AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a split decision between the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX and the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus. The AMD part wins 5 of the 11 head-to-head tests, while the Intel part wins 6. The overall average benchmark score, however, heavily favors the AMD processor: the Ryzen 9 9850HX records an average of 106413, placing it in the 97th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus averages 61834, in the 93rd percentile. This large gap in aggregate scores indicates that the AMD chip delivers a broader, more consistent performance advantage across the full test suite.

Users focused on integer-heavy and compression workloads should select the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX. It leads by 41.2% in integer math and by 34.3% in data compression. The AMD chip also wins in extended instructions (37% ahead), random string sorting (16.9% ahead), and the PassMark multithread test (7.2% ahead). The data shows the Ryzen 9 9850HX is the stronger choice for general productivity, code compilation, and database-style workloads where integer throughput and data manipulation dominate.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is the better option for floating-point and physics simulation tasks. It wins floating point math by 29.7%, physics by 20.5%, and data encryption by 15%. It also takes the single-thread test by 6.4% and the find prime numbers test by 33%. Users running scientific simulations, encryption, or lightly threaded applications will find the Intel part more responsive. The Intel chip also holds a slight edge in the Cinebench suite, with higher single-core and multi-core scores across R15, R20, and R23, though those tests are not part of the head-to-head comparison table.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different process nodes from the same foundry. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX uses a 4 nm process, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus uses a 3 nm process, both fabricated by TSMC. The AMD chip is based on the Zen 5 architecture and carries the codename Fire Range, part of the Ryzen 9 generation. The Intel chip uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename within the Core Ultra Series 2 generation.

Core counts differ substantially. The AMD part provides 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel part provides 20 cores and 20 threads. This means the AMD processor supports simultaneous multithreading, doubling its thread count, whereas the Intel processor operates on a one-thread-per-core basis. Despite having fewer physical cores, the AMD chip manages to win the multithread benchmark by 7.2%, indicating that its Zen 5 cores and SMT implementation deliver higher per-thread throughput.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part offers more L1 and L2 per core, but the AMD part has more than double the L3 capacity. Transistor counts are close: 16,630 million for AMD versus 17,800 million for Intel. The die size differs notably, with the AMD chip using a dual-die design at 2x 70.6 mm² versus a single 243 mm² die for Intel.

Memory support is DDR5 for both, with dual-channel buses. The AMD chip has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel chip has a higher 102.4 GB/s. The AMD part supports ECC memory; the Intel part does not. PCIe connectivity also differs: the AMD part provides Gen 5 with 28 CPU lanes, while the Intel part provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well, with the AMD Radeon 610M versus the Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided win for the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX comes in integer math, where it scores 172943 against 122449 for the Intel part, a 41.2% advantage. This result aligns with the AMD chip's architecture, which emphasizes integer execution units and high single-thread throughput. Extended instructions show a 37% lead for AMD, with scores of 53817 versus 39283, suggesting the Zen 5 implementation handles advanced instruction sets more efficiently.

Data compression favors AMD heavily as well. The Ryzen 9 9850HX scores 662381 versus 493179, a 34.3% margin. This test often scales with cache size and memory bandwidth, and the AMD chip's 64 MB L3 cache likely contributes to the result. Random string sorting also goes to AMD, 70175 versus 60020, a 16.9% edge. The multithread benchmark, which reflects overall parallel throughput, sees AMD ahead by 7.2% with 51722 versus 48270.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus takes its largest win in find prime numbers, scoring 482 versus 323, a 33% margin. This workload is often sensitive to clock speed and branch prediction, and the Intel part has a higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz versus 5.20 GHz. Floating point math goes to Intel by 29.7%, with 163567 versus 115062, indicating the Intel architecture handles FP arithmetic more effectively. Physics simulation also favors Intel, 3843 versus 3054, a 20.5% lead. Data encryption shows Intel ahead by 15%, 37813 versus 32139.

The single-thread test results show Intel leading by 6.4%, with 4764 versus 4461. This metric appears twice in the data, once as passmark_single_thread and once as passmark_singlethread, both with identical scores and the same delta. The Intel chip's higher boost clock and larger per-core L2 cache likely explain this result.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 20 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 3.00 GHz for AMD and 2.40 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.20 GHz for AMD and 5.30 GHz for Intel. Both have a TDP of 55 watts.

The process node differs: 4 nm for AMD versus 3 nm for Intel. Both use TSMC as the foundry. The AMD chip has a transistor count of 16,630 million across a dual-die design of 2x 70.6 mm², while the Intel chip has 17,800 million transistors on a single 243 mm² die. Cache configurations differ: AMD uses 80 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core with 64 MB shared L3, while Intel uses 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 per core with 30 MB shared L3.

Memory bandwidth is higher on the Intel part at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for AMD, though both support DDR5 on dual-channel buses. ECC memory support is present on AMD but absent on Intel. PCIe lanes differ: AMD provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes, Intel provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The integrated GPU is the Radeon 610M for AMD and the Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU for Intel. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FL1, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 2114. Both are mobile market segments with active production status. Both have unlocked multipliers. Release dates differ, with AMD launching on January 5, 2025, and Intel launching on March 16, 2026.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX has an average benchmark score of 106413, which is significantly higher than the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus at 61834. The AMD chip ranks in the 97th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel chip ranks in the 93rd percentile.

Q: How does the AMD processor win the multithread test despite having fewer cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 20 cores and 20 threads. Despite the core count disadvantage, AMD scores 51722 in the PassMark multithread test versus 48270 for Intel, a 7.2% advantage. The AMD chip uses simultaneous multithreading, doubling its thread count to 24, which helps it outperform the Intel part's 20 threads.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in favor of the Intel processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus wins the find prime numbers test by 33%, scoring 482 versus 323 for AMD. This is its biggest margin among the head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel part also wins floating point math by 29.7% and physics by 20.5%.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache, and does it affect benchmark results?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX has 64 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip wins data compression by 34.3% and random string sorting by 16.9%, tests that often benefit from larger cache capacity. The Intel chip provides more L1 and L2 cache per core, with 192 KB and 3 MB respectively, versus 80 KB and 1 MB for AMD.

Q: Do the two processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes for the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX, which has ECC memory support. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus does not support ECC memory. Both support DDR5 memory on dual-channel buses, with the Intel part having higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s.

Q: How do the single-thread scores compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus scores 4764 in the PassMark single-thread test, which is 6.4% higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX at 4461. The Intel part has a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, slightly higher than the AMD's 5.20 GHz, and this likely contributes to its single-thread advantage.