AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX vs Intel Core i9-13900 Comparison

The Intel Core i9-13900 and AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX are both 92nd-percentile CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 60676 and 60099 respectively, placing them within 1% of each other overall. This near-parity in aggregate scores masks a fascinating split: the Intel part wins 7 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the AMD part wins 10, yet they achieve this through entirely different performance profiles. The data suggests these are not competing for the same user, but rather offering two distinct interpretations of what a high-end processor should prioritize.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-13900 establishes its dominance in single-threaded and lightly-threaded workloads, which is where its architecture clearly excels. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 5355 against the AMD's 1940, a staggering 176% advantage. This pattern repeats across Cinebench R15 single-core (539 vs 308, a 75% lead), Geekbench single-core (2604 vs 2391, an 8.9% lead), and PassMark single-thread (4309 vs 4040, a 6.7% lead). The Intel chip also wins the multi-core Cinebench R23 test with 37931 versus 33459, a 13.4% margin, and Geekbench multi-core with 21164 versus 18254, a 15.9% lead. This indicates that for applications that rely heavily on a few fast cores—such as legacy software, certain game engines, and everyday responsive computing—the i9-13900 is clearly the stronger choice.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX, conversely, dominates in specialized compute tasks and memory-intensive operations. Its largest wins come in PassMark extended instructions (51834 vs 32760, a 36.8% margin), PassMark find prime numbers (284 vs 186, a 34.5% lead), and PassMark random string sorting (81736 vs 64396, a 21.2% advantage). It also leads in PassMark data compression (707249 vs 577285, an 18.4% win), PassMark data encryption (42703 vs 35242, a 17.5% lead), and PassMark integer math (207524 vs 176107, a 15.1% margin). These are workloads that benefit from the AMD's larger L3 cache and higher memory bandwidth, suggesting a processor tuned for server-like tasks, scientific computing, and heavy data manipulation rather than general responsiveness.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900 wins every single-core benchmark in the data. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 5355 is 176% higher than the AMD's 1940, and its PassMark single-thread score of 4309 is 6.7% ahead of the AMD's 4040.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX outperform the Intel in any multi-core test?

A: Yes, in Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 5289 versus Intel's 3823, a 27.7% win for AMD. However, the Intel wins the more modern Cinebench R23 multi-core test with 37931 versus 33459, a 13.4% margin.

Q: Which processor is better for data compression and encryption?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX is significantly better in both. In PassMark data compression, it scores 707249 against Intel's 577285, an 18.4% advantage. In PassMark data encryption, it scores 42703 versus 35242, a 17.5% lead.

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

A: They are nearly identical. The Intel Core i9-13900 has an average benchmark score of 60676, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX has an average of 60099. The difference is a 1% delta, with the Intel part slightly ahead.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900 has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. They have the same thread count, but the Intel has 8 more physical cores.

Q: Is the AMD processor's performance in physics simulations close to the Intel's?

A: Yes, in PassMark physics, the AMD scores 2500 versus Intel's 2484, a mere 0.6% difference. This is the closest head-to-head result in the data, indicating near-identical performance in this specific workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the Cinebench R23 single-core test, where the Intel's 5355 score crushes the AMD's 1940 by 176%. This is not a marginal victory; it is a complete generational gap in single-thread capability. Similarly, in Cinebench R15 single-core, the Intel's 539 score is 75% higher than AMD's 308. These results paint a clear picture: for any workload that cannot utilize many cores, the Intel i9-13900 is overwhelmingly faster. The Geekbench single-core test confirms this with a smaller but still clear 8.9% lead (2604 vs 2391), and PassMark single-thread shows a 6.7% advantage (4309 vs 4040).

The AMD's counterattack comes in specialized, multi-threaded compute. Its 36.8% victory in PassMark extended instructions (51834 vs 32760) is its largest win and suggests better handling of advanced instruction sets. The 34.5% lead in PassMark find prime numbers (284 vs 186) indicates superior integer-heavy algorithmic performance. In PassMark data compression, the AMD's 707249 versus Intel's 577285 (an 18.4% win) shows a clear advantage in data throughput tasks. Even in PassMark floating point math, where the scores are close, the AMD edges out a 2.3% win (123390 vs 120492). The AMD also wins PassMark multithread (54548 vs 45680, a 16.3% margin) and PassMark integer math (207524 vs 176107, a 15.1% margin), solidifying its position as the better raw compute engine for parallel workloads.

The multi-core results are mixed and telling. The AMD wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 27.7% (5289 vs 3823), but the Intel wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 13.4% (37931 vs 33459). This discrepancy between two Cinebench versions suggests that the Intel architecture scales better with the more demanding R23 workload, while the AMD excels in the older test. The Intel also wins Geekbench multi-core by 15.9% (21164 vs 18254), which further complicates the narrative—the AMD is not universally better in multi-threaded tasks, but rather in specific types of compute operations.

Specification Differences

The fundamental specification difference lies in core count: the Intel has 24 cores versus the AMD's 16, though both have 32 threads. The Intel has a base clock of 2000 MHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, while the AMD has a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz but a lower boost of 5.40 GHz. The Intel has a TDP of 65, while the AMD has a TDP of 55. The Intel uses the Intel Socket 1700, while the AMD uses the AMD Socket FL1, reflecting their different market segments: Desktop versus Mobile. The Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD supports only DDR5. The AMD has a specified memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, while the Intel does not have a listed bandwidth figure. The Intel has 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, while the AMD has 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The Intel's integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770, while the AMD's are Radeon 610M. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $549, while the AMD has no listed launch MSRP. The Intel's multiplier is locked, while the AMD's is unlocked.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i9-13900 is built on Intel's 10 nm process node at Intel's foundry, using the Raptor Lake architecture (Raptor Lake-S codename) from the Core 13th Gen series. Its die size is 257 mm². The AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX is built on TSMC's 5 nm process node with 13,140 million transistors across a dual-die design of 2x 71 mm², using the Zen 4 architecture (Dragon Range codename) from the 7000 series. The cache structures differ significantly: the Intel has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The AMD has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a much larger 64 MB of shared L3. This larger L3 cache on the AMD likely explains its wins in data-heavy benchmarks like compression and encryption. The Intel's smaller L3 but higher clock speeds explain its single-core dominance. The AMD's unlocked multiplier and mobile segment designation point to a different intended use case, despite both being active production parts released on the same date (2023-01-03T17:00:00.000Z).

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i9-13900 is the better choice for users prioritizing single-thread performance and general responsiveness, given its overwhelming leads in Cinebench R23 single-core (176% ahead) and Geekbench single-core (8.9% ahead). It also wins the more modern multi-core Cinebench R23 test by 13.4%, making it a strong all-rounder for desktop workloads, from gaming to productivity. Its 24 cores and 5.60 GHz boost clock make it a versatile desktop powerhouse, despite its locked multiplier.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX is the better choice for specialized compute tasks that leverage its 64 MB L3 cache and higher memory bandwidth. Its wins in PassMark extended instructions (36.8% ahead), data compression (18.4% ahead), and integer math (15.1% ahead) make it a compelling option for scientific computing, data analysis, and encryption workloads. Its unlocked multiplier and mobile form factor (AMD Socket FL1) suggest it is designed for high-end laptops where efficiency (55 TDP) and raw compute in specific tasks are paramount. The user should pick based on workload: Intel for general and single-threaded tasks, AMD for specialized parallel compute.