AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX vs Intel Core 9 273PQE Comparison

AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX and Intel Core 9 273PQE represent two different philosophies for high-end computing, one built for mobile efficiency and the other for desktop performance. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX secures 7 wins in the head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE takes 6. The AMD part leads in the database’s average benchmark score with 69875 points against 66099 for the Intel, placing it at the 94th percentile versus the 93rd percentile for the Intel. These are close competitors, but they excel in different types of workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX dominates in tasks that stress parallel integer work and memory-heavy operations. It wins PassMark integer math with a score of 202883, which is 23.2% ahead of the Intel part’s 164629. Data compression is another strong point, with the AMD delivering 693741 points versus 585752, a 18.4% advantage. The same pattern holds for data encryption, where the AMD scores 41974 against 29636, a 41.6% lead. Random string sorting shows the largest gap, with the AMD at 81775 and the Intel at 53167, a 53.8% difference. Extended instructions also favor the AMD, scoring 51029 to the Intel’s 38743, a 31.7% margin. The AMD also wins the PassMark multithread test with 53204 versus 46107, a 15.4% lead, and the find prime numbers test with 273 versus 198, a 37.9% advantage.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE takes the single-threaded and lightly threaded categories. Its PassMark single-thread score of 4573 beats the AMD’s 3942, a 13.8% edge. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel is dramatically faster with 5532 points versus 1807, a 67.3% lead. The Intel also wins Cinebench R23 multicore with 39190 points against 29400, a 25% advantage, showing that its higher power envelope translates into sustained all-core performance. Floating point math goes to the Intel with 125546 versus 121383, a 3.3% margin, and physics simulation also favors the Intel with 2754 points versus 2297, a 16.6% lead.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX uses the Zen 4 architecture on the Dragon Range codename, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It has 16 cores and 32 threads, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3. It uses dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The integrated graphics are Radeon 610M. The socket is AMD Socket FL1, and it is designed for the mobile market segment. The TDP is 55 watts, which is low for a 16-core part. It has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking on supported platforms. PCIe support is Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE is a desktop part based on the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. It has 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.90 GHz. The cache is organized differently: 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory support is enabled, which the AMD lacks. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770. The socket is Intel Socket 1700, and the TDP is 125 watts. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not available. PCIe support is Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

These are fundamentally different designs. The AMD uses a newer, denser process node to pack more cores into a mobile-friendly power budget. The Intel uses a larger process and a higher TDP to push clock speeds higher, reaching 5.90 GHz boost. The memory bandwidth favors the Intel slightly at 89.6 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s, but the AMD has more L3 cache at 64 MB versus 36 MB. The AMD also has more PCIe lanes, 28 versus 16, which matters for expansion in a laptop or mini-PC context.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single-core gap in the entire dataset is Cinebench R23 single-core. The Intel scores 5532, the AMD scores 1807, a 67.3% difference. This is not a small margin; it indicates a fundamentally higher per-thread capability in the Intel part. The same test in multicore shows the Intel ahead by 25% with 39190 versus 29400, which is notable given the AMD has 16 cores against the Intel’s 12. The Intel’s higher clocks and presumably superior instruction handling overcome the core count deficit in this render workload.

Conversely, the AMD’s best result is random string sorting, where it leads by 53.8% with 81775 versus 53167. This test often reflects memory subsystem efficiency and cache behavior, and the AMD’s 64 MB of L3 likely contributes. Data encryption shows a 41.6% lead for the AMD, with 41974 versus 29636, and find prime numbers shows a 37.9% lead, with 273 versus 198. Extended instructions favor the AMD by 31.7%, with 51029 versus 38743. Integer math gives the AMD a 23.2% lead, with 202883 versus 164629.

The PassMark multithread score favors the AMD by 15.4%, with 53204 versus 46107, while the Intel wins PassMark single-thread by 13.8%, with 4573 versus 3942. Floating point math is close, with the Intel edging out the AMD by 3.3% with 125546 versus 121383. Physics simulation goes to the Intel by 16.6%, with 2754 versus 2297. The data compression test shows the AMD ahead by 18.4%, with 693741 versus 585752. Across all 13 head-to-head tests, the AMD wins 7 and the Intel wins 6, but the margins are asymmetric: the Intel’s wins in single-core and Cinebench are large, while the AMD’s wins in integer and memory-sensitive tasks are also substantial.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The AMD boosts to 5.20 GHz, while the Intel boosts to 5.90 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX does not support ECC memory.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core 9 273PQE scores 39190, which is 25% higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX’s 29400.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core 9 273PQE has 36 MB of shared L3.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has an average benchmark score of 69875, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE has 66099.

Q: Which processor is designed for mobile use?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is in the mobile market segment, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE is in the desktop market segment.

The Verdict

The data points to clear use cases. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is the choice for users who run heavily parallel integer workloads, data compression, encryption, and any task that benefits from a large L3 cache and many threads. Its 7 wins in the head-to-head tests include the most lopsided victories, such as random string sorting at 53.8% ahead and data encryption at 41.6% ahead. The mobile platform with a 55 watt TDP delivers this level of multithreaded performance in a laptop form factor, which is unusual for a 16-core part.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE is the pick for single-threaded performance and render workloads. The 67.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is decisive, and the 25% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore shows that its 125 watt desktop design sustains high clocks across all cores. Physics simulation and floating point math also favor the Intel, making it suitable for workloads that rely on high clock speeds rather than raw core counts. The desktop socket, locked multiplier, and ECC support position it as a workstation-oriented part.

The database shows the AMD with a higher average benchmark score, 69875 versus 66099, and a higher percentile at 94 versus 93. The nearest rivals for the AMD include the Intel Core i7-14700KF with a delta of -0.4% and the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X with a delta of 0.5%. The Intel’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D with a delta of 0.3% and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus with a delta of -1.1%. Both processors sit in a competitive bracket where small margins separate them from similar desktop and mobile parts.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX | Intel Core 9 273PQE |

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

| Cores | 16 | 12 |

| Threads | 32 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.90 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 125 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Dragon Range | Bartlett Lake |

| Process Node | 5 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 36 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 610M | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Part Number | 100-000001486 | SA4Q9 |

| Launch MSRP | None | $589 |