AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs Intel Core 9 273PQE Comparison

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX and Intel Core 9 273PQE split the benchmark wins almost evenly, with the AMD part taking 8 wins and Intel taking 7. However, the nature of those wins matters more than the count. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX dominates in data-heavy and integer workloads, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE leads decisively in single-thread performance and in the modern Cinebench R23 multi-core test.

The data suggests the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is the stronger choice for compression, encryption, extended instruction set workloads, prime number finding, integer math, multithreaded PassMark tests, and random string sorting. It leads by 41.8% in random string sorting, 35.6% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 32.7% in data encryption, and 26.8% in prime number finding. The Intel Core 9 273PQE counters with a 65.3% advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core, a 47.6% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core, a 23.6% edge in PassMark physics, and a 15.3% lead in PassMark single-thread.

For users whose workloads rely on raw single-core responsiveness or the specific Cinebench R23 multi-core metric, the Intel part shows a clear advantage. For users processing large datasets, encrypting data, or running integer-heavy calculations, the AMD part delivers measurably higher throughput. The AMD chip also sits at the 95th percentile among all CPUs, while Intel is at the 93rd percentile. The AMD average benchmark score is 81,103 versus 66,099 for Intel, a gap of roughly 22.7% in the aggregate.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX uses Zen 4 architecture on a 5 nm TSMC process, with the Dragon Range codename. The Intel Core 9 273PQE uses Bartlett Lake on a 10 nm Intel process. AMD builds the chip with 13,140 million transistors across two 71 mm² dies, while the Intel part has no transistor or die size data recorded.

Core counts differ substantially. The AMD part has 16 cores and 32 threads, while Intel offers 12 cores and 24 threads. The AMD chip allocates 64 KB L1 cache per core and 1 MB L2 per core, with 64 MB of L3 cache. Intel uses 80 KB L1 per core and 2 MB L2 per core, with 36 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 pool on AMD likely contributes to its wins in data-heavy PassMark tests. Intel compensates with a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz versus 2.40 GHz and a higher boost clock of 5.90 GHz versus 5.30 GHz.

Memory support diverges. AMD supports only DDR5 with dual-channel memory and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Intel also supports ECC memory, while AMD does not. PCIe lanes differ: AMD provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: AMD includes Radeon 610M, Intel includes UHD Graphics 770.

The sockets are incompatible, with AMD using Socket FL1 and Intel using Socket 1700. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, while Intel's is locked. The AMD part is listed as mobile, Intel as desktop. Release dates differ by nearly a year: AMD on 2025-04-22, Intel on 2026-03-08.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speeds?

A: Intel has the higher base clock at 3.40 GHz versus 2.40 GHz, and the higher boost clock at 5.90 GHz versus 5.30 GHz.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory types?

A: No. AMD supports only DDR5, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Intel also supports ECC memory, which AMD does not.

Q: Which processor wins in single-core benchmarks?

A: Intel wins every single-core test recorded: Cinebench R15 single-core by 47.6%, Cinebench R23 single-core by 65.3%, PassMark single-thread by 15.3%, and the duplicate PassMark singlethread entry by the same margin.

Q: Which processor has the higher aggregate benchmark average?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has an average benchmark score of 81,103, while the Intel Core 9 273PQE averages 66,099. AMD also sits at the 95th percentile versus Intel's 93rd.

Q: What is the power envelope difference?

A: The Intel part has a TDP of 125 watts, while the AMD part has a TDP of 55 watts. The AMD chip is listed as mobile, the Intel chip as desktop.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show clear divergence in nearly every category. AMD uses 16 cores, Intel uses 12. AMD provides 32 threads, Intel 24. Base clock: AMD 2.40 GHz, Intel 3.40 GHz. Boost clock: AMD 5.30 GHz, Intel 5.90 GHz. TDP: AMD 55 watts, Intel 125 watts. Socket: AMD Socket FL1, Intel Socket 1700.

Cache allocations differ. AMD provides 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3. Intel provides 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. Process node: AMD 5 nm, Intel 10 nm. Foundry: TSMC for AMD, Intel for Intel.

Memory support: AMD DDR5 only, Intel DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth: AMD 83.2 GB/s, Intel 89.6 GB/s. ECC: AMD false, Intel true. PCIe lanes: AMD Gen 5 with 28 lanes, Intel Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics: AMD Radeon 610M, Intel UHD Graphics 770.

Market segment: AMD mobile, Intel desktop. Multiplier unlocked: AMD true, Intel false. Release date: AMD 2025-04-22, Intel 2026-03-08. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $589, while AMD has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The multi-core tests tell opposing stories depending on the version. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD wins decisively with 5,355 versus 3,950, a 35.6% lead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel flips the result, scoring 39,190 versus 32,521, a 17% advantage. This discrepancy suggests the two tests weight thread scaling differently, and the Intel part benefits from its higher clocks in the R23 workload.

Single-core tests all favor Intel. Cinebench R15 single-core: Intel 557 versus AMD 292, a 47.6% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core: Intel 5,532 versus AMD 1,917, a 65.3% lead. PassMark single-thread: Intel 4,573 versus AMD 3,874, a 15.3% lead. The same singlethread entry repeats the same numbers.

PassMark data tests split clearly. AMD wins data compression 650,984 versus 585,752, an 11.1% edge. Data encryption: AMD 39,318 versus 29,636, a 32.7% lead. Extended instructions: AMD 47,802 versus 38,743, a 23.4% lead. Find prime numbers: AMD 251 versus 198, a 26.8% lead. Random string sorting: AMD 75,381 versus 53,167, a 41.8% lead.

Intel wins the remaining math-oriented tests. Floating point math: Intel 125,546 versus AMD 113,921, a 9.3% advantage. Physics: Intel 2,754 versus AMD 2,104, a 23.6% lead. PassMark multithread favors AMD 49,731 versus 46,107, a 7.9% lead. Integer math favors AMD 189,221 versus 164,629, a 14.9% lead.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins in workloads that stress data movement and integer throughput. Data compression, encryption, extended instruction sets, prime number generation, integer math, multithreaded PassMark, and random string sorting all fall to AMD. The largest single win is random string sorting at 41.8% ahead, followed by Cinebench R15 multi-core at 35.6% and data encryption at 32.7%. These results indicate a strong fit for database operations, compression tools, cryptographic tasks, and general server-like integer processing.

The Intel Core 9 273PQE wins in single-core latency and specific floating-point workloads. It holds a massive 65.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and a 47.6% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core. It also wins PassMark physics by 23.6%, floating point math by 9.3%, and PassMark single-thread by 15.3%. The Cinebench R23 multi-core win by 17% adds a notable exception to AMD's multi-core dominance, suggesting that Intel's higher clocks can overcome its core deficit in certain modern rendering workloads.

For users prioritizing raw single-thread speed, high boost clocks (5.90 GHz), and physics simulation, the Intel part delivers. For users prioritizing encryption, compression, integer math, and large data sorting, the AMD part delivers higher throughput with a much lower TDP of 55 watts versus 125 watts. The AMD chip also holds a higher overall percentile rank (95 versus 93) and a higher average benchmark score (81,103 versus 66,099).