AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX vs AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX wins decisively. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 6030 versus 2012.5 for the Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395, a 66.6% advantage. The Ryzen 9 also leads in Cinebench R15 single-core with 607 versus 306, a 49.6% gap.

Q: Which processor has better multi-threaded performance in Cinebench?

A: The results are mixed. The Ryzen 9 8945HX wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 42713 versus 35061, a 17.9% lead. However, the Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 5247 versus 4305, a 21.9% advantage.

Q: How do they compare in PassMark multithreaded workload?

A: The Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 edges out the Ryzen 9 8945HX in PassMark Multithread, scoring 51502 vs 51405, a marginal 0.2% difference. The Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 has a larger win in PassMark Physics, 3189 vs 2168, a 47.1% lead.

Q: Which CPU has better memory bandwidth?

A: The Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 offers dramatically higher memory bandwidth at 256.0 GB/s, using quad-channel LPDDR5X, compared to the Ryzen 9 8945HX’s dual-channel DDR5 at 83.2 GB/s.

Q: Are these CPUs on the same manufacturing process?

A: No. The Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 is built on TSMC’s 4 nm node, while the Ryzen 9 8945HX uses TSMC’s 5 nm node. This is a key architectural difference.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 supports ECC memory. The Ryzen 9 8945HX does not list ECC support.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different generations of AMD’s mobile designs. The Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 uses the Zen 5 architecture (codenamed Strix Halo), while the Ryzen 9 8945HX is based on Zen 4 (codenamed Dragon Range). This generational split explains several key differences.

The Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 is manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC, whereas the Ryzen 9 8945HX uses the older 5 nm node. Both are active mobile parts with 16 cores and 32 threads, but the cache hierarchy differs: the AI Max+ PRO 395 has 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 64 MB shared L3. The Ryzen 9 8945HX has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and also 64 MB of L3. The transistor count and die size are listed only for the Ryzen 9 8945HX (13,140 million transistors across two 71 mm² dies).

Memory support is a major divide. The AI Max+ PRO 395 uses quad-channel LPDDR5X with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support, while the Ryzen 9 8945HX uses dual-channel DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s and no ECC. The AI Max+ PRO 395 also features a much stronger integrated GPU (Radeon 8060S) compared to the Radeon 610M in the Ryzen 9 8945HX.

PCIe capabilities differ as well: the AI Max+ PRO 395 offers Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, while the Ryzen 9 8945HX has Gen 5 with 28 CPU lanes. The sockets are different, FP11 for the AI Max+ PRO 395 and FL1 for the Ryzen 9 8945HX. The multiplier is locked on the AI Max+ PRO 395 but unlocked on the Ryzen 9 8945HX.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a split decision, with the Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 winning 8 tests and the Ryzen 9 8945HX winning 7. The victories are not evenly distributed by workload type.

The Ryzen 9 8945HX dominates in Cinebench single-core and one multi-core test. Its largest win is Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 6030 versus 2012.5, a 66.6% lead. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the gap is 607 versus 306, a 49.6% advantage. For multi-core, the Ryzen 9 wins Cinebench R23 with 42713 vs 35061, a 17.9% edge. The Ryzen 9 also leads in PassMark data compression (677755 vs 639356, 5.7% ahead), data encryption (40836 vs 32840, 19.6% ahead), integer math (195180 vs 190720, 2.3% ahead), and random string sorting (78781 vs 70150, 11% ahead).

The Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 counters with wins in several other areas. Its biggest victory is PassMark Physics, scoring 3189 versus 2168, a 47.1% advantage. It also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 5247 vs 4305, a 21.9% lead. In PassMark extended instructions, it is 4.5% ahead (52067 vs 49823). The AI Max+ PRO 395 also wins PassMark find prime numbers (284 vs 262, 8.4% ahead), floating point math (120533 vs 117453, 2.6% ahead), and single-thread (4078 vs 3907, 4.4% ahead). The PassMark multithread test is nearly a tie, with the AI Max+ PRO 395 winning by 0.2% (51502 vs 51405).

Specification Differences

The table below highlights the key differences between the two processors where they diverge.

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 | AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX |

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

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Zen 4 |

| Codename | Strix Halo | Dragon Range |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 5 nm |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.10 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP11 | AMD Socket FL1 |

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

| Memory Support | LPDDR5X | DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 256.0 GB/s | 83.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 Lanes | Gen 5, 28 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 8060S | Radeon 610M |

| Multiplier | Locked | Unlocked |

| Part Number | 100-000001243 | 100-000001848 |

| Release Date | 2025-01-05 | 2025-04-22 |

Both are 16-core, 32-thread mobile parts with 64 MB of shared L3 cache and 55W TDP. The production status for both is active.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results split the use cases fairly clearly. The Ryzen 9 8945HX is the better choice for workloads that rely on high single-core speed and classic multi-core rendering. The Cinebench R23 multi-core win (17.9% ahead) suggests it handles long, sustained all-core loads like video rendering or 3D animation better. Its single-core dominance (66.6% ahead in R23, 49.6% ahead in R15) makes it the stronger pick for lightly threaded productivity, legacy software, and tasks that do not scale across many cores. The PassMark encryption lead (19.6% ahead) also points to faster data security workloads.

The Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 takes the lead in physics simulation (47.1% ahead in PassMark Physics) and in workloads involving extended instruction sets (4.5% ahead). Its higher memory bandwidth (256.0 GB/s vs 83.2 GB/s) is a major advantage for memory-bound tasks like large data sets, machine learning inference, or integrated-GPU gaming. The win in PassMark Floating Point Math (2.6%) and Find Prime Numbers (8.4%) suggests an edge in scientific computing. The integrated Radeon 8060S versus the Radeon 610M is a clear win for users needing strong graphics output without a discrete GPU.

Percentile ranking places both in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, meaning each is near the top of the desktop database. The AI Max+ PRO 395 has a slightly higher average benchmark score (80762) versus the Ryzen 9 8945HX (76212), but that average masks the workload-specific swings. The AI Max+ PRO 395 sits close to the Intel Xeon w5-2565X and Ryzen 9 8940HX, while the Ryzen 9 8945HX sits close to Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX and Ryzen 9 9950X3D.

The Verdict

Choose the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX if your priority is raw single-thread speed and sustained multi-thread rendering. The data shows it is 66.6% ahead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 17.9% ahead in Cinebench R23 multi-core. It also leads in integer math, data compression, and encryption, making it a strong all-purpose part for creators who need predictable performance in mainstream software.

Choose the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 if your workload leans on physics, floating-point math, and memory bandwidth. The 47.1% physics lead and the quad-channel LPDDR5X with 256.0 GB/s bandwidth are the standout features. For users who expect to run integrated graphics or handle large data sets, the AI Max+ PRO 395 is the better fit. Its edge in extended instructions and single-thread (4.4% ahead) is smaller but still present.

In the end, each CPU wins in different categories. The Ryzen 9 8945HX is the safer choice for classic CPU-bound tasks, while the AI Max+ PRO 395 is tuned for memory-sensitive and more modern workloads. The decision should come down to which benchmarks you prioritize.