AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data is unambiguous. Across all 15 head-to-head comparisons in the database, the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D takes every win. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H does not record a single victory in any test, whether single-threaded, multi-threaded, or specialized workload. This is a one-sided matchup in terms of raw performance.

The AMD chip’s largest advantages appear in integer-heavy and data-processing workloads. PassMark integer math shows a 167.7% delta, while data compression comes in at 133.7% ahead. These are tasks where the Ryzen 9’s 16 cores with 32 threads can fully stretch their legs. The Intel part, with 16 cores but only 16 threads, lacks simultaneous multithreading, which explains part of the gap in parallel workloads.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H does close the gap somewhat in single-thread tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD chip leads by only 5.9%. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the delta is 9.6%. PassMark single-thread shows a 10.8% advantage for AMD. These are the smallest margins in the entire dataset, indicating that the Intel Panther Lake architecture is competitive on a per-thread basis, even if it falls far behind in multi-threaded scenarios.

For workloads like floating-point math, the AMD chip leads by 39.8%, a substantial but not overwhelming margin. Physics calculations show a 61.9% delta. Random string sorting sits at 103.7% ahead. The pattern is consistent: the AMD processor scales better as thread counts and cache usage increase, while the Intel part keeps single-thread performance respectable but cannot match the overall throughput.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D belongs to the 9000 series, built on the Zen 5 architecture with the Fire Range codename. It uses a 4 nm process from TSMC and contains 16,630 million transistors across a dual-die design measuring 2x 70.6 mm². The processor has 16 cores and 32 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. It is an unlocked multiplier part, meaning overclocking is permitted.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is part of the Core Ultra Series 3, using the Panther Lake architecture on a 3 nm Intel process. It also has 16 cores, but only 16 threads, indicating no hyper-threading. Base clock is 1.90 GHz with a boost of 4.70 GHz. The multiplier is locked, so the user cannot adjust clock speeds. The socket is Intel BGA 2540, while AMD uses Socket FL1.

Cache configurations differ sharply. The AMD chip provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and only 18 MB of shared L3. That massive L3 difference (128 MB versus 18 MB) is a major factor in the AMD chip’s dominance in data-heavy tests like compression and integer math.

Memory support also diverges. Both use dual-channel buses, but AMD supports DDR5 with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s and includes ECC memory support. Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a higher bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, but no ECC. PCIe lanes differ as well: AMD offers Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides Gen 5 with only 12 lanes. Integrated graphics are present on both, with AMD using Radeon 610M and Intel using Xe3 Graphics.

The release dates are about a year apart. AMD launched on January 5, 2025; Intel followed on January 4, 2026. Both are mobile market segments and currently active in production.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results establish the overall hierarchy. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D scores 38,161.5 against Intel’s 18,395, a 107.5% delta. That is more than double the score, a decisive margin for any rendering or compilation workload. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 97.8% delta (6,042.5 versus 3,055). These are not incremental improvements; the AMD processor effectively doubles the multi-threaded throughput.

Single-core results are closer. Cinebench R23 single-core gives AMD 2,159.5 versus Intel’s 2,040, a 5.9% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 332 versus 303, a 9.6% delta. PassMark single-thread records 4,511 against 4,072, a 10.8% advantage. The Intel chip is within striking distance on lightly threaded tasks, but it cannot overcome the multi-core deficit.

Data compression is where the gap widens most. AMD scores 785,811 versus Intel’s 336,177, a 133.7% delta. Integer math follows closely: 222,503 versus 83,111, a 167.7% delta. Extended instructions show a 125.2% lead (62,813 versus 27,898). These workloads benefit from the AMD chip’s combination of 32 threads and 128 MB of L3 cache, allowing larger working sets to remain on-die.

Data encryption shows a 49.7% delta (39,446 versus 26,345). Floating-point math is a 39.8% delta (144,122 versus 103,128). Prime number finding has a 60.6% delta (525 versus 327). Physics tests show 61.9% (4,687 versus 2,895). Random string sorting is at 103.7% (83,497 versus 40,990). Multithread PassMark comes in at 84.5% (62,674 versus 33,978). Every recorded test favors AMD, with deltas ranging from 5.9% to 167.7%.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear separation of roles. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the choice for multi-threaded workloads where core count, thread count, and cache size matter most. Its 32 threads and 128 MB of L3 give it a commanding lead in rendering, compression, encryption, and integer math. The benchmark deltas, often exceeding 100%, show that the AMD part is in a different performance class for these tasks.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is not without merit. Its single-thread scores are within 6% to 11% of the AMD chip, depending on the test. For applications that are lightly threaded and sensitive to clock speed, the Intel part delivers respectable performance. Its memory bandwidth is higher (115.2 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s), which could benefit certain memory-bound workloads, though the recorded benchmarks do not show a scenario where this translates into a win.

The overall average benchmark score reinforces the gap. AMD sits at 97,453 with a 96th percentile ranking among all CPUs. Intel records 41,215 with an 87th percentile. The nearest rivals for AMD are workstation and server parts like the Threadripper PRO 5965WX (98,504, -1.1%) and EPYC 4565P (95,764, 1.8%), indicating the Ryzen 9 competes far above its mobile segment. Intel’s nearest rivals include the Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 (41,208, 0%) and Ryzen 9 5900X (41,376, -0.4%), placing it in a more mainstream performance band.

For a buyer who prioritizes maximum compute throughput in a mobile form factor, the AMD part is the only defensible choice from this data. For a buyer who needs a more efficient, lower-power processor (25 W TDP versus 55 W) and can tolerate multi-threaded performance that is roughly half of AMD’s, the Intel part has a role. The database does not record any workload where Intel wins, so the decision rests on power and platform preferences rather than benchmark superiority.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 threads. Both have 16 cores, but AMD supports simultaneous multithreading.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: PassMark integer math shows the largest delta at 167.7%, with AMD scoring 222,503 versus Intel’s 83,111. Data compression is close behind at 133.7%.

Q: Is the Intel processor competitive in single-thread performance?

A: Yes, relatively speaking. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 2,040 against AMD’s 2,159.5, a 5.9% delta. PassMark single-thread shows a 10.8% delta.

Q: What are the cache size differences?

A: AMD has 128 MB of L3 cache, while Intel has 18 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core; Intel provides 192 KB of L1 per core and 2.5 MB of L2 per core.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H boosts to 4.70 GHz. The AMD base clock is 2.50 GHz versus Intel’s 1.90 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D | Intel Core Ultra 7 356H |

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

| Cores | 16 | 16 |

| Threads | 32 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Panther Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm (TSMC) | 3 nm (Intel) |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 128 MB | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

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

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

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