AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS vs Intel Xeon w3-2525 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database shows a clear split between these two processors, with the Intel Xeon w3-2525 taking 9 of the 15 head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS wins 6. The most dramatic separation occurs in the Cinebench suite, where the Intel part dominates multi-core rendering by a wide margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon w3-2525 scores 24,117 against the Ryzen's 14,784, a 38.7% advantage. The single-core gap is even larger in percentage terms: the Xeon posts 3,404 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 1,724 for the AMD, a 49.4% lead. The older Cinebench R15 tests tell a similar story in single-core (342 versus 271.5, a 20.6% edge for Intel), but the R15 multi-core test is nearly a tie, with the Ryzen edging ahead 2,458 to 2,430, a slim 1.2% margin.

The PassMark suite adds more texture. The Xeon w3-2525 wins data compression (341,629 versus 311,199, 8.9% ahead), extended instructions (27,882 versus 22,298, 20% ahead), find prime numbers (129 versus 84, 34.9% ahead), floating point math (68,230 versus 55,739, 18.3% ahead), multithread (28,373 versus 26,646, 6.1% ahead), and physics (1,901 versus 1,351, 28.9% ahead). The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS counters with wins in data encryption (18,838 versus 17,086, 10.3% ahead), integer math (93,342 versus 83,806, 11.4% ahead), random string sorting (37,922 versus 34,933, 8.6% ahead), and both single-thread listings (3,692 versus 3,426, 7.8% ahead). The two single-thread PassMark entries are duplicates of the same result, so the AMD part effectively wins the single-thread PassMark test twice.

Looking at the overall average benchmark scores, the Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS sits at 39,603, which places it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 at 39,485 (0.3% behind), the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D at 39,768 (0.4% ahead), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8845HS at 39,325 (0.7% behind), and the AMD EPYC 4245P at 39,215 (1% behind). The Xeon w3-2525 has an average score of 38,392, placing it in the 86th percentile. Its closest competitors are the Intel Core 9 270H at 38,335 (0.1% behind), the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H at 38,312 (0.2% behind), the Intel Core i5-13600HX at 38,261 (0.3% behind), and the Intel Core i5-14500 at 38,531 (0.4% ahead). Despite the Xeon's heavy wins in several individual tests, the two processors land within 3.2% of each other in overall average score, with the AMD part slightly higher.

Where Each One Wins

The data points to a distinct use-case split. The Intel Xeon w3-2525 is the stronger choice for rendering, physics simulation, compression workloads, and floating-point-heavy tasks. Its 38.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 28.9% lead in PassMark physics make it well suited for workloads that hammer all cores with sustained mathematical load. The 20% advantage in extended instructions and 18.3% in floating point math reinforce the pattern: this is a processor for compute-heavy professional workloads. The 34.9% lead in find prime numbers also suggests strength in integer-heavy algorithmic loops, though the AMD part wins the broader integer math test.

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS wins in a narrower set of tasks, but the wins are not trivial. The 10.3% lead in data encryption suggests strong cryptographic throughput, while the 11.4% lead in integer math indicates efficiency in general integer arithmetic. The 8.6% edge in random string sorting points to memory-access patterns that benefit the AMD architecture. The single-thread PassMark result (3,692 versus 3,426, 7.8% ahead) is notable because it contradicts the Cinebench single-core results, where the Xeon leads by 20.6% in R15 and 49.4% in R23. The PassMark single-thread test likely measures a different mix of instructions, and the AMD part handles that mix better.

For users who need balanced performance across varied desktop tasks, the Ryzen's wins in encryption, integer math, and sorting, combined with its 87th percentile overall standing, suggest a capable general-purpose mobile processor. For users who need maximum throughput in rendering, physics, and compression, the Xeon's multi-core Cinebench lead and compression advantage make it the clear choice. The Xeon also holds a 6.1% lead in the general PassMark multithread test, so its multi-core advantage is not confined to Cinebench.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS is built on Zen 4 architecture with the Hawk Point codename, part of the 8000 series. It uses a 4 nm process node from TSMC, with 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel Xeon w3-2525 uses Sapphire Rapids architecture on a 10 nm process node from Intel. The process node difference is significant: the AMD part packs far more transistors onto a smaller die using a more advanced manufacturing process.

