AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX vs AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G occupy very different positions in the database, with the former built for heavy multi-threaded workloads and the latter focused on efficiency and single-thread responsiveness. The recorded benchmarks show a clear pattern: the Ryzen 9 8945HX wins nine of the eleven head-to-head tests, while the Ryzen AI 5 440G takes the two single-threaded tests. The average benchmark scores reflect this gap, with the Ryzen 9 8945HX scoring 76212 and the Ryzen AI 5 440G scoring 46187, a difference of roughly 65%. The Ryzen 9 8945HX also ranks in the 95th percentile among all CPUs, while the Ryzen AI 5 440G sits in the 89th percentile.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result appears in the passmark_data_encryption test, where the Ryzen 9 8945HX scores 40836 against the Ryzen AI 5 440G's 13585, a delta of 200.6%. That is the largest margin in the entire comparison. The encryption workload relies heavily on parallel execution and the Ryzen 9 8945HX's 16 cores and 32 threads provide a decisive advantage over the 6-core, 12-thread Ryzen AI 5 440G. Similarly, the passmark_find_prime_numbers test shows a 191.1% advantage for the Ryzen 9 8945HX, with scores of 262 versus 90. Prime number calculations are notoriously sensitive to core count and memory bandwidth, and the Ryzen 9 8945HX dominates here.

The passmark_integer_math test also goes strongly to the Ryzen 9 8945HX, which records 195180 compared to 71251 for the Ryzen AI 5 440G, a 173.9% difference. Integer math operations scale well with additional cores, and the Ryzen 9 8945HX's massive core count delivers accordingly. The floating_point_math test follows a similar pattern, with the Ryzen 9 8945HX scoring 117453 versus 45711, a 156.9% delta. The extended_instructions test, which measures SIMD and specialized instruction throughput, shows the Ryzen 9 8945HX ahead by 141.3%, scoring 49823 against 20648.

The random_string_sorting test, which is often memory-latency bound, gives the Ryzen 9 8945HX a 153.3% advantage with 78781 points versus 31106. The data_compression test, another workload that benefits from many cores, shows a 131.5% lead for the Ryzen 9 8945HX, with scores of 677755 and 292735. The multithread test, a broad measure of parallel performance, puts the Ryzen 9 8945HX at 51405 and the Ryzen AI 5 440G at 23487, a 118.9% margin. The physics test, which simulates rigid body interactions, is the closest of the Ryzen 9 8945HX's wins, with a 63.1% delta (2168 versus 1329).

The single-threaded tests tell a different story. In passmark_single_thread, the Ryzen AI 5 440G scores 4060 against the Ryzen 9 8945HX's 3907, a 3.8% advantage. The same delta appears in passmark_singlethread, which appears to be a duplicate test name in the database. While this is a modest win, it indicates that the Ryzen AI 5 440G's Zen 5-based architecture, despite running at a lower boost clock of 4.80 GHz compared to 5.40 GHz, delivers better per-core performance. The Ryzen AI 5 440G also has a higher base clock efficiency profile, though the database does not provide direct per-core power figures.

The overall benchmark average confirms the multi-core dominance of the Ryzen 9 8945HX. Its nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX with an average score of 76155 (a 0.1% difference), the AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P at 76492 (-0.4%), the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX at 76513 (-0.4%), and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D at 75779 (0.6%). These small deltas show that the Ryzen 9 8945HX sits in a tightly competitive cluster at the top of the mobile CPU range. The Ryzen AI 5 440G's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i9-13900HX at 46098 (0.2% difference), the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 at 46062 (0.3%), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 at 46030 (0.3%), and the AMD EPYC 4364P at 45970 (0.5%). This places the Ryzen AI 5 440G in a mid-range desktop or high-efficiency mobile segment, far from the performance tier of the Ryzen 9 8945HX.

The Verdict

The data shows a straightforward split. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is the clear choice for anyone running multi-threaded, CPU-intensive applications. Its 16 cores and 32 threads, combined with 64 MB of L3 cache and a 5.40 GHz boost clock, produce benchmark scores that are 63% to 200% higher than the Ryzen AI 5 440G across all parallel workloads. The 95th percentile ranking among all CPUs indicates that it sits in the top tier of available processors for desktop replacement laptops and mobile workstations.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G, on the other hand, wins the single-threaded tests by 3.8%, which suggests it may be more responsive in lightly threaded applications. Its 6 cores and 12 threads, with a 4.80 GHz boost clock, are sufficient for everyday productivity, but the benchmark deltas in multi-core tests are too large to ignore. The Ryzen AI 5 440G also has a higher TDP of 65 watts compared to the Ryzen 9 8945HX's 55 watts, yet it still delivers far lower multi-threaded performance. This means the Ryzen 9 8945HX is more efficient per watt in parallel workloads, despite its larger core count.

