AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS vs Intel Core i9-13905H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split between these two mobile processors is decisive, with the Intel Core i9-13905H taking 12 of the 15 recorded head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS claims only 3. This is not a close contest in overall workload coverage; the Intel part dominates in heavily threaded, compute-intensive tasks, while the AMD chip shows its strengths in specific instruction-level and latency-sensitive operations.

The Intel Core i9-13905H is the clear choice for multi-core rendering and physics simulation. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it posts a 35.5% advantage, and in PassMark physics, it leads by a massive 52%. These are workloads that scale with core count and thread count, and the Intel part's 14 cores and 20 threads simply overwhelm the AMD chip's 8 cores and 16 threads. Similarly, in prime number finding, a classic parallel integer workload, Intel leads by 45.2%. For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, or scientific simulations, the data points squarely to Intel.

However, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS is not without its niches. It wins in Cinebench R15 single-core by 9.4%, which is notable because in the newer Cinebench R23 single-core test, Intel flips the result with a 17.2% lead. The AMD part also edges out Intel in PassMark extended instructions by 4.5% and in random string sorting by 1.2%. The extended instructions win suggests that AMD's Zen 4 architecture handles AVX-512 or similar instruction sets more efficiently, which can matter for encryption, image processing, or AI inference workloads. The random string sorting result is a narrow win, indicating comparable memory latency behavior in pointer-chasing scenarios.

For single-threaded general performance, the two are nearly identical. PassMark single-thread scores show Intel at 3703 versus AMD at 3692, a delta of just 0.3%. The practical takeaway is that for everyday responsiveness, web browsing, and office tasks, users will not perceive a difference. The Intel chip's single-core lead in Cinebench R23 (2020 versus 1724) does suggest a more substantial advantage in newer rendering-based single-core workloads, but the PassMark result tempers that expectation.

The AMD chip's wins are narrow, ranging from 1.2% to 9.4%, while Intel's wins range from 0.3% to 52%. This asymmetry matters. When AMD wins, it wins by a little; when Intel wins, it can win by a lot. The average benchmark score in the database reflects this: Intel sits at 40313, AMD at 39603, a gap of 710 points. Both CPUs land at the 87th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are both high-end mobile parts, but Intel occupies a higher absolute performance tier.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies, starting with the silicon node. The Intel Core i9-13905H is built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry, with a die size of 257 mm². The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, packing 25,000 million transistors into a 178 mm² die. The smaller, denser process gives AMD a transistor count advantage, but Intel compensates with a larger physical design and a hybrid core layout.

The core configurations differ sharply. Intel uses a Raptor Lake-H design with 14 cores and 20 threads, which implies a hybrid arrangement of performance and efficiency cores. The base clock is 2.60 GHz with a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. AMD's Hawk Point design, based on Zen 4, uses 8 cores and 16 threads, all of which are full-size cores. Its base clock is higher at 3.30 GHz, but the boost clock is lower at 5.10 GHz. The higher Intel boost clock contributes to its single-core wins in some tests, while the higher AMD base clock helps with sustained all-core loads at lower power.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. Intel allocates 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, with 24 MB of shared L3. AMD uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The larger Intel L3 cache helps in data-heavy workloads, while AMD's smaller per-core L2 is offset by the higher base clock. Neither part features 3D V-Cache, so both rely on conventional cache topologies.

Memory support is another differentiator. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s in the database, while Intel does not provide a figure. AMD also supports ECC memory, which Intel does not. This makes the AMD part more suitable for workstation use where data integrity is paramount.

PCIe connectivity differs significantly. Intel provides Gen 5 with 8 lanes from the CPU, while AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The Gen 5 lanes offer higher bandwidth per lane, but AMD offers more total lanes, which is better for connecting multiple peripherals like NVMe drives and GPUs. The integrated graphics also differ: Intel uses Iris Xe Graphics with 96 execution units, while AMD uses Radeon 780M, which is typically the stronger iGPU, though the database does not include graphics benchmarks.

