AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap between these two AMD mobile processors, with the Ryzen 9 8940HX winning 13 of the 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The Ryzen AI 7 345 claims only two wins, both in single-threaded PassMark tests where the margin is effectively negligible.

The largest disparity appears in prime number finding, where the Ryzen 9 8940HX scores 251 versus 62 for the Ryzen AI 7 345, a delta of 304.8%. This workload, which stresses integer throughput and cache efficiency, highlights the fundamental resource difference between the two chips. Data encryption shows a 232.8% advantage for the Ryzen 9 8940HX (39318 versus 11814), reflecting the impact of having more cores and threads available for cryptographic operations.

Multi-core rendering benchmarks reinforce the pattern. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 9 8940HX delivers 32521 points against 11461 for the Ryzen AI 7 345, a 183.8% lead. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a 212.8% edge (5355 versus 1712). These are substantial gaps that translate directly to shorter render times, faster compilation, and smoother multitasking in heavily threaded workloads.

Integer math performance follows the same trajectory. The Ryzen 9 8940HX scores 189221 in PassMark integer math versus 63475 for the Ryzen AI 7 345, a 198.1% advantage. Floating point math shows a 167.3% lead (113921 versus 42621). Extended instructions, which test modern SIMD capabilities, favor the Ryzen 9 8940HX by 181.1% (47802 versus 17003).

Data compression and string sorting, both common in database and archival workloads, show the Ryzen 9 8940HX ahead by 174.1% (650984 versus 237484) and 196.4% (75381 versus 25435) respectively. The multithreaded PassMark score reflects the overall pattern: 49731 for the Ryzen 9 8940HX versus 19927 for the Ryzen AI 7 345, a 149.6% margin. Physics simulation in PassMark shows a 93.2% advantage (2104 versus 1089), the smallest multi-core gap in the suite but still a near-doubling of performance.

Single-core results tell a different story. The Ryzen 9 8940HX wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 7.7% (292 versus 271) and Cinebench R23 single-core by 5.4% (1917 versus 1818). However, in PassMark single-threaded tests, the Ryzen AI 7 345 edges ahead with a score of 3875 versus 3874, a delta of exactly 0%. The two PassMark single-thread results are effectively identical, indicating that per-core IPC is comparable between the architectures despite the Ryzen AI 7 345's lower boost clock.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 9 8940HX uses the Zen 4 architecture on the Dragon Range codename, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It belongs to the 8000 series and features 16 cores and 32 threads. The Ryzen AI 7 345 uses a hybrid Zen 5 / Zen 5c configuration under the Krackan Point codename, manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC, with 6 cores and 12 threads. This generation difference explains much of the single-thread parity: newer Zen 5 cores can match older Zen 4 cores at lower clock speeds.

The Ryzen 9 8940HX has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The Ryzen AI 7 345 operates at 2.00 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost. Despite the lower clocks, the Ryzen AI 7 345's per-core performance in PassMark single-thread tests is essentially identical to the Ryzen 9 8940HX, indicating strong architectural efficiency in the Zen 5 design.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Ryzen 9 8940HX offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Ryzen AI 7 345 provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of L3 cache. The 16x difference in L3 capacity (64 MB versus 4 MB) is a major factor in the multi-core performance gap, particularly for workloads that repeatedly access the same data sets.

The Ryzen 9 8940HX uses the AMD Socket FL1 and carries a TDP of 55 watts. The Ryzen AI 7 345 uses the AMD Socket FP8 with a 28 watt TDP. This 27 watt difference in thermal design power allows the Ryzen 9 8940HX to sustain higher clock speeds under load, though at the cost of greater power consumption and cooling requirements.

Memory support differs as well. The Ryzen 9 8940HX supports DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Ryzen AI 7 345 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, with slightly higher memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s. The Ryzen AI 7 345's higher memory bandwidth likely comes from the LPDDR5X option, which can offer better bandwidth in low-power configurations.

PCIe connectivity shows a clear generation split. The Ryzen 9 8940HX provides PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen AI 7 345 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes. This affects expansion options for GPUs and NVMe storage, with the Ryzen 9 8940HX offering both newer generation and more lanes.

Integrated graphics also differ. The Ryzen 9 8940HX includes a Radeon 610M, while the Ryzen AI 7 345 features a Radeon 840M. The Radeon 840M in the Ryzen AI 7 345 represents a newer GPU architecture, though neither chip is designed primarily for gaming without a discrete GPU.

