AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a dominant performance profile for the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X across every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. The Ryzen 9 9950X wins 17 of the 17 tests, with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 failing to secure a single victory. The margins are substantial, ranging from a 10.8% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core to a staggering 182.8% advantage in PassMark's find prime numbers test.

Starting with the multi-threaded workloads, the Ryzen 9 9950X delivers 40,924 in Cinebench R23 multicore against 21,812 for the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, a delta of 87.6%. Geekbench multicore shows a similar story: 25,616 versus 13,957, a 83.5% lead. In PassMark multithread, the desktop part scores 66,030 compared to 32,916 for the mobile chip, a 100.6% difference. The Cinebench R15 multicore test records 6,335 versus 3,334, a 90% gap. These figures indicate that the 9950X roughly doubles the throughput of the HX 375 in heavily parallel workloads.

Single-thread performance is closer but still favors the desktop processor. Geekbench single-core shows 3,029 against 2,084, a 45.3% lead. PassMark single-thread records 4,737 versus 3,867, a 22.5% gap. Cinebench R23 single-core delivers 2,202 versus 1,988, a 10.8% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core posts 344 versus 301, a 14.3% lead. The smaller delta in Cinebench R23 suggests that the architectural efficiency of the Zen 5 cores narrows the gap in lightly threaded scenarios, though the 9950X still holds a clear edge.

The specialized PassMark workloads reveal the largest disparities. In passmark_extended_instructions, the 9950X scores 71,564 versus 29,269, a 144.5% advantage. Floating point math shows 159,063 versus 75,153, a 111.7% lead. Integer math records 242,097 versus 121,754, a 98.8% gap. Data compression produces 896,544 against 404,918, a 121.4% difference. Data encryption delivers 44,366 versus 20,802, a 113.3% lead. Random string sorting yields 94,368 versus 44,552, an 111.8% margin. Physics tests show 3,279 versus 1,819, an 80.3% advantage. The find prime numbers test is the outlier: 345 versus 122, a 182.8% delta, which represents the single largest relative gap in the entire dataset.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear hierarchy. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is a desktop flagship designed for maximum computational throughput. Its 94th percentile ranking among all CPUs, combined with an average benchmark score of 74,640, places it in the upper echelon of processors. The nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9745 (delta -0.2%), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 (delta +0.2%), the AMD EPYC 4545P (delta -1%), and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 (delta -1.1%). These deltas indicate that the 9950X sits in a tightly contested performance band near the top of the desktop and professional workstation segment.

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, in contrast, occupies the 89th percentile with an average score of 46,030. Its nearest rivals are the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 (delta -0.1%), the AMD EPYC 4364P (delta +0.1%), the Intel Core i9-13900HX (delta -0.1%), and the AMD EPYC 7303 (delta +0.2%). The HX 375 competes in a different performance class entirely, one populated by mobile processors and lower-tier server parts. Its average score is roughly 38% lower than that of the 9950X, a gap that is consistent across nearly every workload category.

For users selecting between these two parts, the decision rests entirely on form factor and power envelope. The 9950X delivers more than double the multi-threaded performance of the HX 375 in several tests, making it the obvious choice for desktop builds where sustained high power draw is acceptable. The HX 375, with its 28-watt TDP and mobile socket, is the only option for thin-and-light laptops. The data cannot recommend the HX 375 for raw performance, but it does show that this processor carries the same Zen 5 architecture into a mobile context, which explains its respectable single-core showing relative to the desktop flagship.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the Zen 5 architecture, but they diverge significantly in implementation. The Ryzen 9 9950X uses the Granite Ridge codename and belongs to the Ryzen 9 generation, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 uses the Strix Point codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI 300 generation. The 9950X is a homogeneous design with 16 full Zen 5 cores on a dual-chiplet layout, indicated by its 2x 70.6 mm² die size. The HX 375 uses a hybrid arrangement of Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores on a single 233 mm² die, which is recorded in its generation field as "Zen 5 / Zen 5c".

Both parts are fabricated on TSMC's 4 nm process node, and both use the same L1 cache configuration of 80 KB per core and L2 cache of 1 MB per core. The critical cache difference lies in L3: the 9950X has 64 MB of shared L3 cache, while the HX 375 has only 16 MB. This fourfold L3 advantage contributes directly to the 9950X's superior performance in data-heavy workloads such as passmark_data_compression and passmark_random_string_sorting.

The transistor counts differ in availability: the 9950X lists 16,630 million transistors, while the HX 375 does not have a recorded transistor figure. The die size difference is substantial, with the 9950X's dual-chiplet design totaling 141.2 mm² against the HX 375's monolithic 233 mm². The larger monolithic die for the mobile part reflects the integration of the Radeon 890M graphics engine, whereas the desktop 9950X carries only basic Radeon Graphics.

Specification Differences

The specification tables show several distinct differences between the two processors. The core count differs: the 9950X has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the HX 375 has 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 4.30 GHz for the desktop part versus 2.00 GHz for the mobile part, and boost clocks are 5.70 GHz versus 5.10 GHz, respectively.

Thermal design power is the most dramatic specification gap: the 9950X is rated at 170 watts, while the HX 375 is rated at 28 watts. This sixfold difference in power envelope explains the performance disparity and defines the intended usage scenario for each chip. The sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket AM5 for the desktop part and AMD Socket FP8 for the mobile part.

Memory support differs in type. The 9950X supports DDR5 only, while the HX 375 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Both use dual-channel memory buses with identical 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the 9950X but not on the HX 375. PCIe connectivity also differs: the 9950X offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes, while the HX 375 offers Gen 4 with 16 lanes.

The integrated graphics units are different: Radeon Graphics on the 9950X versus Radeon 890M on the HX 375. The market segments are Desktop and Mobile, respectively. The multiplier is unlocked on the 9950X, enabling overclocking, while the HX 375 has a locked multiplier. Release dates differ by roughly six weeks: the 9950X launched on 2024-08-14, and the HX 375 launched on 2024-06-30. The 9950X has a recorded launch MSRP of $649; the HX 375 has no launch MSRP recorded. Part numbers are 100-000001277 for the 9950X and 100-000001682 for the HX 375.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: How large is the performance gap in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Ryzen 9 9950X scores 40,924 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 scores 21,812, giving the desktop part an 87.6% advantage.

Q: Do both processors use the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both the Ryzen 9 9950X and the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 are fabricated on TSMC's 4 nm process node.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache capacity?

A: The Ryzen 9 9950X has 64 MB of L3 cache, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has 16 MB of L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Ryzen 9 9950X supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 does not.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Ryzen 9 9950X has a TDP of 170 watts, and the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has a TDP of 28 watts.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread score in Geekbench?

A: The Ryzen 9 9950X scores 3,029 in Geekbench single-core, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 scores 2,084, a 45.3% lead for the desktop part.