AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX and Intel Core Ultra 5 225T occupy different segments of the processor market, yet their benchmark data reveals a clear performance hierarchy. The AMD part, a 16-core mobile flagship, dominates heavily in multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel desktop chip counters with superior single-core results in several tests. The recorded data shows 10 benchmark wins for the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX against 5 wins for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T across the shared test suite.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victories for the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX come in integer-heavy and compression tasks. In PassMark integer math, the AMD processor scores 189221 against 59543 for the Intel chip, a delta of 217.8%. Data compression shows a similar gulf: the AMD part scores 650984 versus 233998, a 178.2% advantage. Random string sorting also favors AMD heavily, with scores of 75381 and 28774 respectively, a 162% difference. These results indicate that the Ryzen 9 8940HX delivers more than double the throughput in certain algorithmic workloads.

Cinebench multi-core results reinforce the AMD lead, though with a smaller margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD scores 32521 compared to 21971 for Intel, a 48% advantage. The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows an even larger gap: 5355 for AMD versus 2214 for Intel, a 141.9% delta. PassMark multithread scores follow the same pattern, with AMD at 49731 and Intel at 25358, a 96.1% difference. Floating point math also favors AMD, 113921 to 82751, a 37.7% lead.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T claims its wins in single-core and light-thread tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 3101 against 1917 for AMD, a 38.2% advantage for Intel. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a narrower Intel win: 312 versus 292, a 6.4% delta. PassMark single-thread results give Intel 4348 against 3874, a 10.9% lead. Prime number finding is another Intel victory, with scores of 284 versus 251, an 11.6% margin. The Intel chip also wins in data encryption, though this is an exception: the AMD part scores 39318 against 18289, a 115% AMD advantage.

The closest contest is PassMark physics, where AMD wins by only 2.5% (2104 versus 2053). Extended instructions heavily favor AMD at 47802 versus 20083, a 138% delta. Overall, the head-to-head data shows AMD winning every multi-threaded and parallel workload by wide margins, while Intel takes the single-threaded tests by smaller, though still significant, margins.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is the clear choice for workloads that scale with core count and parallel execution. Its 10 wins include all multi-core Cinebench tests, integer math, floating point math, data compression, encryption, extended instructions, random string sorting, multithread, and physics. These tasks benefit from the 16-core, 32-thread configuration, which allows simultaneous processing of many operations. The data shows that in integer math, the AMD processor delivers 217.8% more throughput than the Intel chip, making it particularly suited for compilation, scientific computing, and financial modeling where integer operations dominate.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T wins in single-core performance, which translates to better responsiveness in lightly threaded applications. Its 5 wins include Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core, PassMark single-thread, prime number finding, and one instance of the single-thread test appearing with an alternative name. The 38.2% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is substantial, indicating that the Intel architecture has a higher per-core efficiency in this workload. Applications such as legacy software, certain database operations, and tasks with strict serial dependencies may see better latency with the Intel chip.

For mixed workloads, the AMD part offers a more balanced profile. Its single-core scores are lower, but the multi-core advantage is so large that the average benchmark score of 81103 for AMD dwarfs the 30468 for Intel. The AMD processor also ranks at the 95th percentile against all CPUs, while the Intel chip sits at the 82nd percentile. This percentile gap reflects the overall throughput difference rather than any single test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different designs. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is built on the Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename, fabricated on a 5 nm process by TSMC. It integrates 13,140 million transistors across a dual-die design with a total die size of 2x 71 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T uses the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-S codename, manufactured on a 3 nm process, also by TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² monolithic die.

Core counts differ significantly. The AMD part has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel chip has 10 cores and 10 threads. The Intel processor does not support simultaneous multithreading, which explains its thread count matching its core count. The AMD processor's base clock is 2.40 GHz with a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The Intel chip has a higher base clock of 2.50 GHz but a lower boost clock of 4.90 GHz.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The AMD processor uses 64 KB L1 cache per core and 1 MB L2 cache per core, with 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel processor has 192 KB L1 per core and 3 MB L2 per core, with 20 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the AMD chip has a much larger total cache pool, which supports its multi-threaded capabilities.

Memory bandwidth favors Intel. The Core Ultra 5 225T supports DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The Ryzen 9 8940HX also supports DDR5 on a dual-channel bus but achieves 83.2 GB/s. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the AMD part provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

The integrated graphics differ in branding and capability. AMD uses the Radeon 610M, while Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units. The market segments also differ: the AMD processor is designed for mobile platforms, using the AMD Socket FL1, while the Intel processor is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1851.

Power envelopes are not directly comparable due to different measurement methodologies, but the TDP field lists 55 for AMD and 65 for Intel. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel processor is locked. The AMD part was released later, with a release date in April 2025, while Intel's chip came out in December 2024.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins every multi-core benchmark in the shared suite. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 32521 versus 21971 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T, a 48% advantage. PassMark multithread shows a 96.1% lead for AMD.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T have any performance advantage?

A: Yes, in single-core tests. The Intel chip wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 3101 against 1917 for AMD, a 38.2% margin. It also wins Cinebench R15 single-core, PassMark single-thread, and prime number finding.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads, meaning it lacks hyper-threading technology.

Q: What are the process nodes for each processor?

A: The AMD processor uses a 5 nm process, while the Intel processor uses a 3 nm process. Both are fabricated by TSMC.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T has a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, compared to 83.2 GB/s for the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has an average benchmark score of 81103, placing it at the 95th percentile. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T averages 30468, placing it at the 82nd percentile.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX | Intel Core Ultra 5 225T |

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

| Cores | 16 | 10 |

| Threads | 32 | 10 |

| Base clock | 2.40 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.30 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 55 | 65 |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Arrow Lake |

| Codename | Dragon Range | Arrow Lake-S |

| Process node | 5 nm | 3 nm |

| Transistors | 13,140 million | 17,800 million |

| Die size | 2x 71 mm² | 243 mm² |

| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 64 MB | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 610M | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release date | 2025-04-22 | 2024-12-31 |

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear split between the two processors. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is the superior choice for multi-threaded workloads, with leads ranging from 2.5% in physics to 217.8% in integer math. Its 16 cores and 32 threads enable parallel processing that the Intel chip cannot match. The AMD part's 95th percentile ranking and average score of 81103 place it in a performance class far above the Intel chip's 82nd percentile and 30468 average score.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T offers better single-core performance, winning all four single-thread benchmarks in the shared suite. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3101 is 38.2% higher than the AMD's 1917, which indicates stronger per-core efficiency. This makes the Intel chip preferable for applications that rely on serial execution or low-latency single-thread response.

The architecture differences support these results. The AMD part uses more cores and a larger L3 cache, while the Intel part uses a newer 3 nm process with higher memory bandwidth. The AMD processor is unlocked and mobile-focused, while the Intel processor is locked and desktop-oriented. Users who need maximum parallel throughput should select the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX. Users who prioritize single-thread speed and have workloads that do not scale across many cores should select the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T. The data shows no ambiguity in which processor leads each respective category.