AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D vs AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 are both modern AMD mobile processors built on the 4 nm TSMC node, but they target very different workloads. The 9955HX3D is a high-core-count part with a massive L3 cache, while the P185 is a lower-power embedded processor with a focus on integrated AI and graphics capabilities. The benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap in favor of the 9955HX3D across every measured workload, with the 11 head-to-head benchmark wins all going to the larger chip.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What is the difference in their L3 cache sizes?

A: The 9955HX3D has 128 MB of L3 cache, whereas the P185 has 16 MB of L3 cache. The 9955HX3D's cache is eight times larger, a major factor in its benchmark dominance.

Q: How do their boost clocks compare?

A: The 9955HX3D boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the P185 boosts to 5.10 GHz. The 9955HX3D also has a higher base clock at 2.50 GHz compared to the P185's 2.00 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The 9955HX3D has a TDP of 55, while the P185 has a TDP of 28. The 9955HX3D is rated for more than double the power draw of the P185.

Q: Which processor has the better integrated graphics?

A: The P185 features the Radeon 890M, while the 9955HX3D uses the Radeon 610M. The P185's integrated graphics are a much more capable part.

Q: How does the 9955HX3D's average benchmark score compare to the P185's?

A: The 9955HX3D has an average benchmark score of 97453, while the P185 has an average score of 62839. The 9955HX3D is significantly ahead, and it sits in the 96th percentile of all CPUs compared to the P185's 93rd percentile.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the superior processor for raw performance. It wins all 11 head-to-head benchmark comparisons and holds a massive lead in average benchmark score, 97453 versus 62839. Its nearest rivals in the database, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX at 98504, the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9945 at 96083, the AMD EPYC 4565P at 95764, and the AMD EPYC 9175F at 95615, show it performing in a different class entirely. The 9955HX3D is only 1.1% behind the Threadripper PRO 5965WX and ahead of the other three rivals by 1.4% to 1.9%.

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 is a different type of product. Its nearest rivals, the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX at 62738, the Intel Core i7-13790F at 63080, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX at 63173, and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 PRO 465 at 62498, all have average scores within 0.5% of its own. The P185 is clearly aimed at a more power-conscious or embedded market segment, where its 28 TDP and Radeon 890M integrated graphics matter more than raw compute throughput.

For anyone who needs maximum multi-threaded performance, the 9955HX3D is the clear choice from the data. For workloads that prioritize lower power consumption and a stronger integrated GPU, the P185 is the only option of the two that offers those characteristics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results show a total rout. The 9955HX3D wins every single head-to-head test, and the margins are often enormous.

In the PassMark suite, the largest gap appears in the find prime numbers test. The 9955HX3D scores 525, a 307% advantage over the P185's 129. This indicates a massive difference in integer-heavy single-threaded workloads. The physics test shows a similar story, with the 9955HX3D scoring 4687 against the P185's 1772, a 164.5% lead. The extended instructions test shows the 9955HX3D at 62813 versus 26544, a 136.6% advantage.

The multi-threaded performance gap is also stark. In the PassMark multithread test, the 9955HX3D scores 62674, which is 97% higher than the P185's 31817. The data compression test shows 785811 versus 374429, a 109.9% lead. The random string sorting test shows 83497 versus 40557, a 105.9% lead. Floating point math shows 144122 versus 70587, a 104.2% lead. Data encryption shows 39446 versus 19612, a 101.1% lead. Integer math shows 222503 versus 117832, an 88.8% lead.

The single-threaded test is the only area where the gap narrows, but the 9955HX3D still wins. It scores 4511 versus the P185's 3977, a 13.4% advantage. This suggests that while the 9955HX3D has a higher boost clock and more cache, the per-core performance of the P185 is relatively close, though still behind.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ significantly in their core specifications. The 9955HX3D has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the P185 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The 9955HX3D has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while the P185 has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz.

The TDP is a major differentiator. The 9955HX3D is rated at 55, while the P185 is rated at 28. They also use different sockets: the 9955HX3D uses AMD Socket FL1, while the P185 uses AMD Socket FP8. The 9955HX3D has an unlocked multiplier, while the P185 does not.

Memory support differs as well. The 9955HX3D supports DDR5, while the P185 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, and both have a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Both support ECC memory.

The PCIe interface is another difference. The 9955HX3D uses PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes, while the P185 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes. The 9955HX3D has a larger die at 2x 70.6 mm², while the P185 has a single 233 mm² die.

The 9955HX3D was released on 2025-01-05, while the P185 has a later release date of 2026-02-28. The 9955HX3D has a part number of 100-000001030, while the P185's part number is listed as unknown.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the 4 nm TSMC process node, but their architectures diverge. The 9955HX3D is part of the 9000 series and uses the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Fire Range. Its generation is listed as "Ryzen 9 (Zen 5 (Fire Range))". The P185 uses a hybrid architecture, listed as "Zen 5 / Zen 5c", with the codename Gorgon Point. Its generation is listed as "Ryzen AI Embedded (Zen 5 / Zen 5c)".

The cache hierarchy is a major architectural difference. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, is dramatically different. The 9955HX3D has 128 MB of L3 cache, while the P185 has just 16 MB. This large cache allocation is the defining feature of the 9955HX3D and explains its strong performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

The transistor count is another difference. The 9955HX3D has 16,630 million transistors, while the P185's transistor count is not listed. The integrated graphics are also different, with the 9955HX3D using the Radeon 610M and the P185 using the more powerful Radeon 890M.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins in every category of raw performance measured. It is the processor of choice for multi-threaded workloads like video rendering, software compilation, and scientific computing, as evidenced by its 97% lead in the multithread test and its 109.9% lead in data compression. Its 128 MB of L3 cache gives it a huge advantage in workloads that repeatedly access large datasets, such as data encryption (101.1% lead), random string sorting (105.9% lead), and find prime numbers (307% lead). Its 13.4% lead in single-threaded performance also makes it the better choice for lightly-threaded applications.

The Ryzen AI Embedded P185's advantages are not in the benchmark scores, where it loses every test. Its strengths lie in its specifications. The P185 has a much lower TDP of 28, which makes it suitable for fanless or low-power embedded designs. It has a dual memory support for DDR5 and LPDDR5X, which offers flexibility in system design. It also features the Radeon 890M integrated graphics, which is a significantly more powerful iGPU than the Radeon 610M in the 9955HX3D. For an embedded system that needs moderate CPU performance, AI acceleration, and strong integrated graphics while staying within a tight power envelope, the P185 is the appropriate part. For any workload that prioritizes CPU compute, the 9955HX3D is the definitive winner.