AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS vs Intel Core 5 210H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits this comparison into a clear division of labor. The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS takes 11 of the 15 head-to-head benchmark wins, while the Intel Core 5 210H wins 4. That raw count, however, hides the nature of the split. The AMD part dominates every multi-threaded and throughput-oriented workload in the comparison set. The Intel part wins only in single-threaded tests and in one Cinebench single-core run.

For users whose workloads scale across cores, the Ryzen 9 6900HS is the obvious choice. Its wins include Cinebench R15 multicore (23% ahead), Cinebench R23 multicore (13.7% ahead), PassMark multithread (26.8% ahead), PassMark integer math (40.6% ahead), PassMark data compression (34.5% ahead), and PassMark data encryption (50.2% ahead). These are not marginal victories; they represent substantial throughput advantages in compute-heavy tasks.

The Intel Core 5 210H counters with single-thread leadership. It wins PassMark single-thread by 8.5% (3539 versus 3237) and Cinebench R23 single-core by 12.3% (1771 versus 1554). The Cinebench R15 single-core margin is tiny, only 0.8% in favor of Intel (247 versus 245). For applications that are lightly threaded or latency-sensitive on a single core, the Intel chip holds a measurable edge.

The remaining benchmark, PassMark physics, is effectively a tie: 1041 for AMD versus 1040 for Intel, a 0.1% difference. Neither processor can claim a meaningful advantage there. The overall average benchmark scores reinforce the picture: the Ryzen 9 6900HS averages 25284 across all recorded tests, while the Core 5 210H averages 24872. Both sit at the 77th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same performance tier despite their different strengths.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS uses the Zen 3+ architecture on the Rembrandt codename, built on a 6 nm process at TSMC. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Intel Core 5 210H uses the Raptor Lake architecture (Raptor Lake-H codename) on a 10 nm Intel process. It also has 8 cores but only 12 threads, with a lower 2.20 GHz base clock and a 4.80 GHz boost clock.

The cache layouts differ substantially. The AMD chip provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, but only 12 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core L2 on the Intel part helps its single-thread performance, while the larger shared L3 on the AMD part supports its multi-threaded throughput.

Memory support also diverges. The Ryzen 9 6900HS supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Core 5 210H supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, though the database does not record a bandwidth figure for it. The AMD chip runs on AMD Socket FP7, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1744.

PCIe capabilities differ as well. The AMD processor offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The Intel processor offers Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics are different: Radeon 680M on the AMD side versus Iris Xe Graphics 48EU on the Intel side. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $342, a figure that appears once here for reference.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the entire comparison belongs to the Ryzen 9 6900HS in PassMark data encryption, where it leads by 50.2% (18303 versus 12187). That result indicates a major advantage in cryptographic workloads, likely stemming from the Zen 3+ core design and its dedicated encryption instructions. Close behind is PassMark extended instructions, where AMD leads by 49.7% (20015 versus 13370), showing a strong edge in SIMD and specialized instruction throughput.

PassMark integer math shows AMD ahead by 40.6% (86449 versus 61503). This is a pure arithmetic throughput test, and the combination of 16 threads versus 12 threads plus the higher boost clock on the AMD part explains the gap. PassMark data compression follows at 34.5% (292842 versus 217805). PassMark random string sorting shows AMD ahead by 30.2% (30528 versus 23451). PassMark multithread, a general parallel workload, sees AMD lead by 26.8% (23152 versus 18252).

Cinebench R15 multicore gives AMD a 23% win (2161 versus 1757), while Cinebench R23 multicore shows a smaller but still clear 13.7% advantage (13445 versus 11830). The R23 test is more demanding and longer-running, which may compress the relative gap. PassMark floating point math sees AMD ahead by 7.1% (48239 versus 45057), a more modest margin. PassMark find prime numbers shows a 9.4% AMD lead (58 versus 53), though the absolute scores are low.

The Intel wins are concentrated in single-thread tests. Cinebench R23 single-core gives Intel its largest margin at 12.3% (1771 versus 1554). PassMark single-thread shows an 8.5% Intel lead (3539 versus 3237). Cinebench R15 single-core is nearly flat, with Intel ahead by 0.8% (247 versus 245). The PassMark physics test is a dead heat at 0.1% (1041 versus 1040).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS has 16 threads across 8 cores. The Intel Core 5 210H has 12 threads across 8 cores, meaning it uses a mix of cores without full hyper-threading on all of them.

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark data encryption, where the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS leads by 50.2% (18303 versus 12187).

Q: Does the Intel processor win any multi-threaded benchmarks?

A: No. The Intel Core 5 210H wins only single-threaded benchmarks: Cinebench R15 single-core, Cinebench R23 single-core, and PassMark single-thread. The AMD processor wins every multi-threaded test in the head-to-head set.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS averages 25284 across all recorded tests, while the Intel Core 5 210H averages 24872. Both are at the 77th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS supports DDR5 only, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s. The Intel Core 5 210H supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but the database does not list a bandwidth figure for it.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS boosts to 4.90 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 210H boosts to 4.80 GHz. The AMD chip also has a higher base clock at 3.30 GHz versus 2.20 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS | Intel Core 5 210H |

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

| Architecture | Zen 3+ | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Rembrandt | Raptor Lake-H |

| Process Node | 6 nm (TSMC) | 10 nm (Intel) |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP7 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| 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) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 76.8 GB/s | Not recorded |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 680M | Iris Xe Graphics 48EU |

| Release Date | Not recorded | 2024-12-17 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $342 |

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward recommendation for multi-threaded workloads. The AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS wins 11 of 15 head-to-head benchmarks, including every significant multi-threaded test. Its advantages in integer math (40.6%), data compression (34.5%), and multithread throughput (26.8%) are decisive for rendering, compilation, scientific computing, and any parallel workload. The 16-thread implementation, higher boost clock, and larger shared L3 cache support this profile.

The Intel Core 5 210H is the pick for single-thread-sensitive applications. Its 12.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 8.5% lead in PassMark single-thread make it the better option for lightly threaded software, older games that rely on one or two cores, and interactive responsiveness where a single core is the bottleneck. The larger per-core L2 cache (2 MB versus 512 KB) contributes to this strength.

The TDP figures also matter for system design. The AMD chip runs at 35 W, while the Intel chip runs at 45 W, a difference that affects thermal envelopes and chassis requirements in mobile systems. The AMD part achieves its multi-threaded dominance at a lower power target, which is notable for thin-and-light laptops.

For the majority of users running mixed workloads, the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS offers the broader advantage. Its single-thread scores are lower, but the multi-thread wins are larger in magnitude and more numerous. The Intel part appeals specifically to users who prioritize single-core speed above all else and can tolerate the lower multi-thread throughput. The average benchmark scores reflect this: AMD at 25284 versus Intel at 24872, a 1.7% overall edge for the Ryzen part.