AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a strikingly one-sided comparison. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins all 23 recorded head-to-head tests, with no victories for the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. The margins range from modest single-thread advantages to massive multi-thread and specialized workload leads.

Starting with multi-threaded performance, the desktop chip dominates. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the 9900X scores 32,172 against 21,761 for the HX 370, a 47.8% lead. Cinebench R15 multicore shows an even larger gap of 46.9% (5,008 vs 3,409.5). Geekbench multicore follows the same pattern, with the 9900X delivering 22,174 versus 15,242, a 45.5% advantage. The 3DMark suite reinforces this trend: at 16 threads the 9900X leads by 34% (12,552 vs 9,365), and at max threads the gap expands to 43.2% (13,929 vs 9,725).

The most extreme delta appears in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where the 9900X scores 436 against 126, a remarkable 246% difference. This suggests a significant advantage in workloads that stress integer-heavy, branch-dependent operations. Similarly, PassMark extended instructions shows a 74.5% lead (55,243 vs 31,653), indicating the desktop part handles advanced instruction sets far more efficiently.

Single-thread performance tells a similar story, though with narrower margins. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the 9900X leads by 11.6% (2,253 vs 2,018). The 3DMark single-thread test shows an 11.5% advantage (1,286 vs 1,153), and Geekbench single-core records a 25.1% gap (3,010 vs 2,407). PassMark single-thread scores are 4,672 versus 3,973, a 17.6% difference.

Specialized workloads amplify the desktop chip's lead. PassMark data compression shows the 9900X at 683,579 versus 445,719, a 53.4% gap. Data encryption follows at 50.2% (33,421 vs 22,252). Floating-point math favors the 9900X by 56.2% (120,083 vs 76,892), and integer math by 47.3% (181,056 vs 122,933). Random string sorting shows a 47.8% delta (72,013 vs 48,723), while multithread performance overall sits at 55.5% (54,643 vs 35,148). Physics calculations show a 79.7% advantage (3,381 vs 1,881), one of the larger proportional leads outside the prime number test.

The Verdict

The recorded data leaves little ambiguity. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X outperforms the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in every single benchmark recorded, across all thread counts and workload types. The desktop processor holds a 92nd percentile ranking among all CPUs, while the mobile chip sits at the 86th percentile. Their average benchmark scores differ substantially: 57,498 for the 9900X versus 37,904 for the HX 370.

The nearest rivals for each chip further contextualize their positions. The 9900X sits within 1.4% of the Intel Core i9-14900 and within 0.2% of the AMD EPYC 7313. The HX 370 lands within 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 and essentially ties the Intel Core i9-14901E at a 0% delta. These rival positions confirm that both chips occupy respectable tiers, but the gap between them is substantial.

For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, the 9900X is the clear choice based on the data. For those requiring a mobile form factor with lower power draw, the HX 370 remains a capable option, but it does not match the desktop part in any measured category. The data does not suggest any workload where the HX 370 would be preferred on performance grounds alone.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Zen 5 architecture and are manufactured on TSMC's 4 nm process node. However, their implementations diverge significantly. The 9900X uses the Granite Ridge codename and belongs to the Ryzen 9 generation, while the HX 370 uses the Strix Point codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI 300 generation, which mixes Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores.

The die sizes reveal a fundamental difference in physical design. The 9900X uses a dual-chiplet layout with two 70.6 mm² dies, totaling 16,630 million transistors. The HX 370 uses a single monolithic die measuring 233 mm². This structural difference likely contributes to the thermal and power characteristics of each part.

Cache configurations differ sharply. Both chips provide 80 KB of L1 cache and 1 MB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, is 64 MB on the 9900X versus 16 MB on the HX 370. This fourfold difference in L3 capacity likely explains part of the desktop chip's advantage in data-heavy workloads like compression and encryption.

Power envelopes are dramatically different. The 9900X carries a 120W TDP, while the HX 370 is rated at 28W. This 92W difference in thermal design power reflects the desktop versus mobile positioning. Clock speeds follow suit: the 9900X has a 4.40 GHz base clock and 5.60 GHz boost clock, while the HX 370 runs at 2.00 GHz base and 5.10 GHz boost.

