AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX vs Intel Core 7 240H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The data splits these two mobile processors almost exactly down the middle: Intel Core 7 240H takes 9 head-to-head benchmark wins, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX takes 8. That near-even tally hides a very clear specialization. The AMD chip wins overwhelmingly in sustained all-core rendering and data-processing workloads, while the Intel part dominates in physics simulation, single-threaded throughput, and floating-point math.

For long-form content creation, the Ryzen 9 5980HX is the clear pick. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 19850 beats Intel's 15764 by 25.9%, and it holds a 63% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core (2802 vs 1719). The AMD part also wins every PassMark data test: data compression by 14.3% (310694 vs 271774), data encryption by 26.8% (19221 vs 15155), extended instructions by 25.5% (21209 vs 16897), integer math by 11.7% (89772 vs 80396), and random string sorting by 11.7% (32238 vs 28866). If your workload involves archives, encryption, or heavy integer crunching, the 5980HX is the decisive winner.

The Intel Core 7 240H counters in different territory. Its PassMark physics score of 1723 nearly doubles AMD's 881 (a 48.9% gap), and it finds prime numbers at nearly twice the rate (102 vs 53, a 48% lead). Floating-point math goes Intel's way by 14.7% (58905 vs 50223). It also wins the PassMark single-thread test by 12.1% (3782 vs 3326), which matters for snappy everyday response. In older Cinebench versions, Intel wins R15 multicore by 15.3% (2360 vs 2000) and R20 multicore by 2.6% (8562 vs 8337), suggesting the AMD advantage in R23 multicore is workload-specific rather than universal.

The overall averages tell the same story: AMD's average benchmark score is 31495, Intel's is 31483 — a 0% delta. Both sit at the 82nd percentile of all CPUs. These are not chips where one is categorically faster; they are chips that win in different rooms of the same house.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX is built on TSMC's 7 nm process with a 180 mm² die containing 10,700 million transistors. It uses the Zen 3 architecture (Cezanne codename) and packs 8 cores with 16 threads. Cache is laid out as 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. It supports DDR4 memory on a dual-channel bus with 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth. The integrated GPU is Radeon Vega 8. It connects via PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, and the multiplier is unlocked. It uses AMD Socket FP6.

The Intel Core 7 240H is a Raptor Lake-H part (Raptor Lake Refresh generation) on Intel's 10 nm process. It has 10 cores and 16 threads — a hybrid arrangement, though the fact pack does not break down P-core/E-core counts. Cache is larger: 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus, though no bandwidth figure is listed. The integrated GPU is Iris Xe Graphics 64EU. PCIe support is Gen 5 with 8 CPU lanes. The multiplier is locked. It uses Intel BGA 1744.

The most consequential differences are process node (7 nm vs 10 nm), core count (8 vs 10), L3 cache (16 MB vs 24 MB), and PCIe generation (Gen 3 vs Gen 5). AMD's smaller node and larger L2 per core (512 KB vs 2 MB per core — wait, Intel's is larger) — actually, Intel has larger L2 per core at 2 MB vs AMD's 512 KB, and more total L3. AMD compensates with a higher base clock (3.30 GHz vs 2.50 GHz), while Intel boosts higher (5.20 GHz vs 4.80 GHz). Both are 45 W TDP parts, both are mobile, both are active in production, and neither supports ECC memory.

AMD's chip released on 2021-01-11; Intel's on 2024-12-17. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $502. AMD's launch MSRP field is null.

The Verdict

If your primary workload is multi-threaded rendering, data compression, encryption, or integer-heavy computation, the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX is the data-backed choice. Its 25.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and 26.8% lead in encryption are not marginal — they will translate to materially shorter render times and faster batch processing. The 63% single-core lead in Cinebench R23 is so large it suggests AMD's Zen 3 architecture handles that specific workload far better than Intel's hybrid design.

If your workload involves physics simulation, prime-number finding, floating-point math, or you simply want the fastest single-threaded PassMark score, the Intel Core 7 240H is the pick. Its 48.9% lead in PassMark physics and 48% lead in prime-number finding are decisive. The 12.1% PassMark single-thread advantage matters for general desktop responsiveness, and the higher boost clock (5.20 vs 4.80 GHz) aligns with that result.

