AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX records an average benchmark score of 81,103, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 scores 19,617 on average, which places it in the 73rd percentile.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The Ryzen 9 8940HX scores 32,521 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Ryzen AI 5 430 scores 8,130. This results in a 300% advantage for the Ryzen 9 8940HX.

Q: Does the Ryzen AI 5 430 win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The recorded data shows the Ryzen 9 8940HX wins all 15 head-to-head benchmark tests. The Ryzen AI 5 430 has zero wins.

Q: What is the single-thread performance difference?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen 9 8940HX scores 1,917 versus 1,797 for the Ryzen AI 5 430, a 6.7% lead. In PassMark single-thread, the margin is 5.2%, with scores of 3,874 and 3,683 respectively.

Q: How do the two processors compare in memory bandwidth?

A: The Ryzen AI 5 430 supports a higher memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s, while the Ryzen 9 8940HX delivers 83.2 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory.

Q: What process nodes do the two processors use?

A: The Ryzen 9 8940HX uses a 5 nm process, while the Ryzen AI 5 430 uses a 4 nm process. Both are fabricated by TSMC.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 9 8940HX belongs to the 8000 series and uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Dragon Range codename. It has 16 cores and 32 threads, built on a 5 nm TSMC process with 13,140 million transistors and a die size of 2x 71 mm². Its cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3.

The Ryzen AI 5 430 comes from the Ryzen AI 400 series with the Gorgon Point codename. It uses a hybrid Zen 5 / Zen 5c configuration, though the architecture field is not specified. It has 4 cores and 8 threads on a 4 nm TSMC process. The L1 cache is larger per core at 80 KB, but L2 remains 1 MB per core, and L3 drops sharply to 4 MB total. Transistor count and die size are not recorded for this part.

The Ryzen 9 8940HX supports DDR5 memory only, while the Ryzen AI 5 430 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The Ryzen 9 8940HX uses PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes, whereas the Ryzen AI 5 430 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes. The Ryzen AI 5 430 supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen 9 8940HX does not.

The integrated graphics differ as well: the Ryzen 9 8940HX carries a Radeon 610M, while the Ryzen AI 5 430 carries a Radeon 840M. The Ryzen 9 8940HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the Ryzen AI 5 430 is locked. Sockets also differ, with the Ryzen 9 8940HX using AMD Socket FL1 and the Ryzen AI 5 430 using AMD Socket FP8.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 9 8940HX dominates every recorded benchmark. The largest margin appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ryzen 9 8940HX scores 251 versus 44 for the Ryzen AI 5 430, a 470.5% advantage. PassMark data encryption shows a 418% lead, with scores of 39,318 and 7,591.

Multi-core rendering tests follow closely. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 9 8940HX scores 5,355 against 1,195, a 348.1% difference. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a 300% lead, as noted earlier. PassMark integer math delivers a 377.4% edge, with 189,221 versus 39,637. Floating point math shows 113,921 versus 27,193, a 318.9% lead. Extended instructions score 47,802 versus 11,455, a 317.3% margin.

Memory-related workloads also favor the Ryzen 9 8940HX. PassMark data compression shows 650,984 versus 158,912, a 309.7% advantage. Random string sorting scores 75,381 versus 16,623, a 353.5% lead. The multithread PassMark test shows 49,731 versus 13,320, a 273.4% difference.

Single-thread results are much closer. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 292 versus 269, an 8.6% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1,917 versus 1,797, a 6.7% edge. PassMark single-thread shows 3,874 versus 3,683, a 5.2% lead. The physics test shows 2,104 versus 726, a 189.8% advantage.

