AMD Ryzen 7 8840U vs Intel Core Ultra 7 266V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data for these two mobile processors shows a clear split: the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U dominates throughput-heavy workloads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V counters with superior single-core and specialized math performance. Across 15 recorded head-to-head tests, the AMD chip wins 8, and Intel wins 7.

The most dramatic margin belongs to AMD in PassMark integer math. The 8840U scores 85740 against 41558 for the 266V, a 106.3% advantage. This is a workload where the AMD processor simply doubles the Intel part's output. Data compression also heavily favors AMD: 267525 versus 187050, a 43% lead. Random string sorting follows the same pattern, with AMD ahead by 40.4% (32158 vs 22905). These three results suggest the AMD chip is far stronger in data manipulation and algorithmic work.

AMD also wins the multi-threaded PassMark test, scoring 23346 against 19461, a 20% margin. In Cinebench R15 multicore, AMD takes 2024 versus 1667, a 21.4% lead. The 8840U also wins extended instructions (18654 vs 15928, 17.1% ahead) and data encryption (16072 vs 13822, 16.3% ahead).

Intel's wins are concentrated in single-core and floating-point tasks. The 266V leads Cinebench R23 single-core by 27.1% (2335 vs 1703). It also wins Cinebench R23 multicore with 16544 versus 12972, a 21.6% margin, which is notable because AMD wins the older R15 multicore test. The Intel chip wins PassMark single-thread by 10.1% (3943 vs 3543), floating-point math by 14.2% (56923 vs 48820), physics by 26.9% (1608 vs 1176), and find prime numbers by 59.2% (191 vs 78).

The Cinebench results tell an interesting story. In R15 multicore, AMD leads by 21.4%, but in R23 multicore, Intel leads by 21.6%. The newer benchmark favors Intel's architecture, likely due to better scaling under sustained load in that specific test. The single-core gap is consistent: Intel wins R15 single-core by 13.2% (266 vs 235) and R23 single-core by 27.1%.

Average benchmark scores place the two chips close. The AMD 8840U has an average benchmark score of 23982, while the Intel 266V sits at 23297. Both occupy the 76th percentile among all CPUs. The nearest rival to AMD is the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G at 24089, a 0.4% gap, and the Intel Xeon 6333P at 23823, 0.7% behind. For Intel, the closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H at 23277, just 0.1% away, and the Intel Core i9-11900F at 23254, 0.2% behind.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840U is the clear choice for integer-heavy and data-processing workloads. The 106.3% lead in integer math is not a small edge; it indicates the AMD core design handles that instruction mix far more efficiently. Data compression and random string sorting, both 40% plus wins, reinforce this. Encryption is also 16.3% ahead, which matters for any workload involving secure data handling. The PassMark multithread score, 20% higher, suggests the 8840U is the better all-around multi-tasking chip in general productivity scenarios.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V wins where responsiveness and floating-point throughput matter. The 27.1% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core points to a faster per-thread engine, which translates to snappier application behavior in lightly threaded software. The 14.2% win in floating-point math is significant for scientific and simulation tasks. The physics score, 26.9% ahead, suggests better performance in physics-based calculations. The 59.2% margin in find prime numbers is a massive win for the Intel part, indicating a strong advantage in prime-number computation.

For Cinebench R23 multicore, Intel's 21.6% lead flips the script from R15 multicore. If a buyer is looking at modern rendering workloads using R23 as the reference, the Intel chip appears faster. But if the workload resembles R15's older rendering path, AMD wins by a similar margin. The data does not support a universal multi-core verdict; it depends on the specific benchmark generation.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840U uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, built on a 4 nm TSMC process. The die measures 178 mm² and packs 25,000 million transistors. The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V uses the Lunar Lake architecture, also fabricated by TSMC but on a 3 nm process. Intel does not list a die size or transistor count in the recorded data.

Core counts are identical at 8, but threading differs dramatically. AMD supports 16 threads via simultaneous multithreading, while Intel runs 8 threads on 8 cores with no SMT. This explains why AMD wins most multi-threaded throughput tests despite Intel's higher single-core scores.

