AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive overall performance advantage for the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX, which wins 13 of the 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The most dramatic gap appears in passmark_integer_math, where the AMD chip scores 212,598 against 83,111 for the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H, a delta of 155.8%. This indicates a massive lead in raw integer processing throughput, a workload category that scales heavily with core count and thread scheduling.

Multithreaded rendering performance follows the same pattern. In cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicore, the Ryzen 9 9955HX posts 37,159 points versus 18,395 for the Intel part, a 102% advantage. The cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicore result is similarly lopsided: 5,905 versus 3,055, a 93.3% lead. These results align with the architectural disparity: the AMD processor offers 32 threads while the Intel processor provides 16, and the rendering workloads clearly exploit that thread count advantage.

Data compression and extended instruction workloads also favor the AMD heavily. Passmark_data_compression shows 731,998 for AMD versus 336,177 for Intel, a 117.7% difference. Passmark_extended_instructions records 57,946 versus 27,898, a 107.7% gap. The encryption test is less extreme but still decisive: 37,330 versus 26,345, a 41.7% margin.

Single-threaded results are much closer but still favor the AMD. In cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecore, the Ryzen 9 9955HX scores 2,174 against 2,040, a 6.6% lead. Passmark_single_thread shows 4,393 versus 4,072, a 7.9% margin. The cinebench_cinebench_r15_singlecore gap is the largest single-thread difference at 10.9%, with 336 versus 303. These numbers indicate that the AMD chip does not rely solely on core count; its per-core performance is also ahead, though by a smaller margin than its multithreaded advantage.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H claims two wins in the recorded data. Passmark_find_prime_numbers shows 327 for Intel versus 287 for AMD, a 12.2% advantage for Intel. Passmark_physics shows 2,895 versus 2,720, a 6% lead. These are the only benchmarks where the Intel part outperforms, and both are relatively narrow margins compared to the AMD's larger victories elsewhere.

Other notable AMD wins include passmark_multithread at 56,171 versus 33,978 (65.3%), passmark_random_string_sorting at 77,890 versus 40,990 (90%), and passmark_floating_point_math at 136,682 versus 103,128 (32.5%). The average benchmark score reinforces the overall picture: the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX averages 91,199, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H averages 41,215. The AMD sits at the 96th percentile among all CPUs, while the Intel sits at the 87th.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX dominates in every workload category that benefits from parallel execution. Video rendering, 3D scene compilation, scientific computing, data compression, encryption, and integer-heavy tasks all show substantial AMD leads. The multithreaded Cinebench results, with a 102% gap in R23 multi-core, suggest that heavily threaded production workloads will complete in roughly half the time on the AMD platform. The 155.8% integer math advantage further indicates strength in code compilation, spreadsheet calculations, and other integer-bound tasks.

The passmark_data_compression result at 117.7% ahead means file archiving and database workloads see a major throughput benefit on the AMD. Similarly, the extended instructions test, which exercises AVX-style workloads, shows the AMD at more than double the Intel score. For users running encryption, compression, or simulation workloads, the recorded data points consistently to the AMD as the faster processor.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins only in prime number finding and physics calculations. The prime number test, which is highly sensitive to single-core efficiency and cache behavior, shows a 12.2% Intel advantage. The physics test shows a 6% lead, indicating that some simulation workloads may run slightly better on the Intel part. These wins are real but isolated; they do not offset the AMD's dominance in the broader benchmark suite.

Single-threaded workloads are nearly a tie. The AMD leads by 6.6% in R23 single-core and 7.9% in PassMark single-thread, but the Intel is competitive in this area. Users whose workloads are strictly single-threaded will see a modest AMD advantage, not a transformative one. The Intel's two victories suggest that certain specific algorithms, particularly those involving prime computation and physics simulation, favor the Intel architecture, but these are niche cases within the recorded data.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, with the codename Fire Range. It belongs to the 9000 series and the Ryzen 9 generation. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses the Panther Lake architecture on a 3 nm Intel process, belonging to the Core Ultra Series 3 and the Ultra 7 (Panther Lake-H) generation.

