AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 vs Intel Core Ultra 9 185H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 and the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H represent two fundamentally different philosophies in processor design: a desktop-focused, high-IPC chip versus a mobile-first, high-core-count hybrid. The benchmark data reveals a split personality, with each processor dominating distinct workloads. The Intel chip wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, but the AMD part secures massive victories in the most demanding modern multi-threaded render tests, making the choice highly workload-dependent.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 scores 22,145 against Intel’s 17,984.5, a 23.1% advantage. This is a decisive win in a test that heavily taxes sustained all-core throughput. Even more dramatic is the Cinebench R23 single-core result: AMD scores 3,126 versus Intel’s 1,810.5, a 72.7% lead. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and suggests the Zen 3 architecture delivers significantly higher instructions-per-clock in this specific workload.

Intel, however, dominates the older Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core tests. In R15 multi-core, Intel scores 2,801.5 against AMD’s 2,232, a 20.3% win. In R20 multi-core, Intel takes 10,356 versus 9,300, a 10.2% margin. This reversal across Cinebench versions is unusual and points to scaling differences between the two architectures under varying thread counts and instruction mixes.

The PassMark suite further illustrates Intel’s strengths. In floating-point math, Intel posts 73,270 against AMD’s 52,105, a 28.9% lead, the largest in the PassMark set. PassMark physics shows Intel at 1,956 versus 1,109, a massive 43.3% advantage. Intel also wins passmark_multithread (29,376 vs. 26,054, an 11.3% margin), passmark_random_string_sorting (39,598 vs. 33,754, 14.8%), and passmark_data_compression (339,489 vs. 314,363, 7.4%).

AMD’s wins outside of Cinebench are narrower. PassMark extended instructions favor AMD by 4.2% (21,117 vs. 20,272). In passmark_data_encryption, the difference is negligible: Intel wins with 19,827 versus 19,815, a 0.1% margin. PassMark single-thread goes to Intel, 3,697 versus 3,442, a 6.9% edge. The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical: AMD sits at 35,802 and Intel at 35,670, a 0.4% delta favoring AMD, placing both at the 85th percentile of all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on the same 7 nm process node, but the similarities end there. AMD uses TSMC as its foundry, while Intel fabricates the Core Ultra 9 in-house. The AMD chip, codenamed Vermeer, is a desktop part using the Zen 3 architecture with 8 cores and 16 threads. Intel’s Meteor Lake is a mobile processor with 16 cores and 22 threads, leveraging a hybrid architecture that mixes performance and efficiency cores.

Cache configurations diverge sharply. AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a large 32 MB shared L3. Intel provides 112 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2 per core, but only 24 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L2 on Intel may benefit certain latency-sensitive workloads, while AMD’s larger L3 pool aids in cache-heavy multi-threaded tasks.

Memory support is a major differentiator. AMD uses DDR4 with dual-channel access and a 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel supports DDR5 (with capacity depending on the motherboard) and achieves 89.6 GB/s. This 75% bandwidth advantage for Intel is substantial and likely contributes to its PassMark floating-point and physics wins. AMD also supports ECC memory; Intel does not.

PCIe capabilities differ: AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 CPU-only lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with just 8 CPU-only lanes. Intel integrates Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 128 execution units, whereas AMD has no integrated graphics. Intel’s TDP is 45 watts versus AMD’s 65 watts, and Intel’s boost clock reaches 5.10 GHz compared to AMD’s 4.60 GHz, though AMD’s base clock is lower at 3.40 GHz versus Intel’s 3.90 GHz.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core rendering?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 22,145, 23.1% ahead of Intel’s 17,984.5. However, Intel wins the older Cinebench R20 multi-core test, scoring 10,356 versus 9,300, a 10.2% margin.

Q: How do the single-core performances compare?

A: The AMD chip dominates Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 3,126 versus 1,810.5, a 72.7% lead. Intel wins the PassMark single-thread test, 3,697 versus 3,442, a 6.9% edge. The results vary by benchmark version and workload.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: Intel has 16 cores and 22 threads, while AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite having half the cores, AMD wins the newer multi-core render test, suggesting higher per-core efficiency.

Q: Is there a difference in memory bandwidth?

A: Yes, significant. Intel supports DDR5 and reaches 89.6 GB/s, while AMD uses DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s. This gives Intel a 75% bandwidth advantage, which likely aids its performance in memory-intensive PassMark tests.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H includes integrated graphics, specifically Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 128 execution units. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU.

Q: How close are the overall benchmark scores?

A: The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: AMD at 35,802 and Intel at 35,670, a 0.4% difference. Both processors rank in the 85th percentile of all CPUs.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H |

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

| Cores | 8 | 16 |

| Threads | 16 | 22 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 2049 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Meteor Lake |

| Codename | Vermeer | Meteor Lake |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 112 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 32 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 (depends on motherboard) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 128EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2022-04-03 | 2023-12-13 |

| Launch MSRP | Not available | $640 |

| Part Number | 100-000000832 | SRN23 |

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split: choose the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5845 for modern multi-threaded rendering and single-core tasks that favor high IPC. Its 23.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 72.7% lead in R23 single-core are decisive for those workloads. It also offers ECC memory support and more PCIe lanes (Gen 4, 20 lanes) for expandability. The 65 W TDP is higher, but it is a desktop part designed for sustained performance.

Choose the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H for general-purpose mobile computing where its 16 cores and 22 threads, plus integrated graphics, provide versatility. Intel wins the majority of PassMark tests, including floating-point math (28.9% ahead), physics (43.3% ahead), and multithread (11.3% ahead). Its DDR5 support and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth are substantial advantages for memory-intensive applications. The 45 W TDP is lower, making it suitable for laptops, and its 5.10 GHz boost clock is the highest in this comparison.

The overall average scores are essentially tied, so the decision hinges entirely on the specific application mix. For a workstation focused on modern render engines, the AMD part’s Cinebench R23 dominance is hard to ignore. For a mobile device requiring integrated graphics, broader PassMark wins, and faster memory, Intel is the clear choice. The 0.4% average score delta in AMD’s favor is statistically negligible, meaning real-world performance will be dictated by workload, not by a general-purpose winner.