon Range codename. Intel uses Bartlett Lake on a 10 nm Intel process.

Cache: AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3.

Memory: AMD supports DDR5 only, dual-channel, with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel, with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth.

ECC: AMD does not support ECC memory; Intel does.

PCIe: AMD has Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only); Intel has Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics: AMD uses Radeon 610M; Intel uses UHD Graphics 730.

Multiplier: AMD is unlocked; Intel is locked.

Market segment: AMD is mobile; Intel is desktop.

Release date: AMD is 2025-04-22; Intel is 2026-03-08. The Intel part's launch MSRP is $221.