Cache layouts are fundamentally different. AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Intel gives each core 192 KB of L1 and 2.5 MB of L2, with 12 MB of shared L3. Intel's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches likely contribute to its single-core and floating-point wins.

Memory bandwidth also diverges. AMD supports DDR5 on a dual-channel bus at 89.6 GB/s. Intel uses LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, but at 136.5 GB/s, a 52% higher bandwidth figure. PCIe support differs as well: AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with only 4 CPU lanes.

The integrated graphics are different products. AMD pairs the 8840U with the Radeon 780M, while Intel uses the Arc 140V. Both are mobile parts, and the recorded data does not include iGPU benchmark scores.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 8840U | Intel Core Ultra 7 266V |

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

| Series | 8000 series | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Cores | 8 | 8 |

| Threads | 16 | 8 |

| Base clock | 3.30 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.10 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 17 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 (Hawk Point) | Lunar Lake |

| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| L1 cache | 64 KB per core | 192 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 2.5 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 16 MB shared | 12 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 136.5 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 lanes | Gen 5, 4 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 780M | Arc 140V |

| Release date | 2023-12-05 | 2024-09-23 |

The TDP difference is substantial: 28 W for AMD versus 17 W for Intel. This means the Intel part is designed for lower power envelopes, which is relevant for thin-and-light laptops. The base clock difference is also large, with AMD at 3.30 GHz versus Intel at 2.20 GHz. Boost clocks are nearly identical at 5.10 GHz versus 5.00 GHz.

AMD launched roughly nine months earlier, releasing in December 2023. Intel came to market in September 2024. Both parts are currently listed as Active production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V wins all single-thread tests in the head-to-head data. It beats AMD by 13.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core and by 27.1% in Cinebench R23 single-core. PassMark single-thread also goes to Intel at 3943 versus 3543, a 10.1% margin.

Q: Which processor is better for multi-threaded workloads?

A: It depends on the test. The AMD 8840U wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 21.4% and PassMark multithread by 20%. The Intel 266V wins Cinebench R23 multicore by 21.6%. AMD also wins integer math by 106.3% and data compression by 43%.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores?

A: Yes, both have 8 cores. However, AMD supports 16 threads while Intel supports 8 threads. This threading difference is a major factor in AMD's multi-threaded benchmark wins.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V supports LPDDR5X with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840U supports DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s. Intel has a 52% bandwidth advantage in the recorded specifications.

Q: Which chip has a higher TDP?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840U has a TDP of 28 W. The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V has a TDP of 17 W. Intel's lower TDP suggests a more power-efficient design target.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: AMD averages 23982 across all recorded benchmarks, while Intel averages 23297. Both sit at the 76th percentile among all CPUs. AMD's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G at 24089, while Intel's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H at 23277.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for different use cases. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840U is the better choice for integer-heavy, data-processing workloads. The 106.3% lead in integer math, 43% lead in data compression, and 40.4% lead in random string sorting make it the obvious pick for developers, database work, or any task that crunches large datasets. Its 16 threads give it a structural advantage in thread-heavy applications, reflected in the 20% PassMark multithread win and the 16.3% encryption lead.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 266V is the better pick for single-thread responsiveness and floating-point work. The 27.1% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 26.9% lead in physics make it attractive for scientific computing and simulation. The 59.2% win in prime number finding is exceptional for that specific workload. The 17 W TDP also makes it the more power-conscious option for ultraportable designs, though the data does not include battery life measurements.

For rendering specifically, the conflicting Cinebench results complicate the choice. If the target software uses a Cinebench R23-style workload, Intel wins by 21.6%. If it resembles R15, AMD wins by 21.4%. Buyers should check which rendering engine their software uses.

The average scores put AMD slightly ahead overall, 23982 versus 23297, but both chips sit at the same 76th percentile. Neither is a dominant winner across the board. The AMD part is the better general-purpose throughput processor, while the Intel part excels in efficiency, single-core speed, and floating-point math. Choose AMD for data-heavy multitasking, Intel for per-thread performance and lower power draw.