AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS vs Intel Core i7-13705H Comparison

The Intel Core i7-13705H and AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS are both 2023-era mobile processors aimed at high-performance laptops, but they take fundamentally different approaches. The Intel part leans on a hybrid core layout and high boost clocks, while the AMD chip uses a dense 4 nm process and a higher base clock. Benchmark data shows a clear split: AMD wins the majority of head-to-head tests (11 wins vs. 4), but Intel secures specific victories that matter for certain workloads. Both CPUs sit in the 82nd percentile of all processors, with average benchmark scores of 32076 for the Intel and 31593 for the AMD, making them closely matched overall despite their architectural differences.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive AMD victory comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Ryzen 9 7940HS scores 2656 against the Core i7’s 1612 — a 39.3% lead. That gap is enormous for a mobile chip and suggests the AMD part sustains its 8-core/16-thread configuration far better under short, heavy loads. The single-core R15 result also favors AMD, 283 vs. 227, a 19.8% margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD lead shrinks to a modest 4.3% (16713 vs. 15998), indicating that longer multi-threaded workloads narrow the gap considerably.

Intel fights back hard in single-core R23, winning 2258 vs. 1790 — a 26.1% advantage. That is a major reversal from the R15 single-core result, suggesting the Intel boost clock of 5.00 GHz delivers better sustained single-thread performance in modern rendering workloads. Intel also wins PassMark’s find prime numbers test by 26.1% (116 vs. 92) and physics by 27.9% (1854 vs. 1450). The floating point math test is essentially a tie, with Intel ahead by just 0.3% (63064 vs. 62897).

AMD dominates most PassMark productivity tests. Data compression goes to AMD by 25.1% (365352 vs. 273720), and data encryption by 25% (21777 vs. 16324). Extended instructions show the biggest AMD win at 42.5% (27480 vs. 15810), which indicates a substantial advantage in AVX-512-class workloads if the benchmark reflects that. Integer math favors AMD by 16.6% (103044 vs. 85927), and multi-thread by 18.7% (30098 vs. 24460). Random string sorting goes to AMD by 30.9% (42386 vs. 29285). Single-thread PassMark also favors AMD, 3878 vs. 3483, a 10.2% edge.

The pattern is consistent: AMD wins most throughput-heavy and integer/encryption tasks, while Intel wins specific single-thread and physics-oriented tests. The R15 multi-core result is the outlier — a 39.3% blowout that suggests AMD’s architecture responds much better to short, bursty multi-threaded loads. In contrast, the R23 multi-core gap of only 4.3% reveals that sustained loads bring the two much closer together.

Architecture Differences

The core counts diverge sharply. The Intel Core i7-13705H packs 14 cores and 20 threads, using a hybrid Raptor Lake-H design with a mix of performance and efficiency cores. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS has 8 cores and 16 threads, all based on the Zen 4 architecture in the Phoenix codename. Despite having fewer physical cores, AMD’s higher base clock of 4.00 GHz (vs. 2.40 GHz for Intel) helps it stay competitive in multi-threaded tests. Intel’s boost clock reaches 5.00 GHz, while AMD’s goes slightly higher at 5.20 GHz.

The manufacturing process is a major differentiator. Intel uses a 10 nm node from its own foundry, while AMD uses a 4 nm node from TSMC. That process advantage helps AMD fit 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die, compared to Intel’s 257 mm² die (transistor count not specified for Intel). The smaller, denser AMD chip likely contributes to its lower 35 W TDP, versus Intel’s 45 W TDP.

Cache configurations also differ. Intel provides 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. AMD offers 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The larger L3 cache on Intel may help in some workloads, but AMD’s lower per-core cache is offset by higher clocks and a more efficient node.

Memory support splits as well. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but AMD specifies a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, which Intel does not list. AMD also supports ECC memory; Intel does not. PCIe lanes differ: Intel provides Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are Radeon 780M on AMD and Iris Xe Graphics 96EU on Intel, though no benchmark data compares them directly.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-13705H has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Why does AMD win most benchmarks despite having fewer cores?

