AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX vs Intel Core Ultra 9 386H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data splits this matchup into two distinct profiles. AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX wins 7 of the 13 recorded head-to-head tests, while Intel Core Ultra 9 386H takes 6. The decisive factor is workload type: the AMD part dominates multithreaded throughput and data-heavy tasks, while the Intel part counters with superior single-thread and floating-point performance.

The largest margin belongs to AMD in passmark_integer_math, where the Ryzen 7 8840HX scores 146506 against Intel's 87284, a 67.8% advantage. This is the clearest separation in the entire dataset. AMD also shows a 40.9% lead in passmark_data_compression (496427 vs 352365) and a 37.6% lead in passmark_random_string_sorting (57971 vs 42135). In cinebench_r23_multicore, AMD delivers 25265 against Intel's 20547, a 23% win. The AMD chip also leads in passmark_extended_instructions by 25.4% (36527 vs 29138), passmark_multithread by 17.9% (41732 vs 35399), and passmark_data_encryption by 10.2% (29919 vs 27150).

Intel counters with its own decisive wins. In passmark_physics, the Core Ultra 9 386H scores 3028 against AMD's 2185, a 27.8% advantage. passmark_floating_point_math shows Intel ahead 108527 vs 86747, a 20.1% margin. The single-thread tests favor Intel by smaller but consistent margins: cinebench_r23_singlecore shows Intel at 2071.5 vs AMD's 1857, a 10.4% lead, and passmark_single_thread shows 4218 vs 3958, a 6.2% lead. Intel also wins passmark_find_prime_numbers by 10.9% (341 vs 304).

The overall average benchmark scores confirm the split: AMD's avgBenchmarkScore is 71797, placing it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs, while Intel's avgBenchmarkScore is 43210, in the 88th percentile. However, these averages are not directly comparable across different test suites, as the AMD chip has more recorded tests in its average.

Architecture Differences

The two processors build on fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX uses the Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename, manufactured on TSMC's 5 nm process. It contains 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The chip is built from two 71 mm² dies totaling 13,140 million transistors. It fits the AMD Socket FL1 and carries a 55 W TDP with an unlocked multiplier.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H uses the Panther Lake architecture (Panther Lake-H generation) on Intel's own 3 nm process. It packs 16 cores but only 16 threads, indicating a design without hyperthreading across all cores. Base clock is 2.10 GHz, boost is 4.90 GHz. It uses the Intel BGA 2540 socket and has a 25 W TDP. The multiplier is locked.

Cache layouts diverge sharply. AMD provides 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. Intel provides 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, but only 18 MB shared L3. The AMD L3 pool is over 3.5 times larger, which likely contributes to its strong data compression and sorting results. Intel compensates with much larger per-core L1 and L2 caches.

Memory support also differs. AMD supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, but with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth, a 38.5% higher figure. PCIe lane counts favor AMD: 28 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only) vs Intel's 12 Gen 5 lanes. Both lack ECC memory support and both integrate graphics: AMD's Radeon 610M vs Intel's Xe3 Graphics.

Production status is Active for both, with AMD's release date in April 2025 and Intel's in January 2026. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX is the clear choice for parallel throughput. Its 24 threads, enabled by the 12-core/24-thread layout, deliver commanding leads in integer math, data compression, random string sorting, extended instructions, and multithreaded rendering. The cinebench_r23_multicore win of 23% confirms this is not a marginal advantage but a structural one. The 64 MB L3 cache likely supports the data-heavy workloads where AMD leads by 25-41%. For users running code compilation, database operations, video encoding, or any workload that scales across many threads, the data points squarely to AMD.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H wins where per-core efficiency and specialized math matter. The 10.4% single-core lead in cinebench_r23 and the 6.2% lead in passmark_single_thread show its higher boost clock (4.90 GHz) and larger per-core caches deliver tangible benefits for latency-sensitive tasks. The 27.8% win in physics simulations and the 20.1% win in floating-point math suggest Intel's architecture handles scientific calculations and physics engines more efficiently. The 10.9% win in prime number finding also indicates strong integer per-core performance despite losing the aggregate integer test by a wide margin.

The wins are not evenly distributed. AMD takes the broad multithreaded categories, Intel takes the narrow single-thread and math-specific categories. The headToHeadBenchmarks record shows 7 wins for AMD and 6 for Intel, but the magnitude of AMD's wins is generally larger. AMD's average winning margin is 31.9% (across its 7 wins), while Intel's average winning margin is 13.6% (across its 6 wins).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H has 16 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX has 12 cores. However, AMD has 24 threads vs Intel's 16 threads.

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core tests?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H wins all recorded single-thread tests. It leads by 10.4% in cinebench_r23_singlecore (2071.5 vs 1857) and by 6.2% in passmark_single_thread (4218 vs 3958).

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX has 64 MB shared L3 cache, compared to 18 MB on the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H. Intel's per-core L1 and L2 caches are larger (192 KB and 2.5 MB per core vs 64 KB and 1 MB per core).

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX is rated at 55 W TDP, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H is rated at 25 W TDP. Intel's chip uses less than half the power budget.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H supports 115.2 GB/s dual-channel bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX supports 83.2 GB/s. Intel also supports LPDDR5X in addition to DDR5, while AMD supports DDR5 only.

Q: Which processor is unlocked for overclocking?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H has a locked multiplier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H |

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

| Cores | 12 | 16 |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.10 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Dragon Range | Panther Lake |

| Process Node | 5 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 13,140 million | Not recorded |

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

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 Lanes | Gen 5, 12 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 610M | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Release Date | 2025-04-22 | 2026-01-04 |

The Verdict

The data supports a clear division of use cases. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX is the superior choice for threaded workloads that exploit its 24 threads and 64 MB L3 cache. Its 67.8% lead in integer math, 40.9% lead in data compression, and 23% lead in multi-core rendering make it the pick for content creation, data processing, and any parallel compute task. The 94th percentile ranking and higher average benchmark score reinforce this positioning.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H is the better option for power-constrained systems and single-thread-sensitive applications. Its 25 W TDP, compared to AMD's 55 W, makes it suitable for thinner laptops with limited cooling. The 10.4% single-core lead and 27.8% physics win indicate advantages in everyday responsiveness, gaming physics, and scientific floating-point workloads. The 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth also gives it a memory throughput edge.

The benchmark record shows 7 wins for AMD and 6 for Intel, but the margin analysis matters more than the win count. AMD's wins average 31.9% margins, while Intel's average 13.6%. This means AMD's advantages are larger in magnitude, while Intel's wins are narrower. The overall average benchmark scores confirm this: AMD at 71797 vs Intel at 43210, though the test suites differ.

For raw throughput and heavy multithreading, the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX is the data-backed winner. For efficiency, single-thread speed, and floating-point math, the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H holds the advantage. Neither chip dominates completely, and the choice depends on which workload profile matters more.