AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split between these two mobile processors, with each holding a clear edge in different workload categories. Across the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U takes 9 wins while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H claims 8, making this a remarkably close contest overall.

The most dramatic divergence appears in Cinebench R23 results. The AMD part delivers 20254 points in multi-core testing, which is 25.8% ahead of Intel's 15028. This is the single largest performance gap recorded between the two, and it flips the expected narrative given Intel's higher core count. The single-core R23 result is even more lopsided: AMD scores 2859 against Intel's 1743, a 39% advantage. These are substantial margins that will be felt in any heavily threaded or latency-sensitive workload.

However, older Cinebench versions tell a different story. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel wins decisively with 2450 versus 2041, a 20% margin. Intel also edges ahead in Cinebench R20 multi-core (8754 vs 8506, a 2.9% lead) and R20 single-core (1235 vs 1200, also 2.9%). This inconsistency between benchmark versions suggests the two processors scale very differently depending on the workload characteristics, possibly due to how each handles sustained load or instruction-level parallelism.

PassMark results further illustrate the split. Intel dominates in several compute-heavy tests: floating point math (63703 vs 50746, a 25.5% lead), physics (1727 vs 1174, a 47.1% lead), and prime number finding (113 vs 76, a 48.7% lead). The physics and prime number results are particularly striking, showing Intel's architecture handles certain algorithmic patterns with much greater efficiency. Intel also wins multithreaded performance (24873 vs 23850, a 4.3% lead) and data compression (277353 vs 272664, a 1.7% lead).

AMD counters with wins in integer math (88339 vs 86870, a 1.7% lead), extended instructions (19132 vs 16456, a 14% lead), random string sorting (33109 vs 31990, a 3.4% lead), and data encryption (16441 vs 16358, a 0.5% lead). The single-thread PassMark score also goes to AMD at 3641 versus 3468, a 4.8% margin.

In aggregate, the Intel part posts an average benchmark score of 32697 against AMD's 32233. Both sit at the 83rd percentile among all CPUs in the database. Intel's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-14600T (score 32707, 0% delta) and AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 (32662, 0.1% delta), placing it in a very tight cluster. AMD's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i9-11900 (32226, 0% delta) and Intel Core i5-14400F (32279, -0.1% delta), showing equally tight competition.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H is built on the Meteor Lake architecture using a 7 nm process from Intel's own foundry. It packs 16 cores and 22 threads, a configuration that relies on a hybrid layout to balance performance and efficiency. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U uses the Zen 4 architecture on Hawk Point silicon, manufactured by TSMC at 4 nm. It offers 8 cores and 16 threads, relying on simultaneous multithreading rather than physical core count.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. Intel provides 112 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD counters with 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. While Intel has more total cache, the per-core allocations are notably different, which can influence how each responds to working sets and data reuse patterns.

Clock speeds show AMD with a higher boost ceiling: 5.10 GHz versus Intel's 4.80 GHz. Intel starts with a higher base clock at 3.80 GHz against AMD's 3.30 GHz. Both are configured at a 28 W TDP, so the power envelope is identical, but the way each uses that budget varies.

Memory support is similar on the surface: both use DDR5 with dual-channel buses and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. However, AMD supports ECC memory while Intel does not, a meaningful distinction for workstation-adjacent use cases. PCIe connectivity also differs: Intel provides Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The lane count advantage for AMD could matter for systems with multiple high-bandwidth devices.

The integrated graphics are distinct as well. Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG with 128 execution units, while AMD employs the Radeon 780M. Both are integrated solutions, but their architectures and driver ecosystems differ substantially.

Production status is active for both, with Intel releasing on December 13, 2023, and AMD following on April 15, 2024. Intel's launch MSRP is $503; AMD's launch MSRP is not recorded in the database. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-core performance in the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U leads in single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2859 versus Intel's 1743, a 39% advantage. PassMark single-thread also favors AMD at 3641 against 3468, a 4.8% lead. The only single-core test Intel wins is Cinebench R20, where it scores 1235 versus 1200.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-core workloads?

A: Results are mixed. AMD wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by a wide margin (20254 vs 15028, a 25.8% lead), but Intel wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (2450 vs 2041, a 20% lead) and Cinebench R20 multi-core (8754 vs 8506, a 2.9% lead). PassMark multithread goes to Intel at 24873 versus 23850, a 4.3% margin.

Q: Which processor has better floating-point performance?

A: Intel dominates floating-point math in PassMark, scoring 63703 against AMD's 50746, a 25.5% advantage. Intel also wins the physics test (1727 vs 1174, a 47.1% lead). These results suggest Intel's execution units handle floating-point-heavy code more efficiently.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 155H has 16 cores and 22 threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U has 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite having half the physical cores, AMD still manages to win several multi-threaded benchmarks, including the most recent Cinebench R23 test.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H does not. This is a relevant factor for users who require error-correcting memory in their systems.

Q: How close are the overall benchmark averages?

A: The Intel part averages 32697 across all recorded benchmarks, while AMD averages 32233. This is a difference of roughly 464 points, approximately 1.4%. Both processors sit at the 83rd percentile among all CPUs in the database.

The Verdict

The data supports different choices depending on the primary workload. For users who prioritize the most modern multi-threaded rendering workloads, the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U is the clear pick. Its 25.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 39% lead in R23 single-core are decisive, and these are among the more representative tests for contemporary content creation and productivity software.

For users whose workflows resemble PassMark's floating-point, physics, and prime number tests, the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H is superior. The 25.5% lead in floating-point math, 47.1% in physics, and 48.7% in prime finding are substantial. Intel also takes the PassMark multithread score, indicating strong general-purpose throughput.

The overall average benchmark score slightly favors Intel (32697 vs 32233), but the margin is small enough that it should not be the deciding factor. The real question is which benchmark suite aligns with your actual applications. If your work is dominated by Cinebench-style rendering, choose AMD. If it involves varied compute patterns including heavy floating-point or physics simulation, Intel's architecture appears better suited.

Both processors occupy the same 83rd percentile and share a 28 W TDP, so power efficiency is comparable in the database's context. AMD offers ECC memory support and a higher boost clock (5.10 GHz vs 4.80 GHz), while Intel provides more cores, more threads, more cache, and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity. The AMD part also has a larger transistor count (25,000 million) and smaller process node (4 nm vs 7 nm), which may indicate better architectural efficiency.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U |

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

| Cores | 16 | 8 |

| Threads | 22 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| Architecture | Meteor Lake | Zen 4 |

| Codename | Meteor Lake | Hawk Point |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 25,000 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 178 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 112 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) |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG 128EU | Radeon 780M |

| Socket | Intel BGA 2049 | AMD Socket FP7 |

| Release Date | 2023-12-13 | 2024-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | $503 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SRMZ1 | 100-000001317(FP7r2), 100-000001377(FP7) |