CPU Comparison

The benchmark data presents a clear picture: the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS wins 13 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core 7 240H takes only 2. Despite this lopsided victory count, the performance gap varies dramatically by workload, with Intel securing wins in specific niche tasks while AMD dominates the broader throughput landscape. Both processors hold an identical 82nd percentile ranking among all CPUs, yet their average benchmark scores differ by less than 1.5%, with Intel at 31,483 and AMD at 31,074.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 9 8945HS establishes its dominance most emphatically in PassMark’s extended instructions test, where it scores 26,964 against Intel’s 16,897, a 37.3% advantage. This is the largest single delta in the comparison and indicates a substantial lead in workloads that leverage advanced instruction sets. Similarly, the AMD part wins random string sorting by 33.2% (43,202 vs 28,866) and data encryption by 28.9% (21,323 vs 15,155), suggesting superior memory subsystem efficiency and cryptographic throughput.

Data compression tells a similar story, with AMD scoring 356,508 versus Intel’s 271,774, a 23.8% margin. Integer math follows at a 20.6% difference (101,226 vs 80,396), and the multithread PassMark test shows AMD ahead by 19.5% (29,780 vs 23,975). These are not marginal victories; they represent a consistent pattern of AMD outperforming in heavily threaded, data-intensive operations.

In Cinebench workloads, AMD’s lead narrows but remains decisive. The R23 multicore score favors AMD by 6.1% (16,795 vs 15,764), while R15 multicore shows a 10.6% advantage (2,640 vs 2,360). Single-core results are closer: R23 single-core gives AMD a 4.8% edge (1,805 vs 1,719), and R15 single-core shows an 11.4% lead (281 vs 249). PassMark single-thread shows only a 1.8% difference (3,850 vs 3,782), indicating that per-core performance is broadly comparable, with AMD holding a modest but consistent edge.

Floating-point math is nearly even, with AMD scoring 61,821 against Intel’s 58,905, a 4.7% difference. This suggests both architectures handle scientific and simulation workloads with similar proficiency, though AMD still comes out ahead.

The Intel Core 7 240H secures its two wins in specific PassMark subtests. It takes find prime numbers by 10.9% (102 vs 92), a workload that appears to favor Intel’s core configuration. More notably, it wins physics by a substantial 20.2% (1,723 vs 1,434), suggesting an advantage in certain physics simulation or gaming-related physics calculations. These wins, while real, are isolated to narrow benchmark categories and do not offset AMD’s broad superiority elsewhere.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. Intel’s Core 7 240H uses Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm node manufactured by Intel, while AMD’s Ryzen 9 8945HS employs Zen 4 on a 4 nm process from TSMC. This process advantage is significant, as the AMD chip packs 25,000 million transistors into a 178 mm² die, whereas Intel’s transistor count and die size are not listed in the data.

Core configurations diverge markedly. Intel offers 10 cores and 16 threads, while AMD provides 8 cores and 16 threads. Both processors run at a 45 W TDP and boost to 5.20 GHz, but their base clocks differ substantially: Intel runs at 2.50 GHz, while AMD starts at 4.00 GHz. This higher base clock on AMD likely contributes to its better sustained performance in shorter benchmarks.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Intel allocates 80 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2 per core, with 24 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, with only 16 MB of shared L3. Despite having less cache per core and less total L3, AMD’s superior benchmark results suggest its memory architecture is more efficient, possibly aided by its 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth figure, a spec not listed for Intel.

Memory support shows Intel accepting both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, while AMD supports only DDR5, also dual-channel. AMD’s PCIe implementation offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), whereas Intel provides Gen 5 with only 8 lanes (CPU only). This gives AMD more available PCIe lanes, though at a lower generation.

Integrated graphics differ as well: Intel uses Iris Xe Graphics with 64 execution units, while AMD employs the Radeon 780M. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers. Intel’s socket is BGA 1744, while AMD uses Socket FP8. Intel was released on 2024-12-17, while AMD launched on 2023-12-05, making AMD roughly a year older.

