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

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and the Intel Core 7 253PQE are two very different processors aimed at different segments. The benchmark data reveals a clear split: the AMD chip dominates in nearly every multi-threaded and compute-heavy workload, while the Intel part claims a notable victory in a specific physics test and in raw single-thread performance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head results is the consistency of AMD's lead in the Cinebench suite. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Ryzen 9 8945HX wins by a nearly identical margin of 36.1%. This includes both multi-core and single-core runs, with scores like 42713 versus 31390 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 6030 versus 4431 in the single-core test. The uniformity of this 36.1% delta suggests a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The Passmark results paint a similar picture, though the margins vary more widely. AMD's largest win comes in data encryption, where it scores 40836 against Intel's 25515, a 60% advantage. Extended instructions show a 53.8% delta (49823 vs 32390), and random string sorting comes in at 45.3% (78781 vs 54222). Integer math also leans heavily toward AMD at 41.6% (195180 vs 137795), while data compression shows a 39.1% gap (677755 vs 487335).

The passmark multithread test confirms the overall trend, with AMD taking a 23.4% lead (51405 vs 41656). Floating-point math is the closest multi-core contest, with AMD ahead by only 11.6% (117453 vs 105279). Even the find prime numbers test, which often favors certain architectures, goes to AMD by 27.2% (262 vs 206).

Intel does manage to win three tests, and they are worth examining closely. The passmark physics test is a decisive win for the Core 7 253PQE, scoring 2970 versus 2168, a 27% advantage. This is the single largest margin in either direction across all tests. The other two Intel wins are in passmark single-thread and passmark singlethread, which appear to be the same test recorded under two names. In both, Intel scores 4389 against AMD's 3907, an 11% advantage.

The overall score tally is 14 wins for the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and 3 wins for the Intel Core 7 253PQE. The average benchmark scores reflect this dominance: the AMD part holds a 76212 average against Intel's 55919. This places the Ryzen 9 8945HX in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core 7 253PQE sits in the 91st percentile.

The Verdict

The data points to the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX as the stronger processor for nearly all compute-intensive tasks. Its 16 cores and 32 threads provide a substantial parallel processing advantage that shows up across Cinebench multi-core tests and most Passmark workloads. Anyone running render workloads, code compilation, data compression, or encryption tasks will see significant gains from the AMD chip. The 36.1% lead in every Cinebench test is a strong indicator of consistent performance scaling.

The Intel Core 7 253PQE, despite having fewer cores, delivers a higher single-thread score and a notable physics test win. The 11% advantage in passmark single-thread performance and the 27% lead in the physics test suggest that Intel's architecture handles certain latency-sensitive or lightly threaded workloads more efficiently. The physics test result is especially interesting, as it points to better performance in simulation or game physics scenarios that rely on specific instruction patterns.

For a user prioritizing maximum multi-core throughput, the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is the clear choice from this data. For workloads that depend heavily on single-thread speed or the specific physics test pattern, the Intel part has a measurable edge. The Intel chip also offers ECC memory support, which the AMD part lacks, a factor that may matter for certain workstation or server-adjacent use cases.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE scores 4389 in passmark single-thread, while the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX scores 3907. Intel holds an 11% advantage in this test.

Q: How large is AMD's lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX scores 42713, while the Intel Core 7 253PQE scores 31390. This gives AMD a 36.1% lead in that specific test.

Q: Does the Intel processor win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 7 253PQE wins the passmark physics test with a score of 2970 against AMD's 2168, and it also wins the passmark single-thread test with 4389 against 3907. These are the only three wins recorded for Intel.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX has an average benchmark score of 76212, while the Intel Core 7 253PQE averages 55919. AMD's average is significantly higher, which aligns with its 95th percentile ranking versus Intel's 91st percentile.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

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

Q: Does the AMD processor support ECC memory?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX does not support ECC memory. The Intel Core 7 253PQE does support ECC memory.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX uses 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core 7 253PQE uses 10 cores and 20 threads. Base clock speeds differ, with AMD at 2.50 GHz and Intel at 3.50 GHz. Boost clocks also differ, with AMD at 5.40 GHz and Intel at 5.70 GHz.

The thermal design power shows a substantial gap: the AMD part has a 55 W TDP, while the Intel part has a 125 W TDP. This indicates that Intel's higher clock speeds come with a significantly higher power draw, which is relevant for system thermal design.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX supports only DDR5 memory, while the Intel Core 7 253PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth figures favor Intel at 89.6 GB/s versus AMD's 83.2 GB/s, even though both use dual-channel memory buses.

PCIe lane counts also differ. The AMD processor supports Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel processor also supports Gen 5 but with only 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics differ, with AMD using Radeon 610M and Intel using UHD Graphics 770.

The socket types are entirely different, with AMD on Socket FL1 and Intel on Socket 1700. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $409, while the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP. The Intel multiplier is locked, while the AMD multiplier is unlocked.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX uses the Zen 4 architecture on the Dragon Range codename, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It contains 13,140 million transistors spread across a dual-die design with each die measuring 71 mm². The cache layout uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a large 64 MB of L3 cache.

The Intel Core 7 253PQE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database. Its cache layout differs significantly: 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache.

The AMD part belongs to the 8000 series and the Ryzen 9 generation, while the Intel part belongs to the Core 7 generation. The AMD part is classified as a mobile processor, while the Intel part is classified as a desktop processor. The Intel part supports ECC memory, while the AMD part does not.

The process node difference is notable: AMD uses a 5 nm process, while Intel uses a 10 nm process. This likely contributes to the AMD part's lower TDP of 55 W despite having more cores. The Intel part's higher base clock of 3.50 GHz and boost clock of 5.70 GHz may be enabled by its higher 125 W TDP.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX wins in the vast majority of recorded workloads. Its 16-core, 32-thread configuration delivers strong multi-threaded performance across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, with a consistent 36.1% lead over the Intel part. It also wins in data compression, encryption, extended instructions, integer math, floating-point math, multithread, prime number finding, and random string sorting.

The AMD chip is the clear choice for tasks like video rendering, 3D modeling, software compilation, and data processing where parallel execution is critical. Its large 64 MB L3 cache likely helps in workloads with large working sets, such as data compression and encryption, where it shows a 39.1% and 60% lead respectively.

The Intel Core 7 253PQE wins in the passmark physics test and in passmark single-thread performance. The physics test result, with a 27% lead, suggests an advantage in simulation workloads or applications that use physics engines. The single-thread win of 11% indicates that lightly threaded applications, such as older games or single-threaded productivity software, will run slightly faster on the Intel chip.

The Intel part also offers ECC memory support, which may be a deciding factor for users running memory-sensitive workloads or building a system where error correction is required. Its higher memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, despite the smaller L3 cache, may benefit certain memory-bound tasks. The Intel chip's support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory provides more flexibility for system builders choosing memory modules.