AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D vs Intel Core 7 240H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a complete sweep for the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D across all 15 shared benchmark comparisons. The Intel Core 7 240H does not register a single win in any of the measured tests. The most lopsided result appears in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where the AMD part scores 435 against Intel's 102, a 326.5% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and indicates a fundamental difference in how each processor handles integer-heavy, single-threaded workloads.

Cinebench results reinforce the same pattern. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D scores 22,807 while the Intel Core 7 240H scores 15,764, a 44.7% gap. The single-core version of the same test shows 2,228 versus 1,719, a 29.6% difference. Cinebench R15 tells a similar story: 3,551 versus 2,360 in multi-core (50.5% ahead) and 343 versus 249 in single-core (37.8% ahead). These are not marginal wins; the AMD processor leads by wide margins in every rendering benchmark recorded.

PassMark's multithread test shows a 72.3% advantage for AMD, with scores of 41,318 and 23,975. Data compression produces a 74.6% gap (474,501 versus 271,774), while random string sorting shows a 72.4% delta (49,764 versus 28,866). The encryption test gives AMD a 50.8% edge (22,856 versus 15,155). Floating point math shows a 39.2% lead (81,998 versus 58,905), and integer math is 53.2% higher for AMD (123,140 versus 80,396).

The extended instructions benchmark delivers a 132.4% difference, with AMD scoring 39,272 against Intel's 16,897. Physics simulation, which often stresses both core count and memory latency, shows a 142.1% gap (4,171 versus 1,723). Even the single-thread PassMark test, which typically narrows differences between architectures, gives AMD a 24.4% lead (4,704 versus 3,782). The smallest recorded delta is the 24.4% single-thread result, yet it still favors AMD decisively.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins in every single recorded category. There is no benchmark in the shared set where the Intel Core 7 240H comes out ahead. This includes both synthetic rendering workloads and PassMark's application-style tests. The AMD processor leads in single-threaded tests, multi-threaded tests, math operations, encryption, compression, sorting, and physics simulation.

For the Intel Core 7 240H, the data shows no category where it claims victory. Its closest relative performance appears in the single-thread PassMark test, where the 24.4% delta is the smallest gap. Even there, the Intel part trails by a substantial margin. The Intel processor does post competitive scores in absolute terms for a mobile chip, but relative to the AMD desktop part, it consistently falls behind.

The use-case split is straightforward: any workload represented in these benchmarks favors the AMD processor. The largest deltas occur in prime number finding and extended instructions, which suggests AMD's architecture handles complex instruction sequences and specialized math routines with significantly more efficiency. The smaller deltas in single-thread tests suggest that Intel's per-core performance is closer, but still not sufficient to close the gap.

Architecture Differences

The two processors target different market segments, which explains much of the performance gap. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is a desktop part built on the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename. It uses a 4 nm process node from TSMC and fits the AMD Socket AM5. The Intel Core 7 240H is a mobile processor based on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake-H refresh, manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process and mounted on Intel BGA 1744.

Core configurations differ notably. The AMD processor has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel part has 10 cores and 16 threads. Despite having two fewer physical cores, the AMD processor consistently outperforms Intel in multi-threaded tests. The cache hierarchy explains part of this. AMD provides 96 MB of shared L3 cache, while Intel provides 24 MB of shared L3 cache. Both use 80 KB of L1 per core, but Intel's L2 is 2 MB per core versus AMD's 1 MB per core. The larger L3 cache on AMD likely contributes to its advantages in data compression, sorting, and encryption, all of which benefit from keeping more data resident on-chip.

Clock speeds also differ. The AMD part has a 4.70 GHz base clock and a 5.60 GHz boost clock. Intel's base clock is 2.50 GHz with a 5.20 GHz boost. The higher base clock on AMD is particularly relevant for sustained workloads. The TDP figures reflect the different market positions: AMD is rated at 120 W, Intel at 45 W. This makes the Intel part more suitable for power-constrained mobile environments, while AMD's higher power envelope allows for more sustained performance.

Memory support diverges as well. AMD supports DDR5 only with dual-channel access and a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel access, but no bandwidth figure is recorded. AMD also supports ECC memory, while Intel does not. PCIe lanes differ: AMD provides Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes, Intel provides Gen 5 with 8 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ: AMD uses Radeon Graphics, Intel uses Iris Xe Graphics 64EU.

The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier and a part number of 100-000001973. Intel's multiplier is locked, with part number SRQ6TQ5ML. AMD's transistor count is recorded at 8,315 million on a 70.6 mm² die. Intel's transistor count and die size are not recorded. Production status is Active for both. Release dates differ by roughly 13 months: Intel on 2024-12-17, AMD on 2026-01-28.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D outperforms the Intel Core 7 240H in every recorded test. The smallest win is 24.4% in single-thread PassMark, the largest is 326.5% in prime number finding. For any workload represented in the database, the AMD processor delivers higher scores.

The Intel Core 7 240H does have attributes that matter outside pure performance. Its 45 W TDP makes it suitable for mobile systems, and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which can be an advantage for system builders with existing DDR4 modules. Its 10 cores provide more physical cores, and its L2 cache per core is larger at 2 MB versus AMD's 1 MB. However, none of these features translate into a benchmark win against the AMD part.

For users comparing these two processors, the data indicates that the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is the stronger performer across all measured categories. The Intel Core 7 240H remains an active product with its own strengths in power efficiency and memory flexibility, but the recorded benchmark scores do not show any scenario where it surpasses the AMD processor.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has an average benchmark score of 58,386, while the Intel Core 7 240H has an average of 31,483.

Q: How does the AMD processor compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M, 0.5% ahead of the Intel Core i9-14900, 0.2% behind the Intel Xeon w5-2545, and 0.7% behind the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between these two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D scores 435 versus Intel's 102, a 326.5% difference.

Q: Does the Intel processor have more cores?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 7 240H has 10 cores compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D's 8 cores. Both have 16 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 7 240H does not.

Q: What is the percentile ranking for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D ranks in the 92nd percentile among all CPUs. The Intel Core 7 240H ranks in the 82nd percentile.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core 7 240H |

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

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Base Clock | 4.70 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.60 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Granite Ridge | Raptor Lake-H |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

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

| L3 Cache | 96 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 24 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 64EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $499 | $502 |

| Release Date | 2026-01-28 | 2024-12-17 |

| Transistors | 8,315 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 70.6 mm² | Not recorded |