AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX vs Intel Core Ultra 9 386H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX and Intel Core Ultra 9 386H are both 16-core mobile processors, but the recorded data separates them clearly. The AMD part carries 32 threads, a 5.40 GHz boost clock, 64 MB of shared L3 cache, and a TDP of 55. The Intel part carries 16 threads, a 4.90 GHz boost clock, 18 MB of shared L3 cache, and a TDP of 25. In the database, AMD's average benchmark score is 91199 at the 96th percentile, while Intel's average is 43210 at the 88th percentile.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results give the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX 13 wins and the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H 2 wins. AMD's largest victory is PassMark integer math, where it scores 212598 against Intel's 87284, a 143.6% lead. PassMark data compression also swings heavily toward AMD: 731998 versus 352365, a 107.7% lead. Extended instructions go AMD's way by 98.9%, with scores of 57946 and 29138. Random string sorting favors AMD by 84.9%, 77890 to 42135.

Rendering workloads follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD scores 5905 against Intel's 3223, an 83.2% lead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, AMD scores 37159 against Intel's 20547, an 80.8% lead. PassMark multithread also favors AMD, 56171 versus 35399, a 58.7% margin. Data encryption is another AMD win, 37330 versus 27150, a 37.5% lead. Floating point math goes to AMD by 25.9%, 136682 to 108527.

Single-core results are closer but still favor AMD. In Cinebench R15 single-core, AMD leads 336 to 303.5, a 10.7% margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, AMD leads 2174 to 2071.5, a 4.9% margin. PassMark single thread shows AMD at 4393 versus Intel's 4218, a 4.1% lead.

Intel's two wins are in specialized tests. In PassMark find prime numbers, Intel scores 341 against AMD's 287, so AMD's result is 15.8% lower. In PassMark physics, Intel scores 3028 against AMD's 2720, so AMD's result is 10.2% lower. Those are the only head-to-head tests where the Intel part comes out ahead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: Both have 16 cores, but the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has 32 threads while the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H has 16 threads. The thread count difference is a major factor in AMD's large multi-core leads, such as Cinebench R23 multi-core at 37159 versus 20547.

Q: Which CPU has the higher single-core score?

A: AMD leads in every recorded single-core comparison. Cinebench R15 single-core is 336 versus 303.5, a 10.7% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core is 2174 versus 2071.5, a 4.9% lead. PassMark single thread is 4393 versus 4218, a 4.1% lead.

Q: Does the Intel part have any benchmark wins?

A: Yes. Intel wins PassMark find prime numbers, 341 versus 287, and PassMark physics, 3028 versus 2720. These are the only two head-to-head tests where Intel is the winner.

Q: Which chip has more L3 cache?

A: AMD has 64 MB of shared L3 cache, while Intel has 18 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, 192 KB and 2.5 MB per core versus AMD's 80 KB and 1 MB per core, but AMD's shared L3 is much larger.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: AMD lists ECC memory support as true. Intel lists ECC memory support as false. Both support DDR5, but Intel also supports LPDDR5X and records a higher memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s versus AMD's 89.6 GB/s.

Q: Where does each chip sit relative to its nearest rivals?

A: AMD's average score of 91199 is 0.5% above the Intel Xeon 654 at 90717 and 0.7% above the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 at 90541, while sitting 2.8% below the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus at 93785 and the Intel Xeon 6520P at 93786. Intel's average score of 43210 is 0.3% below the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 at 43326 and 0.5% below the AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 at 43431, while sitting 0.7% above the Intel Core i9-12900 at 42906 and 0.9% above the Intel Core i9-12900KF at 42830.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Fire Range codename. It is manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC and records 16,630 million transistors across a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H uses the Panther Lake architecture with the Panther Lake codename. It is manufactured on a 3 nm process at Intel, and the database does not record a transistor count or die size for it.

Both processors have 16 cores, but AMD exposes 32 threads while Intel exposes 16. The cache layouts are also different. AMD uses 80 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 64 MB of shared L3. Intel uses 192 KB of L1 and 2.5 MB of L2 per core, with 18 MB of shared L3. AMD's larger L3 is paired with more threads, which helps explain its dominance in multi-threaded and compression workloads.

Memory support differs as well. AMD supports DDR5 over a dual-channel bus at 89.6 GB/s. Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a dual-channel bus at 115.2 GB/s. Intel's higher memory bandwidth does not translate into a head-to-head win in the recorded CPU benchmarks, but it remains a specification difference. AMD is the only one of the two with ECC memory support.

Platform connectivity is split. AMD provides PCIe Gen 5 with 28 CPU lanes, while Intel provides PCIe Gen 5 with 12 CPU lanes. The sockets differ: AMD uses AMD Socket FL1, and Intel uses Intel BGA 2540. The integrated graphics also differ, with AMD using Radeon 610M and Intel using Intel Xe3 Graphics.

Power and overclocking behavior are distinct. AMD's base clock is 2.50 GHz and boost clock is 5.40 GHz, with a TDP of 55 and an unlocked multiplier. Intel's base clock is 2.10 GHz and boost clock is 4.90 GHz, with a TDP of 25 and a locked multiplier. Both parts are listed as active mobile processors, but they are built around different power envelopes.

The Verdict

The data is lopsided in favor of the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX. It wins 13 of 15 head-to-head tests and holds an average benchmark score of 91199, compared with Intel's 43210. AMD's nearest-rival placement includes Xeon-class processors, while Intel's nearest-rival placement includes the Core i9-12900 and Core i9-12900KF. The AMD part is the one indicated for multi-threaded rendering, compression, encryption, integer math, and floating point math.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H has a clear role in the comparison. Its TDP of 25 is much lower than AMD's 55, and it wins the physics and find prime numbers tests. For systems where the priority is lower power draw, the Intel part has the recorded advantage. For systems where maximum CPU throughput matters, the AMD part is the one the benchmark data supports.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H |

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

| Series | 9000 series | Core Ultra Series 3 |

| Generation | Ryzen 9 (Zen 5 (Fire Range)) | Ultra 9 (Panther Lake-H) |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Fire Range | Panther Lake |

| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 16,630 million | Not recorded |

| Die size | 2x 70.6 mm² | Not recorded |

| Threads | 32 | 16 |

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.40 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 55 | 25 |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 64 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC memory | true | false |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 610M | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Multiplier unlocked | true | false |

| Part number | 100-000001028 | SA4R5Q9EH |

| Release date | 2025-01-05 | 2026-01-04 |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX wins in every Cinebench comparison and in the majority of PassMark tests. Its strongest areas are integer math, data compression, extended instructions, random string sorting, multi-core rendering, multithreaded workloads, data encryption, floating point math, and single-thread performance. The largest margin is 143.6% in integer math, and the smallest margin is 4.1% in PassMark single thread.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H wins in PassMark physics and PassMark find prime numbers. In physics, Intel scores 3028 against AMD's 2720, a 10.2% advantage in the recorded delta. In find prime numbers, Intel scores 341 against AMD's 287, a 15.8% advantage in the recorded delta. These are specialized workloads, but they are genuine wins in the head-to-head data.

For use-case planning, the AMD part is the one for rendering, compression, encryption, math-heavy tasks, and multithreaded applications. The Intel part is the one for physics simulation and prime-number workloads, with the additional specification advantage of a much lower TDP. The benchmark split is clear: AMD dominates the broad performance picture, while Intel holds two isolated wins.