AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs Intel Core Ultra 9 386H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between heavily threaded workloads and single-thread or latency-sensitive tasks. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins 9 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H takes 6. The margins, however, are far from uniform.

The largest gap appears in PassMark integer math. The AMD part scores 189221 against Intel's 87284, a 116.8% advantage. That is more than double the throughput, and it reflects the AMD processor's ability to sustain parallel integer work across a large number of threads. Data compression follows a similar pattern: AMD scores 650984 versus 352365, a 84.7% lead. Random string sorting shows a 78.9% margin (75381 versus 42135), and extended instructions show a 64.1% margin (47802 versus 29138). These are all workloads where the AMD chip's 32 threads can be kept busy.

Cinebench multi-core results reinforce the same story. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, AMD scores 32521 versus Intel's 20547, a 58.3% lead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 5355 versus 3223, a 66.1% lead. The Intel part is not close in any multi-threaded rendering test.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H wins the single-thread tests, but by smaller margins. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 2071.5 versus AMD's 1917, a 7.5% lead. In Cinebench R15 single-core, Intel scores 303.5 versus 292, a 3.8% lead. PassMark single-thread shows Intel at 4218 versus 3874, an 8.2% lead. The Intel part also wins PassMark physics (3028 versus 2104, a 30.5% margin) and PassMark find prime numbers (341 versus 251, a 26.4% margin). These two wins suggest that Intel's architecture handles branch-heavy or latency-limited integer loops more efficiently per thread.

The remaining head-to-head results are mixed. AMD wins PassMark floating point math by a modest 5% (113921 versus 108527) and PassMark data encryption by 44.8% (39318 versus 27150). AMD also wins PassMark multithread by 40.5% (49731 versus 35399). The overall average benchmark score favors AMD heavily: 81103 versus 43210, placing the Ryzen 9 8940HX at the 95th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part sits at the 88th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different designs. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is built on Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename, part of the 8000 series. It uses a 5 nm process from TSMC and packs 13,140 million transistors across a dual-die layout with a 2x 71 mm² die size. The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H uses Panther Lake architecture, part of the Core Ultra Series 3, built on Intel's 3 nm process. The database does not list transistor count or die size for the Intel part.

Core counts are identical at 16, but thread counts differ sharply. The AMD chip supports 32 threads, meaning all 16 cores are capable of simultaneous multithreading. The Intel chip supports only 16 threads, one per core. That single difference explains most of the multi-threaded benchmark gap.

Cache organization also differs. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. Intel's per-core L1 and L2 are larger, which helps explain its single-thread wins, but its L3 pool is much smaller.

Clock speeds favor AMD at the top end. The AMD part has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. Intel has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The AMD multiplier is unlocked; the Intel multiplier is locked.

Memory support differs as well. AMD supports DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 83.2 GB/s of bandwidth. Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a dual-channel bus with 115.2 GB/s of bandwidth. Intel's memory bandwidth is therefore higher by about 38% on paper, though the benchmark data does not include a direct memory test.

PCIe lanes differ significantly. AMD provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ: AMD uses Radeon 610M, Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX dominates in every workload that scales with thread count. Cinebench multi-core, PassMark multithread, integer math, data compression, encryption, extended instructions, random string sorting, and floating point math all go to AMD. The margins range from a narrow 5% in floating point to a dominant 116.8% in integer math. The data indicates that any application that can use 32 threads will see a substantial advantage on the AMD part.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H wins in single-thread performance, physics simulation, and prime number finding. Its single-thread lead is consistent across both Cinebench and PassMark, ranging from 3.8% to 8.2%. The physics and prime number wins are larger, at 30.5% and 26.4% respectively. These results suggest Intel's per-core efficiency is better for lightly threaded or latency-sensitive tasks.

The average benchmark scores put the AMD part at 95th percentile versus Intel's 88th percentile. The AMD chip's nearest rivals in the database include Intel Xeon w5-3535X (delta 0%), Intel Core i9-14900KS (delta 0%), and AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 (delta 0.4%). The Intel part's nearest rivals include AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 (delta -0.3%), AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 (delta -0.5%), and Intel Core i9-12900 (delta 0.7%). These comparisons place the Intel chip in a lower performance tier overall, despite its single-thread advantage.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded specifications. The AMD part uses AMD Socket FL1; the Intel part uses Intel BGA 2540. AMD's architecture is Zen 4 with the Dragon Range codename; Intel's is Panther Lake. The process nodes differ: 5 nm for AMD (TSMC foundry) versus 3 nm for Intel (Intel foundry). AMD lists a transistor count of 13,140 million and a die size of 2x 71 mm²; Intel's database entries for these fields are null.

Thread counts differ: 32 for AMD versus 16 for Intel. Base clocks differ: 2.40 GHz for AMD versus 2.10 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks differ: 5.30 GHz versus 4.90 GHz. TDP differs substantially: 55 W for AMD versus 25 W for Intel. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier; Intel's is locked.

Cache differs across all levels. L1 is 64 KB per core for AMD versus 192 KB per core for Intel. L2 is 1 MB per core for AMD versus 2.5 MB per core for Intel. L3 is 64 MB for AMD versus 18 MB shared for Intel. Memory bandwidth differs: 83.2 GB/s for AMD versus 115.2 GB/s for Intel. PCIe lanes differ: 28 lanes for AMD versus 12 lanes for Intel, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics differ: Radeon 610M versus Intel Xe3 Graphics. Release dates differ: AMD launched on 2025-04-22, Intel on 2026-01-04. Neither part has a listed launch MSRP in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H has 16 threads. Both have 16 cores.

Q: Which processor wins in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H wins all single-thread tests in the database, with leads of 3.8% in Cinebench R15, 7.5% in Cinebench R23, and 8.2% in PassMark single-thread.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark integer math, where the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX leads by 116.8% with a score of 189221 versus 87284.

Q: How do the TDP values compare?

A: The AMD part has a 55 W TDP, while the Intel part has a 25 W TDP. The database does not include power consumption measurements.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H has a higher listed memory bandwidth at 115.2 GB/s, compared to 83.2 GB/s for the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has an average benchmark score of 81103, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H has an average score of 43210.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward split. For applications that use many threads, the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is the stronger processor. Its 32 threads, 64 MB of L3, and higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz produce leads of 58.3% in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 116.8% in integer math. The 95th percentile ranking and average score of 81103 place it well above the Intel part's 88th percentile and 43210 average.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H is the better choice for single-threaded or latency-sensitive workloads. Its consistent 3.8% to 8.2% single-thread leads, plus larger wins in physics and prime number finding, show a per-core efficiency advantage. The 3 nm process, higher memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, and lower 25 W TDP also distinguish it on paper.

The AMD part wins 9 of 15 head-to-head tests and wins every heavily threaded test by substantial margins. The Intel part wins 6 tests, but only two of those wins exceed 10%. The overall average benchmark score favors AMD by roughly 88%. The database shows no test where Intel wins by more than 30.5%, while AMD wins by more than 40% in five separate tests. Users who prioritize multi-threaded throughput should select the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX. Users who prioritize single-thread responsiveness or lower TDP should consider the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H.