AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS and Intel Core 7 251TE are both 45 W parts that land in the same performance tier, yet they achieve that status through entirely different designs. The AMD chip is a mobile-focused 8-core/16-thread processor built on TSMC's 4 nm node, while the Intel part is a desktop-oriented 24-core/32-thread chip on Intel's 10 nm process. Their average benchmark scores are separated by less than 1% — 41963 for the AMD versus 41650 for the Intel — and both sit at the 88th percentile of all CPUs. The data shows a genuine split: Intel wins 11 of 17 head-to-head tests, but AMD takes the other 6, and those wins are often by larger margins.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 251TE is the brute-force winner in most raw compute workloads. It dominates in integer math (125739 versus 103390, a 17.8% lead), floating-point math (85607 versus 63490, a 25.8% lead), and physics simulations (1938 versus 1430, a 26.2% lead). Its 24-core configuration also gives it a clear edge in prime number finding, where it scores 140 versus AMD's 91 — a 35% advantage. Across all Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23), Intel wins both single-core and multi-core runs by a consistent 1.4%, which is narrow but uniform.

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS wins where the workload favors its architecture and higher single-thread throughput. Its biggest victory is in extended instructions, scoring 27714 versus Intel's 16974 — a massive 63.3% lead. It also wins data compression by 10.3% (368884 versus 334399) and random string sorting by 12.7% (44668 versus 39643). In PassMark's single-thread test, AMD is ahead by 9.9% (3920 versus 3568), and it edges out Intel in the multithread test by 1.2% (30378 versus 30022) despite having far fewer cores.

The pattern is clear: Intel wins sustained, heavily parallelized compute with its core count, while AMD wins memory-heavy, instruction-specific, and single-threaded tasks. For users running compression tools, encryption-adjacent workloads, or software that leverages extended instruction sets, the AMD chip is the better pick. For rendering, physics, and general number crunching, Intel takes the lead.

Architecture Differences

The two chips are built on fundamentally different philosophies. AMD's Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS uses the Zen 4 architecture in the Hawk Point codename, fabricated by TSMC on a 4 nm process with 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. Cache is organized as 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3 — modest by modern standards but paired with high clocks.

Intel's Core 7 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, fabricated by Intel on a 10 nm process with a 215 mm² die size. It fields 24 cores and 32 threads, but its base clock is just 1.40 GHz, boosting to 5.40 GHz. The cache hierarchy is larger: 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. The Intel chip also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while AMD is DDR5-only. Both support ECC memory and dual-channel buses with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth.

PCIe connectivity differs significantly. AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics also split: AMD uses the Radeon 780M, which is a substantial iGPU, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. The Intel part is a desktop socket (LGA 1700), whereas AMD uses Socket FP7, which is mobile. Intel released on 2025-01-12; AMD came earlier on 2024-04-15.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are remarkably consistent: Intel wins all six runs by exactly 1.4%. In R15 multi-core, Intel scores 2572 versus 2536; in R15 single-core, it's 362 versus 357. R20 multi-core shows 10717 versus 10569, and single-core 1512 versus 1491. R23 multi-core is 25518 versus 25165, with single-core at 3602 versus 3552. These are tight margins — within run-to-run variance territory, but uniform enough to indicate a real, if small, advantage.

PassMark tells a different story. The AMD chip's 63.3% win in extended instructions is the largest delta in the entire comparison. That single result dwarfs Intel's biggest wins. Intel's 35% lead in find prime numbers is substantial, but its 26.2% physics win and 25.8% floating-point win are comparable scale. In integer math, Intel leads by 17.8%, and in data encryption by 1.6% — a near tie.

AMD's other wins are notable for their direction. It leads by 10.3% in data compression, 12.7% in random string sorting, and 9.9% in single-thread tests. The PassMark multithread result is telling: AMD wins 30378 versus 30022, meaning its 8-core design outperforms Intel's 24-core design in this specific aggregate test. That is a significant architectural statement about per-core efficiency.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE wins with a score of 25518 versus AMD's 25165, a 1.4% advantage.

Q: How much better is AMD in extended instructions?

A: AMD leads by 63.3%, scoring 27714 versus Intel's 16974 in the PassMark extended instructions test.

Q: Does the Intel chip have more cores?

A: Yes, Intel has 24 cores and 32 threads, while AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?

A: Intel boosts to 5.40 GHz, slightly ahead of AMD's 5.20 GHz.

Q: Do both chips support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both support ECC memory, and both have dual-channel memory buses with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is Intel's advantage in floating-point math?

A: Intel scores 85607 versus 63490, a 25.8% lead in the PassMark floating-point math test.

Q: Which chip has newer PCIe technology?

A: Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while AMD uses Gen 4 with 20 lanes.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS | Intel Core 7 251TE |

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

| Cores | 8 | 24 |

| Threads | 16 | 32 |

| Base Clock | 4.00 GHz | 1.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 178 mm² | 215 mm² |

| Transistors | 25,000 million | Not specified |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 780M | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP7 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Bartlett Lake |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload. The Intel Core 7 251TE is the choice for users who need raw multi-core throughput in rendering, physics, and heavy math workloads — its 24 cores deliver a 35% win in prime finding and a 26.2% win in physics over AMD. It also sweeps every Cinebench test, albeit by a narrow 1.4%. For a desktop system where sustained all-core load is common, Intel's core advantage is real.

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS is better for single-threaded responsiveness and memory-intensive tasks. Its 9.9% single-thread lead, 10.3% data compression win, and 12.7% random string sorting win show it handles data movement more efficiently. The 63.3% extended instructions advantage suggests software that uses SIMD or specialized instruction paths will run dramatically better on AMD. Its PassMark multithread win despite having 16 fewer threads indicates superior per-thread efficiency.

Both chips sit at the 88th percentile and have nearly identical average scores (41963 versus 41650). The Intel part is a desktop processor with a launch MSRP of $384; AMD has no listed launch MSRP. The AMD chip is mobile-only, so platform choice will heavily influence the decision. If you are building a desktop and need maximum core count, choose Intel. If you are selecting a mobile processor or prioritize single-thread speed and data-heavy workloads, choose AMD. The benchmark results do not declare a universal winner — they declare a workload-dependent one.