AMD Ryzen 9 7940H vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

The Intel Core 7 251TE and AMD Ryzen 9 7940H occupy different corners of the processor market, yet their benchmark results place them surprisingly close in overall performance. The Intel part is a desktop-oriented, high-core-count chip built on a mature process, while the AMD part is a mobile-focused, power-efficient design with fewer but faster cores. The recorded data reveals a nuanced picture: Intel dominates in raw computational throughput, while AMD counters in specific workloads and single-thread efficiency.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head results is Intel’s near-sweep of the Cinebench suite. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Intel Core 7 251TE wins by a consistent margin of 3.1% to 3.3%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 25518 against AMD’s 24703, a 3.3% lead. The single-core R23 result follows the same trend: 3602 versus 3487, again 3.3% ahead. This uniformity suggests the Intel chip’s higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz, compared to AMD’s 5.20 GHz, and its larger 36 MB shared L3 cache provide a steady advantage in rendering workloads, regardless of thread count.

The PassMark suite, however, tells a more divided story. Intel wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, but AMD takes five, and some of those wins are substantial. The largest AMD victory is in extended instructions, where the Ryzen 9 7940H scores 26804 against Intel’s 16974, a 36.7% advantage. This suggests that AMD’s Zen 4 architecture handles AVX-512 or similar extended instruction sets far more efficiently, a critical factor for scientific computing and encryption workloads. AMD also leads in single-thread performance, scoring 3952 versus Intel’s 3568, a 9.7% gap. This is noteworthy because Intel wins all Cinebench single-core tests, yet PassMark’s single-thread metric favors AMD, likely reflecting different instruction mixes and memory access patterns.

In data compression, AMD takes a 5% lead with 352077 points against Intel’s 334399. Random string sorting also favors AMD by 5.8%, with scores of 42093 and 39643 respectively. These workloads often rely on memory latency and cache efficiency, and AMD’s smaller 16 MB L3 cache paired with a 4 nm process appears to excel in these specific access patterns.

Intel’s wins in other PassMark tests are decisive. The most dramatic is find prime numbers, where Intel scores 140 versus AMD’s 81, a 72.8% advantage. This test is highly sensitive to integer division and branch prediction, and Intel’s 24-core, 32-thread configuration clearly overwhelms AMD’s 8-core, 16-thread design here. Floating point math also goes heavily to Intel: 85607 versus 62057, a 37.9% lead. Integer math follows with a 23.3% margin, 125739 to 101977. Physics simulation, another multithreaded-heavy test, shows Intel ahead by 49.1% (1938 versus 1300). Data encryption goes to Intel by 5.1% (22176 versus 21096), and the multithread aggregate score favors Intel by 3.3% (30022 versus 29063).

The overall average benchmark score reflects this balance: Intel sits at 41650, AMD at 40431, a difference of roughly 3%. Intel’s percentile ranking among all CPUs is 88, while AMD’s is 87. Both chips sit near the top of the database, but Intel’s broader core count gives it an edge in sustained parallel workloads.

The Verdict

The data points to two distinct usage profiles. The Intel Core 7 251TE is the choice for users who prioritize raw multi-core throughput and don’t mind a higher power envelope. Its 72.8% lead in prime number finding, 37.9% lead in floating point math, and 49.1% lead in physics simulation make it ideal for rendering, scientific simulation, and heavy integer workloads. The 3.3% Cinebench lead in both single and multi-core tests reinforces its strength in content creation.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940H, despite its lower core count, wins where instruction-level efficiency matters. Its 36.7% lead in extended instructions and 9.7% lead in single-thread performance suggest it is better suited for code that uses modern SIMD instructions, such as video encoding with AVX-512 or cryptography. The 5% lead in data compression and 5.8% lead in random string sorting also point to advantages in database and archival tasks.

For a desktop user running long compilation jobs or 3D rendering, the Intel part’s extra cores and higher L3 cache make it the logical pick. For a mobile user who needs strong single-thread responsiveness and efficient extended instruction processing, the AMD part’s lower 35 W TDP and 4 nm process deliver comparable overall performance with less power draw. The database shows both chips are active production parts, but their market segments differ: Intel targets desktop with a 45 W TDP and Socket 1700, while AMD targets mobile with Socket FP8.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has an average benchmark score of 41650, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7940H scores 40431. Intel also holds a higher percentile ranking at 88 versus AMD’s 87.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: Intel wins with a score of 25518 against AMD’s 24703, a 3.3% advantage. The same 3.3% delta appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where Intel scores 3602 and AMD scores 3487.

