AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX vs Intel Core Ultra 7 366H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers a clear verdict: the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX wins 10 of the 11 head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H. The most decisive victories come in integer math, data compression, and extended instructions, where the AMD part more than doubles the Intel result. In passmark_integer_math, the Ryzen scores 172943 against 83695, a 106.6% advantage. Data compression shows a similar pattern: 662381 versus 327455, a 102.3% lead. Extended instructions follow at 100.1% ahead, with scores of 53817 and 26901 respectively.

Multithreaded performance reinforces the AMD dominance. The Ryzen 9 9850HX records 51722 in passmark_multithread, which is 54.7% higher than the Intel chip's 33429. Random string sorting also favors AMD substantially, with a 76.3% delta (70175 versus 39814). The single-thread results are closer but still favor the Ryzen: 4461 against 4043, a 10.3% edge in both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H claims exactly one victory: passmark_find_prime_numbers, where it scores 326 versus 323, a marginal 0.9% difference. This is the narrowest margin in the entire comparison and the only test where the Intel part leads. Other workloads show AMD leads ranging from 6% in physics (3054 versus 2880) to 24.4% in data encryption (32139 versus 25845). Floating point math sits in the middle at 11% ahead (115062 versus 103615).

The average benchmark score gap is stark. The AMD processor averages 106413 across all recorded tests, while the Intel processor averages 41263. This places the Ryzen 9 9850HX in the 97th percentile of all CPUs in the database, compared to the 87th percentile for the Core Ultra 7 366H. The nearest rival data for AMD includes the Intel Xeon w7-3555 at 106192 (0.2% behind) and the AMD EPYC 8324P at 103329 (3% behind). The Intel chip's nearest rivals are much closer in average score, with the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H at 41215 (0.1% behind) and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 at 41208 (0.1% behind).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Fire Range codename, built on a 4 nm TSMC process with 16,630 million transistors across a dual-die layout of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H uses the Panther Lake architecture, also the Panther Lake codename, fabricated on Intel's 3 nm process. Both are mobile parts, but the AMD chip belongs to the 9000 series while the Intel chip is part of the Core Ultra Series 3.

Core and thread counts differ in an interesting way. The Intel processor has 16 cores but only 16 threads, meaning no hyperthreading on this part. The AMD processor has 12 cores and 24 threads, giving it a 12-thread advantage in multithreaded workloads despite having 4 fewer physical cores. This explains why the AMD chip leads so heavily in passmark_multithread: it can process more simultaneous threads.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The AMD chip provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel chip offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and only 18 MB of shared L3. While the Intel design has larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations, the AMD part's 64 MB L3 is more than three times the Intel's total L3 capacity. This large shared cache likely contributes to AMD's strong data compression and sorting results.

Clock speeds favor AMD in both directions. The Ryzen 9 9850HX has a 3.00 GHz base clock and boosts to 5.20 GHz. The Core Ultra 7 366H runs at 2.00 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. The TDP difference is notable: AMD specifies 55 W, while Intel specifies 25 W. The AMD chip draws more power but delivers substantially higher performance across nearly every test.

Memory support differs in scope. Both support DDR5 and dual-channel memory, but the Intel chip adds LPDDR5X support. The Intel part also records higher memory bandwidth at 115.2 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for AMD. ECC memory is supported on the AMD chip but not on the Intel chip. PCIe lane counts differ as well: AMD offers Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 5 with 12 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics are present on both, with AMD using Radeon 610M and Intel using Xe3 Graphics. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel chip is locked. Release dates separate the two by roughly a year: the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX launched on 2025-01-05, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H launched on 2026-01-04.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX is the clear choice for compute-heavy workloads that scale with thread count and large caches. Data compression, integer math, extended instructions, and random string sorting all show AMD leads between 76.3% and 106.6%. These workloads benefit from the 24 threads and the 64 MB L3 cache. Encryption also favors AMD at 24.4% ahead, suggesting the Zen 5 architecture handles cryptographic operations more efficiently.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H wins only in prime number calculation, and by a razor-thin 0.9% margin. This suggests that for single-threaded integer loops that are not memory-bandwidth-bound, the Intel architecture can keep pace. The Intel chip's higher per-core L1 cache (192 KB versus 80 KB) and L2 cache (2.5 MB versus 1 MB) may help in tight loop workloads that fit in those caches. The 25 W TDP also makes it the more power-efficient option on paper, though the database records no direct power consumption measurements.

For floating point math, the AMD lead shrinks to 11%, indicating that the Intel chip's FPU performance is relatively competitive. Physics simulation shows only a 6% AMD advantage, the second-smallest gap in the dataset. The Intel chip's strongest relative performance appears in workloads that do not scale with thread count and do not require large shared caches.

The single-thread results deserve attention. The AMD chip leads by 10.3% in passmark_single_thread, but the Intel chip's 4043 score is not far behind. This means for lightly threaded applications, the user-visible difference will be modest. The gap widens dramatically as thread utilization increases.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H has 16 cores but only 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multithreaded workloads?

A: In passmark_multithread, the AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX scores 51722 versus 33429 for the Intel chip, a 54.7% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H wins passmark_find_prime_numbers with a score of 326 versus 323, a 0.9% difference.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores?

A: The AMD processor averages 106413, while the Intel processor averages 41263. This places AMD in the 97th percentile and Intel in the 87th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H does not.

Q: What are the TDP specifications for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX has a TDP of 55 W. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H has a TDP of 25 W.

The Verdict

The data directs a straightforward conclusion. The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX outperforms the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H in 10 of 11 recorded benchmarks, often by very large margins. The average score difference of 106413 versus 41263 places the AMD chip in a different performance class, as confirmed by the 97th versus 87th percentile rankings. The only Intel victory is a 0.9% edge in prime number calculation, a workload-specific result that does not offset the AMD dominance elsewhere.

For workloads that use multiple threads, the AMD chip is the clear pick. The 24 threads and 64 MB L3 cache deliver 54.7% higher multithreaded scores and more than double the integer math and data compression results. The Intel chip's 16 threads and 18 MB L3 cannot compensate for these structural disadvantages.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H does offer a lower TDP of 25 W versus 55 W, and it supports LPDDR5X memory with higher bandwidth at 115.2 GB/s. It also has a more recent release date and a smaller process node at 3 nm versus 4 nm. But the benchmark data shows no performance benefit from these features in the recorded tests. The prime number result is the only place where the Intel architecture demonstrates an advantage.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX also carries an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the Intel chip is locked. The AMD part supports ECC memory and has 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes versus 12 on the Intel chip. These features, combined with the substantial benchmark lead, make the AMD processor the stronger choice for users who prioritize raw compute performance in a mobile platform.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 9850HX | Intel Core Ultra 7 366H |

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

| Cores | 12 | 16 |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Fire Range | Panther Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 610M | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Transistors | 16,630 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 2x 70.6 mm² | Not recorded |

| Release Date | 2025-01-05 | 2026-01-04 |

| Part Number | 100-000001366 | SA4R9Q9EL |