AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data draws a clear separation between these two processors. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF is the overall performance leader, winning 15 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. Its victories are decisive across most workloads, with particularly large margins in prime number finding, physics simulation, and floating point math. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX holds two notable wins: integer math and data compression. The Intel part also posts a higher average benchmark score of 71910 versus 76212 for the AMD, though the AMD chip sits at the 95th percentile of all CPUs while Intel sits at the 94th percentile. The AMD processor’s nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX, scores nearly identically (76155, a 0.1% difference), placing the Ryzen 9 8945HX in very elite company. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF, with a launch MSRP of $379, is the choice for users prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput and single-core speed. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is the pick for workloads that rely on integer operations and data compression, and for those needing an integrated GPU, as it includes a Radeon 610M while the Intel part has none.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF consistently beats the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX by 14.1% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. The Intel scores 49736 in R23 multi-core versus 42713 for the AMD.

Q: Does the AMD processor have any benchmark wins over Intel?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX wins two tests: PassMark integer math with a score of 195180 versus 143351 for Intel (a 36.2% advantage), and PassMark data compression with 677755 versus 666589 (a 1.7% advantage).

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF has 20 cores and 20 threads, meaning no hyperthreading. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, offering more simultaneous threads despite fewer physical cores.

Q: What is the difference in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel part leads in single-thread benchmarks. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 7021 against 6030 for AMD, a 14.1% difference. In PassMark single-thread tests, Intel scores 4928 versus 3907, a 20.7% advantage.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF have the multiplier unlocked.

Q: Which processor has a higher power rating?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF has a TDP of 125 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX has a TDP of 55 watts. The AMD part is a mobile processor, whereas Intel is a desktop part.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is built on the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Dragon Range, and is manufactured on a 5 nm process by TSMC. It uses a chiplet design with a die size of 2x 71 mm² and contains 13,140 million transistors. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF uses the Arrow Lake architecture, codenamed Arrow Lake-S, and is built on a more advanced 3 nm process, also by TSMC. Intel’s die is a monolithic 243 mm² with 17,800 million transistors.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The AMD processor provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a 64 MB shared L3 cache. Intel’s part offers a larger 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, but a smaller 30 MB shared L3. This means the AMD chip has more than double the total L3 capacity, which can benefit certain data-heavy workloads. The Intel design compensates with larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations.

Memory support is DDR5 for both, with dual-channel buses. However, the memory bandwidth differs: Intel reaches 102.4 GB/s while AMD achieves 83.2 GB/s. PCIe connectivity also varies. AMD provides 28 CPU lanes of Gen 5, while Intel offers 20 CPU lanes of Gen 5. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX integrates a Radeon 610M GPU, making it a self-contained mobile solution. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. Both parts have unlocked multipliers, but the AMD is positioned for the mobile segment, using the AMD Socket FL1, while Intel targets desktops with the Intel Socket 1851.

Specification Differences

The primary specification differences are as follows. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, whereas the Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF has 20 cores and 20 threads. Base clock speeds differ: AMD runs at 2.50 GHz, Intel at 3.90 GHz. Boost clocks are close, with AMD at 5.40 GHz and Intel at 5.50 GHz.

Power consumption is a major distinction. The AMD mobile chip has a TDP of 55 watts, while the Intel desktop chip draws 125 watts. Process nodes also differ: AMD uses 5 nm, Intel uses 3 nm. The transistor counts are 13,140 million for AMD and 17,800 million for Intel. Die sizes are 2x 71 mm² for AMD versus a single 243 mm² for Intel.

Cache capacities diverge in L1, L2, and L3. AMD has 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, with 64 MB L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 per core, with 30 MB L3. Memory bandwidth favors Intel at 102.4 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s. PCIe lanes favor AMD at 28 Gen 5 lanes versus 20 for Intel.

Integrated graphics are present only on AMD, with the Radeon 610M. Intel has no iGPU. Sockets are different: AMD Socket FL1 versus Intel Socket 1851. Release dates also differ, with AMD launching on 2025-04-22 and Intel on 2024-10-23. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $379, while AMD has no listed launch MSRP. Finally, the Intel part has a part number of SRQCU, and AMD is 100-000001848.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a pattern of Intel dominance in most compute-heavy tasks, but with AMD counter-punching in specific domains. The most striking Intel wins come in prime number finding and physics simulation. In PassMark find prime numbers, Intel scores 486 against AMD’s 262, a massive 46.1% advantage. PassMark physics shows Intel at 3633 versus 2168, a 40.3% lead.

Floating point math heavily favors Intel. The PassMark floating point test records 189431 for Intel versus 117453 for AMD, a 38% difference. This suggests Intel’s architecture executes floating point operations with significantly higher throughput. Integer math tells the opposite story. AMD wins PassMark integer math with 195180 against Intel’s 143351, giving AMD a 36.2% advantage. This is the largest margin for AMD in any test.

Cinebench results are uniformly in Intel’s favor. Across R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core, Intel leads by exactly 14.1%. For example, Cinebench R23 multi-core scores 49736 for Intel and 42713 for AMD. Single-core R23 shows 7021 for Intel versus 6030 for AMD. This consistent delta indicates a fundamental per-clock performance advantage for Intel in these rendering workloads.

PassMark multithread shows Intel ahead with 58518 versus 51405, a 12.2% lead. Single-thread performance also favors Intel: 4928 versus 3907, a 20.7% gap. Data encryption is another Intel win, with 48198 versus 40836, a 15.3% difference. Extended instructions lean Intel, 54513 versus 49823, an 8.6% edge.

Random string sorting is nearly a tie. Intel scores 79735, AMD scores 78781, with Intel ahead by only 1.2%. Data compression is the closest race, with AMD narrowly winning 677755 against 666589, a 1.7% margin.

The final tally is 15 wins for Intel and 2 for AMD. Intel’s victories span rendering, encryption, physics, and floating point. AMD’s wins are in integer math and data compression. For users with integer-heavy workloads, the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX offers a compelling advantage. For everything else, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF is the superior performer according to the recorded data.