AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive overall victory for the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX, which takes 13 of the 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The two processors share the same 32-thread count, yet the AMD part consistently produces substantially higher scores in multi-threaded and computation-heavy workloads.

The largest margin comes in PassMark extended instructions, where the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX scores 57,946 against 16,974 for the Intel Core 7 251TE, a 241.4% advantage. This indicates a massive difference in SIMD and vectorized workload throughput. Similarly, in Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD chip delivers 5,905 points versus 2,572, a 129.6% lead. The pattern continues in PassMark data compression (731,998 vs 334,399, a 118.9% edge) and PassMark random string sorting (77,890 vs 39,643, a 96.5% edge). These results point to the AMD processor being far more efficient at processing large blocks of data and maintaining high throughput across many threads.

In PassMark multi-thread, the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX scores 56,171 against 30,022, a 87.1% improvement. Integer math shows a 69.1% lead (212,598 vs 125,739), while data encryption is 68.3% ahead (37,330 vs 22,176). Floating-point math favors AMD by 59.7% (136,682 vs 85,607). Even in prime number finding, a workload that often scales with raw frequency, the AMD part is 105% ahead (287 vs 140). Physics simulation also goes to AMD, 2,720 vs 1,938, a 40.4% margin.

The Intel Core 7 251TE wins the two single-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, Intel scores 362 against 336, a 7.2% margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel part is far ahead at 3,602 versus 2,174, a 39.6% advantage. However, the PassMark single-thread test tells a different story: AMD wins there with 4,393 vs 3,568, a 23.1% lead. This discrepancy is notable. The Cinebench R23 single-core result for Intel is unusually high relative to its other scores, suggesting a workload-specific advantage in that rendering scenario. The PassMark single-thread test, which is more representative of general desktop responsiveness, clearly favors the AMD chip.

The average benchmark score for the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX is 91,199, placing it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core 7 251TE averages 41,650, which sits in the 88th percentile. The delta between average scores is massive: the AMD processor is roughly 119% higher overall.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from completely different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX is built on the Zen 5 architecture with the Fire Range codename, part of the 9000 series. It uses a 4 nm process from TSMC and packs 16,630 million transistors across a dual-chiplet design with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core 7 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename and is built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry, with a monolithic die of 215 mm².

Core counts differ substantially. The AMD part has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel part has 24 cores and 32 threads. The AMD chip relies on simultaneous multithreading to reach 32 threads from 16 physical cores, whereas the Intel chip likely uses a mix of performance and efficiency cores to reach the same thread count, though the exact core type mix is not recorded in the database.

Cache hierarchy also differs. Both use 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The AMD part has 1 MB of L2 per core, while the Intel part has 1.25 MB per core. For L3, AMD provides 64 MB shared, while Intel provides 36 MB shared. The larger L3 on the AMD chip likely contributes to its strong performance in cache-sensitive workloads like data compression and random string sorting.

Memory support diverges: AMD supports only DDR5, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both run dual-channel memory at 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory. PCIe lanes differ: AMD provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part has a higher TDP at 55 watts versus 45 watts for Intel.

Integrated graphics differ: AMD uses the Radeon 610M, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the Intel multiplier is locked. The AMD part is in the mobile segment, while the Intel part is designated for desktop. The AMD processor was released on January 5, 2025, and the Intel processor on January 12, 2025.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 physical cores, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has 16 physical cores. Both present 32 threads to the operating system.

Q: Why does the AMD processor win so many benchmarks despite having fewer cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process with 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core 7 251TE uses a 10 nm Intel process with 36 MB of L3. The combination of a more efficient process node, larger cache, and higher per-core throughput results in superior performance in most recorded workloads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: Both processors have a maximum boost clock of 5.40 GHz. Their base clocks differ: AMD runs at 2.50 GHz, while Intel runs at 1.40 GHz.

Q: Does the Intel processor support DDR4 memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 7 251TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX supports only DDR5.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has an average benchmark score of 91,199, while the Intel Core 7 251TE averages 41,650. The AMD processor's nearest rival, the Intel Xeon 654, averages 90,717, which is only 0.5% behind. The Intel processor's nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H, averages 41,621, a 0.1% difference.

Q: Which processor supports more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX provides 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core 7 251TE provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only).

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX | Intel Core 7 251TE |

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

| Cores | 16 | 24 |

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | (not recorded) |

| Codename | Fire Range | Bartlett Lake |

| Process node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 16,630 million | (not recorded) |

| Die size | 2x 70.6 mm² | 215 mm² |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 1.25 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 64 MB shared | 36 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| PCIe lanes | Gen 5, 28 lanes | Gen 5, 16 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 610M | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part number | 100-000001028 | SRQAXQ5ZG |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $384 |

Both processors share: 32 threads, 5.40 GHz boost clock, 80 KB L1 per core, dual-channel memory bus, 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, ECC support, and a release date in January 2025.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX is the superior processor for the vast majority of computational tasks. Its 13 wins out of 15 head-to-head benchmarks, including every multi-threaded test and the PassMark single-thread test, make it the clear choice for users who prioritize raw throughput. The average benchmark score of 91,199 places it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core 7 251TE sits at the 88th percentile with an average of 41,650.

The Intel Core 7 251TE wins only two tests, both in Cinebench single-core scenarios. The R23 single-core result of 3,602 versus 2,174 is a 39.6% margin that stands out as anomalous given the PassMark single-thread result favors AMD by 23.1%. This suggests that Intel's single-core advantage is narrow and workload-specific, not a general characteristic.

The AMD processor also offers a higher base clock (2.50 GHz vs 1.40 GHz), more PCIe lanes (28 vs 16), a smaller process node (4 nm vs 10 nm), and more L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB). The Intel part counters with more physical cores (24 vs 16), a locked multiplier, and support for DDR4 memory in addition to DDR5.

The Intel Core 7 251TE has a launch MSRP of $384, but the database does not record a launch price for the AMD part, so no direct cost comparison is possible from the data.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX dominates in every multi-threaded and throughput-oriented workload. This includes Cinebench R15 and R23 multi-core rendering, PassMark data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating-point math, integer math, multi-thread, physics simulation, random string sorting, and PassMark single-thread. Users running video encoding, 3D rendering, scientific computation, database operations, or any workload that scales across 32 threads will see massive advantages from the AMD chip. The 129.6% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and the 87.1% lead in PassMark multi-thread are particularly stark.

The AMD part also wins in latency-sensitive single-threaded workloads as measured by PassMark, with a 23.1% edge. This makes it suitable not just for batch workloads but also for interactive applications where per-thread performance matters.

The Intel Core 7 251TE wins specifically in Cinebench R15 single-core (7.2% ahead) and Cinebench R23 single-core (39.6% ahead). These two wins suggest that the Intel architecture has a particular strength in the Cinebench rendering engine's single-threaded path. However, the contradictory PassMark single-thread result, where AMD leads by 23.1%, indicates that this advantage does not generalize to other single-threaded applications. The Intel part also has more physical cores, which could benefit workloads that require many independent threads without simultaneous multithreading overhead, but the benchmark data does not show any test where this translates into a win.

For users running Cinebench-specific single-thread benchmarks, the Intel Core 7 251TE is the better choice. For virtually everything else in the recorded data, the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX delivers substantially higher performance, often by margins exceeding 50% and sometimes exceeding 100%.