AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs Intel Core 7 253PTE Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded benchmark data draws a clear line between these two processors. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is the dominant performer in threaded workloads, winning 13 of 15 head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core 7 253PTE takes only two wins, both in single-core Cinebench tests. The AMD part sits at the 95th percentile among all CPUs in the database, while the Intel part sits at the 84th percentile. For anyone building around raw compute throughput, the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is the stronger choice by a wide margin.

The Intel Core 7 253PTE has a specific niche. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3003 beats the AMD's 1917 by 36.2%, and its Cinebench R15 single-core score of 302 edges ahead of the AMD's 292 by 3.3%. That advantage matters for lightly threaded applications where a single core does most of the work. However, the AMD's 16 cores and 32 threads overwhelm the Intel's 10 cores and 20 threads in every multithreaded benchmark recorded. The AMD also wins the PassMark single-thread test, albeit narrowly, at 3874 versus 3794 (2.1% ahead).

The market segments differ too. The AMD is a mobile processor on AMD Socket FL1, while the Intel is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700. The Intel carries a launch MSRP of $384, but the database shows no launch price for the AMD. Builders choosing between them must decide whether the Intel's single-core strength and desktop form factor outweigh the AMD's massive multithreaded lead.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX uses Zen 4 architecture on the Dragon Range codename. It is built on a 5 nm process at TSMC, with 13,140 million transistors across a die size of 2x 71 mm². The Intel Core 7 253PTE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is built on a 10 nm process at Intel. The database records no transistor count or die size for the Intel part.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3. The AMD's larger L3 pool helps in workloads that repeatedly access a working set larger than 33 MB.

Memory support separates them. The AMD supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel memory and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel's higher bandwidth figure does not translate into benchmark victories, as the AMD wins all memory-sensitive PassMark tests recorded. ECC memory support belongs only to the Intel; the AMD does not support ECC.

PCIe lane counts differ. The AMD offers Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. This gives the AMD more room for expansion devices such as storage controllers or GPUs. Integrated graphics also differ: the AMD uses Radeon 610M, while the Intel uses UHD Graphics 730. The multiplier is unlocked on the AMD, allowing overclocking, but locked on the Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest AMD victory comes in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 251 versus the Intel's 82, a 206.1% advantage. This test stresses integer-heavy loops, and the AMD's additional cores and threads show clearly. PassMark extended instructions also favors the AMD heavily: 47802 versus 17099, a 179.6% lead. Random string sorting shows a 167.1% margin (75381 versus 28227), and data encryption shows 153.7% (39318 versus 15500). Data compression runs 136% ahead (650984 versus 275828).

Cinebench R15 multicore delivers the second-largest gap. The AMD scores 5355 against the Intel's 2144, a 149.8% difference. Cinebench R23 multicore shows a 52.9% lead (32521 versus 21276). PassMark multithread shows 49731 versus 25031, a 98.7% margin. Floating point math runs 69.5% ahead (113921 versus 67209), integer math 58.3% ahead (189221 versus 119552), and physics 59.6% ahead (2104 versus 1318).

The Intel's wins are confined to single-core Cinebench. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel scores 3003 versus 1917, a 36.2% advantage. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it scores 302 versus 292, a 3.3% edge. These results indicate the Intel has a higher per-core frequency capability under lightly threaded loads, but the PassMark single-thread test contradicts that trend. There, the AMD wins 3874 versus 3794, a 2.1% margin. The database records both single-thread and singlethread entries for PassMark with identical scores, confirming the result.

The average benchmark score tells the overall story. The AMD averages 81103 across all recorded tests, while the Intel averages 34962. The AMD's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Xeon w5-3535X at 81115 and the Intel Core i9-14900KS at 81127, both within a fraction of a percent. The Intel Core 7 253PTE sits near the Intel Core i7-13800H at 34988 and the Intel Core i9-12900HX at 35003, all within 0.1% of each other. The gap between the two processors in this comparison is not close; the AMD operates in a performance tier roughly 2.3 times higher by average score.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 7 253PTE has 10 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks differ: 2.40 GHz for the AMD versus 1.80 GHz for the Intel. Boost clocks are close, with the AMD at 5.30 GHz and the Intel at 5.40 GHz. The Intel boosts slightly higher, which likely explains its single-core Cinebench wins. Thermal design power favors the Intel at 45 watts versus the AMD's 55 watts, though the AMD's higher TDP does not prevent it from winning multithreaded tests by large margins.

