AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data splits the two mobile processors into very distinct performance classes. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX wins 10 of the 13 shared tests, while the Intel Core 5 330 takes 3. The most decisive AMD victory comes in PassMark integer math, where the 7940HX scores 202,883 against 33,258 for the Core 5 330, a 510% advantage. That is the largest delta in the entire comparison.

Multi-threaded workloads show similar dominance. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD part scores 29,400 versus 13,150, a 123.6% lead. PassMark multithread confirms the pattern: 53,204 versus 15,471, a 243.9% gap. Data compression heavily favors AMD as well, with 693,741 points against 145,287, translating to a 377.5% difference. The Ryzen 9 7940HX also leads in encryption (41,974 versus 11,076, a 279% delta), extended instructions (51,029 versus 12,808, a 298.4% delta), and random string sorting (81,775 versus 17,771, a 360.2% delta).

The floating-point math test gives AMD a 176.6% edge (121,383 versus 43,885). Prime number finding favors AMD by 139.5% (273 versus 114), while physics simulation shows a narrower 91.3% gap (2,297 versus 1,201). These results reflect the fundamental core-count disparity between the two chips.

The Intel Core 5 330 wins the single-threaded contests, though by modest margins. In PassMark single thread, Intel scores 4,088 against AMD's 3,942, a 3.6% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a similar story: Intel at 1,856 versus AMD at 1,807, a 2.6% edge. These are the only two tests where Intel comes out ahead, and the margins are small compared to the massive multi-core gaps in AMD's favor.

Looking at average benchmark scores, the Ryzen 9 7940HX sits at 69,875, placing it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Core 5 330 averages 18,345, which lands in the 72nd percentile. The AMD chip's nearest rivals by average score include the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F (69,996, a 0.2% difference), the Intel Core i7-14700KF (70,163, a 0.4% difference), and the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X (69,515, a 0.5% difference). The Intel Core 5 330 sits near the Intel Core i3-14100 (18,318, a 0.1% difference) and the Intel Core 3 305 (18,302, a 0.2% difference).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX uses 16 cores with 32 threads, built on the Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename. It is manufactured on a 5 nm process at TSMC, using 13,140 million transistors across a dual-die layout with each die measuring 71 mm². The chip fits into AMD Socket FL1 and carries the Ryzen 9 generation label from the 7000 series.

The Intel Core 5 330 uses 6 cores with 6 threads, meaning no hyper-threading support. It is built on the Wildcat Lake codename, using a 3 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The chip fits into Intel BGA 1516 and belongs to the Core 5 generation. Intel does not list transistor counts or die sizes for this part in the database.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a total of 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part has 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. This 58 MB L3 difference helps explain the AMD chip's strong performance in cache-sensitive workloads like data compression and random string sorting.

Memory support also diverges. AMD uses dual-channel DDR5 with a peak bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X but runs on a single-channel memory bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. The single-channel configuration limits the Intel part's memory throughput, which directly impacts multi-threaded scaling and bandwidth-intensive tasks.

PCIe connectivity differs by generation and lane count. AMD provides Gen 5 with 28 CPU lanes. Intel offers Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. This positions the AMD chip for higher-bandwidth peripherals, though the mobile form factor may limit practical usage.

The integrated graphics also differ. AMD uses the Radeon 610M, while Intel includes Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. Neither part includes ECC memory support. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the Intel multiplier is locked. The AMD part has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, with a TDP of 55 watts. The Intel part runs at 1.50 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost, with a TDP of 15 watts.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is the clear choice for any workload that scales with core count or memory bandwidth. Cinebench R23 multicore, PassMark multithread, integer math, floating-point math, encryption, data compression, and extended instruction tests all heavily favor the 16-core, 32-thread design. The 64 MB L3 cache and dual-channel memory provide substantial advantages for data-heavy tasks. The 510% lead in integer math and 377.5% lead in data compression highlight how the AMD chip excels in parallel processing scenarios.

The Intel Core 5 330 wins in single-threaded performance, though by small margins. Its 3.6% lead in PassMark single thread and 2.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core suggest a slightly more efficient single-core design, likely due to the newer 3 nm process node. The 15-watt TDP also positions this chip for power-constrained environments where sustained multi-core performance is less critical than battery life and thermal management.

For content creation workloads that use multi-threaded rendering, the AMD chip's 123.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore makes it substantially faster for video encoding, 3D rendering, and compilation tasks. The Intel chip's lower power envelope makes it more suitable for thin-and-light laptops where sustained performance is limited by cooling and battery capacity.

The PassMark physics test shows a 91.3% AMD advantage, indicating better performance for physics simulations in gaming or scientific applications. The encryption test's 279% AMD lead suggests faster file encryption and VPN throughput. The Core 5 330's strengths are limited to lightly threaded workloads, such as basic office productivity, web browsing, and legacy single-threaded applications, where its small single-thread edge might be perceptible.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX dominates multi-core tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 29,400 versus 13,150 for the Intel Core 5 330, a 123.6% advantage. PassMark multithread shows a 243.9% gap (53,204 versus 15,471).

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 330 have any advantages over the AMD chip?

A: Yes, in single-threaded tests. The Intel chip scores 4,088 in PassMark single thread versus 3,942 for AMD, a 3.6% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 1,856 versus 1,807, a 2.6% edge. Intel also uses a newer 3 nm process node and has a much lower TDP at 15 watts versus 55 watts.

Q: How do the core counts and threads compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads, meaning no hyper-threading. This 10-core and 26-thread difference explains the large multi-threaded performance gaps.

Q: What memory configurations do these processors support?

A: AMD supports dual-channel DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but on a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s. The AMD chip's dual-channel setup provides significantly more memory bandwidth.

Q: How large is the cache difference between the two?

A: The AMD chip has 64 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel chip has 6 MB of shared L3. AMD also provides 1 MB of L2 per core, while Intel has 2.5 MB total L2. The L3 difference is 58 MB in AMD's favor.

Q: What are the PCIe capabilities of each processor?

A: AMD provides PCIe Gen 5 with 28 CPU lanes. Intel provides PCIe Gen 4 with 6 CPU lanes. This gives the AMD chip access to newer, higher-bandwidth expansion options.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX | Intel Core 5 330 |

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

| Cores | 16 | 6 |

| Threads | 32 | 6 |

| Base clock | 2.40 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Not listed |

| Codename | Dragon Range | Wildcat Lake |

| Process node | 5 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 13,140 million | Not listed |

| Die size | 2x 71 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 192 KB |

| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB |

| L3 cache | 64 MB | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 6 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 610M | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $309 |

The release dates differ substantially, with the AMD part launching on January 16, 2024, and the Intel part on April 15, 2026. The average benchmark scores reflect the performance hierarchy: 69,875 for AMD versus 18,345 for Intel. The percentile rankings place AMD in the 94th percentile of all CPUs, while Intel sits in the 72nd percentile.