Memory support shows both similarities and differences. Both use dual-channel memory buses with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The 9900X supports DDR5 and ECC memory, while the HX 370 supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but lacks ECC. PCIe connectivity also differs: the 9900X offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes, while the HX 370 provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The 9900X includes Radeon Graphics, while the HX 370 features the Radeon 890M. The 9900X uses the AMD Socket AM5 with an unlocked multiplier, while the HX 370 uses AMD Socket FP8 with a locked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has an average benchmark score of 57,498, compared to 37,904 for the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370.

Q: Are both processors built on the same architecture?

A: Yes, both use the Zen 5 architecture and are fabricated on TSMC's 4 nm process node. They differ in codename, with the 9900X using Granite Ridge and the HX 370 using Strix Point.

Q: How much faster is the 9900X in the largest single benchmark margin?

A: In the PassMark find prime numbers test, the 9900X scores 436 versus 126 for the HX 370, a 246% difference.

Q: Do the two chips have the same memory bandwidth?

A: Yes, both are rated at 89.6 GB/s with dual-channel memory buses. They differ in memory types supported, with the HX 370 adding LPDDR5X while the 9900X supports DDR5 and ECC memory.

Q: What is the core and thread count for each processor?

A: Both have 12 cores and 24 threads. The 9900X uses all Zen 5 cores, while the HX 370 uses a mix of Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?

A: The 9900X boosts to 5.60 GHz, while the HX 370 boosts to 5.10 GHz. The base clocks are 4.40 GHz and 2.00 GHz, respectively.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split is defined by the magnitude of its advantages rather than any HX 370 victories. The desktop part excels most in heavily multi-threaded scenarios: Cinebench R23 multicore shows a 47.8% lead, and PassMark multithread shows 55.5%. Workloads involving extended instruction sets (74.5% lead), physics calculations (79.7%), and prime number searches (246%) see the largest proportional gaps.

The 9900X also holds substantial leads in data-intensive tasks. Compression tests show a 53.4% advantage, encryption a 50.2% lead, and random string sorting a 47.8% gap. These results point to the 64 MB L3 cache as a decisive factor, allowing the desktop chip to keep more working data on-die.

The HX 370, while behind in every metric, shows its smallest deficits in lightly threaded workloads. Single-thread tests see the closest margins: 11.5% in 3DMark single-thread and 11.6% in Cinebench R23 single-core. The 2-thread 3DMark test shows a 15.6% gap, which is also relatively narrow. This suggests the mobile chip's Zen 5 cores remain competitive on a per-thread basis, but its lower base clock and reduced cache limit sustained performance.

For mobile use, the HX 370's 28W TDP versus the 9900X's 120W TDP indicates a fundamentally different thermal profile. The data does not include battery life or thermal measurements, but the power envelope clearly positions the HX 370 for laptops while the 9900X targets desktop systems with ample cooling.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The 9900X uses the AMD Socket AM5, while the HX 370 uses AMD Socket FP8. The 9900X has a 4.40 GHz base clock and 5.60 GHz boost clock; the HX 370 runs at 2.00 GHz base and 5.10 GHz boost. TDP ratings are 120W versus 28W.

Cache configurations diverge in L3 only: both provide 80 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, but the 9900X has 64 MB L3 versus 16 MB for the HX 370. Memory support differs, with the 9900X offering DDR5 plus ECC, while the HX 370 offers DDR5 and LPDDR5X without ECC. PCIe capability differs: Gen 5 with 24 lanes for the 9900X versus Gen 4 with 16 lanes for the HX 370.

Integrated graphics differ, with the 9900X featuring Radeon Graphics and the HX 370 featuring Radeon 890M. The 9900X has an unlocked multiplier, the HX 370 does not. The 9900X carries a launch MSRP of $499, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the HX 370. The transistor count for the 9900X is 16,630 million, while no transistor count is listed for the HX 370. Die sizes are 2x 70.6 mm² for the 9900X versus 233 mm² for the HX 370.

The 9900X belongs to the 9000 series, while the HX 370 belongs to the Ryzen AI 300 series. Their release dates differ as well, with the 9900X released on 2024-08-14 and the HX 370 on 2024-06-30.