AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX vs Intel Core 9 273PQE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear overall winner in raw performance, but not a clean sweep. The Intel Core 9 273PQE takes 10 of the 13 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX wins 3. The margin of victory varies wildly depending on the workload.

The most lopsided result is in Cinebench R23 single-core. Intel scores 5532 against AMD's 1857, a delta of -66.4% from AMD's perspective. That is not a small gap; it indicates a fundamental difference in per-thread capability. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel again wins decisively with 39190 versus 25265, a 35.5% deficit for AMD. This is a substantial margin in a heavily threaded rendering workload.

Floating-point math also favors Intel heavily. The Core 9 273PQE scores 125546 in PassMark floating point math, while the Ryzen 7 8840HX manages 86747, a 30.9% difference. Integer math is closer: Intel scores 164629 against AMD's 146506, an 11% lead. Data compression shows Intel ahead at 585752 versus 496427, a 15.2% advantage.

The multithreaded PassMark score also goes to Intel, 46107 versus 41732, a 9.5% lead. Physics simulation favors Intel at 2754 versus 2185, a 20.7% gap. Extended instructions see Intel ahead by a smaller margin, 38743 versus 36527, a 5.7% difference. PassMark single-thread shows Intel at 4573 against AMD's 3958, a 13.4% lead.

AMD's wins are narrower in most cases but include one huge outlier. PassMark find prime numbers shows AMD at 304 versus Intel's 198, a 53.5% advantage for AMD. This is the single largest relative victory for either side. Data encryption goes to AMD by a hair: 29919 versus 29636, a 1% edge. Random string sorting also favors AMD, 57971 versus 53167, a 9% lead.

The overall average benchmark score in the database places the Ryzen 7 8840HX at 71797, with Intel at 66099. This seems contradictory given the head-to-head results, but it reflects the different benchmark suites each processor was tested with. AMD's nearest rivals by average score include the Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF at 71910 (-0.2%) and the Intel Xeon 6724P at 72396 (-0.8%). Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D at 65914 (0.3%) and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at 66159 (-0.1%).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing approaches. AMD uses the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Dragon Range, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. Intel's Core 9 273PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The transistor counts reflect this difference: AMD lists 13,140 million transistors across a die size of 2x 71 mm², while Intel does not provide transistor or die size data in the database.

Both have 12 cores and 24 threads, so thread counts match. Cache layouts differ. AMD uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. Intel uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, but only 36 MB of shared L3. The smaller L3 on Intel is notable given its higher raw core clocks.

Clock speeds favor Intel. AMD's base clock is 2.90 GHz with a boost of 5.10 GHz. Intel runs a 3.40 GHz base and 5.90 GHz boost. The higher boost clock helps explain Intel's massive single-core advantage in Cinebench R23. Power consumption differs sharply: AMD is rated at 55 W TDP, while Intel is rated at 125 W TDP. This is a 70 W difference in the recorded specifications.

Memory support also diverges. AMD supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth rating of 83.2 GB/s. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, dual-channel, with a bandwidth rating of 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on Intel but not on AMD. PCIe lanes differ: AMD offers Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics are present on both. AMD uses the Radeon 610M; Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. The sockets are not compatible: AMD uses Socket FL1, Intel uses Socket 1700. AMD's multiplier is unlocked, Intel's is not. The market segments differ as well: AMD is listed as Mobile, Intel as Desktop. Release dates are far apart: AMD entered the database on 2025-04-22, Intel on 2026-03-08.

Where Each One Wins

The data splits cleanly by workload type. Intel dominates compute-heavy tasks that stress raw clock speed and floating-point throughput. The Cinebench R23 single-core result (5532 versus 1857) points to Intel as the stronger choice for lightly threaded applications where one or two cores matter most. The multi-core Cinebench gap (39190 versus 25265) extends that advantage to heavily threaded rendering as well. Floating-point math at 30.9% ahead confirms Intel's strength in scientific and simulation workloads.

Intel also wins in integer math, data compression, physics, extended instructions, and the general multithreaded PassMark score. The pattern is consistent: for most number-crunching tasks, Intel delivers a measurable lead. The 125 W TDP and 5.90 GHz boost clock likely contribute to this performance profile.

AMD's wins are specific and concentrated. The prime number search result (304 versus 198, a 53.5% lead) is an outlier that suggests AMD's architecture handles certain integer-heavy algorithmic loops much better. Random string sorting (9% ahead) points to strength in memory access patterns and pointer-chasing workloads. Data encryption is essentially tied at 1% ahead, so it is not a meaningful differentiator.

For general desktop use, Intel's single-thread and multithread leads make it the stronger all-round performer in most CPU-bound tasks. AMD's wins are narrower and more specialized, except for the prime number test where its advantage is overwhelming. The 55 W TDP of the AMD part indicates a much lower power envelope, which matters for thermally constrained systems even if the database does not record sustained power draw.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a simple conclusion: the Intel Core 9 273PQE is the faster processor in nearly every measured workload. It wins 10 of 13 head-to-head comparisons, including the two most widely cited Cinebench R23 tests. The single-core delta of -66.4% for AMD is severe. The multi-core delta of -35.5% is also substantial. For anyone prioritizing raw performance, Intel is the clear pick.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX has a different profile. Its 3 wins are real but narrow, except for the prime number test. Its average benchmark score is higher in the database (71797 versus 66099), but that reflects a different test suite rather than superior performance in direct comparisons. The 55 W TDP against Intel's 125 W suggests AMD is the more efficient part, and the mobile segment designation points to laptops or compact systems where power draw is critical.

There is no scenario in the data where AMD wins a majority of workloads. There are scenarios where it wins specific ones. The prime number result (53.5% ahead) and random string sorting (9% ahead) are genuine advantages. Data encryption is a tie. If a workload matches those patterns, the AMD part delivers. Otherwise, Intel leads.

The launch MSRP for Intel is $589. AMD does not have a recorded launch MSRP in the database. Intel's locked multiplier versus AMD's unlocked multiplier matters for overclocking, but the data does not include overclocked results.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE scores 5532 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX scores 1857. The delta is -66.4% for AMD.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX better in any benchmark?

A: Yes. It wins PassMark find prime numbers (304 versus 198, a 53.5% lead), PassMark random string sorting (57971 versus 53167, a 9% lead), and PassMark data encryption (29919 versus 29636, a 1% lead).

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX is rated at 55 W TDP. The Intel Core 9 273PQE is rated at 125 W TDP.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes. Both have 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX does not.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX has a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The Intel Core 9 273PQE has a boost clock of 5.90 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX | Intel Core 9 273PQE |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.10 GHz | 5.90 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 125 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Process Node | 5 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 610M | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release Date | 2025-04-22 | 2026-03-08 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $589 |

| Transistors | 13,140 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 2x 71 mm² | Not recorded |