AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs Intel Core 5 320 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers a clear verdict: the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX dominates the Intel Core 5 320 in nearly every recorded workload. Out of 15 head-to-head comparisons, the AMD part wins 12, with the Intel processor taking only 3. The margins are not subtle; in multi-threaded and compute-heavy tests, the Ryzen 9 8940HX frequently outperforms the Intel Core 5 320 by several hundred percent.

The most lopsided result comes from Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX scores 32521 against 6197 for the Intel Core 5 320. That is a 424.8% advantage, a figure that reflects the fundamental core-count difference between the two processors. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a similar pattern: 5355 versus 1054, a 408.1% gap in favor of the AMD chip. PassMark integer math is even more extreme, with the Ryzen 9 8940HX scoring 189221 compared to 32323, a 485.4% lead. These results indicate that any workload scaling across many threads will overwhelmingly favor the AMD processor.

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX also wins decisively in data-heavy tasks. PassMark data compression shows 650984 versus 148779, a 337.6% advantage. Data encryption follows with 39318 versus 10984, a 258% lead. Extended instructions score 47802 versus 13262, a 260.4% gap. Random string sorting results in 75381 versus 18038, a 317.9% difference. Floating-point math delivers 113921 versus 42440, a 168.4% margin. Even the more moderate wins are substantial: PassMark multi-thread shows 49731 versus 15450, a 221.9% lead, while find prime numbers scores 251 versus 110, a 128.2% advantage. Physics simulation completes the sweep with 2104 versus 1221, a 72.3% gain.

The Intel Core 5 320 secures its wins in single-threaded tests, though the margins are narrow. PassMark single-thread scores 4045 versus 3874, a 4.2% advantage for Intel. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 1926 versus 1917, a 0.5% edge for the Intel part. Cinebench R15 single-core also goes to AMD by a small margin, 292 versus 276, a 5.8% lead. The overall picture is that the Intel processor offers a slight single-thread edge, but the AMD chip is not far behind and compensates with massive multi-thread superiority.

The aggregate benchmark score confirms the divide. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX averages 81103 points, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core 5 320 averages 18023 points, placing it in the 72nd percentile. The nearest rivals for the AMD chip include the Intel Xeon w5-3535X at 81115, the Intel Core i9-14900KS at 81127, and the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 at 80762, all within a 0.5% delta. The Intel Core 5 320 sits alongside the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17994 and the Intel Core 5 120U at 17898, indicating it competes in a much lower performance tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is substantially faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 32521 versus 6197 for the Intel Core 5 320, a 424.8% advantage. PassMark multi-thread shows 49731 versus 15450, a 221.9% lead.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 320 win any benchmark?

A: Yes. The Intel Core 5 320 wins PassMark single-thread with 4045 versus 3874, a 4.2% margin, and Cinebench R23 single-core with 1926 versus 1917, a 0.5% edge. It also wins the duplicate PassMark singlethread test by the same 4.2% margin.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX averages 81103 points, while the Intel Core 5 320 averages 18023 points. The AMD processor sits in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part sits in the 72nd percentile.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is closest to the Intel Xeon w5-3535X at 81115, the Intel Core i9-14900KS at 81127, and the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 at 80762. The Intel Core 5 320 is closest to the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 at 17994, the Intel Core 5 120U at 17898, and the Intel Core i5-1334U at 18154.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX boosts to 5.30 GHz, while the Intel Core 5 320 boosts to 4.60 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX uses the Zen 4 architecture on the Dragon Range codename, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It packs 13,140 million transistors across a dual-die design with each die measuring 71 mm². The Intel Core 5 320 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process at Intel, with no transistor count or die size recorded in the database.

Cache organization differs sharply. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX allocates 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and a large 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core 5 320 has 192 KB of L1 cache, 2.5 MB of L2 cache, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD processor's 64 MB L3 pool is a significant asset for workloads that repeatedly access large datasets.

Memory architecture also separates the two. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX supports DDR5 over a dual-channel memory bus, delivering 83.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel Core 5 320 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus, delivering 59.7 GB/s. Neither processor supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the AMD part offers Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel part offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics present another contrast. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX includes a Radeon 610M, while the Intel Core 5 320 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The multiplier on the AMD processor is unlocked, allowing overclocking, whereas the Intel multiplier is locked. The AMD part uses the AMD Socket FL1, while the Intel part uses Intel BGA 1516.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most obvious divergence: the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 5 320 has 6 cores and 6 threads. Clock speeds differ with the AMD base clock at 2.40 GHz and boost at 5.30 GHz, versus Intel's 1.50 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost. Thermal design power is another major split: the AMD processor is rated at 55 W, while the Intel processor is rated at 15 W.

Cache totals differ as described above: 64 MB L3 for AMD versus 6 MB shared L3 for Intel. Memory bandwidth favors AMD at 83.2 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s. PCIe lanes differ, with AMD offering 28 Gen 5 lanes and Intel offering 6 Gen 4 lanes. Memory support is broader on the Intel side with both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while AMD lists only DDR5. The process node differs at 5 nm for AMD versus 3 nm for Intel. The AMD part is unlocked, the Intel part is not. The Intel Core 5 320 has a recorded launch MSRP of $340, while the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has no launch MSRP in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins across every multi-threaded and compute-intensive category in the recorded data. Cinebench R15 and R23 multi-core tests, PassMark data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, find prime numbers, floating-point math, integer math, multi-thread, physics, and random string sorting all favor the AMD processor. The margins range from 72.3% in physics up to 485.4% in integer math. This makes the AMD part the clear choice for rendering, scientific computation, encryption, compression, and any workload that can use more than a handful of threads. Its 16 cores and 32 threads, combined with 64 MB of L3 cache and dual-channel DDR5 bandwidth, provide the resources needed for heavy parallel processing.

The Intel Core 5 320 wins in two distinct single-threaded tests: PassMark single-thread by 4.2% and Cinebench R23 single-core by 0.5%. These are modest margins, but they indicate that the Intel part has a slight edge in lightly threaded applications where clock speed and per-core efficiency matter more than core count. Its 3 nm process and 4.60 GHz boost clock help it achieve this result. The Intel part also has a much lower TDP of 15 W versus 55 W, which suggests it fits into systems with tighter thermal and power constraints. Its support for LPDDR5X memory and integrated Intel Xe3 Graphics may also appeal to compact mobile designs.

The Verdict

The data directs a straightforward conclusion. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is the superior processor for any workload that benefits from multiple cores and high memory bandwidth. Its 424.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 485.4% lead in PassMark integer math are decisive. The 95th percentile average score of 81103 places it among the fastest mobile processors in the database, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core i9-14900KS and Intel Xeon w5-3535X.

The Intel Core 5 320 is a different class of product. Its 6 cores and 6 threads produce an average score of 18023, which places it in the 72nd percentile, near the AMD Ryzen 5 1600 and Intel Core 5 120U. Its single-thread wins are real but small, and they do not compensate for the massive multi-thread deficit. The Intel part is suited for basic mobile tasks where its 15 W TDP and small footprint are priorities, and its single-thread performance can handle everyday applications acceptably.

Users who need maximum throughput in rendering, data processing, or parallel computation should select the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX. Users who prioritize low power consumption and modest single-thread performance in a compact mobile system may find the Intel Core 5 320 sufficient. The benchmark record provides no scenario where the Intel part outperforms the AMD part in a heavy multi-threaded workload. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins 12 of 15 head-to-head tests, and the three Intel wins are all within 4.2% in single-threaded tasks. The overall performance gap is substantial and consistent across the entire database.