AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs Intel Core Ultra X9 378H Comparison

The Verdict

The database separates these two mobile processors into distinct roles. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is the throughput specialist. It wins 7 of the 15 head-to-head tests, and its victories are decisive: 104.3% ahead in integer math, 68.4% ahead in data compression, and 68.8% ahead in random string sorting. Its average benchmark score of 81,103 places it at the 95th percentile of all CPUs, essentially tied with the Intel Xeon w5-3535X (81,115, 0% delta) and the Intel Core i9-14900KS (81,127, 0% delta). This is a chip for heavy parallel workloads, rendering, and any task that scales across its 32 threads.

The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H wins 8 tests, but its margins are thinner in the multi-core arena. Its largest single win is a 58.3% advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core, and it leads by 13% in the Passmark single-thread test. However, its overall average benchmark score is 47,468, which sits at the 89th percentile. That is a 41.5% gap in average score between the two parts. The Intel chip is the efficiency-focused, single-thread specialist, not a raw throughput champion.

The verdict is straightforward. Choose the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX for multi-threaded production work, data-heavy tasks, and any environment where the 32 threads matter. Choose the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H for lighter, single-thread-driven workloads, and where the 25 W TDP is more important than peak throughput. The data does not support using the Intel part for sustained heavy multi-core work, where the AMD chip's 63.2% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core is a clear signal.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design schools. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX uses the Zen 4 architecture on the Dragon Range codename, manufactured on a 5 nm TSMC process. It packs 16 cores and 32 threads, meaning every core has two threads. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H uses the Panther Lake codename on a 3 nm Intel process. It also has 16 cores, but only 16 threads, indicating a design without simultaneous multithreading.

The cache layouts diverge sharply. AMD assigns 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, plus a shared 64 MB L3 pool. Intel assigns 192 KB of L1 and 2.5 MB of L2 per core, but only 18 MB of shared L3. The AMD chip's larger L3 is a significant advantage for data sets that exceed the Intel cache.

Integrated graphics differ as well. AMD pairs the CPU with a Radeon 610M, while Intel includes an Arc B390. The AMD part uses an AMD Socket FL1, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 2540. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, and the Intel chip does not. The AMD chip lists its transistor count at 13,140 million across a 2x 71 mm² die, while the Intel chip does not report those figures. The AMD part supports DDR5 memory, and the Intel part supports LPDDR5X.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 32 threads across its 16 cores. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H has 16 threads across its 16 cores, exactly half the thread count.

Q: How much faster is the AMD chip in integer math?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX scores 189,221 in Passmark integer math, which is 104.3% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H's score of 92,603.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H leads by 58.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core (4,595 vs 1,917) and by 13% in Passmark single-thread (4,453 vs 3,874).

Q: Which chip has the higher TDP?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has a 55 W TDP. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H has a 25 W TDP, which is less than half the AMD figure.

Q: Do both chips support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX and the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H have ECC memory support marked as false in the database.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX supports Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H supports Gen 5 with only 4 lanes (CPU only), a substantial difference for expansion.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every physical and electrical specification.

• Base clock: AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX runs at 2.40 GHz, Intel Core Ultra X9 378H at 2.00 GHz.
• Boost clock: AMD reaches 5.30 GHz, Intel reaches 5.00 GHz.
• TDP: AMD is rated at 55 W, Intel at 25 W.
• Socket: AMD uses AMD Socket FL1, Intel uses Intel BGA 2540.
• Process node: AMD uses 5 nm from TSMC, Intel uses 3 nm from its own foundry.
• Cache L1: AMD provides 64 KB per core, Intel provides 192 KB per core.
• Cache L2: AMD provides 1 MB per core, Intel provides 2.5 MB per core.
• Cache L3: AMD provides 64 MB shared, Intel provides 18 MB shared.
• Memory support: AMD supports DDR5, Intel supports LPDDR5X.
• Memory bandwidth: AMD is rated at 83.2 GB/s, Intel at 153.6 GB/s.
• Integrated graphics: AMD includes Radeon 610M, Intel includes Arc B390.
• PCIe: AMD provides Gen 5, 28 lanes (CPU only), Intel provides Gen 5, 4 lanes (CPU only).
• Unlocked multiplier: AMD is unlocked, Intel is locked.
• Release date: AMD released on 2025-04-22, Intel on 2026-04-03.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results tell a split story. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX scores 5,355 against Intel's 3,281, a 63.2% lead. But in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the two are effectively tied: AMD scores 32,521 and Intel scores 32,553, a 0.1% delta in Intel's favor. The single-core results are a clean sweep for Intel. The Intel chip scores 462 in R15 single-core versus AMD's 292 (a 36.8% advantage for AMD in the negative delta, meaning Intel wins), and 4,595 in R23 single-core versus 1,917 (a 58.3% Intel lead).

Passmark reveals where each chip dominates. AMD wins data compression 650,984 to 386,591, a 68.4% margin. AMD wins data encryption 39,318 to 29,840, a 31.8% margin. AMD wins extended instructions 47,802 to 31,315, a 52.6% margin. AMD wins integer math 189,221 to 92,603, a massive 104.3% margin. AMD wins multithread 49,731 to 38,298, a 29.9% margin. AMD wins random string sorting 75,381 to 44,648, a 68.8% margin.

Intel takes the remaining Passmark tests. Intel wins find prime numbers 357 to 251, a 29.7% lead. Intel wins floating point math 114,500 to 113,921, a narrow 0.5% margin. Intel wins physics 3,404 to 2,104, a 38.2% lead. Intel wins single-thread 4,453 to 3,874, a 13% lead. The total win count is 8 for Intel and 7 for AMD, but the magnitude of AMD's wins is far larger.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins in every throughput-heavy category that relies on parallel execution and cache capacity. Data compression shows a 68.4% advantage, random string sorting a 68.8% advantage, and integer math a 104.3% advantage. These are classic multi-threaded workloads. The 64 MB L3 cache and 32 threads give it the resources to process large data sets without stalling. The 63.2% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core confirms this pattern for rendering tasks. Any workload that can use more than 16 threads will see a clear benefit from the AMD chip.

The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H wins in single-thread performance and in a few specific math tests. Its 58.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is the largest single-core margin in the comparison. Its 38.2% lead in Passmark physics and 29.7% lead in find prime numbers suggest strong per-core efficiency. The 153.6 GB/s memory bandwidth is double the AMD figure, which supports its lead in floating point math (0.5% margin). The 25 W TDP makes it the choice for thermally constrained systems. However, the Intel chip's wins are narrow in aggregate, and its 47,468 average benchmark score versus AMD's 81,103 shows that it wins fewer points per test overall. The Intel part is for single-thread speed and efficiency, the AMD part for raw multi-thread output.