The Ryzen 9 8940HX has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, while the Ryzen AI 7 345 is locked. The Ryzen 9 8940HX also reports a transistor count of 13,140 million across a 2x 71 mm² die configuration, while the Ryzen AI 7 345's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database.

Both processors are active in production, with the Ryzen AI 7 345 released on 2025-01-14 and the Ryzen 9 8940HX released on 2025-04-22. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Ryzen AI 7 345 has 6 cores and 12 threads. This 10-core and 20-thread difference drives the large multi-core benchmark gaps.

Q: How do the single-thread performances compare?

A: They are nearly identical in PassMark single-thread tests, with the Ryzen AI 7 345 scoring 3875 versus 3874 for the Ryzen 9 8940HX. In Cinebench single-core tests, the Ryzen 9 8940HX leads by 7.7% in R15 and 5.4% in R23.

Q: What is the L3 cache difference?

A: The Ryzen 9 8940HX has 64 MB of L3 cache, while the Ryzen AI 7 345 has 4 MB. This is a 16x difference that significantly affects workloads with large working sets.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Ryzen 9 8940HX has a 55 watt TDP, nearly double the 28 watt TDP of the Ryzen AI 7 345. This allows the Ryzen 9 8940HX to sustain higher multi-core performance.

Q: Do they support the same memory types?

A: Both support DDR5, but the Ryzen AI 7 345 additionally supports LPDDR5X. The Ryzen AI 7 345 also has higher memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s for the Ryzen 9 8940HX.

Q: What PCIe versions do they use?

A: The Ryzen 9 8940HX uses PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes, while the Ryzen AI 7 345 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 14 lanes.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX | AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 |

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

| Cores | 16 | 6 |

| Threads | 32 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.30 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 28 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | AMD Socket FP8 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Zen 5 / Zen 5c |

| Codename | Dragon Range | Krackan Point |

| Generation | Ryzen 9 (Zen 4) | Ryzen AI 300 (Zen 5 / Zen 5c) |

| Process Node | 5 nm | 4 nm |

| Transistors | 13,140 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 2x 71 mm² | Not recorded |

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

| L2 Cache | 1 MB per core | 1 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 4 MB |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

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

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 Lanes | Gen 4, 14 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 610M | Radeon 840M |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release Date | 2025-04-22 | 2025-01-14 |

| Part Number | 100-000001849 | 100-000002122 |

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Ryzen 9 8940HX is the clear choice for workloads that leverage many cores. Its 16-core, 32-thread configuration delivers multi-core scores that are 149.6% to 304.8% higher than the Ryzen AI 7 345 across the PassMark suite, and Cinebench multi-core results show a 183.8% to 212.8% advantage. The 64 MB L3 cache provides a substantial buffer for data-intensive applications, and the PCIe Gen 5 connectivity with 28 lanes supports faster peripherals and expansion.

The Ryzen AI 7 345, despite having fewer cores and less cache, matches the Ryzen 9 8940HX in PassMark single-thread performance with a 3875 score versus 3874. Its lower 28 watt TDP makes it suitable for thinner, lighter laptops where power efficiency takes priority over raw throughput. The support for LPDDR5X memory and the higher memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s also favor power-conscious designs.

Benchmark percentiles place the Ryzen 9 8940HX at the 95th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 81103. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon w5-3535X at 81115 and the Intel Core i9-14900KS at 81127, both with 0% delta. The Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 trails by 0.4% at 80762. The Ryzen AI 7 345 sits at the 81st percentile with an average score of 29461, near the AMD Ryzen 7 3800X at 29447 and the Intel Core i5-13500HX at 29270.

For users whose workloads are heavily multi-threaded, such as video rendering, 3D simulation, or software compilation, the Ryzen 9 8940HX delivers roughly 2.5 to 3 times the throughput of the Ryzen AI 7 345 in most measured tasks. For light productivity, web browsing, and office applications where single-thread performance dominates, the two processors are effectively indistinguishable, and the Ryzen AI 7 345's lower power draw becomes the differentiator.

The Ryzen 9 8940HX's unlocked multiplier and higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz give it additional headroom for enthusiasts, while the Ryzen AI 7 345's locked multiplier reflects its intended role in mainstream, efficiency-focused systems. The choice between them depends entirely on whether multi-core throughput or power efficiency is the higher priority.