For an all-rounder, the data shows a dead heat: 31495 vs 31483 average score, 8 vs 9 wins, same 82nd percentile. Choose based on your specific application mix, not on marketing. The Intel part is newer (2024 vs 2021) and has a locked multiplier; the AMD part is older but unlocked and on a smaller node. Neither is a bad buy; they just excel in different tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX scores 19850 vs Intel's 15764, a 25.9% advantage for AMD.

Q: Which CPU has better single-threaded performance?

A: It depends on the test. AMD wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 63% (2802 vs 1719) and R15 single-core by 13.3% (282 vs 249). Intel wins PassMark single-thread by 12.1% (3782 vs 3326) and Cinebench R20 single-core by 2.6% (1208 vs 1176).

Q: How do their overall average scores compare?

A: They are effectively tied. AMD's average benchmark score is 31495, Intel's is 31483, a 0% delta. Both are at the 82nd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: Intel has 10 cores vs AMD's 8. Both have 16 threads.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: AMD supports DDR4 only. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: Intel boosts to 5.20 GHz, while AMD boosts to 4.80 GHz. AMD's base clock is higher at 3.30 GHz vs Intel's 2.50 GHz.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest win for the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX is Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 2802 against Intel's 1719 — a massive 63% delta. This is not a small edge; it suggests a fundamental architectural advantage in that specific single-threaded workload. The R23 multicore result (19850 vs 15764, 25.9%) confirms the AMD chip sustains that advantage across all cores. In data encryption, AMD leads 19221 to 15155 (26.8%), and in extended instructions it leads 21209 to 16897 (25.5%). Data compression goes AMD's way by 14.3% (310694 vs 271774), as does integer math by 11.7% (89772 vs 80396) and random string sorting by 11.7% (32238 vs 28866). AMD also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 13.3% (282 vs 249).

The Intel Core 7 240H's biggest win is PassMark physics, where it scores 1723 against AMD's 881 — a 48.9% delta. That is nearly double the performance. Prime-number finding shows a nearly identical pattern: Intel scores 102 vs AMD's 53, a 48% lead. Floating-point math goes Intel's way by 14.7% (58905 vs 50223). PassMark single-thread (and singlethread, which is the same score) favors Intel by 12.1% (3782 vs 3326). In Cinebench R15 multicore, Intel wins 2360 to 2000 (15.3%), and in R20 multicore it wins 8562 to 8337 (2.6%). R20 single-core is close but Intel takes it: 1208 vs 1176 (2.6%). PassMark multithread goes to Intel by a slim 2.6% (23975 vs 23356).

Notable: the two chips trade wins across Cinebench versions. Intel wins R15 and R20 multicore, but AMD wins R23 multicore by a wide margin. This pattern suggests the benchmark versions stress different aspects of the architecture. Similarly, AMD wins integer math while Intel wins floating-point math — a clean division of labor. The final tally is 8 wins for AMD, 9 for Intel, with the overall average scores within 12 points of each other (31495 vs 31483). These are two very evenly matched processors that happen to excel in opposite workload categories.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX | Intel Core 7 240H |

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

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Threads | 16 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP6 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Cezanne | Raptor Lake-H |

| Process Node | 7 nm (TSMC) | 10 nm (Intel) |

| Transistors | 10,700 million | null |

| Die Size | 180 mm² | null |

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

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 68.3 GB/s | null |

| ECC Memory | false | false |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 8 | Iris Xe Graphics 64EU |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Mobile |

| Production Status | Active | Active |

| Release Date | 2021-01-11 | 2024-12-17 |

| Launch MSRP | null | $502 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | true | false |

| Part Number | 100-000000474 | SRQ6TQ5ML |

AMD offers a smaller process node, more PCIe lanes, higher base clock, and an unlocked multiplier. Intel counters with more cores, larger L1/L2/L3 cache, higher boost clock, DDR5 support, PCIe Gen 5, and a more recent release date. Both are 45 W mobile parts with 16 threads and no ECC support.