AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D vs Intel Core Ultra 7 366H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a decisive overall advantage for the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, which wins 13 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H manages only two wins, both in single-core Cinebench tests.

The largest margins belong to the AMD processor. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D scores 6042.5 against 2870 for the Intel part, a delta of 110.5%. PassMark integer math shows a 165.8% advantage, with scores of 222503 versus 83695. Data compression follows closely at 140% ahead, recording 785811 against 327455. Extended instructions deliver a 133.5% delta, and random string sorting lands at 109.7%.

Multi-threaded workloads consistently favor the AMD chip. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result is 38161.5 versus 28477, a 34% lead. PassMark multi-thread scores 62674 against 33429, a 87.5% difference. Floating-point math shows a 39.1% gap at 144122 versus 103615. Find prime numbers, physics, and data encryption all show substantial AMD leads: 61%, 62.7%, and 52.6% respectively.

Single-thread performance tells a different story. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 405 points against 332, a delta of -18% (meaning AMD trails by that margin). In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel chip scores 4020 versus 2159.5, a 46.3% deficit for AMD. However, in the PassMark single-thread test, the AMD processor actually wins: 4511 versus 4043, an 11.6% advantage. This split between Cinebench and PassMark single-thread results indicates that the Intel architecture excels specifically in the Cinebench single-thread workload, while the AMD part holds the edge in the broader PassMark single-thread measurement.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D records an average benchmark score of 97453, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H averages 41263. The AMD chip sits in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the 87th percentile for the Intel part.

Q: How does the AMD processor compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D sits within 1.9% of its closest competitors. It trails the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX by 1.1%, leads the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9945 by 1.4%, and beats the AMD EPYC 4565P and AMD EPYC 9175F by 1.8% and 1.9% respectively.

Q: Where does the Intel processor stand among its nearest rivals?

A: The Core Ultra 7 366H is essentially tied with its closest competitors. It leads the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H by 0.1%, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 by 0.1%, and the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H by 0.7%. It trails the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X by 0.3%.

Q: Do both processors have the same core count?

A: Yes, both feature 16 cores. However, the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D supports 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H supports only 16 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D boosts to 5.40 GHz, compared to 4.80 GHz for the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 2.50 GHz versus 2.00 GHz.

Q: What are the thermal design power values for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has a TDP of 55 watts, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H has a TDP of 25 watts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D uses the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Fire Range, and belongs to the Ryzen 9 generation. It is manufactured on a 4 nm process by TSMC, with 16,630 million transistors spread across a dual-die design measuring 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H uses the Panther Lake architecture, belonging to the Ultra 7 generation with the Panther Lake-H variant. It is built on a 3 nm process by Intel.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD chip provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, with 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part offers 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, but only 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The massive L3 cache difference, 128 MB versus 18 MB, explains much of the AMD processor's dominance in data-heavy workloads like compression and integer math.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD processor supports DDR5 memory with dual-channel operation and a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory. The Intel processor supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, with a higher memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. The Intel part does not support ECC memory.

PCIe lanes differ as well. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D provides 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H provides 12 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics also differ: the AMD chip uses Radeon 610M, while the Intel chip uses Intel Xe3 Graphics.

The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel processor does not. Production status for both is listed as Active.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D | Intel Core Ultra 7 366H |

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

| Series | 9000 series | Core Ultra Series 3 |

| Threads | 32 | 16 |

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 2.00 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.40 GHz | 4.80 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Fire Range | Panther Lake |

| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistor count | 16,630 million | Not recorded |

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

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

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

| 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 lanes (CPU) | 28 Gen 5 | 12 Gen 5 |

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

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part number | 100-000001030 | SA4R9Q9EL |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins in nearly every multi-threaded and data-intensive workload. It leads by over 100% in data compression, extended instructions, integer math, and random string sorting. It also wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core and Cinebench R23 multi-core, with leads of 110.5% and 34% respectively. PassMark multi-thread shows an 87.5% advantage. Data encryption, floating-point math, find prime numbers, and physics all show AMD leads ranging from 39.1% to 62.7%. The AMD chip also wins in the PassMark single-thread test by 11.6%, showing that its single-core performance is broadly competitive even where the Intel chip excels in Cinebench.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H wins specifically in Cinebench R15 single-core and Cinebench R23 single-core. The R15 result shows a 405 versus 332 score, and the R23 result shows 4020 versus 2159.5. These wins indicate that Intel's Panther Lake architecture delivers strong single-thread performance in Cinebench's rendering workload. The Intel chip also carries a lower TDP of 25 watts, compared to 55 watts for the AMD chip, and supports a broader memory type range with both DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Its memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s is higher than the AMD part's 89.6 GB/s.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear performance hierarchy. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D dominates the benchmark suite with 13 wins out of 15 comparisons, and its average benchmark score of 97453 places it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H, with an average score of 41263 and an 87th percentile ranking, sits in a different performance class.

For workloads that depend on multi-threaded throughput, large data sets, or heavy compute operations, the AMD processor is the appropriate choice. The 128 MB of L3 cache and 32 threads provide a substantial advantage in compression, encryption, and math-heavy tasks. The 110.5% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and the 165.8% lead in integer math are decisive margins.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 366H is the better option for workloads that specifically rely on Cinebench single-core rendering performance. Its 46.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is significant. It also operates at a lower 25-watt TDP, which may be relevant for thermally constrained systems. The higher memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s and support for LPDDR5X memory are additional advantages.

The overall benchmark data, however, favors the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D across the majority of measured scenarios. The single-thread PassMark result, where AMD leads by 11.6%, indicates that the AMD chip does not uniformly trail in single-core performance. The Intel chip's wins are confined to one specific benchmark family, while the AMD chip's wins span both Cinebench and PassMark suites. Users prioritizing raw multi-threaded performance and broad workload coverage should choose the AMD processor. Users prioritizing Cinebench single-thread scores or lower power draw should choose the Intel processor.