For the user, the choice depends on the workload. The Ryzen 9 8945HX is for rendering, compiling, data analysis, or any task that can use 16 cores. The Ryzen AI 5 440G is for a system where single-thread speed matters more than raw throughput, or where the socket and platform (AMD Socket AM5 versus AMD Socket FL1) dictate the build. The Ryzen AI 5 440G also supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen 9 8945HX does not, a factor for server or workstation reliability requirements.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher single-threaded benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G scores 4060 in passmark_single_thread, while the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX scores 3907. That is a 3.8% advantage for the Ryzen AI 5 440G.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The passmark_data_encryption test shows the biggest delta, with the Ryzen 9 8945HX scoring 40836 versus 13585 for the Ryzen AI 5 440G, a 200.6% difference.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Ryzen 9 8945HX has an average benchmark score of 76212, while the Ryzen AI 5 440G averages 46187. The Ryzen 9 8945HX also ranks in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 89th percentile for the Ryzen AI 5 440G.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 440G supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX does not.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each CPU?

A: The Ryzen 9 8945HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Ryzen AI 5 440G has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Ryzen 9 8945HX boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Ryzen AI 5 440G boosts to 4.80 GHz.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The Ryzen 9 8945HX uses 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Ryzen AI 5 440G uses 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clock is 2.50 GHz for the Ryzen 9 8945HX and 2.00 GHz for the Ryzen AI 5 440G, while the boost clock is 5.40 GHz versus 4.80 GHz respectively. The TDP is 55 watts for the Ryzen 9 8945HX and 65 watts for the Ryzen AI 5 440G.

The socket differs, with the Ryzen 9 8945HX using AMD Socket FL1 and the Ryzen AI 5 440G using AMD Socket AM5. The memory bandwidth is also different, with the Ryzen 9 8945HX rated at 83.2 GB/s and the Ryzen AI 5 440G at 89.6 GB/s, both dual-channel DDR5. The PCIe configuration varies, with the Ryzen 9 8945HX providing Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only) and the Ryzen AI 5 440G providing Gen 4 with 12 lanes (CPU only). ECC memory support is absent on the Ryzen 9 8945HX and present on the Ryzen AI 5 440G. The integrated graphics differ, with the Radeon 610M on the Ryzen 9 8945HX and the Radeon 840M on the Ryzen AI 5 440G.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 9 8945HX is built on the Zen 4 architecture with the codename Dragon Range, part of the 8000 series. It uses a 5 nm process from TSMC and has 13,140 million transistors across a die size of 2x 71 mm². The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The generation is listed as Ryzen 9 (Zen 4 (Dragon Range)).

The Ryzen AI 5 440G uses the Zen 5 / Zen 5c architecture with the codename Gorgon Point, part of the Ryzen AI 400 generation. It is fabricated on a 4 nm process from TSMC and has a die size of 195 mm², though the transistor count is not recorded in the database. The cache structure differs, with 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, but only 8 MB of L3 cache. The Ryzen AI 5 440G is listed as a desktop market segment, while the Ryzen 9 8945HX is listed as mobile. Both processors have unlocked multipliers and are marked as active in production.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 9 8945HX wins in every multi-threaded benchmark category. The data_compression test shows a 131.5% advantage, data_encryption a 200.6% advantage, extended_instructions a 141.3% advantage, find_prime_numbers a 191.1% advantage, floating_point_math a 156.9% advantage, integer_math a 173.9% advantage, multithread a 118.9% advantage, physics a 63.1% advantage, and random_string_sorting a 153.3% advantage. These results indicate that the Ryzen 9 8945HX is designed for heavy parallel compute, from scientific simulations to video rendering and complex data processing. Its 64 MB L3 cache and 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes support workloads that require large data sets and fast I/O.

The Ryzen AI 5 440G wins in the passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread tests, both showing a 3.8% advantage. This points to superior single-core performance, likely due to the newer Zen 5 architecture and higher IPC. For applications that are not well-threaded, such as legacy software or certain database queries, the Ryzen AI 5 440G may feel snappier. Its support for ECC memory and its desktop socket (AM5) make it a candidate for systems where reliability and single-thread speed are priorities. The higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s also gives it a slight edge in memory-bound single-threaded tasks, though the overall multi-threaded gap remains enormous. The Ryzen AI 5 440G's smaller die size and 4 nm process suggest better power efficiency per core, but the database does not include power consumption measurements beyond TDP.