AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D vs Intel Core Ultra 5 336H Comparison

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the dominant processor in this comparison, winning 13 of 15 head-to-head benchmarks. Its average benchmark score of 97453 places it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H manages an average of 34485 and sits in the 84th percentile. The AMD part delivers a 149.9% advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core and a 258.5% lead in PassMark integer math. This is a processor built for sustained heavy workloads, with 16 cores and 32 threads against the Intel chip's 16 cores and 16 threads.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H wins the single-core Cinebench battles, taking R15 single-core by 2.6% and R23 single-core by 36.2%. It also has a higher memory bandwidth rating at 115.2 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s, and it runs on a smaller 3 nm process node from Intel's own foundry. The AMD chip uses TSMC's 4 nm node.

The data points to two different design goals. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D targets users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput, large cache capacity, and plenty of PCIe lanes. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H targets efficiency-focused mobile systems where lower power draw and competitive single-thread performance matter more. The AMD part has a 55 W TDP, while the Intel part is rated at 25 W, so the Intel chip consumes less than half the power budget.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Fire Range codename, built by TSMC on a 4 nm process. It contains 16,630 million transistors across a dual-die design with each die measuring 70.6 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H uses the Panther Lake architecture, built by Intel on a 3 nm process. The AMD chip belongs to the 9000 series, while the Intel chip belongs to Core Ultra Series 3.

Cache configurations differ sharply. The AMD processor has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a massive 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel processor has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and only 18 MB of shared L3. This 110 MB L3 difference explains much of the AMD processor's dominance in cache-sensitive workloads like data compression and random string sorting.

The AMD chip supports DDR5 memory only, with ECC memory enabled and a dual-channel bus rated at 89.6 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, has no ECC support, and its dual-channel bus is rated at 115.2 GB/s. PCIe connectivity also differs: the AMD part offers Gen 5 with 28 CPU lanes, while the Intel part offers Gen 5 with 12 CPU lanes.

The integrated graphics are different as well. The AMD chip uses the Radeon 610M, while the Intel chip uses Intel Xe3 Graphics. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, the Intel multiplier is locked. Release dates place the AMD chip in January 2025 and the Intel chip in January 2026. Both parts are listed as Active in production and target the mobile market segment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 32 threads from 16 cores, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has 16 threads from 16 cores. The AMD chip's simultaneous multithreading doubles its thread count.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 128 MB of L3 cache, compared to 18 MB shared L3 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H, a difference of 110 MB.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel chip does not support ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H boosts to 4.60 GHz.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has an average benchmark score of 97453, placing it in the 96th percentile. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has an average score of 34485, placing it in the 84th percentile.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD chip supports DDR5 only. The Intel chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Specification Differences

The two processors share the same core count of 16, but diverge on nearly every other specification. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. Thread counts differ at 32 versus 16.

TDP ratings show a 30 W gap: the AMD chip is rated at 55 W, the Intel chip at 25 W. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FL1, the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 2540. Manufacturing processes differ by node generation: TSMC 4 nm for AMD, Intel 3 nm for Intel.

Memory bandwidth favors the Intel chip at 115.2 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. PCIe lanes heavily favor the AMD chip at 28 Gen 5 lanes versus 12 Gen 5 lanes. The AMD chip uses a dual-die design with 2x 70.6 mm² dies and 16,630 million transistors; the database records no transistor count or die size for the Intel chip.

The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, the Intel chip does not. The AMD part number is 100-000001030, the Intel part number is SA4RD. The AMD chip was released on 2025-01-05, the Intel chip on 2026-01-04.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins 13 of the 15 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, and most wins are by large margins. The biggest victory comes in PassMark integer math, where the AMD chip scores 222503 against 62070, a 258.5% lead. Data compression shows a 180.3% advantage, with scores of 785811 versus 280340. Extended instructions deliver a 155.9% lead, 62813 versus 24542. Random string sorting shows a 142.7% advantage, 83497 versus 34402.

Cinebench R15 multi-core gives the AMD chip a 149.9% lead, 6042.5 versus 2418. PassMark multi-thread shows a 119.6% advantage, 62674 versus 28545. Data encryption is 85.3% higher, 39446 versus 21291. Find prime numbers shows a 75.6% lead, 525 versus 299. Floating point math is 74.9% higher, 144122 versus 82415. Physics tests show a 74.8% lead, 4687 versus 2682. Cinebench R23 multi-core gives a 59.1% advantage, 38161.5 versus 23991.

PassMark single-thread favors the AMD chip by 12.4%, with scores of 4511 versus 4013. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H wins only two benchmarks, both in Cinebench single-core. It takes R15 single-core by 2.6%, 341 versus 332, and R23 single-core by 36.2%, 3387 versus 2159.5. The Intel chip also has a Cinebench R20 result of 10076 multi-core and 1422 single-core, but the AMD chip has no recorded R20 score for direct comparison.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins in every multi-core heavy category. The data shows massive advantages in integer math, data compression, extended instructions, random string sorting, and encryption. These are the workloads that scale with core count, thread count, and large cache capacity. The 128 MB L3 cache and 32 threads give it a decisive edge in database-style operations, file compression, encryption tasks, and rendering workloads measured by Cinebench R23 multi-core. Its nearest rivals in the database, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX at 98504 average score and the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9945 at 96083, sit close to its 97453 average, confirming it competes in the workstation-class tier.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H wins specifically in Cinebench single-core tests. Its R23 single-core score of 3387 beats the AMD chip's 2159.5 by 36.2%, and its R15 single-core score of 341 beats 332 by 2.6%. This suggests better per-thread efficiency in lightly threaded workloads, despite the lower boost clock of 4.60 GHz versus 5.40 GHz. The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-13700HX at 34554 average score, just 0.2% higher, and the AMD Ryzen 7 3700X at 34260, which places its performance tier firmly in the upper-midrange.

The Intel chip also carries the lower TDP at 25 W, less than half the AMD chip's 55 W. For mobile systems where power draw and thermals constrain the chassis, that efficiency advantage is meaningful. The Intel chip also supports LPDDR5X memory and rates higher memory bandwidth at 115.2 GB/s, which can benefit memory-bound tasks in a lower-power envelope. The AMD chip counters with ECC memory support, an unlocked multiplier, and 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, features that matter for professional mobile workstations and external GPU setups.