AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX vs Intel Core 7 360 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and Intel Core 7 360 represent two distinct approaches to mobile computing, with the former targeting high-performance workloads and the latter optimized for efficiency. The benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap, with the AMD processor winning 15 out of 17 head-to-head comparisons, but the Intel chip securing a notable victory in single-threaded PassMark testing.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 9 8945HX dominates multi-core workloads by a wide margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD processor scores 42,713 points against the Intel Core 7 360's 13,634, a delta of 213.3%. This pattern repeats across all Cinebench versions: R15 multi-core shows 4,305 versus 1,374 (213.3% delta), and R20 multi-core shows 17,939 versus 5,726 (213.3% delta). The consistency of this gap across Cinebench releases indicates a fundamental throughput advantage rather than a workload-specific anomaly.

Single-core Cinebench results tell a similar story. The Ryzen 9 8945HX leads with 607 points in R15 single-core versus 193, a 214.5% delta. In R20 single-core, the scores are 2,532 and 808 (213.4% delta), and in R23 single-core, 6,030 versus 1,924 (213.4% delta). These results suggest that the AMD architecture's higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz, combined with its Zen 4 design, delivers substantially stronger per-thread performance in rendering workloads.

The PassMark suite reveals the widest deltas. Integer math shows the largest gap: 195,180 for the AMD part against 34,238 for the Intel part, a 470.1% delta. Data compression follows at 677,755 versus 142,877 (374.4% delta), and random string sorting shows 78,781 versus 17,636 (346.7% delta). Extended instructions score 49,823 against 12,390 (302.1% delta), and data encryption shows 40,836 versus 11,164 (265.8% delta). Multi-thread performance in PassMark records 51,405 for AMD versus 15,544 for Intel (230.7% delta).

The Intel Core 7 360 secures its only wins in PassMark single-thread testing. It scores 4,274 points against the AMD processor's 3,907, a delta of -8.6% from the AMD perspective. This represents an 8.6% advantage for Intel in this specific metric. The two PassMark single-thread entries are duplicates, with identical scores of 4,274 and 3,907 respectively.

Other PassMark results continue the AMD trend. Floating point math shows 117,453 versus 44,963 (161.2% delta), physics shows 2,168 versus 1,213 (78.7% delta), and find prime numbers shows 262 versus 120 (118.3% delta). The physics gap, while still substantial, is the smallest percentage difference outside the single-thread tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX records an average benchmark score of 76,212, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 7 360 averages 18,374, which places it in the 72nd percentile.

Q: How does the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The database lists the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX as the closest competitor with an average score of 76,155, a 0.1% delta. The AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P scores 76,492 (-0.4% delta), the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX scores 76,513 (-0.4% delta), and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D scores 75,779 (0.6% delta).

Q: What processors are nearest to the Intel Core 7 360 in performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-13100 matches it exactly with an average score of 18,380 and a 0% delta. The Intel Core 5 330 scores 18,345 (0.2% delta), the Intel Core i3-14100 scores 18,318 (0.3% delta), and the Intel Core 3 305 scores 18,302 (0.4% delta).

Q: Does the Intel Core 7 360 win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, it wins both PassMark single-thread tests with a score of 4,274 against the AMD processor's 3,907. This represents an 8.6% advantage for Intel in this metric.

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

A: The largest gap appears in PassMark integer math, where the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX scores 195,180 against 34,238 for the Intel Core 7 360, a delta of 470.1%.

Q: What is the smallest performance gap outside the Intel single-thread wins?

A: The smallest AMD-favorable gap is in PassMark physics, with 2,168 versus 1,213, a delta of 78.7%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors use fundamentally different silicon. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is built on Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename, manufactured on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It contains 13,140 million transistors across a die size of 2x 71 mm². The Intel Core 7 360 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, manufactured on a 3 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The database does not list transistor count or die size for the Intel part.

Core configuration differs sharply. The AMD processor provides 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel processor provides 6 cores and 6 threads. The Intel part has no hyper-threading capability, so its thread count equals its core count. Cache layouts also diverge: AMD uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3. Intel uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Intel per-core L1 and L2 figures are larger, but the total L3 pool is much smaller, which aligns with the core count difference.

Memory architecture differs as well. The AMD processor supports DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus with 83.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel processor supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s of bandwidth. PCIe connectivity is also different: AMD offers Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). Neither processor supports ECC memory.

Integrated graphics differentiate the two. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX includes a Radeon 610M GPU. The Intel Core 7 360 includes Intel Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The database does not provide comparative graphics benchmarks, so any performance assessment would require additional data.

The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel processor is locked. This suggests overclocking potential for the AMD part, though the database does not include overclocking test results. Production status for both processors is listed as Active.

Specification Differences

The core specifications show clear separation between the two processors. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX operates with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Core 7 360 runs at 1.50 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. The AMD part carries a TDP of 55 watts, while the Intel part draws 15 watts.

Physical mounting differs: AMD uses Socket FL1, Intel uses BGA 1516. The AMD part belongs to the 8000 series with a Ryzen 9 generation label (Zen 4, Dragon Range). The Intel part is from the Wildcat Lake generation with a Core 5 label. The AMD processor launches on 2025-04-22, while the Intel processor launches on 2026-04-15. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $426; the database does not list a launch MSRP for the AMD part.

Part numbers also differ: AMD lists 100-000001848, Intel lists SAE3E. The Intel processor supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory types, while the AMD processor lists only DDR5. The memory bus width differs (dual-channel for AMD, single-channel for Intel), which directly affects the bandwidth figures of 83.2 GB/s versus 59.7 GB/s.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is the clear choice for multi-threaded and compute-intensive workloads. Its 16-core, 32-thread configuration, combined with 64 MB of L3 cache and a 5.40 GHz boost clock, delivers massive advantages in rendering, data compression, encryption, and integer-heavy tasks. The 470.1% lead in integer math and the 374.4% lead in data compression indicate that the AMD part excels where parallel execution matters most. The 95th percentile ranking against all CPUs places it in the upper tier of available processors, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX and AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D, both within 0.6% of its average score.

The Intel Core 7 360 wins the PassMark single-thread test by 8.6%, a meaningful result for lightly threaded applications that rely on single-core speed. Its 4,274 score against 3,907 suggests that the Wildcat Lake architecture, despite having only 6 cores and 6 threads, can deliver competitive responsiveness in single-thread scenarios. However, this advantage does not extend to Cinebench single-core tests, where the AMD part leads by more than 213% across all versions. The Intel processor's 15-watt TDP and 3 nm process also indicate an efficiency-oriented design, though the database does not include power consumption measurements to quantify this directly.

The Intel Core 7 360 sits in the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, with its nearest rivals being Intel Core i3-class desktop processors, all within 0.4% of its average score. This positions it as a mainstream mobile part rather than a high-end performer. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX, by contrast, competes at the top of the mobile and workstation segments, as shown by its rival list containing Threadripper and Ryzen 9 desktop-class parts.

For workloads that can utilize many threads, such as video rendering, scientific simulation, or large-scale data processing, the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX delivers between 78.7% and 470.1% higher scores depending on the specific test. For single-threaded PassMark workloads, the Intel Core 7 360 offers a modest 8.6% advantage. The overall benchmark record shows 15 wins for AMD and 2 wins for Intel, with the AMD processor's average score of 76,212 exceeding the Intel processor's 18,374 by a factor of roughly four.