AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX vs Intel Core Ultra X9 378H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX and the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H, with each processor claiming wins in different categories. The AMD part takes 9 of the 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel part wins 6. The magnitude of the victories, however, is heavily skewed in AMD's favor.

Starting with multi-threaded performance, the Ryzen 9 9955HX delivers its most dominant results. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD processor scores 5905 against Intel's 3281, a 80% advantage. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows a smaller but still substantial gap, with AMD at 37159 and Intel at 32553, a 14.1% lead. PassMark multi-thread results echo this pattern: AMD scores 56171 versus Intel's 38298, a 46.7% difference.

The integer math workload produces the largest single delta in the entire comparison. AMD scores 212598 in PassMark integer math, while Intel manages 92603, giving AMD a 129.6% advantage. Data compression follows a similar trajectory, with AMD at 731998 and Intel at 386591, an 89.3% lead. Extended instructions show AMD ahead by 85%, scoring 57946 against Intel's 31315. Random string sorting favors AMD by 74.5%, with scores of 77890 and 44648 respectively. Floating point math goes to AMD by 19.4%, 136682 to 114500. Data encryption rounds out the AMD wins with a 25.1% margin, 37330 versus 29840.

The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H takes its victories primarily in single-threaded and latency-sensitive tests. The single-core Cinebench R23 result is striking: Intel scores 4595 against AMD's 2174, a 52.7% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core shows Intel ahead by 27.3%, with 462 versus 336. PassMark single-thread results are much closer, with Intel at 4453 and AMD at 4393, a narrow 1.3% margin. PassMark physics favors Intel by 20.1%, 3404 to 2720, and prime number finding goes to Intel by 19.6%, 357 to 287.

The average benchmark score reflects the overall disparity. The Ryzen 9 9955HX averages 91199 across the recorded tests, while the Core Ultra X9 378H averages 47468. This places AMD in the 96th percentile among all CPUs tracked in the database, while Intel sits in the 89th percentile. The AMD processor's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon 654 at 90717 (0.5% behind) and the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 at 90541 (0.7% behind). The Intel part's closest competitors are the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 5945 at 47527 (0.1% behind) and the Intel Core i7-13700KF at 47330 (0.3% ahead).

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Ryzen 9 9955HX is the stronger overall processor for throughput-oriented workloads. Its 16 cores and 32 threads allow it to dominate multi-threaded tasks, as shown by the 80% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and the 46.7% lead in PassMark multithread. The 129.6% advantage in integer math is particularly notable, suggesting that compilation, scientific computing, and data processing tasks would see substantial benefits on the AMD platform.

The Core Ultra X9 378H is a different kind of part. Despite having the same core count (16), it only supports 16 threads, which explains its multi-threaded deficits. However, its single-thread performance is exceptional, particularly in Cinebench R23 single-core where it leads by 52.7%. The Intel part also wins in physics and prime number finding, which are workloads that often respond well to higher frequency and lower latency.

For users running heavily parallel workloads, the Ryzen 9 9955HX is the clear choice based on the recorded data. For applications that depend on single-thread speed or physics simulation, the Core Ultra X9 378H has a measurable edge. The database shows that the AMD part occupies a higher performance tier overall, with an average score nearly double that of the Intel part.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing and design approaches. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC, using the Zen 5 architecture under the Fire Range codename. It belongs to the Ryzen 9 series from the 9000 series generation. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H uses a 3 nm process at Intel, based on the Panther Lake codename, and is part of the Core Ultra Series 3 generation.

The core configurations differ significantly. AMD provides 16 cores and 32 threads, a 1:2 core-to-thread ratio that enables simultaneous multithreading. Intel also has 16 cores but only 16 threads, indicating no hyperthreading support. The clock speeds reflect this difference: AMD's base clock is 2.50 GHz with a 5.40 GHz boost, while Intel's base is 2.00 GHz with a 5.00 GHz boost.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. AMD uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, but only 18 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 on the AMD side likely contributes to its strong performance in data compression and random string sorting, where large working sets benefit from bigger caches.

Memory support also differs. AMD supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, plus ECC memory. Intel supports LPDDR5X with dual-channel memory and 153.6 GB/s bandwidth, but no ECC. The higher memory bandwidth on the Intel part is notable, though it does not translate into benchmark wins in the recorded data.

