AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX vs AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X Comparison

FAQ

Q: How does the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX compare to the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X in core count?

A: The Ryzen 9 8945HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Ryzen Embedded 9900X has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two processors?

A: The Ryzen 9 8945HX has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Ryzen Embedded 9900X runs at a higher base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen 9 8945HX does not.

Q: What is the process node for each chip?

A: The Ryzen 9 8945HX uses a 5 nm process node manufactured by TSMC. The Ryzen Embedded 9900X uses a smaller 4 nm process node, also from TSMC.

Q: Do these processors use the same socket?

A: No. The Ryzen 9 8945HX uses AMD Socket FL1, while the Ryzen Embedded 9900X uses AMD Socket AM5.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Ryzen 9 8945HX has a TDP of 55 watts, while the Ryzen Embedded 9900X has a TDP of 120 watts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations of AMD's architecture. The Ryzen 9 8945HX is built on Zen 4 with the codename Dragon Range, part of the 8000 series. The Ryzen Embedded 9900X uses Zen 5 with the codename Granite Ridge, part of the 9000 series. This generational split explains several key differences in the underlying design.

The process node differs, with the Ryzen 9 8945HX fabricated on a 5 nm process and the Ryzen Embedded 9900X on a 4 nm process, both from TSMC. The transistor counts reflect this difference. The Ryzen 9 8945HX contains 13,140 million transistors across a die size of 2x 71 mm², while the Ryzen Embedded 9900X packs 16,630 million transistors into a slightly smaller die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The higher transistor density in the Embedded part aligns with the newer Zen 5 architecture.

Cache layouts also differ between the two. The Ryzen 9 8945HX has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, for a total of 64 MB of L3 cache. The Ryzen Embedded 9900X has a larger L1 cache at 80 KB per core, the same 1 MB of L2 per core, and the same 64 MB of L3 cache. Neither processor features 3D V-Cache.

Memory and I/O capabilities show notable differences. Both support DDR5 memory and dual-channel memory buses. The Ryzen 9 8945HX has a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, while the Ryzen Embedded 9900X reaches 89.6 GB/s. The Ryzen Embedded 9900X adds ECC memory support, a feature absent from the Ryzen 9 8945HX. PCIe connectivity also differs: the Ryzen 9 8945HX offers Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the Ryzen Embedded 9900X offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only). Both parts have the multiplier unlocked, and both come with integrated graphics, though the Ryzen 9 8945HX uses Radeon 610M while the Ryzen Embedded 9900X uses a generic Radeon Graphics solution.

The market positioning is distinct. The Ryzen 9 8945HX targets the mobile segment with a TDP of 55 watts, while the Ryzen Embedded 9900X is a desktop-class embedded part with a TDP of 120 watts. The release dates differ as well, with the Ryzen 9 8945HX launching on April 22, 2025, and the Ryzen Embedded 9900X launching on October 6, 2025.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 9 8945HX wins decisively in multi-threaded workloads due to its higher core and thread count. With 16 cores and 32 threads versus 12 cores and 24 threads, the mobile chip has a 33% advantage in core count and a 33% advantage in thread count. This translates directly into better performance for heavily parallel tasks such as video rendering, 3D modeling, and software compilation. The benchmark data confirms this pattern, with the Ryzen 9 8945HX scoring 42,713 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 17,939 in Cinebench R20 multi-core.

The Ryzen Embedded 9900X counters with a higher base clock of 4.40 GHz and boost clock of 5.60 GHz, compared to 2.50 GHz and 5.40 GHz for the Ryzen 9 8945HX. The higher clocks give the Embedded part an advantage in lightly threaded workloads and applications that are sensitive to single-core performance. The newer Zen 5 architecture also brings improvements in instructions per clock, which should further boost single-threaded performance.

The Ryzen Embedded 9900X wins in memory bandwidth with 89.6 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s for the Ryzen 9 8945HX. It also offers ECC memory support, which is important for embedded applications where data integrity is critical. The Ryzen 9 8945HX does not support ECC memory, making it less suitable for mission-critical embedded workloads.

The Ryzen 9 8945HX wins on power efficiency in terms of TDP, consuming only 55 watts compared to 120 watts for the Ryzen Embedded 9900X. This makes the mobile part better suited for laptops and other power-constrained environments. The Ryzen 9 8945HX also has a higher average benchmark score of 76,212, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, while the Ryzen Embedded 9900X currently has no recorded benchmark scores and sits at the 50th percentile.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Ryzen 9 8945HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Ryzen Embedded 9900X has 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz for the Ryzen 9 8945HX and 4.40 GHz for the Ryzen Embedded 9900X. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz and 5.60 GHz, respectively.