Core and thread counts differ meaningfully despite both chips having 16 cores. The AMD offers 32 threads, while the Intel offers 16, meaning the AMD supports simultaneous multithreading while the Intel does not. This explains much of the multithreaded benchmark gap, as the AMD can process two threads per core while the Intel is limited to one.

Cache configurations also differ substantially. The AMD has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. The Intel has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and only 18 MB of shared L3. The AMD's 64 MB L3 is more than three times the Intel's 18 MB, which likely contributes to its strong performance in data compression and encryption workloads that benefit from large working sets.

Clock speeds favor the AMD as well. The AMD has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The AMD also has a higher thermal design power at 55 watts versus 25 watts for the Intel, reflecting its higher performance ceiling and power draw.

Process technology differs by one node generation. The Intel uses a 3 nm process from its own foundry, while the AMD uses a 4 nm process from TSMC. The AMD's transistor count is listed at 16,630 million, while the Intel's transistor count is not recorded. The AMD die size is listed as 2x 70.6 mm², while the Intel die size is not recorded.

Memory support shows the AMD supporting DDR5 only, while the Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Both are dual-channel. The memory bandwidth figures differ: the Intel lists 115.2 GB/s, while the AMD lists 89.6 GB/s. The AMD supports ECC memory, while the Intel does not. PCIe lane counts also differ, with the AMD offering 28 Gen 5 lanes and the Intel offering 12 Gen 5 lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD uses Radeon 610M, while the Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel does not. The AMD uses AMD Socket FL1, while the Intel uses Intel BGA 2540. The release dates are close, with the AMD released on January 5, 2025, and the Intel on January 4, 2026.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 threads. Both have 16 cores.

Q: How large is the L3 cache on each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has 64 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, compared to 4.70 GHz for the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX supports ECC memory, but the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H lists a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX lists 89.6 GB/s. Both support dual-channel memory.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX scores 4,393 in passmark_single_thread, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H scores 4,072, a 7.9% difference.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does each processor provide?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX provides 28 Gen 5 lanes, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H provides 12 Gen 5 lanes.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses the Panther Lake architecture on a 3 nm Intel process. The AMD has 32 threads versus 16 for the Intel. The AMD base clock is 2.50 GHz versus 1.90 GHz, and the boost clock is 5.40 GHz versus 4.70 GHz. Thermal design power is 55 watts for the AMD and 25 watts for the Intel.

Cache sizes differ at every level. The AMD has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. The Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: the AMD supports DDR5 only, while the Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s for the AMD and 115.2 GB/s for the Intel. ECC support is present on the AMD but absent on the Intel.

PCIe lane counts differ: 28 Gen 5 lanes for the AMD versus 12 Gen 5 lanes for the Intel. The integrated graphics differ, with the AMD using Radeon 610M and the Intel using Intel Xe3 Graphics. The multiplier is unlocked on the AMD but locked on the Intel. The sockets differ: AMD Socket FL1 versus Intel BGA 2540. The AMD lists a transistor count of 16,630 million and a die size of 2x 70.6 mm², while the Intel lists neither. The AMD was released on January 5, 2025, and the Intel on January 4, 2026.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX wins 13 of 15 benchmarks and leads the average benchmark score by a wide margin: 91,199 versus 41,215. Its multithreaded advantage is enormous, with a 102% lead in cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicore and a 155.8% lead in passmark_integer_math. For any workload that scales across cores, the AMD is the faster choice.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H offers a lower thermal design power of 25 watts versus 55 watts, which may be relevant for thin-and-light mobile designs. It also provides higher memory bandwidth at 115.2 GB/s, support for LPDDR5X memory, and a smaller 3 nm process node. Its two benchmark wins, in prime number finding and physics, indicate specific niches where it performs better.

Users prioritizing maximum compute throughput should select the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX, based on its 96th percentile ranking and dominant multithreaded scores. Users whose workloads align with the Intel's two wins, prime computation and physics simulation, may find the Intel competitive in those narrow areas. The AMD also offers 28 PCIe lanes versus 12, ECC memory support, and an unlocked multiplier, making it the more flexible platform for advanced configurations. The Intel's advantages are limited to power draw, memory bandwidth, LPDDR5X support, and the two specific benchmark categories where it wins.