A: AMD’s higher base clock of 4.00 GHz, 4 nm TSMC process, and 5.20 GHz boost clock allow it to outperform Intel in most head-to-head tests, winning 11 of 15 benchmarks.

Q: Is there any test where Intel wins by a large margin?

A: Yes, Intel wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 26.1% (2258 vs. 1790) and PassMark physics by 27.9% (1854 vs. 1450), plus find prime numbers by 26.1% (116 vs. 92).

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark extended instructions, where AMD leads by 42.5% (27480 vs. 15810). The next biggest is Cinebench R15 multi-core, where AMD leads by 39.3% (2656 vs. 1612).

Q: Do these CPUs support the same memory types?

A: No, Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR5. AMD also supports ECC memory, which Intel does not.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: Intel’s average benchmark score is 32076, slightly ahead of AMD’s 31593, even though AMD wins more individual tests.

The Verdict

The data favors the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS for most users. It wins 11 of 15 head-to-head benchmarks, including the critical multi-threaded tests in Cinebench R15 and PassMark multi-thread, as well as encryption, compression, and integer math. Its 4 nm process and lower 35 W TDP make it a more efficient choice for thin-and-light laptops without sacrificing performance. The AMD chip also offers ECC memory support and higher memory bandwidth, which appeals to users who need data integrity.

The Intel Core i7-13705H is the pick only if single-thread performance in specific workloads is the priority. Its 26.1% win in Cinebench R23 single-core and 27.9% win in PassMark physics show clear advantages in those areas. The larger 24 MB L3 cache and support for DDR4 memory also give it flexibility for budget-oriented laptop designs. However, its 45 W TDP and older 10 nm process mean it will likely run hotter and drain batteries faster.

Both CPUs sit in the 82nd percentile of all processors, so neither is a weak choice. The average benchmark scores are within 1.5% of each other (32076 vs. 31593), confirming they are peers. If forced to choose based purely on benchmark wins, the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS is the stronger all-rounder. The Intel part has niche strengths, but it loses too many mainstream tests to be the default recommendation.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-13705H | AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS |

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

| Cores | 14 | 8 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket FP8 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Zen 4 (Phoenix) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | 178 mm² |

| Transistors | Not specified | 25,000 million |

| L1 Cache | 80 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) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 96EU | Radeon 780M |

| Launch MSRP | $502 | Not specified |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS wins in most productivity and throughput scenarios. Data compression (365352 vs. 273720) and encryption (21777 vs. 16324) see large AMD margins, making it the better choice for file archiving, database work, or any task that moves large amounts of data. The 42.5% lead in extended instructions makes AMD the clear winner for code that uses advanced SIMD or vector operations. Integer math (103044 vs. 85927) and random string sorting (42386 vs. 29285) also favor AMD, covering typical office, scripting, and parsing workloads. The Cinebench R15 multi-core win by 39.3% suggests AMD is stronger in short, bursty rendering tasks like quick previews or light 3D modeling.

The Intel Core i7-13705H wins in single-thread rendering and physics simulation. The 26.1% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is significant for applications that rely on one main thread, such as older games or certain CAD tools. PassMark physics (1854 vs. 1450) indicates better performance in physics calculations, which can matter for engineering simulations or scientific computing. The find prime numbers win (116 vs. 92) points to strength in integer-heavy, single-threaded loops. The floating point math test is essentially tied (63064 vs. 62897), so neither CPU has a meaningful edge there.

For gaming, the data is indirect but informative. AMD’s higher single-thread PassMark score (3878 vs. 3483) and superior multi-thread results suggest it will handle modern games well, especially those that use more than 8 threads. Intel’s physics win could benefit games with heavy physics engines, but its lower multi-thread scores in PassMark (24460 vs. 30098) indicate it may struggle in titles that scale beyond 8 threads. Without direct gaming benchmarks, the overall benchmark pattern favors AMD for most gaming scenarios, with Intel having a possible edge in CPU-bound physics-heavy titles.