AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX vs Intel Core 7 253PE Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and Intel Core 7 253PE occupy different corners of the processor market, and the benchmark data reflects a clear split in their capabilities. The Ryzen 9 8945HX is a 16-core mobile powerhouse built on a 5 nm process, while the Core 7 253PE is a 10-core desktop part on Intel's 10 nm node. Across 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the AMD processor claims victory in 15, while the Intel chip wins only 2, both in single-threaded PassMark tests. This distribution of wins sets the stage for a detailed analysis of where each processor excels and what the underlying architecture differences mean for real-world performance.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 9 8945HX dominates the multi-threaded and compute-heavy workload categories. In Cinebench tests, which are standard for rendering and 3D modeling workloads, the AMD chip shows a consistent 71.7% lead over the Intel part across all three versions of the test, for both single-core and multi-core runs. The PassMark suite reinforces this pattern, with the AMD processor leading by 99.8% in data compression, 122.1% in data encryption, and 128.5% in extended instructions. These are substantial margins that point to the Ryzen 9 8945HX being the clear choice for users who need heavy computational throughput.

The Intel Core 7 253PE, by contrast, finds its only victories in the PassMark single-thread tests, where it scores 3955 against the AMD's 3907, a margin of 1.2%. This is a narrow lead, but it is a lead nonetheless. The data suggests that in lightly threaded applications where a single core does most of the work, the Intel chip can edge ahead. However, the margin is small enough that it would be imperceptible in most real-world usage. The Intel part also holds a modest advantage in the PassMark physics test, but the AMD chip still wins that comparison by 17.5%, so it is not a category where Intel comes out ahead.

The overall benchmark averages tell a similar story. The Ryzen 9 8945HX has an average benchmark score of 76212, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. The Core 7 253PE has an average of 40557, which puts it in the 87th percentile. The gap between these averages is substantial, nearly 88%, and it reflects the fundamental difference in core counts and thread counts between the two processors.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX uses the Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename, manufactured by TSMC on a 5 nm process. It contains 13,140 million transistors across a die size of 2x 71 mm². The Intel Core 7 253PE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, manufactured by Intel on a 10 nm process, with no transistor count or die size data recorded in the database.

The core and thread counts differ significantly. The AMD chip has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel chip has 10 cores and 20 threads. This 60% advantage in core count and thread count for the AMD processor is the primary driver of its multi-threaded performance lead. The cache hierarchy also differs. The Ryzen 9 8945HX has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Core 7 253PE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip's larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 33 MB) likely contributes to its strong performance in data-heavy workloads.

The base clocks are identical at 2.50 GHz for both processors, but the boost clocks differ slightly. The AMD chip boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Intel chip boosts to 5.50 GHz. Despite the Intel chip's higher boost clock, it cannot overcome the AMD chip's core and cache advantages in most tests. The TDP also differs, with the AMD chip rated at 55 watts and the Intel chip at 65 watts, though this is a desktop part while the AMD is a mobile part.

Memory support and platform features diverge as well. The AMD chip supports DDR5 memory only, with a dual-channel bus and 83.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also with a dual-channel bus, but with higher memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory, which the AMD chip does not. PCIe connectivity differs, with the AMD chip offering Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only) and the Intel chip offering Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ, with the AMD chip using Radeon 610M and the Intel chip using UHD Graphics 730.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 4305 against the Intel's 2507, a 71.7% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap, 607 vs 354, also 71.7%. This pattern holds across R20 and R23, with the AMD chip scoring 17939 vs 10449 in R20 multi-core, and 42713 vs 24880 in R23 multi-core. The single-core R23 test shows 6030 vs 3512, again a 71.7% lead for the AMD chip.

The PassMark suite reveals where the largest gaps occur. The biggest margin is in random string sorting, where the AMD chip scores 78781 against the Intel's 32777, a 140.4% advantage. Data encryption shows a 122.1% lead for AMD, with scores of 40836 vs 18385. Extended instructions show a 128.5% lead, with scores of 49823 vs 21806. These are the workloads where the AMD chip's 16 cores and 32 threads provide the most benefit.

The smallest AMD victories are in floating point math and physics. Floating point math shows a 45.2% lead, with scores of 117453 vs 80870. The physics test shows a 17.5% lead, with scores of 2168 vs 1845. These narrower margins suggest that the Intel chip's architecture is relatively stronger in these specific workloads, even though it still loses.

The Intel chip's wins come in the PassMark single-thread tests. Both the single_thread and singlethread entries show the same result: Intel scores 3955, AMD scores 3907, a 1.2% edge for Intel. This is the only category where the Intel chip outperforms the AMD chip, and the margin is small.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear conclusion for users prioritizing raw performance. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is the stronger processor in nearly every benchmark category, with particularly large leads in multi-threaded workloads, data compression, encryption, and extended instruction sets. Its 16-core, 32-thread configuration and 64 MB of L3 cache give it a decisive advantage in rendering, scientific computing, and any application that scales across many threads. The 95th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 76212, confirms its high-end positioning. Its nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX with an average score of 76155 and a delta of 0.1%, and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D with an average score of 75779 and a delta of 0.6%, show that it sits in elite company.

The Intel Core 7 253PE, with its 87th percentile ranking and average benchmark score of 40557, is a more modest performer. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core 5 223PE with an average score of 40585 and a delta of -0.1%, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7940H with an average score of 40431 and a delta of 0.3%. The Intel chip's single-thread victory is its only meaningful advantage, and that margin is too small to recommend it over the AMD chip for most use cases. The data shows that the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX delivers superior performance across the board, making it the more capable processor for demanding workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 7 253PE has 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

A: The largest gap is in PassMark random string sorting, where the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX leads by 140.4%, scoring 78781 against the Intel's 32777.

Q: Does the Intel Core 7 253PE win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the Intel chip wins the PassMark single-thread tests, scoring 3955 against the AMD's 3907, a 1.2% advantage.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX has an average benchmark score of 76212, while the Intel Core 7 253PE has an average benchmark score of 40557.

Q: Do the two processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The AMD chip supports DDR5 memory only, while the Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PE has a higher boost clock at 5.50 GHz, compared to the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX at 5.40 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX | Intel Core 7 253PE |

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

| Cores | 16 | 10 |

| Threads | 32 | 20 |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Not recorded |

| Codename | Dragon Range | Bartlett Lake |

| Process Node | 5 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 13,140 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 2x 71 mm² | Not recorded |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 33 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 610M | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2025-04-22 | 2026-03-08 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | 100-000001848 | SA4QE |