AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX vs AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G Comparison

AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX and AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G represent two distinct approaches to AMD processor design, separated by architecture generation, core count, and target platform. The recorded data shows a clear split: the 7940HX dominates in multi-threaded workloads while the 440G takes the single-thread crown. This analysis walks through the benchmark results, architectural differences, and specification gaps to clarify which processor delivers what.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data divides cleanly along threading expectations. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX wins 9 of 11 head-to-head tests, with every victory occurring in workloads that scale with core count or parallel execution. These include data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multithreaded performance, physics simulation, and random string sorting. The margins range from 72.8% in physics to 209% in data encryption, showing that the 7940HX does not just edge ahead but often doubles or triples the 440G's output.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G claims the remaining 2 wins, both in single-thread tests: passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, identical tests recorded under two names. Its score of 4060 beats the 7940HX's 3942 by 2.9%. This is a narrow margin, but it points to a meaningful architectural advantage in lightly threaded scenarios. The 440G also achieves a higher single-thread score than its own multithreaded physics score relative to the 7940HX, reinforcing that its strength lies in per-core efficiency rather than sheer core count.

For users prioritizing parallel workloads, the 7940HX is the obvious choice. For tasks that rely on a single core, such as some legacy applications or lightly threaded games, the 440G has a measurable but small edge. The data does not show any mixed workload where the 440G wins through a combination of moderate threading and efficiency; its two wins are exclusively single-threaded.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and use different core designs. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX belongs to the 7000 series, codenamed Dragon Range, built on Zen 4 architecture. It uses a 5 nm process from TSMC and has a die size of 2x 71 mm², for a total of 142 mm² across two chiplets, with 13,140 million transistors. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G is part of the Ryzen AI 400 series, codenamed Gorgon Point, using a hybrid Zen 5 / Zen 5c configuration. It is built on a 4 nm process, also from TSMC, with a single die size of 195 mm². The 440G's transistor count is not recorded in the database.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The 7940HX provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The 440G provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, but only 8 MB of L3 cache. That is a 56 MB difference in L3, which directly impacts how much frequently accessed data can be stored on-chip. The larger L3 on the 7940HX likely contributes to its dominance in data-heavy workloads like compression and encryption.

The 440G has a higher per-core L1 allocation, which may help explain its single-thread advantage. It also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the 7940HX. Both processors support DDR5 memory and use a dual-channel memory bus, but the 440G has a higher memory bandwidth rating at 89.6 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s for the 7940HX.

PCIe support differs as well. The 7940HX uses PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU, while the 440G uses PCIe Gen 4 with 12 lanes. The 7940HX targets a mobile socket (AMD Socket FL1) while the 440G uses desktop AMD Socket AM5. The 7940HX's integrated graphics are Radeon 610M; the 440G's are Radeon 840M. The 440G has a higher TDP at 65 watts versus 55 watts for the 7940HX, despite having fewer cores, which reflects the newer process node and higher per-core clocks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin in the head-to-head data is passmark_data_encryption, where the 7940HX scores 41974 against the 440G's 13585, a 209% difference. Encryption workloads often benefit from parallel execution and large caches, both of which favor the 7940HX. The second largest margin is passmark_find_prime_numbers, with the 7940HX scoring 273 against 90, a 203.3% delta. Prime number finding is a classic multi-threaded stress test, and the 7940HX's 16 cores and 32 threads overwhelm the 440G's 6 cores and 12 threads.

Passmark_integer_math shows a 184.7% delta, with scores of 202883 versus 71251. Floating point math follows at 165.5%, with 121383 versus 45711. Random string sorting shows a 162.9% delta, with 81775 versus 31106. Extended instructions show 147.1%, with 51029 versus 20648. Data compression shows 137%, with 693741 versus 292735. Multithreaded performance shows 126.5%, with 53204 versus 23487. Physics shows the smallest 7940HX victory at 72.8%, with 2297 versus 1329.