PCIe lane counts vary substantially. The AMD processor provides 28 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part provides 4 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). This suggests very different platform capabilities for discrete GPUs and storage expansion.

Integrated graphics differ as well. AMD includes a Radeon 610M, while Intel includes an Arc B390. The power envelope is also different, with AMD rated at 55W TDP and Intel at 25W TDP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX leads in multi-core tests. It scores 5905 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus Intel's 3281 (80% higher), and 37159 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus Intel's 32553 (14.1% higher). PassMark multithread shows AMD at 56171 against Intel's 38298, a 46.7% advantage.

Q: Which processor wins in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H wins in single-thread tests. Cinebench R23 single-core shows Intel at 4595 versus AMD's 2174, a 52.7% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core goes to Intel by 27.3% (462 to 336). PassMark single-thread is closer, with Intel at 4453 and AMD at 4393, a 1.3% margin.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores?

A: Yes, both have 16 cores. However, the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX supports 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H supports 16 threads. The AMD part has simultaneous multithreading enabled, while the Intel part does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H supports LPDDR5X with 153.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX supports DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Intel's memory bandwidth is higher, but AMD supports ECC memory while Intel does not.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has an average benchmark score of 91199, placing it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H averages 47468, placing it in the 89th percentile. AMD's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon 654 at 90717, while Intel's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 5945 at 47527.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX wins in all multi-threaded throughput tests. Data compression shows an 89.3% lead, making it well-suited for file archiving and database workloads. Integer math at 129.6% ahead suggests strong performance in compilation, financial modeling, and scientific computation. Extended instructions at 85% ahead indicate advantages in multimedia codecs and cryptography workloads. Random string sorting at 74.5% ahead points to text processing and sorting algorithms. Floating point math at 19.4% ahead covers simulation and numerical analysis. Data encryption at 25.1% ahead benefits secure communication and storage encryption. Cinebench R15 multi-core at 80% ahead and Cinebench R23 multi-core at 14.1% ahead confirm broad multi-threaded superiority.

The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H wins in single-thread and specific latency-sensitive tests. Cinebench R23 single-core at 52.7% ahead is the largest Intel victory, indicating strong performance in legacy single-threaded applications and lightly threaded games. Cinebench R15 single-core at 27.3% ahead reinforces this. PassMark physics at 20.1% ahead suggests advantages in rigid body dynamics and collision detection. Prime number finding at 19.6% ahead points to mathematical workloads with strong per-core execution. PassMark single-thread at 1.3% ahead is a narrow win but still favors Intel.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors in the database:

• Series: AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX is in the 9000 series; Intel Core Ultra X9 378H is in the Core Ultra Series 3.
• Threads: AMD has 32 threads; Intel has 16 threads.
• Base clock: AMD at 2.50 GHz; Intel at 2.00 GHz.
• Boost clock: AMD at 5.40 GHz; Intel at 5.00 GHz.
• TDP: AMD at 55W; Intel at 25W.
• Socket: AMD uses AMD Socket FL1; Intel uses Intel BGA 2540.
• Architecture: AMD uses Zen 5; Intel has no architecture listed.
• Codename: AMD is Fire Range; Intel is Panther Lake.
• Generation: AMD is Ryzen 9 (Zen 5 (Fire Range)); Intel is Ultra X9 (Panther Lake-H).
• Process node: AMD at 4 nm TSMC; Intel at 3 nm Intel.
• Transistors: AMD at 16,630 million; Intel has no recorded transistor count.
• Die size: AMD at 2x 70.6 mm²; Intel has no recorded die size.
• L1 cache: AMD at 80 KB per core; Intel at 192 KB per core.
• L2 cache: AMD at 1 MB per core; Intel at 2.5 MB per core.
• L3 cache: AMD at 64 MB shared; Intel at 18 MB shared.
• Memory support: AMD uses DDR5; Intel uses LPDDR5X.
• Memory bandwidth: AMD at 89.6 GB/s; Intel at 153.6 GB/s.
• ECC memory: AMD supports ECC; Intel does not.
• PCIe lanes: AMD at 28 Gen 5 lanes; Intel at 4 Gen 5 lanes.
• Integrated graphics: AMD uses Radeon 610M; Intel uses Arc B390.
• Multiplier unlocked: AMD is unlocked; Intel is locked.
• Part number: AMD has 100-000001028; Intel is unknown.
• Release date: AMD on 2025-01-05; Intel on 2026-04-03.