AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 Comparison

AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132

The database places these two AMD mobile processors far apart in overall capability. The Ryzen 9 8940HX holds an average benchmark score of 81103, ranking in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen AI Embedded P132 scores 37804, placing it in the 86th percentile. The 8940HX's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon w5-3535X at 81115 and the Intel Core i9-14900KS at 81127, both with a 0% delta, as well as the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 at 80762 with a 0.4% delta. The P132 sits near the Intel Core 5 211E at 37829 and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 at 37904. Across the eleven head-to-head benchmark comparisons recorded, the 8940HX wins every single one.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result appears in the passmark_find_prime_numbers test, where the Ryzen 9 8940HX scores 251 against the P132's 57, a 340.4% advantage. This gap reflects the 8940HX's substantial core and thread count advantage, which translates directly into raw integer computation. Similarly, in passmark_data_encryption, the 8940HX posts 39318 versus 11444, a 243.6% lead, indicating significantly faster cryptographic throughput for workloads that rely heavily on parallel processing.

In passmark_integer_math, the 8940HX scores 189221 compared to 62249, a 204% difference. The passmark_random_string_sorting benchmark shows a 199.4% edge, with scores of 75381 and 25181 respectively. Extended instruction workloads also favor the larger chip: passmark_extended_instructions records 47802 for the 8940HX and 16520 for the P132, a 189.4% difference. Data compression follows the same pattern, with the 8940HX at 650984 versus 230437, a 182.5% lead.

Floating-point math is another decisive area. The 8940HX reaches 113921, while the P132 manages 42248, a 169.6% advantage. Multithreaded performance, measured by passmark_multithread, shows the 8940HX at 49731 against 19262, a 158.2% difference. The physics test, which often reflects real-world simulation and gaming workloads, gives the 8940HX a 105.9% lead with scores of 2104 and 1022.

The closest contest is in single-thread performance. The passmark_single_thread test records 3874 for the 8940HX and 3713 for the P132, a modest 4.3% advantage. This narrow margin shows that per-core efficiency is comparable between the two designs, despite the massive differences in multi-core results. The same scores appear in the passmark_singlethread entry, confirming the measurement.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 9 8940HX wins in every recorded benchmark category, so the use-case split is defined by degree rather than direction. The 8940HX dominates heavily threaded workloads: data encryption, integer math, prime number finding, and multithreaded tests all show leads exceeding 150%. These tasks scale with core count and thread count, and the 8940HX's 16 cores and 32 threads provide a decisive advantage over the P132's 6 cores and 12 threads.

The P132's closest result comes in single-threaded performance, where it trails by only 4.3%. This means for lightly threaded applications, such as basic office tasks, web browsing, or legacy software that uses one or two cores, the user experience would be nearly identical. The P132 also delivers a smaller performance gap in the physics test, where the 105.9% difference, while large, is the smallest multi-core margin recorded. The P132's advantage lies in its operating envelope rather than raw speed: it runs at a 28 W TDP compared to the 8940HX's 55 W, making it suited for thermally constrained embedded systems where sustained multi-core bursts are less frequent.

The 8940HX, by contrast, is for workloads that demand maximum throughput: compiling code, rendering, scientific computation, and heavy data processing. Its 95th percentile ranking places it among the top performers in the database, while the P132's 86th percentile still indicates above-average capability, but the gap in absolute scores is substantial.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing processes. The Ryzen 9 8940HX uses the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Dragon Range, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It belongs to the 8000 series and is classified as Ryzen 9 generation. The Ryzen AI Embedded P132 uses a newer design, codenamed Gorgon Point, with a Zen 5 / Zen 5c generation label, manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC.

Core configuration differs sharply. The 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the P132 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Cache hierarchy also diverges. The 8940HX provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The P132 provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of L3 cache. The larger L3 on the 8940HX helps with data reuse across many threads, while the P132's smaller L3 matches its lower core count.

The transistor count and die size are recorded only for the 8940HX: 13,140 million transistors across a dual-die configuration of 2x 71 mm². No such data exists for the P132. The integrated graphics differ as well, with the 8940HX using a Radeon 610M and the P132 using a Radeon 840M. Memory support shows the 8940HX limited to DDR5, while the P132 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The memory bus is dual-channel for both, but bandwidth differs: 83.2 GB/s for the 8940HX and 89.6 GB/s for the P132.

PCIe connectivity is another differentiator. The 8940HX offers Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the P132 provides Gen 4 with 14 lanes (CPU only). ECC memory support is absent on the 8940HX but present on the P132. The 8940HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the P132 does not. Sockets differ, with the 8940HX using AMD Socket FL1 and the P132 using AMD Socket FP8.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How much faster is the 8940HX in single-threaded performance?

A: In the passmark_single_thread test, the 8940HX scores 3874 versus 3713 for the P132, a 4.3% advantage.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where the 8940HX scores 251 against the P132's 57, a 340.4% difference.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The 8940HX supports DDR5 only. The P132 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Ryzen AI Embedded P132 supports ECC memory. The Ryzen 9 8940HX does not.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each chip?

A: The Ryzen 9 8940HX has a TDP of 55 W. The Ryzen AI Embedded P132 has a TDP of 28 W.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the P132 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clock speeds are 2.40 GHz for the 8940HX and 2.00 GHz for the P132. Boost clocks are 5.30 GHz and 4.50 GHz respectively. TDP is 55 W for the 8940HX and 28 W for the P132.

Architecture and process node differ: Zen 4 on 5 nm for the 8940HX, Zen 5 / Zen 5c on 4 nm for the P132. The codenames are Dragon Range and Gorgon Point. Cache configurations are distinct, with L1 at 64 KB per core versus 80 KB per core, and L3 at 64 MB versus 4 MB. The 8940HX has 13,140 million transistors and a die size of 2x 71 mm², while no transistor or die size data exists for the P132.

Memory support, bandwidth, and ECC capability differ. The 8940HX supports DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. The P132 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. PCIe generation and lane count differ: Gen 5 with 28 lanes for the 8940HX, Gen 4 with 14 lanes for the P132. The integrated graphics are Radeon 610M on the 8940HX and Radeon 840M on the P132. The 8940HX uses Socket FL1 and has an unlocked multiplier; the P132 uses Socket FP8 and has a locked multiplier. The part number is recorded for the 8940HX (100-000001849) but listed as unknown for the P132.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX outperforms the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 in all eleven recorded head-to-head tests, with wins ranging from 4.3% in single-threaded work to 340.4% in prime number finding. The 8940HX's average benchmark score of 81103 and 95th percentile ranking place it in direct competition with high-end desktop and workstation chips like the Intel Xeon w5-3535X and Core i9-14900KS. The P132's 37804 average score and 86th percentile rank align it with mid-range mobile processors such as the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370.

The 8940HX is the clear choice for multi-threaded performance, large cache workloads, and tasks that benefit from its 16 cores, 32 threads, and 64 MB of L3 cache. Its unlocked multiplier also allows tuning for users who need extra performance beyond stock settings. The P132 serves a different purpose: a lower-power embedded processor with ECC memory support, newer Zen 5 / Zen 5c architecture on a 4 nm node, and a smaller footprint for thermally constrained systems. Its 28 W TDP is nearly half the 8940HX's 55 W, and its single-thread performance is close enough that everyday responsive use would feel similar. However, for any workload that scales across cores, the data shows a massive advantage for the 8940HX. Users needing maximum throughput should select the 8940HX; users prioritizing power efficiency, ECC reliability, and embedded deployment should consider the P132.