AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS vs Intel Core Ultra X7 368H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS and Intel Core Ultra X7 368H represent two distinct philosophies in mobile processing. The AMD part, built on Zen 4, offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel chip, based on Panther Lake, provides 16 cores and 16 threads. The recorded data shows a clear split: Intel wins the majority of head-to-head tests, taking 13 of 17, while AMD secures 4 victories. The Intel processor also holds a higher average benchmark score of 40518 compared to AMD's 41963, though the AMD chip achieves a slightly better percentile ranking at 88 versus 87. This is a contest between Intel's raw compute throughput and AMD's efficiency in specific workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H dominates the Cinebench suite, winning all six tests across R15, R20, and R23. The margins are consistent, with the Intel part leading by 10.8% in multi-core tests and between 10.8% and 11% in single-core tests. For instance, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 28221 against AMD's 25165, a 10.8% advantage. The single-core results are similarly one-sided, with Intel's 3984 in R23 single-core topping AMD's 3552. This indicates a fundamental performance lead in both lightly threaded and heavily threaded rendering workloads.

Beyond rendering, Intel shows strength in several PassMark subsystem tests. The most dramatic win is in find prime numbers, where Intel scores 321 versus AMD's 91, a massive 71.7% difference. Floating point math also heavily favors Intel, with a score of 105681 compared to AMD's 63490, a 39.9% lead. Intel also wins in physics (2857 versus 1430, a 49.9% margin), data encryption (25228 versus 21820, a 13.5% lead), and the PassMark multi-thread test (32956 versus 30378, a 7.8% advantage). Even in single-thread PassMark, Intel edges ahead: 4005 versus 3920, a smaller 2.1% lead.

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS wins in four specific areas. Data compression is its strongest result, scoring 368884 against Intel's 312927, a 17.9% advantage. Integer math also goes to AMD: 103390 versus 88083, a 17.4% lead. Random string sorting shows a 17.3% win for AMD (44668 versus 38093). Finally, extended instructions favor AMD by 8%, with a score of 27714 against Intel's 25669. These wins cluster around tasks that rely on memory bandwidth and certain instruction sets, suggesting AMD's architecture handles these workloads more efficiently despite losing the overall compute battles.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice for users prioritizing raw compute power. The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H should be selected for rendering workloads, physics simulations, and any task that heavily uses floating point math or prime number calculations. Its consistent 10.8% lead across all Cinebench versions, combined with a 39.9% win in floating point and a 49.9% win in physics, makes it the superior option for creative professionals and scientific computing. The single-thread advantage, though modest at 2.1%, also makes it slightly better for everyday responsiveness.

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS is the pick for workload types where it demonstrates clear superiority. Its 17.9% win in data compression and 17.4% win in integer math are substantial, not marginal. Users dealing with file archiving, database operations, or general integer-heavy code would benefit from AMD's efficiency in these areas. The 8% lead in extended instructions also suggests better handling of specialized instruction sets. For a mobile processor with a lower TDP of 45 watts compared to Intel's 25 watts, AMD's wins show targeted strength, though the Intel part achieves its broader dominance while drawing less power.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are uniformly in Intel's favor. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 2844 against AMD's 2536, a 10.8% difference. The single-core R15 test shows Intel at 401 versus AMD's 357, an 11% lead. Moving to R20, Intel leads multi-core with 11852 against 10569, again by 10.8%, and single-core with 1673 versus 1491, a 10.9% margin. The R23 results mirror this pattern exactly: multi-core 28221 versus 25165 and single-core 3984 versus 3552, both at 10.8%. This uniformity suggests a consistent architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific fluke.

The PassMark suite tells a more varied story. Intel's largest win is in find prime numbers, where its score of 321 dwarfs AMD's 91, a 71.7% gap. Floating point math shows Intel at 105681 versus 63490, a 39.9% lead. Physics results are similarly lopsided: 2857 versus 1430, a 49.9% margin. Data encryption favors Intel by 13.5% (25228 versus 21820), and the multi-thread test shows a 7.8% lead (32956 versus 30378). The single-thread PassMark test is the closest Intel win, at 4005 versus 3920, only 2.1% ahead.