Sockets and market segments differ. The AMD uses AMD Socket FL1 and is classified as mobile. The Intel uses Intel Socket 1700 and is classified as desktop. Process nodes differ at 5 nm versus 10 nm. The AMD is built by TSMC, the Intel by Intel. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel does not. Release dates differ as well: the AMD entered the database on 2025-04-22, while the Intel followed on 2026-03-08. The Intel has a recorded part number of SA4QK, while the AMD uses 100-000001849.

Cache layout differences are notable. The AMD allocates 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, with 64 MB L3. The Intel allocates 80 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 per core, with 33 MB shared L3. The Intel's larger per-core L1 and L2 do not compensate for the AMD's larger L3 and greater core count in the benchmark results. The AMD supports only DDR5 memory; the Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD's PCIe configuration provides 28 Gen 5 lanes; the Intel provides 16 Gen 5 lanes. ECC memory is available only on the Intel.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multithreaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins every multithreaded benchmark recorded. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 32521 versus 21276, a 52.9% lead. Cinebench R15 multicore shows 5355 versus 2144, a 149.8% lead. PassMark multithread shows 49731 versus 25031, a 98.7% margin.

Q: Does the Intel Core 7 253PTE have any advantages?

A: Yes, in single-core Cinebench tests. The Intel scores 3003 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus the AMD's 1917, a 36.2% advantage. In Cinebench R15 single-core, it wins 302 versus 292, a 3.3% margin. The Intel also has a lower TDP at 45 watts versus 55 watts and supports ECC memory.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD averages 81103 across recorded tests, placing it at the 95th percentile among all CPUs. The Intel averages 34962, placing it at the 84th percentile. The AMD's average score is more than double the Intel's.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel memory and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported only by the Intel.

Q: Which processor offers more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU. The Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. This gives the AMD more connectivity for expansion devices.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: Yes, the database lists both as active in production status. The AMD was released on 2025-04-22, and the Intel on 2026-03-08. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $384; the AMD has no recorded launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins in every scenario that uses multiple threads. Content creation, video encoding, 3D rendering, and scientific computing all benefit from the AMD's 16 cores and 32 threads. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 32521 places it firmly in workstation-class territory, well above the Intel's 21276. PassMark data compression at 650984 versus 275828 indicates the AMD handles archive extraction and file compression tasks with far greater speed. The 206.1% lead in find prime numbers shows an advantage in integer-heavy computation loops.

The AMD also wins in memory-intensive workloads. Its 64 MB of L3 cache and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth support the 167.1% lead in random string sorting, a test that stresses cache and memory access patterns. Data encryption runs 153.7% faster on the AMD, which matters for disk encryption, VPN throughput, and secure file operations. Extended instruction workloads, such as SIMD vector math, run 179.6% faster on the AMD. These are not marginal advantages; they represent doubling or near-doubling of performance in several cases.

The Intel Core 7 253PTE wins in lightly threaded Cinebench workloads. A single core at 5.40 GHz boost delivers 3003 points in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 36.2% higher than the AMD's 1917. This suggests the Intel is better suited for applications that rely on one or two threads with minimal parallelization. Legacy software, some CAD tools, and certain scripting environments may show this pattern. The Intel's 45 watt TDP also makes it more attractive for compact desktop builds with limited cooling headroom, though the database provides no thermal or noise measurements to confirm practical differences.

The PassMark single-thread result complicates the Intel's single-core story. The AMD wins that test at 3874 versus 3794, a 2.1% margin. The discrepancy between Cinebench single-core and PassMark single-thread suggests the Intel's advantage is workload-specific rather than universal. Builders prioritizing Cinebench-style single-core performance will favor the Intel, while those using PassMark-style workloads may see similar or better results from the AMD.

The Intel's desktop socket and DDR4 compatibility offer flexibility for builders with existing DDR4 memory or Intel Socket 1700 motherboards. The AMD's mobile socket and DDR5-only support target a different use case, likely high-performance laptops or small-form-factor systems with mobile boards. The AMD's unlocked multiplier provides overclocking headroom that the Intel lacks, which could further widen the gap in tuned systems. The Intel's ECC support may appeal to users running error-sensitive workloads, even though the AMD's performance advantage is substantial.

Overall, the database positions the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX as a high-end mobile processor competing with desktop-class Xeon and Core i9 parts. The Intel Core 7 253PTE sits closer to mid-range mobile processors like the Core i7-13800H and Core i9-12900HX. The choice hinges on whether single-core Cinebench performance and desktop compatibility outweigh the AMD's dominant multithreaded results across nearly every recorded test.