The average benchmark score gap is substantial: 81,103 versus 19,617. The Ryzen 9 8940HX sits at the 95th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen AI 5 430 sits at the 73rd percentile. The nearest rivals for the Ryzen 9 8940HX include the Intel Xeon w5-3535X at 81,115, the Intel Core i9-14900KS at 81,127, the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 at 80,762, and the Intel Xeon 638 at 80,723. The Ryzen AI 5 430 sits near the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 at 19,593, the Intel Core i5-12500 at 19,668, the Intel Core i5-11600KF at 19,723, and the Intel Core i7-10700F at 19,499.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the Ryzen 9 8940HX for any workload that benefits from multiple cores. It wins all 15 head-to-head tests, with multi-threaded margins ranging from 189.8% to 470.5%. The 16-core, 32-thread configuration with 64 MB of L3 cache delivers results in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. The Ryzen AI 5 430, with 4 cores and 8 threads, cannot compete in parallel tasks; its average score of 19,617 places it near mid-range desktop chips like the Intel Core i5-12500.

The Ryzen AI 5 430 does hold advantages in specific areas. It supports LPDDR5X memory, which the Ryzen 9 8940HX does not. It also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Ryzen 9 8940HX. Its memory bandwidth is higher at 89.6 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s, and it uses a newer 4 nm process node. The Radeon 840M integrated graphics may also offer different capabilities than the Radeon 610M, though no benchmark data is recorded for graphics.

For single-thread performance, the gap narrows considerably. The Ryzen 9 8940HX leads by only 5.2% to 8.6% across single-core tests. This suggests that the Zen 4 architecture in the Ryzen 9 8940HX retains a modest edge over the Zen 5 / Zen 5c hybrid in the Ryzen AI 5 430, but the difference is not transformative.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly all core specifications. The Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Ryzen AI 5 430 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 2.40 GHz versus 2.00 GHz, and boost clocks are 5.30 GHz versus 4.50 GHz. TDP is 55 W versus 28 W.

Cache configurations diverge sharply. L1 cache is 64 KB per core on the Ryzen 9 8940HX versus 80 KB per core on the Ryzen AI 5 430. L2 is identical at 1 MB per core. L3 is 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 8940HX versus 4 MB on the Ryzen AI 5 430.

Memory support differs: the Ryzen 9 8940HX supports DDR5 only, while the Ryzen AI 5 430 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth favors the Ryzen AI 5 430 at 89.6 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s. ECC memory is supported only on the Ryzen AI 5 430.

PCIe capabilities favor the Ryzen 9 8940HX with Gen 5 and 28 lanes, versus Gen 4 and 14 lanes on the Ryzen AI 5 430. The integrated graphics are Radeon 610M versus Radeon 840M. The multiplier is unlocked on the Ryzen 9 8940HX and locked on the Ryzen AI 5 430. Sockets are FL1 versus FP8. The process node is 5 nm versus 4 nm, both from TSMC.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 9 8940HX wins in every measured benchmark category. Its largest advantages appear in prime number finding, data encryption, integer math, and extended instructions, all with margins above 300%. These results indicate strong performance for compute-heavy parallel workloads such as rendering, scientific simulation, and data processing. The 64 MB L3 cache and 16-core design make it the clear choice for multi-threaded tasks. Its 95th percentile ranking places it among high-end desktop-class processors, despite being a mobile part.

The Ryzen AI 5 430 wins in no recorded benchmark. Its advantages are structural rather than performance-based. The support for LPDDR5X memory and ECC memory makes it suitable for systems requiring those features. The higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s could benefit memory-sensitive workloads, though no benchmark in the database isolates this advantage. The 4 nm process node suggests improved efficiency potential, but no power or efficiency measurements are recorded. The Radeon 840M integrated graphics may offer a different feature set than the Radeon 610M, though no graphics benchmarks are available.

For single-thread tasks, the Ryzen 9 8940HX still leads, but the margin is small enough that the Ryzen AI 5 430 could be acceptable for light workloads. The 73rd percentile ranking of the Ryzen AI 5 430 places it near mid-range desktop chips, which may be sufficient for general productivity. However, the data shows no scenario where the Ryzen AI 5 430 outperforms the Ryzen 9 8940HX. Users requiring maximum multi-threaded performance should select the Ryzen 9 8940HX. Users requiring ECC memory support or LPDDR5X compatibility should consider the Ryzen AI 5 430.