AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs Intel Core Ultra 7 366H Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data splits these two mobile processors into distinct roles. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins 9 of 15 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H wins 6. The AMD part is the clear multi-threaded workhorse, with an average benchmark score of 81103 versus 41263 for Intel. That places the AMD chip in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel chip sits in the 87th percentile. The AMD processor also sits alongside desktop-class rivals like the Intel Core i9-14900KS in the database, with a delta of 0% in average score. The Intel part matches the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, a previous-generation desktop flagship, with a delta of -0.3%.

For workloads that use many threads, rendering, compiling, or data processing, the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is the stronger pick. It doubles or nearly doubles Intel's scores in several multithreaded tests. For single-threaded tasks, lighter workloads, and power-constrained systems, the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H is superior. It wins every single-core benchmark recorded, and its lower 25 W TDP against AMD's 55 W TDP indicates it fits thinner, cooler laptops. The AMD chip is unlocked for overclocking, while the Intel chip is locked, which further favors AMD for users who adjust clock speeds.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing nodes. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX uses the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Dragon Range, and belongs to the Ryzen 9 generation. It is built on a 5 nm process by TSMC, with a die size of 2x 71 mm² and 13,140 million transistors. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H uses the Panther Lake architecture, also its codename, and belongs to the Ultra 7 generation (Panther Lake-H). It is built on a 3 nm process by Intel. No transistor count or die size is recorded for the Intel chip.

Both have 16 cores, but the thread counts diverge sharply. The AMD chip supports 32 threads, while the Intel chip supports 16 threads. This means the AMD processor uses simultaneous multithreading, while the Intel processor does not. Cache hierarchies also differ. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3. The Intel chip has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip's larger L3 is likely a factor in its multithreaded dominance.

Clock speeds favor AMD at the top end. The AMD chip has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The Intel chip has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The TDP difference is substantial: AMD is rated at 55 W, Intel at 25 W. The AMD chip uses the AMD Socket FL1, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 2540. Memory support shows Intel with a wider range, supporting both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while AMD supports DDR5 only. Both are dual-channel, but Intel's memory bandwidth is higher at 115.2 GB/s versus AMD's 83.2 GB/s. Both support PCIe Gen 5, but AMD has 28 lanes (CPU only), while Intel has 12 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: AMD uses the Radeon 610M, Intel uses the Intel Xe3 Graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The biggest wins for the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX come in multithreaded and data-heavy tests. In PassMark integer math, the AMD chip scores 189221 against Intel's 83695, a 126.1% advantage. Data compression shows a 98.8% delta: AMD scores 650984, Intel scores 327455. Random string sorting gives AMD a 89.3% lead with 75381 versus 39814. In Cinebench R15 multicore, AMD scores 5355 against Intel's 2870, a 86.6% delta. Extended instructions show a 77.7% lead: AMD 47802, Intel 26901. Data encryption favors AMD by 52.1%: 39318 versus 25845. PassMark multithread shows a 48.8% delta: 49731 versus 33429. Cinebench R23 multicore is closer, with AMD at 32521 and Intel at 28477, a 14.2% delta. Floating point math is also close: AMD 113921, Intel 103615, a 9.9% delta.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H wins all single-threaded tests, often by large margins. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, Intel scores 4020 against AMD's 1917, a 52.3% delta. Cinebench R15 singlecore gives Intel 405 against AMD's 292, a 27.9% delta. PassMark physics favors Intel 2880 versus 2104, a 26.9% delta. PassMark find prime numbers gives Intel 326 versus 251, a 23% delta. PassMark single thread shows Intel 4043 versus AMD 3874, a 4.2% delta. The Intel chip also wins PassMark singlethread with the same 4043 versus 3874, a 4.2% delta.

The data shows a clear pattern. The AMD processor dominates when all cores are engaged. The Intel processor dominates when a single core or a small number of cores handles the workload. The Cinebench R23 singlecore delta of 52.3% is the largest single-threaded gap in either direction, and it is nearly matched by AMD's 86.6% delta in Cinebench R15 multicore.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H has 16 threads. Both have 16 cores.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is rated at 55 W, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H is rated at 25 W.

Q: Which processor is better for single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H wins every recorded single-threaded test. Its Cinebench R23 singlecore score is 4020 versus 1917 for AMD, a 52.3% delta.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX boosts to 5.30 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H boosts to 4.80 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX supports 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H supports 12 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only).

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins in heavy multitasking and parallel computation. Its 32 threads and 64 MB L3 cache drive large leads in integer math, data compression, random string sorting, and data encryption. The 126.1% delta in integer math and the 98.8% delta in data compression show the AMD chip excels at raw throughput. Cinebench R15 multicore, a classic rendering workload, shows an 86.6% delta in AMD's favor. For users running virtual machines, compiling large codebases, or processing big datasets, the AMD processor is the stronger choice. Its 95th percentile ranking and average score of 81103 place it among the fastest CPUs in the database, close to the Intel Xeon w5-3535X with a delta of 0%.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H wins in single-threaded responsiveness and power efficiency. Its 25 W TDP is less than half of AMD's 55 W TDP, making it suitable for thinner laptops with smaller cooling solutions. The 52.3% delta in Cinebench R23 singlecore means the Intel chip handles everyday applications, web browsing, and office work with more headroom per core. The PassMark physics score of 2880 versus 2104 suggests the Intel chip handles physics simulations, which often rely on fewer threads, more effectively. The Intel chip also wins in prime number finding, a latency-sensitive workload. The 3 nm Intel process and 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth contribute to its efficiency profile. For users who prioritize battery life, portability, and snappy single-threaded performance, the Intel processor is the better fit.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H has 16 cores and 16 threads. AMD's base clock is 2.40 GHz, Intel's is 2.00 GHz. AMD's boost clock is 5.30 GHz, Intel's is 4.80 GHz. AMD is rated at 55 W TDP, Intel at 25 W TDP. AMD uses the AMD Socket FL1, Intel uses the Intel BGA 2540. AMD's architecture is Zen 4, Intel's is Panther Lake. AMD is built on a 5 nm TSMC process with 13,140 million transistors and a 2x 71 mm² die size. Intel is built on a 3 nm Intel process; no transistor count or die size is recorded.

Cache layouts differ. AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. AMD supports DDR5 memory only, while Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Both are dual-channel, but Intel's memory bandwidth is 115.2 GB/s versus AMD's 83.2 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory. AMD has 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), Intel has 12 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics are the Radeon 610M on AMD and the Intel Xe3 Graphics on Intel. AMD's multiplier is unlocked, Intel's is locked. The AMD part number is 100-000001849, the Intel part number is SA4R9Q9EL. AMD was released on 2025-04-22, Intel on 2026-01-04. Both are active in production and target the mobile market segment.