Where Each One Wins

AMD’s Ryzen 9 8945HS is the clear choice for data-heavy and compute-intensive workloads. Its wins in data compression, encryption, extended instructions, integer math, and random string sorting make it well-suited for file archiving, database operations, cryptographic tasks, and general productivity software that relies on integer performance. The 23.8% compression lead and 28.9% encryption lead are particularly relevant for users who frequently work with large datasets or handle security-sensitive operations.

For multithreaded rendering and encoding, AMD also takes the lead. The Cinebench R23 and R15 multicore results, while closer than the PassMark deltas, still favor AMD by 6.1% and 10.6% respectively. The PassMark multithread score of 29,780 versus 23,975 reinforces this, making AMD the better option for video editing, 3D rendering, and other heavily threaded creative workloads.

Intel’s wins are narrower but distinct. The 20.2% physics advantage suggests Intel may offer better performance in physics simulation tasks, potentially benefiting certain game engines or scientific physics calculations. The 10.9% lead in find prime numbers indicates an edge in specific algorithmic workloads, though this is a niche application. For users whose primary workload is physics simulation, Intel’s chip could be the better pick despite losing the overall benchmark war.

Both processors tie in percentile ranking at 82, and their average benchmark scores are within 1.5% of each other, so neither is a poor choice. However, AMD’s near-sweep of individual benchmarks makes it the more versatile performer across a broader range of tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS wins all single-core comparisons. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1,805 versus Intel’s 1,719, a 4.8% lead. PassMark single-thread shows a narrower margin of 1.8% (3,850 vs 3,782).

Q: How significant is AMD’s advantage in data compression?

A: AMD wins PassMark data compression by 23.8%, scoring 356,508 against Intel’s 271,774. This is one of the largest deltas in the comparison and indicates a substantial edge in file compression and decompression tasks.

Q: Are there any workloads where Intel wins?

A: Yes, Intel wins two benchmarks. It scores 102 versus AMD’s 92 in PassMark find prime numbers, a 10.9% lead, and wins PassMark physics by 20.2% (1,723 vs 1,434).

Q: Do both processors have the same overall performance ranking?

A: Yes, both hold an identical 82nd percentile ranking among all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are also close: Intel averages 31,483 while AMD averages 31,074.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: Intel has 10 cores, while AMD has 8. Both have 16 threads, so AMD relies on higher per-core efficiency and clock speeds to achieve its benchmark wins.

Q: What is the difference in manufacturing process?

A: Intel uses a 10 nm node fabricated by Intel, while AMD uses a 4 nm process from TSMC. AMD also lists 25,000 million transistors and a 178 mm² die size, while Intel does not specify these figures.

The Verdict

The data directs different users to different processors. For anyone performing data-intensive work, compression, encryption, integer-heavy calculations, or multithreaded rendering, the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS is the clear choice. Its 23.8% compression lead, 28.9% encryption lead, and 20.6% integer math advantage are too large to ignore, and its 6.1% Cinebench R23 multicore win confirms its strength in rendering workloads. The AMD chip also offers higher base clocks (4.00 GHz vs 2.50 GHz) and a more advanced 4 nm process, which likely contributes to its efficiency.

The Intel Core 7 240H appeals to a narrower audience. Its 20.2% physics win makes it attractive for physics simulation tasks, and its 10-core configuration provides more physical cores than AMD’s 8. For users whose workloads are dominated by physics calculations, Intel’s part could deliver better results. However, the data shows Intel losing 13 of 15 comparisons, and its wins are confined to two specialized PassMark subtests.

Both processors tie at the 82nd percentile, and their average scores differ by only 1.5%, meaning neither is a weak performer. But the benchmark distribution matters more than the average. AMD’s consistent dominance across diverse workloads makes it the safer recommendation for general and professional use, while Intel’s specific strengths serve a niche set of applications. The choice ultimately depends on whether the user prioritizes broad performance or the specific physics and prime number workloads where Intel excels.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 240H | AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS |

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

| Cores | 10 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not specified | 25,000 million |

| Die Size | Not specified | 178 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 89.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe Graphics 64EU | Radeon 780M |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket FP8 |

| Release Date | 2024-12-17 | 2023-12-05 |

| Launch MSRP | $502 | Not specified |