AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U vs AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a surprisingly split picture. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS wins the majority of the head-to-head matchups, taking 12 of the 15 recorded tests. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U secures only 3 wins, but these are concentrated in the Cinebench suite and are decisive.

The most striking result is in Cinebench R23 single-core. The Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U scores 2859, which is 59.7% ahead of the Ryzen 9 7940HS's 1790. This is the largest delta in either direction across all tested workloads. The R23 multi-core result also favors the 8840U, with a score of 20254 versus 16713, a 21.2% advantage. Interestingly, the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test reverses this outcome: the 7940HS scores 2656 against 2041, a 23.2% win. The R15 single-core test is nearly tied, with the 8840U edging ahead by 1.8% (288 versus 283).

Outside of Cinebench, the Ryzen 9 7940HS dominates. The largest margin is in PassMark extended instructions, where the 7940HS scores 27480 versus 19132, a 30.4% lead. Data compression shows a 25.4% advantage for the 7940HS (365352 versus 272664), and data encryption is 24.5% ahead (21777 versus 16441). Random string sorting favors the 7940HS by 21.9% (42386 versus 33109). PassMark multi-thread shows a 20.8% lead for the 7940HS (30098 versus 23850), while floating point math is 19.3% ahead (62897 versus 50746). Physics testing gives the 7940HS a 19% edge (1450 versus 1174). Prime number finding is 17.4% faster on the 7940HS (92 versus 76). Integer math is 14.3% ahead (103044 versus 88339). The smallest single-threaded gap in PassMark is 6.1% in favor of the 7940HS (3878 versus 3641).

The average benchmark scores reflect this split. The Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U has an average benchmark score of 32233, while the Ryzen 9 7940HS sits at 31593. The 8840U's nearest rival is the Intel Core i9-11900 with an average score of 32226, a delta of 0%. The 7940HS's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-13500 at 31510, a delta of 0.3%. The 8840U ranks in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs, while the 7940HS sits in the 82nd percentile. So despite the 7940HS winning more individual tests, the aggregate position is nearly identical, with the 8840U holding a slight edge in overall standing.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded Cinebench R23 performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U is significantly faster, scoring 2859 compared to the Ryzen 9 7940HS's 1790. This represents a 59.7% advantage for the 8840U.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-threaded PassMark performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS leads in PassMark multi-thread with a score of 30098, which is 20.8% higher than the Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U's 23850.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores between the two chips?

A: The Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 32233, while the Ryzen 9 7940HS averages 31593. The 8840U also ranks one percentile higher, at 83rd versus 82nd.

Q: Which CPU wins in data encryption workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS wins decisively, scoring 21777 in PassMark data encryption against 16441 for the Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U, a delta of 24.5%.

Q: Are there any tests where the Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U wins besides Cinebench?

A: No. All three wins for the Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U are within the Cinebench suite: R15 single-core, R23 single-core, and R23 multi-core. The Ryzen 9 7940HS wins every other head-to-head test, including all PassMark workloads.

Q: How does the Ryzen 9 7940HS compare to its nearest rival in the database?

A: The Ryzen 9 7940HS is 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i5-13500, which has an average score of 31510. The Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U is effectively tied with the Intel Core i9-11900, showing a 0% delta with that chip's score of 32226.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same fundamental architecture: Zen 4 on a 4 nm TSMC process node. They share identical transistor counts of 25,000 million and the same die size of 178 mm². The cache hierarchy is also identical: 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Neither chip supports 3D V-Cache.

The architectural distinction lies in the codename and generation. The Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U is part of the 8000 series and uses the Hawk Point codename, classified under "Ryzen 7 (Zen 4 (Hawk Point))". The Ryzen 9 7940HS belongs to the 7000 series with the Phoenix codename, classified under "Ryzen 9 (Zen 4 (Phoenix))". Despite this generational naming difference, both are Zen 4 designs from TSMC.

Memory support is identical: DDR5, dual-channel, with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity matches as well, with Gen 4 and 20 lanes from the CPU. Both integrate the same Radeon 780M graphics solution. The production status for both is listed as Active.

The key architectural difference is the socket. The Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U uses AMD Socket FP7, while the Ryzen 9 7940HS uses AMD Socket FP8. This is a physical incompatibility that prevents direct swapping between systems designed for each platform. The part numbers reflect this: the 8840U lists 100-000001317 (FP7r2) and 100-000001377 (FP7), while the 7940HS lists 100-000000954 (FP7r2), 100-000000963 (FP7), and 100-000001128 (FP8). Interestingly, the 7940HS has part numbers for both FP7 variants and FP8, suggesting broader platform compatibility.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The most obvious is the base clock: the Ryzen 9 7940HS runs at 4.00 GHz, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U operates at 3.30 GHz. Boost clocks also differ, with the 7940HS reaching 5.20 GHz and the 8840U topping out at 5.10 GHz. These clock differences contribute to the performance variance seen in the benchmarks.

Thermal design power is another differentiator. The Ryzen 9 7940HS has a TDP of 35, while the Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U is rated at 28. This indicates the 7940HS is designed for higher sustained power draw, which likely explains its dominance in the PassMark multi-threaded workloads. The 8840U's lower TDP suggests a focus on efficiency within a tighter thermal envelope.

The socket differs as noted: FP7 for the 8840U versus FP8 for the 7940HS. The release dates are also distinct. The Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U has a recorded release date of 2024-04-15, while the Ryzen 9 7940HS has no release date listed in the database. The series designation differs (8000 series for the 8840U, 7000 series for the 7940HS), and the generation labels follow accordingly. Neither chip has a launch MSRP recorded, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The core and thread counts are identical at 8 cores and 16 threads. Both share the same L1, L2, and L3 cache configurations. The process node, foundry, and die size are the same. Memory support, bandwidth, ECC capability, PCIe lanes, and integrated graphics are all identical. The market segment for both is Mobile.

The Verdict

The data presents two distinct profiles. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS is the throughput champion in most synthetic workloads. Its 4.00 GHz base clock and 35 TDP allow it to sustain higher performance in PassMark tests, winning 12 of 15 head-to-head matchups. It leads by 30.4% in extended instructions, 25.4% in data compression, and 24.5% in encryption. For users running heavily multi-threaded workloads that resemble these PassMark tests, the 7940HS is the clear choice based on the recorded measurements.

The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U, despite its lower base clock and TDP, shows remarkable strength in Cinebench. Its R23 single-core score of 2859 is 59.7% ahead of the 7940HS, and its R23 multi-core score is 21.2% ahead. This suggests that the 8840U's boost behavior and power management may be better tuned for the bursty, shorter-duration workloads that Cinebench represents. The 8840U also holds a higher average benchmark score (32233 versus 31593) and a higher percentile ranking (83rd versus 82nd).

The selection between these two should be driven by workload characteristics. If the target applications are similar to Cinebench R23, which rewards high boost clocks and efficient power delivery, the Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U is the stronger performer. If the workloads are sustained, multi-threaded tasks akin to PassMark's compression, encryption, and physics tests, the Ryzen 9 7940HS offers more consistent throughput. The 7940HS also wins in PassMark single-thread (3878 versus 3641), so it holds a broader edge in that benchmark suite. The 8840U's wins are narrower in total count but include the largest single delta (59.7% in R23 single-core). For a balanced database perspective, the 7940HS wins more tests, but the 8840U has a higher aggregate score. The choice hinges on whether the user prioritizes the specific Cinebench results or the broader PassMark dominance.