AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX vs AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX are two 16-core mobile processors from the same Fire Range family, and the benchmark data shows a clear performance hierarchy between them. The 9955HX3D wins 13 of the 15 recorded head-to-head tests, with its largest advantages appearing in physics simulation and prime number finding, while the 9955HX takes a narrow lead in single-core Cinebench tests. The database records an average benchmark score of 97453 for the 9955HX3D against 91199 for the 9955HX, placing both in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, but the 3D V-Cache model consistently delivers more throughput in multi-threaded and cache-sensitive workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The use-case split is defined by the 3D V-Cache advantage. The 9955HX3D is the clear winner for workloads that benefit from large, fast cache hierarchies. Its 82.9% lead in the passmark_find_prime_numbers test and 72.3% lead in passmark_physics are the most dramatic separations in the entire comparison, indicating that this processor is substantially stronger in scientific computing, simulation, and any task with high data reuse. The 9955HX3D also wins the passmark_multithread test by 11.6%, making it the better choice for heavily parallel rendering, compilation, and content creation workloads.

The 9955HX wins only two tests, both in single-core Cinebench: cinebench_r15_singlecore with a 1.2% advantage and cinebench_r23_singlecore with a 0.7% advantage. These are small margins, and they suggest that the non-X3D part has a slight edge in lightly threaded, short-duration tasks where the extra cache of the 9955HX3D does not provide a benefit. However, the 9955HX3D actually wins the passmark_single_thread test by 2.7%, so the single-core picture is mixed. For most users, the 9955HX3D is the stronger all-around processor, while the 9955HX is only preferable in specific single-threaded Cinebench scenarios.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture. They are built on the Zen 5 architecture with the Fire Range codename, use a 4 nm process node from TSMC, and contain 16,630 million transistors across a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². Both have 16 cores and 32 threads, a base clock of 2.50 GHz, a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, and a 55 W TDP. They use the AMD Socket FL1, support DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, and include ECC memory support. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and both integrate a Radeon 610M graphics unit.

The single architectural difference is the L3 cache. The 9955HX3D has 128 MB of L3 cache, while the 9955HX has 64 MB of shared L3 cache. This doubling of the L3 cache is the source of the performance gap. The 3D V-Cache technology on the 9955HX3D allows a much larger pool of data to be stored on-die, reducing the need to access slower system memory. This explains why the 9955HX3D excels in tests like passmark_find_prime_numbers and passmark_physics, which are known to be sensitive to memory latency and cache capacity. The rest of the specifications, including PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes, the unlocked multiplier, and the January 5, 2025 release date, are identical.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the 9955HX3D is in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where it scores 525 against 287 for the 9955HX, a delta of 82.9%. This is an exceptional margin and indicates that the 3D V-Cache has a transformative effect on this particular algorithm. The second-largest win is in passmark_physics, with a score of 4687 versus 2720, a 72.3% advantage. These two tests alone demonstrate the value of the extra cache for computational workloads.

In the passmark_multithread test, the 9955HX3D scores 62674 against 56171, a lead of 11.6%. This is a more general multi-threaded workload, and the 9955HX3D still maintains a solid advantage. The passmark_extended_instructions test shows an 8.4% lead, with scores of 62813 and 57946. Data compression also favors the 9955HX3D, with a 7.4% lead (785811 versus 731998), and random string sorting shows a 7.2% lead (83497 versus 77890). Data encryption is 5.7% faster on the 9955HX3D (39446 versus 37330), and floating point math is 5.4% faster (144122 versus 136682). Integer math is 4.7% faster (222503 versus 212598).

The Cinebench multi-core results are closer but still favor the 9955HX3D. In cinebench_r23_multicore, the 9955HX3D scores 38161.5 against 37159, a 2.7% lead. In cinebench_r15_multicore, the scores are 6042.5 and 5905, a 2.3% lead. The 9955HX wins the single-core Cinebench tests by small margins: 336 versus 332 in cinebench_r15_singlecore (1.2%) and 2174 versus 2159.5 in cinebench_r23_singlecore (0.7%). However, the 9955HX3D wins the passmark_single_thread test by 2.7% (4511 versus 4393), which complicates the narrative of a single-core advantage for the 9955HX.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins all multi-core tests in the database. It leads by 2.3% in cinebench_r15_multicore, 2.7% in cinebench_r23_multicore, and 11.6% in passmark_multithread.

Q: Does the 9955HX ever beat the 9955HX3D?

A: Yes, in two tests. The 9955HX wins cinebench_r15_singlecore by 1.2% and cinebench_r23_singlecore by 0.7%. These are the only two wins for the 9955HX out of 15 head-to-head comparisons.

Q: What is the main difference between the two processors?

A: The L3 cache size. The 9955HX3D has 128 MB of L3 cache, while the 9955HX has 64 MB of shared L3 cache. All other core specifications, including cores, threads, clocks, and TDP, are identical.

Q: How large is the performance gap in cache-sensitive tests?

A: The gap is substantial. The 9955HX3D is 82.9% faster in passmark_find_prime_numbers and 72.3% faster in passmark_physics. These are the largest deltas in the entire comparison.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. However, the 9955HX3D has a higher average benchmark score of 97453 compared to 91199 for the 9955HX.

Q: Do the processors have the same power characteristics?

A: Yes, both have a 55 W TDP. The base clock of 2.50 GHz and boost clock of 5.40 GHz are also identical.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D | AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX |

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

| L3 Cache | 128 MB | 64 MB (shared) |

| Part Number | 100-000001030 | 100-000001028 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 97453 | 91199 |

All other recorded specifications are identical between the two processors, including the 16 cores, 32 threads, 2.50 GHz base clock, 5.40 GHz boost clock, 55 W TDP, AMD Socket FL1, Zen 5 architecture, Fire Range codename, 4 nm process node, 16,630 million transistors, 2x 70.6 mm² die size, 80 KB L1 cache per core, 1 MB L2 cache per core, DDR5 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes, Radeon 610M integrated graphics, unlocked multiplier, and the January 5, 2025 release date.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the superior processor for the vast majority of workloads. It wins 13 of 15 benchmark comparisons, and its victories in passmark_physics and passmark_find_prime_numbers are so large that they define its character as a specialist in computational and simulation tasks. The 128 MB L3 cache provides a decisive advantage in any workload that can utilize it, and even in general multi-threaded tests like passmark_multithread, it maintains an 11.6% lead.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX is not without merit. It wins the two single-core Cinebench tests, and its 0.7% and 1.2% margins, while small, do indicate a slight advantage in certain lightly threaded scenarios. For users whose primary workload is single-threaded Cinebench rendering, the 9955HX is the better choice. However, the 9955HX3D also wins the passmark_single_thread test by 2.7%, so this advantage is not consistent across all single-threaded benchmarks.

For a mobile workstation or high-end gaming laptop, the 9955HX3D is the clear recommendation. Its higher average benchmark score of 97453 versus 91199, combined with its dominance in physics, prime number finding, and multi-threaded throughput, makes it the more capable processor. The 9955HX is a strong processor in its own right, sitting in the same 96th percentile, but it is outclassed by its 3D V-Cache sibling in almost every measurable way. The choice is simple: if the workload involves heavy computation, simulation, or any cache-sensitive task, the 9955HX3D is the one to pick. If the workload is exclusively single-threaded Cinebench, the 9955HX offers a marginal edge.