TDP ratings are 55 watts for the Ryzen 9 8945HX and 120 watts for the Ryzen Embedded 9900X. The sockets differ, with the Ryzen 9 8945HX using AMD Socket FL1 and the Ryzen Embedded 9900X using AMD Socket AM5. The architecture is Zen 4 for the Ryzen 9 8945HX and Zen 5 for the Ryzen Embedded 9900X. The codenames are Dragon Range and Granite Ridge, respectively.

The process node is 5 nm for the Ryzen 9 8945HX and 4 nm for the Ryzen Embedded 9900X. Transistor counts are 13,140 million versus 16,630 million. Die sizes are 2x 71 mm² versus 2x 70.6 mm². L1 cache per core is 64 KB for the Ryzen 9 8945HX and 80 KB for the Ryzen Embedded 9900X. Both have 1 MB of L2 per core and 64 MB of L3 cache.

Memory bandwidth is 83.2 GB/s for the Ryzen 9 8945HX and 89.6 GB/s for the Ryzen Embedded 9900X. ECC memory support is absent on the Ryzen 9 8945HX and present on the Ryzen Embedded 9900X. PCIe lanes are 28 on the Ryzen 9 8945HX and 24 on the Ryzen Embedded 9900X, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics are Radeon 610M on the Ryzen 9 8945HX and Radeon Graphics on the Ryzen Embedded 9900X. The market segment is mobile for the Ryzen 9 8945HX and desktop for the Ryzen Embedded 9900X. Release dates are April 22, 2025, and October 6, 2025, respectively. Part numbers are 100-000001848 for the Ryzen 9 8945HX and 100-000000662E for the Ryzen Embedded 9900X.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data covers the Ryzen 9 8945HX extensively, while the Ryzen Embedded 9900X currently has no benchmark entries in the database. This means the comparison relies on the performance profile of the Ryzen 9 8945HX and the architectural specifications of the Embedded part.

The Ryzen 9 8945HX delivers strong multi-threaded results. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 42,713, and in Cinebench R20 multi-core, it scores 17,939. The Cinebench R15 multi-core result is 4,305. These scores place the chip in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 76,212. The nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX, has an average score of 76,155, putting the Ryzen 9 8945HX 0.1% ahead. The AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P scores 76,492, which is 0.4% ahead of the Ryzen 9 8945HX. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX scores 76,513, also 0.4% ahead. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D scores 75,779, putting it 0.6% behind the Ryzen 9 8945HX.

Single-threaded performance for the Ryzen 9 8945HX is also competitive. The Cinebench R23 single-core score is 6,030, and the Cinebench R20 single-core score is 2,532. The Cinebench R15 single-core score is 607. In PassMark tests, the single-thread score is 3,907.

The PassMark suite reveals specific workload strengths for the Ryzen 9 8945HX. Data encryption scores 40,836, extended instructions score 49,823, floating point math scores 117,453, integer math scores 195,180, and multithread performance scores 51,405. Data compression is particularly strong at 677,755. Physics scores 2,168, and random string sorting scores 78,781. The find prime numbers test scores 262.

The Ryzen Embedded 9900X has no benchmark scores in the database, so direct numerical comparison is not possible. However, its higher clocks and newer architecture indicate that it would likely perform well in single-threaded tests. The 4.40 GHz base clock is substantially higher than the 2.50 GHz base clock of the Ryzen 9 8945HX, and the 5.60 GHz boost clock edges out the 5.40 GHz boost of the mobile part. The Zen 5 architecture, with its larger 80 KB L1 cache per core, offers architectural advantages that Zen 4 does not have.

The Ryzen 9 8945HX benefits from its 16-core configuration in multi-threaded benchmarks. The additional cores provide a significant advantage in rendering, encoding, and compilation workloads. The 64 MB of L3 cache on both parts ensures that cache-sensitive workloads have ample storage, though the Ryzen Embedded 9900X's larger L1 cache may help with latency-sensitive tasks.

The absence of benchmark data for the Ryzen Embedded 9900X limits the head-to-head comparison to architectural analysis and the recorded scores of the Ryzen 9 8945HX. The database will require benchmark entries for the Embedded part before a complete numerical comparison can be made.