AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between the two processors. Intel Core Ultra 9 285 wins 10 of the 15 recorded comparisons, while AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX takes 5. The margin of victory, however, varies considerably by workload type.

The largest single-core gap appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where Intel scores 6909 against AMD's 1917, a 72.3% advantage. The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows a similar pattern, with Intel at 696 and AMD at 292, a 58% deficit for the Ryzen. These are substantial gaps that indicate the Intel architecture holds a commanding lead in lightly threaded performance.

Multi-core results tell a more nuanced story. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel wins with 48945 versus 32521, a 33.6% margin. Yet in Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD wins with 5355 against 4933, an 8.6% edge. The two Cinebench versions disagree on which processor is faster for all-core rendering, likely reflecting different workload scaling characteristics.

PassMark tests show AMD winning data compression (650984 versus 602121, 8.1% ahead), extended instructions (47802 versus 45357, 5.4% ahead), integer math (189221 versus 164869, 14.8% ahead), and random string sorting (75381 versus 73651, 2.3% ahead). Intel wins data encryption (46949 versus 39318, 16.3% ahead), find prime numbers (459 versus 251, 45.3% ahead), floating point math (194988 versus 113921, 41.6% ahead), multithread (56602 versus 49731, 12.1% ahead), physics (3598 versus 2104, 41.5% ahead), and single thread (4881 versus 3874, 20.6% ahead).

The average benchmark score favors AMD: 81103 versus 75488, a difference of roughly 7.4%. Both processors sit at the 95th percentile among all CPUs in the database. AMD's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon w5-3535X at 81115 (0% delta) and Intel Core i9-14900KS at 81127 (0% delta), placing it in very high-end company. Intel's nearest rivals are AMD EPYC parts, with the EPYC 8224P at 75582 (-0.1%) and EPYC 4545P at 75373 (0.2%).

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from fundamentally different design schools. AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX uses Zen 4 architecture on the Dragon Range codename, built on a 5 nm TSMC process. Intel Core Ultra 9 285 uses Arrow Lake architecture on the Arrow Lake-S codename, built on a 3 nm TSMC process. Both are manufactured by TSMC, but Intel's process node is smaller.

The core configurations differ sharply. AMD provides 16 cores and 32 threads, while Intel provides 24 cores and 24 threads. Intel's chip has more physical cores but no hyperthreading, so the thread counts diverge. AMD's base clock is 2.40 GHz with a 5.30 GHz boost, while Intel runs at 2.50 GHz base and 5.60 GHz boost.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. AMD allocates 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3. Intel allocates 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The per-core cache figures are larger on Intel, but AMD's total L3 pool is larger.

Memory support is DDR5 for both, with dual-channel buses. Memory bandwidth favors Intel: 102.4 GB/s versus AMD's 83.2 GB/s. Intel supports ECC memory; AMD does not. PCIe lanes also differ, with AMD offering Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only) and Intel offering Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

The integrated graphics differ. AMD uses Radeon 610M, while Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. Both are mobile or desktop integrated solutions, but the Intel part carries a more capable naming tier.

Transistor counts and die sizes diverge substantially. AMD lists 13,140 million transistors across a 2x 71 mm² die. Intel lists 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The Intel chip has more transistors and a larger monolithic die.

Market positioning differs. AMD's part is a mobile processor on AMD Socket FL1, released 2025-04-22, with an unlocked multiplier. Intel's part is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1851, released 2024-12-31, with a locked multiplier. Intel's launch MSRP is $579. The production status for both is Active.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has 24 cores, while AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores. Intel does not use hyperthreading, so it has 24 threads; AMD uses simultaneous multithreading to reach 32 threads.

Q: Why does AMD win Cinebench R15 multi-core but lose Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The recorded data shows AMD scoring 5355 in R15 multi-core versus Intel's 4933, an 8.6% win. In R23 multi-core, Intel scores 48945 versus AMD's 32521, a 33.6% win. The two benchmarks scale differently with the core and thread counts, so the ranking changes between versions.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel leads by 72.3% (6909 versus 1917). In Cinebench R15 single-core, Intel leads by 58% (696 versus 292). In PassMark single thread, Intel leads by 20.6% (4881 versus 3874).

Q: Does the AMD processor support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX does not list ECC memory support. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 does list ECC memory support.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 83.2 GB/s. Both use DDR5 with dual-channel buses.

Q: What is the overall average benchmark score for each?

A: AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has an average benchmark score of 81103, and Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has 75488. Both are at the 95th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

The Verdict

The data indicates two distinct performance profiles. AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX delivers a higher average benchmark score (81103 versus 75488) and wins in integer math, data compression, extended instructions, random string sorting, and Cinebench R15 multi-core. Intel Core Ultra 9 285 wins decisively in single-core tests, floating point math, physics, prime number finding, data encryption, and Cinebench R23 multi-core.

The Intel part's single-core advantage is enormous: 72.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core and 58% in Cinebench R15 single-core. This translates into a 20.6% lead in PassMark single thread. Applications that depend on per-core speed will favor Intel. The floating point math gap (41.6%) and physics gap (41.5%) reinforce the Intel advantage in numerically intensive work.

The AMD part counters with integer math (14.8% ahead), data compression (8.1% ahead), and extended instructions (5.4% ahead). Its average score is higher because the database average includes all benchmark categories, and AMD's wins in several PassMark tests offset some of the Cinebench deficits. The AMD part also uses less power on paper: TDP of 55 watts versus Intel's 65 watts.

The market segments differ: AMD is a mobile part for Socket FL1, Intel is a desktop part for Socket 1851. Users selecting for a laptop platform have the AMD option; users building a desktop have the Intel option. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $579, and its multiplier is locked, while AMD's multiplier is unlocked.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX | Intel Core Ultra 9 285 |

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

| Cores | 16 | 24 |

| Threads | 32 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.30 GHz | 5.60 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Arrow Lake |

| Codename | Dragon Range | Arrow Lake-S |

| Process Node | 5 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | TSMC |

| 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 | 36 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 610M | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | None listed | $579 |

Where Each One Wins

The workload split is consistent across the recorded benchmarks. Intel Core Ultra 9 285 wins in single-core throughput, floating point math, prime number computation, physics simulation, data encryption, and the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core test. These are typical of rendering workloads, scientific computing, and encryption tasks where per-core performance and vector throughput matter.

AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins in integer math, data compression, extended instruction throughput, random string sorting, and Cinebench R15 multi-core. These are typical of database operations, compression utilities, and integer-heavy processing tasks. Its 32 threads provide an advantage in workloads that scale across many threads, and the higher average benchmark score (81103 versus 75488) indicates overall balanced strength.

The Intel part also holds the single-thread speed crown across all three measured single-core tests: Cinebench R15 single-core (696 versus 292), Cinebench R23 single-core (6909 versus 1917), and PassMark single thread (4881 versus 3874). For any application that cannot use more than a few threads, Intel is the stronger choice.

The AMD part uses a lower TDP (55 W versus 65 W), which matters for mobile platforms, and its unlocked multiplier offers overclocking potential. The Intel part supports ECC memory, which matters for data integrity in workstation scenarios.

The choice depends on the workload and platform. Intel wins the majority of benchmark comparisons and dominates single-core and floating point tasks. AMD wins the average score and several integer and compression tasks, with a lower TDP and unlocked multiplier. The database shows both at the 95th percentile, so either represents a high-end option in its respective segment.