The only 440G victories are the two identical single-thread tests. The 440G scores 4060 in both, while the 7940HX scores 3942, a 2.9% difference. This is a small but consistent edge. The 7940HX's boost clock is 5.20 GHz versus 4.80 GHz for the 440G, yet the 440G still wins single-thread tests. This suggests the Zen 5 core design in the 440G has a higher instructions-per-clock rate than the Zen 4 cores in the 7940HX, at least in the recorded benchmarks.

Overall average benchmark scores reinforce the gap. The 7940HX has an average score of 69875, placing it in the 94th percentile among all CPUs. The 440G has an average score of 46187, placing it in the 89th percentile. The 7940HX's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F (average score 69996, 0.2% higher), Intel Core i7-14700KF (70163, 0.4% higher), AMD Ryzen 9 7950X (69515, 0.5% lower), and Intel Core i7-14700K (69355, 0.7% lower). The 440G's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-13900HX (46098, 0.2% higher), Intel Core Ultra 5 235 (46062, 0.3% higher), AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 (46030, 0.3% higher), and AMD EPYC 4364P (45970, 0.5% higher). Both processors sit within a narrow band of their respective peers, meaning the 7940HX competes at a higher absolute performance tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G wins, scoring 4060 versus 3942 for the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX, a 2.9% advantage.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the largest performance difference between the two?

A: The largest difference is in data encryption, where the 7940HX scores 41974 versus 13585, a 209% delta in favor of the 7940HX.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Both support DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus. The 440G supports ECC memory, while the 7940HX does not.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has 64 MB of L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G has 8 MB.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The 7940HX has an average score of 69875, which is higher than the 440G's 46187.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 16 (7940HX) versus 6 (440G)
• Threads: 32 (7940HX) versus 12 (440G)
• Base clock: 2.40 GHz (7940HX) versus 2.00 GHz (440G)
• Boost clock: 5.20 GHz (7940HX) versus 4.80 GHz (440G)
• TDP: 55 W (7940HX) versus 65 W (440G)
• Socket: AMD Socket FL1 (7940HX) versus AMD Socket AM5 (440G)
• Architecture: Zen 4 (7940HX) versus Zen 5 / Zen 5c (440G)
• Codename: Dragon Range (7940HX) versus Gorgon Point (440G)
• Process node: 5 nm (7940HX) versus 4 nm (440G)
• Die size: 2x 71 mm² (7940HX) versus 195 mm² (440G)
• L1 cache: 64 KB per core (7940HX) versus 80 KB per core (440G)
• L3 cache: 64 MB (7940HX) versus 8 MB (440G)
• Memory bandwidth: 83.2 GB/s (7940HX) versus 89.6 GB/s (440G)
• ECC memory: false (7940HX) versus true (440G)
• PCIe: Gen 5, 28 lanes (7940HX) versus Gen 4, 12 lanes (440G)
• Integrated graphics: Radeon 610M (7940HX) versus Radeon 840M (440G)
• Market segment: Mobile (7940HX) versus Desktop (440G)
• Release date: 2024-01-16 (7940HX) versus 2026-02-28 (440G)
• Part number: 100-000001486 (7940HX) versus 100-000001918 (440G)

The Verdict

The benchmark data supports a straightforward conclusion. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is the stronger processor for multi-threaded workloads by a wide margin, winning 9 of 11 tests with deltas often exceeding 100%. Its 16 cores, 32 threads, and 64 MB of L3 cache deliver scores that place it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G, with 6 cores, 12 threads, and 8 MB of L3 cache, cannot match that parallel throughput.

The 440G's single-thread win, at 2.9% over the 7940HX, is the only area where the newer architecture shows a clear advantage. Its 4 nm process, Zen 5 / Zen 5c core design, and higher per-core L1 cache contribute to that result. For users running applications that rely heavily on one or two threads, the 440G offers a slight edge. For anything involving compression, encryption, math, sorting, or multithreaded rendering, the 7940HX is decisively ahead.

The 440G also brings newer platform features: ECC memory support, a desktop AM5 socket, and a higher memory bandwidth rating. The 7940HX targets mobile systems with a higher PCIe generation and more lanes. The choice depends entirely on workload type. The data shows the 7940HX as the performance leader in aggregate, while the 440G wins only in the narrow single-thread category.