Q: In which benchmark does AMD show its largest lead?

A: AMD’s biggest win is in PassMark extended instructions, scoring 26804 versus Intel’s 16974, a 36.7% margin. This indicates a significant architectural advantage in handling extended instruction sets.

Q: Does Intel win every multithreaded test?

A: No. AMD wins data compression by 5% (352077 versus 334399) and random string sorting by 5.8% (42093 versus 39643). However, Intel wins the multithread aggregate score by 3.3% (30022 versus 29063) and dominates in physics simulation by 49.1%.

Q: What is the difference in single-thread performance?

A: AMD leads in PassMark single-thread with a score of 3952 versus Intel’s 3568, a 9.7% advantage. Interestingly, Intel wins all Cinebench single-core tests by 3.1% to 3.3%, showing that the test methodology affects the outcome.

Q: How many benchmarks does each processor win overall?

A: The head-to-head results show Intel winning 12 benchmarks and AMD winning 5. Despite this, AMD’s wins are often larger in percentage terms, such as the 36.7% extended instructions lead.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. Intel offers 24 cores and 32 threads, while AMD provides 8 cores and 16 threads. Intel’s base clock is 1.40 GHz with a boost of 5.40 GHz, whereas AMD runs at 4.00 GHz base and 5.20 GHz boost. The TDP also diverges: Intel is rated at 45 W, AMD at 35 W.

Cache hierarchies are distinct. Intel uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. AMD uses 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Both support dual-channel memory, but Intel accepts DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD only lists DDR5. Memory bandwidth is identical at 89.6 GB/s, and both support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs: Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The integrated graphics also vary, with Intel featuring UHD Graphics 770 and AMD featuring Radeon 780M. Market segment and socket are different: Intel is a desktop part on Socket 1700, AMD is a mobile part on Socket FP8. Intel’s launch MSRP is $384; AMD has no recorded launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

Intel’s Core 7 251TE is built on a 10 nm process at Intel’s foundry, with a die size of 215 mm². Its codename is Bartlett Lake, and it belongs to the Core 7 generation. The chip lacks a specified transistor count in the database. AMD’s Ryzen 9 7940H uses a 4 nm process at TSMC, with a die size of 178 mm² and 25,000 million transistors. Its architecture is Zen 4, codename Phoenix, part of the 7000 series.

These process differences are significant. The 4 nm node offers higher transistor density and lower power draw per operation, which explains AMD’s lower 35 W TDP despite a higher base clock. Intel’s larger 215 mm² die and 10 nm process require more power to drive 24 cores. The cache architecture also reflects different design philosophies: Intel’s 36 MB shared L3 is more than double AMD’s 16 MB, which helps in large working sets, while AMD’s per-core L1 and L2 are smaller but paired with faster single-thread execution.

Both chips have locked multipliers, so overclocking is not an option from the database’s perspective. The integrated graphics differ, with Intel’s UHD Graphics 770 and AMD’s Radeon 780M, though no benchmark scores for iGPU performance are recorded in the database. Intel lists a release date of January 2025, while AMD has no release date on file.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 251TE wins in scenarios that demand high core counts and sustained parallel execution. The 72.8% lead in find prime numbers, 37.9% in floating point math, and 49.1% in physics simulation indicate strength in computational fluid dynamics, financial modeling, and any workload that scales with thread count. The 23.3% lead in integer math and 5.1% lead in data encryption further support use cases like database processing and secure file operations. All Cinebench tests, which simulate render engine workloads, go to Intel by 3.3%, making it the better choice for 3D rendering and video post-production.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940H wins in scenarios where instruction efficiency and single-thread agility matter more than raw core count. The 36.7% lead in extended instructions is the standout, suggesting superior handling of AVX-512 workloads common in scientific research, machine learning inference, and certain codecs. The 9.7% single-thread lead, despite losing Cinebench single-core, indicates AMD’s Zen 4 cores respond better to PassMark’s varied instruction mix. Data compression and random string sorting wins, at 5% and 5.8% respectively, point to strengths in file archiving, log processing, and in-memory databases. The lower 35 W TDP also makes AMD more suitable for thin-and-light laptops where thermal headroom is limited.

The database’s nearest rivals provide additional context. Intel’s closest competitor is the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H, with a delta of 0.1%, meaning the 251TE and that chip are essentially tied. AMD’s nearest rival is the Intel Xeon 6507P, with a delta of 0%, showing the Ryzen 9 7940H sits in a tightly packed performance cluster. Neither chip is an outlier; both are competitive with other high-end parts in their respective segments.