The TDP ratings reinforce the positioning. Intel is rated at 45 W, while AMD is rated at 28 W. This 17 W difference means the AMD chip is designed for thinner, lighter laptops with less aggressive cooling, while the Intel chip targets bulkier performance notebooks. The release dates also differ: Intel launched on 2023-01-03, while AMD launched on 2024-04-15.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest Intel win comes in PassMark physics, where it scores 2054 against AMD's 1351, a 52% advantage. This is a massive gap and reflects the Intel part's ability to handle rigid body dynamics and collision detection, which are heavily threaded and benefit from the core count disparity. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 20034 versus 14784, a 35.5% lead. That is the second-largest margin and shows that long-duration rendering workloads heavily favor Intel.

PassMark floating-point math sees Intel at 73434 versus AMD's 55739, a 31.7% lead. This is a pure arithmetic throughput test, and Intel's 14 cores provide significantly more floating-point units than AMD's 8 cores. In prime number finding, Intel scores 122 versus AMD's 84, a 45.2% lead. This is a fast integer test, and the margin is consistent with the core count difference.

The smaller Intel wins are still meaningful. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel leads by 16.2% (2857 versus 2458). In PassMark data compression, Intel leads by 13.9% (354330 versus 311199). In PassMark multithread, Intel leads by 11.8% (29779 versus 26646). PassMark integer math shows Intel at 101716 versus 93342, a 9% lead, and PassMark data encryption shows Intel at 20464 versus 18838, an 8.6% lead. Even the single-thread PassMark wins for Intel are narrow, at 3703 versus 3692, a 0.3% margin.

The AMD wins are concentrated and specific. In Cinebench R15 single-core, AMD scores 271.5 versus Intel's 246, a 9.4% lead. This is an older benchmark, and AMD's higher base clock likely plays a role. In PassMark extended instructions, AMD scores 22298 versus Intel's 21297, a 4.5% lead. This test measures SIMD and specialized instruction throughput, and Zen 4's AVX-512 implementation appears superior. In PassMark random string sorting, AMD scores 37922 versus Intel's 37460, a 1.2% lead. This is a memory-latency-sensitive test, and AMD's memory controller behavior gives it a slight edge.

It is notably in Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel flips the R15 result, scoring 2020 versus AMD's 1724, a 17.2% lead. This suggests that Intel's boost clock of 5.40 GHz is more effective in newer, more demanding single-thread workloads, while AMD's 5.10 GHz boost clock is not enough to keep pace.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i9-13905H is significantly faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 20034 versus AMD's 14784, a 35.5% lead. The margin is consistent across other multi-threaded tests, including PassMark multithread (11.8% lead) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (16.2% lead).

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS better for single-threaded tasks?

A: It depends on the benchmark. AMD wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 9.4%, but Intel wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 17.2%. In PassMark single-thread, the difference is negligible, with Intel leading by 0.3%. The data suggests that for older single-thread workloads, AMD has an edge, but for modern ones, Intel pulls ahead.

Q: What are the key architectural differences?

A: Intel uses a 10 nm process with 14 cores and 20 threads, a 5.40 GHz boost clock, and 24 MB of L3 cache. AMD uses a 4 nm process with 8 cores and 16 threads, a 5.10 GHz boost clock, and 16 MB of L3 cache. AMD supports ECC memory and offers 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while Intel offers 8 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.

Q: Which CPU has better memory support?

A: AMD supports only DDR5 but includes ECC memory support and lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 but does not support ECC. For users who prioritize data integrity, AMD is the better choice.

Q: How do the power draws compare?

A: Intel is rated at 45 W TDP, while AMD is rated at 28 W TDP. The lower TDP of the AMD part makes it more suitable for thin-and-light laptops, while the Intel part requires more robust cooling and is better suited to performance-oriented machines.

Q: Which CPU has a higher overall benchmark score?

A: Intel has an average benchmark score of 40313, while AMD has an average score of 39603. Both sit at the 87th percentile of all CPUs, but Intel has a slight overall performance edge.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i9-13905H | AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS |

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

| Cores | 14 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.60 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 28 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Zen 4 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-H | Hawk Point |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 25,000 million |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | 178 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB per core | 64 KB per core |

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

| L3 Cache | 24 MB shared | 16 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

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

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 8 Lanes | Gen 4, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU | Radeon 780M |

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2024-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | $697 | Not listed |

The Intel part offers more cores, threads, cache, and a higher boost clock, along with PCIe Gen 5 support. The AMD part counters with a smaller process node, lower TDP, ECC memory support, higher base clock, and more PCIe lanes. The Intel launch MSRP was $697; the AMD chip has no listed launch MSRP.