AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data splits these two mobile processors into clearly distinct roles. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U takes 13 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core 5 330 wins 4. The AMD part dominates almost every heavily threaded and data-intensive workload. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multicore and singlecore tests go to the AMD chip by margins of 54% or more. PassMark integer math shows the largest gap, with AMD leading by 165.6%. Data compression, random string sorting, data encryption, and extended instructions all favor AMD by margins between 48.4% and 87.7%.

The Intel Core 5 330 wins in three distinct areas. PassMark single-thread performance gives Intel a 10.9% advantage, with a score of 4088 versus 3641. The find prime numbers test also favors Intel, scoring 114 against AMD's 76, a 33.3% lead. The physics test is nearly a tie, with Intel ahead by just 2.2% (1201 versus 1174). These wins point to a processor that handles single-threaded integer workloads efficiently, but the overall pattern is clear: AMD delivers substantially higher throughput in rendering, encryption, compression, and general multithreaded tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U uses Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, with the codename Hawk Point. It belongs to the 8000 series and is manufactured with 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel Core 5 330 uses the Wildcat Lake codename on a 3 nm Intel process, and the database lists no transistor count or die size for it.

Core counts differ significantly. The AMD processor has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel part has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyperthreading or equivalent. This thread deficit is a major reason for the large multicore gaps. Cache configurations also diverge. AMD uses 64 KB L1 per core and 1 MB L2 per core, with 16 MB shared L3. Intel lists 192 KB total L1, 2.5 MB total L2, and only 6 MB shared L3. The smaller shared cache on Intel limits its ability to keep frequently used data close to the cores.

Memory architecture favors AMD as well. The Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U supports dual-channel DDR5 with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s and ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 330 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but runs single-channel, reducing bandwidth to 59.7 GB/s, and it lacks ECC support. PCIe lanes also differ: AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while Intel provides Gen 4 with only 6 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ, with AMD using Radeon 780M and Intel using Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The Intel part has a lower TDP of 15 watts versus AMD's 28 watts, and its base clock is much lower at 1.50 GHz versus 3.30 GHz, though boost clocks are closer at 4.60 GHz versus 5.10 GHz.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a consistent 54% lead for AMD across every version and both singlecore and multicore tests. In R15 multicore, AMD scores 2041 against Intel's 1325. R15 singlecore gives AMD 288 versus 186, a 54.8% lead. R20 multicore shows 8506 versus 5523, and R20 singlecore shows 1200 versus 779. R23 multicore produces 20254 versus 13150, and R23 singlecore produces 2859 versus 1856. These margins are large enough that they reflect not just core count but also memory bandwidth and cache efficiency.

PassMark integer math is the single largest win for AMD: 88339 versus 33258, a 165.6% gap. This result suggests the Zen 4 cores, combined with dual-channel memory, handle integer-heavy code far better than the Intel chip. Data compression shows an 87.7% lead (272664 versus 145287), and random string sorting shows an 86.3% lead (33109 versus 17771). Data encryption gives AMD a 48.4% advantage (16441 versus 11076), and extended instructions give a 49.4% lead (19132 versus 12808). Floating point math is closer but still favors AMD: 50746 versus 43885, a 15.6% gap.

The Intel wins are narrower in absolute terms. PassMark single-thread shows 4088 versus 3641, a 10.9% lead for Intel. The find prime numbers test gives Intel 114 versus 76, a 33.3% lead, but the raw score difference is only 38 points. Physics is nearly even, with Intel at 1201 versus AMD's 1174, a 2.2% margin. These results indicate that Intel's single-core design can outperform AMD in specific lightweight tasks, but not enough to offset the massive multicore deficit.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split. For workloads that scale with cores, threads, cache, and memory bandwidth, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U is the stronger processor. Rendering, video encoding, data compression, encryption, and general productivity tasks all show substantial AMD advantages. The 54% lead in every Cinebench test and the 165.6% lead in integer math leave little ambiguity.

The Intel Core 5 330 is preferable when single-threaded performance is the priority. The 10.9% lead in PassMark single-thread and the 33.3% lead in prime number finding indicate that Intel's architecture has an edge in lightly threaded integer code. The physics test, where Intel wins by 2.2%, also suggests that certain simulation workloads may perform slightly better on Intel. Additionally, the Intel chip has a lower TDP of 15 watts versus 28 watts, which could matter in thermally constrained designs, though the database does not provide power consumption measurements beyond TDP.

Neither processor is suitable for tasks that demand the other's strengths. The AMD part's thread count and cache size make it the choice for parallel workloads. The Intel part's single-thread efficiency makes it the choice for legacy or sequential applications. The overall average benchmark scores reflect this: AMD sits at 32233, placing it in the 83rd percentile of all CPUs, while Intel sits at 18345, in the 72nd percentile. The nearest rivals for AMD include the Intel Core i9-11900 and Core i5-14400F, with delta percentages within 0.4%, while Intel's nearest rivals are the Core i3-14100 and Core 3 305, also within 0.2%. These comparisons confirm that AMD competes at a higher performance tier despite being a mobile chip.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: How much faster is AMD in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: AMD scores 20254 versus Intel's 13150, a 54% difference.

Q: Does Intel win any benchmark?

A: Yes, Intel wins PassMark single-thread (4088 versus 3641, a 10.9% lead), find prime numbers (114 versus 76, a 33.3% lead), and physics (1201 versus 1174, a 2.2% lead).

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: AMD supports dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s. Intel supports single-channel DDR5/LPDDR5X with 59.7 GB/s.

Q: Which chip has a smaller manufacturing process?

A: Intel uses a 3 nm process, while AMD uses a 4 nm process. Intel's process is smaller.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U supports ECC memory. The Intel Core 5 330 does not.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U | Intel Core 5 330 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 6 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.10 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP7 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Not listed |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Wildcat Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 25,000 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 178 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB per core | 192 KB total |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB per core | 2.5 MB total |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB shared | 6 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 4, 6 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 780M | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $309 |