Both processors have 8 cores and 16 threads, so the core count is identical. The clock speeds differ substantially. The Ryzen has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The Xeon has a higher base clock of 3.50 GHz but a lower boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The Xeon's higher base clock likely contributes to its strong sustained multi-core performance, while the Ryzen's higher boost clock helps in single-thread bursts, though the Cinebench single-core results do not reflect that advantage.

Cache configurations differ as well. The Ryzen has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Xeon has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 22.5 MB of L3. The Xeon's larger cache at every level likely helps explain its advantages in compression, physics, and floating-point workloads, where data reuse is common.

Memory support also diverges. Both support DDR5, and both support ECC memory. The Ryzen uses a dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Xeon uses a quad-channel bus with 140.8 GB/s of bandwidth, a 57% advantage in theoretical memory throughput. The PCIe situation is also lopsided: the Ryzen offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, while the Xeon offers Gen 5 with 64 lanes. The Xeon's quad-channel memory and 64 PCIe Gen 5 lanes position it clearly as a workstation part, while the Ryzen's narrower bus and lower bandwidth fit its mobile segment.

The Ryzen includes integrated graphics in the form of a Radeon 780M, while the Xeon has no integrated graphics. The Ryzen is a mobile processor on AMD Socket FP7 with a 28 W TDP, while the Xeon is a server/workstation processor on Intel Socket 4677 with a 175 W TDP. The TDP difference of 147 W reflects the Xeon's workstation orientation. The Ryzen was released on 2024-04-15, and the Xeon followed on 2024-08-23. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $609. The Ryzen has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Xeon w3-2525 is significantly faster. It scores 24,117 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 14,784 for the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS, a 38.7% advantage. The Xeon also leads in PassMark multithread with 28,373 versus 26,646, a 6.1% edge.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes. The AMD part wins 6 of the 15 head-to-head tests: Cinebench R15 multi-core (2,458 versus 2,430), PassMark data encryption (18,838 versus 17,086), PassMark integer math (93,342 versus 83,806), PassMark random string sorting (37,922 versus 34,933), and PassMark single-thread (3,692 versus 3,426).

Q: How do their overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS has an average benchmark score of 39,603, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Xeon w3-2525 has an average score of 38,392, placing it in the 86th percentile. The AMD part is about 3.2% higher overall.

Q: What memory bandwidth do these processors support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS supports dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Xeon w3-2525 supports quad-channel DDR5 with 140.8 GB/s of bandwidth.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS and the Intel Xeon w3-2525 support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS includes a Radeon 780M integrated GPU. The Intel Xeon w3-2525 has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A in the database.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear recommendation based on workload type. The Intel Xeon w3-2525 is the stronger choice for multi-core rendering, physics simulation, compression, and floating-point-heavy professional workloads. Its 38.7% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core is the largest margin in the entire head-to-head set, and its wins in compression, extended instructions, find prime numbers, floating point math, multithread, and physics cover the most demanding compute scenarios. The quad-channel memory with 140.8 GB/s bandwidth and 64 PCIe Gen 5 lanes further reinforce its workstation positioning. The 175 W TDP and 10 nm process node indicate a design that prioritizes sustained throughput over efficiency.

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS is the better choice for single-thread PassMark workloads, encryption, integer math, and random string sorting. Its 7.8% lead in PassMark single-thread and 10.3% lead in data encryption show strengths in specific task types. The 4 nm process node, 28 W TDP, and integrated Radeon 780M graphics make it a mobile-oriented part that can handle general productivity without a discrete GPU. Its 87th percentile overall standing and higher average benchmark score (39,603 versus 38,392) indicate that, on average, it performs slightly better across the database's full test suite.

Neither processor is a universal winner. The Xeon dominates in the heaviest multi-core workloads, while the Ryzen wins in several single-thread and specialized tests. The choice depends on whether the user prioritizes raw multi-core throughput (Xeon) or a more balanced, efficient mobile part with integrated graphics (Ryzen). Both processors share 8 cores and 16 threads, both support ECC DDR5 memory, and both sit near the 86th to 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Xeon's launch MSRP is $609; the Ryzen has no recorded launch MSRP.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS | Intel Xeon w3-2525 |

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

| Base clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.10 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 175 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP7 | Intel Socket 4677 |

| Process node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 25,000 million | Not recorded |

| Die size | 178 mm² | Not recorded |

| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

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

| L3 cache | 16 MB (shared) | 22.5 MB |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 140.8 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 64 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 780M | N/A |

| Market segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Release date | 2024-04-15 | 2024-08-23 |