AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs Intel Core Ultra X7 368H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database pits the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H against the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D across 15 head-to-head tests, and the results paint two very different profiles. The AMD part wins 10 of those comparisons, while Intel takes 5, but the margins tell a more nuanced story than the win count alone.

Intel's strongest showing comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core Ultra X7 368H scores 3984 against AMD's 2080, a massive 91.5% advantage. That is the single largest delta in either direction across the entire test suite. The Intel chip also leads Cinebench R23 multi-core by 21.5%, posting 28221 versus 23230. In Cinebench R15 single-core, Intel again wins by 22.3% with 401 points against AMD's 328. Floating-point math is another Intel stronghold: 105681 versus 79456, a 33% edge. Data encryption also goes Intel's way, 25228 to 22158, a 13.9% margin.

AMD counters with equally decisive victories in other workloads. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D crushes Intel in PassMark data compression, 468017 to 312927, a 33.1% gap. Extended instructions show a 33.9% lead for AMD at 38808 versus 25669. Integer math favors AMD by 24.5%, with 116709 against 88083. Prime number finding goes AMD's way by 24.1% (423 versus 321). Physics tests show a 30% AMD advantage, 4083 to 2857. PassMark multi-thread gives AMD 40009 versus 32956, a 17.6% margin. Random string sorting favors AMD by 21.5%, and single-thread PassMark scores put AMD at 4430 versus 4005, a 9.6% edge.

Cinebench R15 multi-core is the outlier among AMD wins: the Ryzen 7 9800X3D scores 3647 against Intel's 2844, a 22% gap. Interestingly, this conflicts with the R23 multi-core result where Intel leads by 21.5%, suggesting the two chips respond very differently to workload scaling across Cinebench versions.

The overall database averages place the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H at 40518 and the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D at 39768, a slim 1.9% difference in the Intel part's favor. Both sit at the 87th percentile among all CPUs. Intel's nearest rivals include the Intel Core 7 253PE (40557, -0.1%), Intel Core 5 223PE (40585, -0.2%), AMD Ryzen 9 7940H (40431, +0.2%), and Intel Xeon 6507P (40426, +0.2%). AMD's nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS (39603, +0.4%), AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (40048, -0.7%), AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 (39485, +0.7%), and AMD Ryzen 7 7700 (40081, -0.8%).

The Verdict

The data supports a clear division of roles. For workloads dominated by single-thread performance, Cinebench rendering, floating-point math, and encryption, the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H is the better choice. Its 91.5% single-core lead in Cinebench R23 is not a marginal advantage; it is a generational gap. The 33% margin in floating-point math and 13.9% edge in encryption reinforce that profile.

For compression, integer-heavy tasks, physics simulation, and extended instruction workloads, the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is decisively ahead. The 33.1% compression lead and 33.9% extended instructions margin are substantial, and the 24.5% integer math advantage shows AMD's Zen 5 architecture handles these tasks with greater efficiency.

The multi-thread picture is mixed. PassMark multi-thread favors AMD by 17.6%, yet Cinebench R23 multi-core favors Intel by 21.5%. Users should weight these according to their actual software mix. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D also holds a modest single-thread lead in PassMark (9.6%), which stands in contrast to the Cinebench single-core results where Intel dominates.

Given the near-identical overall averages (40518 versus 39768) and matching 87th percentile rankings, neither chip is a universal winner. The Intel part suits mobile users who need strong Cinebench rendering, encryption, and floating-point throughput. The AMD part suits desktop users whose workflows emphasize compression, integer operations, and physics calculations. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D also carries an unlocked multiplier, which the Intel chip lacks, a factor for overclocking enthusiasts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H is built on Panther Lake architecture using Intel's 3 nm process node, fabricated by Intel itself. It belongs to the Core Ultra Series 3 generation and targets the mobile market segment. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D uses Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Granite Ridge, on a 4 nm process node from TSMC. It is a desktop part in the 9000 series.

Core counts diverge sharply: Intel packs 16 cores with 16 threads, while AMD offers 8 cores with 16 threads. Both support simultaneous multithreading on the AMD side, but the Intel chip's 16 threads come from 16 physical cores. The cache hierarchies are also fundamentally different. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a much larger 96 MB of shared L3. That 96 MB L3 cache is the defining feature of the 9800X3D, and it explains the AMD chip's dominance in compression and extended instruction workloads.

Memory support differs as well. Intel uses LPDDR5X with dual-channel support and a memory bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s. AMD uses DDR5 with dual-channel support and 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel chip's higher bandwidth is notable given its mobile positioning, while AMD's lower bandwidth is compensated by the large L3 cache. ECC memory is supported only on the AMD part. PCIe connectivity also differs: Intel offers Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while AMD offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics are Arc B390 on Intel and Radeon Graphics on AMD.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two processors differ:

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra X7 368H | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D |

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

| Cores | 16 | 8 |

| Base clock | 2.00 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 25 W | 120 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2540 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Process node | 3 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| L1 cache | 192 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

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

| L3 cache | 18 MB shared | 96 MB shared |

| Memory support | LPDDR5X | DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | 153.6 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe lanes | Gen 5, 4 lanes | Gen 5, 24 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Arc B390 | Radeon Graphics |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release date | 2026-01-04 | 2024-11-06 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Transistors | Not listed | 8,315 million |

| Die size | Not listed | 70.6 mm² |

| Launch MSRP | None | $479 |

The base clock difference is stark: 2.00 GHz on Intel versus 4.70 GHz on AMD. The boost clocks are closer at 5.00 GHz versus 5.20 GHz. TDP differs by a factor of nearly five, with Intel at 25 W and AMD at 120 W, reflecting their mobile versus desktop positioning.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H scores 3984, which is 91.5% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D's 2080.

Q: Which processor wins in PassMark data compression?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D wins with 468017 against Intel's 312927, a 33.1% advantage.

Q: How do the two chips compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H averages 40518, while the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D averages 39768, a difference of about 1.9%.

Q: What is the L3 cache capacity on each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 96 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H does not.

Q: Which processor has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H does not.