AMD's wins are concentrated and large. Data compression is the standout: 368884 versus 312927, a 17.9% lead. Integer math follows at 103390 versus 88083, a 17.4% advantage. Random string sorting shows 44668 versus 38093, a 17.3% win. The smallest AMD victory is in extended instructions, 27714 versus 25669, an 8% margin. These results indicate that while Intel wins more tests, AMD's victories are not narrow, they are decisive in the categories it claims.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core rendering?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H wins all multi-core Cinebench tests. In R23 multi-core, it scores 28221 versus AMD's 25165, a 10.8% lead. It also wins the PassMark multi-thread test with 32956 against AMD's 30378, a 7.8% margin.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any benchmark by a large margin?

A: Yes. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS wins data compression by 17.9% (368884 versus 312927), integer math by 17.4% (103390 versus 88083), and random string sorting by 17.3% (44668 versus 38093). These are substantial wins, not marginal ones.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: Intel leads in single-core performance across all tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 3984 versus AMD's 3552, a 10.8% gap. The PassMark single-thread test shows a smaller lead for Intel: 4005 versus 3920, a 2.1% advantage.

Q: Which CPU has a higher overall average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS has a higher average benchmark score of 41963, compared to Intel's 40518. This is despite Intel winning more individual head-to-head tests. AMD also has a slightly better percentile ranking at 88 versus Intel's 87.

Q: Where does Intel show its biggest performance advantage?

A: Intel's largest win is in the find prime numbers test, where it scores 321 against AMD's 91, a 71.7% lead. It also has large wins in physics (49.9% lead) and floating point math (39.9% lead).

Q: Are the Cinebench margins consistent across versions?

A: Yes. Intel leads by 10.8% in R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, and R23 multi-core. Single-core margins are also consistent: 11% in R15, 10.9% in R20, and 10.8% in R23. The pattern holds across all three test versions.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS uses Zen 4, codenamed Hawk Point, and is part of the 8000 series. It is manufactured by TSMC on a 4 nm process node with 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel Core Ultra X7 368H uses Panther Lake architecture, part of the Core Ultra Series 3, and is manufactured by Intel on a 3 nm process node. The die size and transistor count for Intel are not recorded in the database.

Core configurations differ significantly. AMD offers 8 cores and 16 threads, while Intel provides 16 cores and 16 threads. This means Intel has more physical cores but the same thread count, indicating a design without hyperthreading on its Panther Lake cores. AMD's base clock is 4.00 GHz with a boost of 5.20 GHz, while Intel's base clock is 2.00 GHz with a boost of 5.00 GHz. The TDP also differs, with AMD rated at 45 watts and Intel at 25 watts.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has larger per-core caches and a larger total L3, which may contribute to its single-core and floating point advantages.

The integrated graphics differ as well. AMD includes a Radeon 780M, while Intel includes an Arc B390. Both support dual-channel memory, but AMD uses DDR5 while Intel uses LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth is notably different: Intel reaches 153.6 GB/s, while AMD achieves 89.6 GB/s. AMD supports ECC memory, while Intel does not. PCIe support also varies, with AMD offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only) and Intel offering Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only).

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra X7 368H has 16 cores and 16 threads. AMD's base clock is 4.00 GHz versus Intel's 2.00 GHz, and AMD's boost clock is 5.20 GHz versus Intel's 5.00 GHz. The TDP is 45 watts for AMD and 25 watts for Intel.

Memory support diverges, with AMD using DDR5 and Intel using LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth is higher on Intel at 153.6 GB/s compared to AMD's 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory support is present on AMD but absent on Intel. PCIe lanes differ: AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics are Radeon 780M for AMD and Arc B390 for Intel. The process node is 4 nm for AMD (TSMC) and 3 nm for Intel (Intel foundry). Release dates show AMD launching on 2024-04-15 and Intel on 2026-01-04. The sockets are AMD Socket FP7 and Intel BGA 2540. AMD's part numbers include 100-000001314(FP7r2) and 100-000001386(FP7), while Intel's is SA4R7Q9EJ. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.