AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS vs Intel Xeon 6357P Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between these two processors, with the Intel Xeon 6357P winning 12 of the 17 recorded tests, while the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS takes 5 wins. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

Starting with the Cinebench suite, the Intel part is consistently ahead, but by surprisingly narrow margins. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Xeon scores 26,145 against the Ryzen's 25,165, a lead of only 3.7%. The single-core result in R23 shows a similar pattern: 3,691 for Intel versus 3,552 for AMD, a 3.8% gap. Cinebench R20 and R15 follow the same trend, with Intel leading by 3.7% to 4.0% across both multi-core and single-core runs. These are modest victories, not the kind of dominant performance one might expect from a server-class part.

The Passmark suite reveals where each processor excels. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS dominates several specific workloads. Its biggest win comes in random string sorting, where it scores 44,668 versus 35,495 for Intel, a substantial 25.8% advantage. Data encryption is another strong area for AMD: 21,820 versus 18,324, a 19.1% lead. Extended instructions show a 13.2% advantage (27,714 vs 24,490), and data compression goes to AMD by 4.3% (368,884 vs 353,521). Integer math also favors AMD, with a 6.2% edge (103,390 vs 97,375).

The Intel Xeon 6357P, in turn, posts its most dramatic wins in specific compute-heavy tasks. The largest margin is in find prime numbers, where Intel scores 149 against AMD's 91, a massive 38.9% advantage. Physics simulation shows a nearly identical gap: 2,305 versus 1,430, a 38% lead. Floating point math also goes to Intel by a wide margin, 74,460 versus 63,490, a 14.7% difference. The Passmark multi-thread test is close, with Intel ahead by just 1.2% (30,759 vs 30,378), and single-thread performance favors Intel by 7.4% (4,233 vs 3,920).

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this split. The AMD part records an average score of 41,963, while the Intel part averages 40,630. Despite winning fewer individual tests, AMD's victories in several high-scoring Passmark workloads push its average above Intel's. The percentile rankings are close as well: AMD sits at the 88th percentile of all CPUs, Intel at the 87th.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Xeon 6357P wins every single-core benchmark in the comparison. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 3,691 versus 3,552 for the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS, a 3.8% difference. The Passmark single-thread test shows a larger 7.4% gap, with Intel scoring 4,233 against AMD's 3,920.

Q: Where does the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS show its biggest advantage?

A: The AMD part's largest win is in Passmark random string sorting, where it leads by 25.8% (44,668 vs 35,495). It also shows strong advantages in data encryption (19.1% ahead) and extended instructions (13.2% ahead).

Q: Is the Intel Xeon 6357P always faster in multi-core tests?

A: No. While Intel wins the Cinebench multi-core tests and Passmark multi-thread, the margins are small in some cases. In Passmark multi-thread, Intel leads by only 1.2%. AMD wins Passmark integer math by 6.2% and data compression by 4.3%, which are also multi-threaded workloads.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS has a higher average benchmark score of 41,963, while the Intel Xeon 6357P averages 40,630. This is notable because Intel wins more individual tests, but AMD's wins in high-scoring Passmark workloads boost its overall average.

Q: What is the most dramatic performance difference between the two?

A: The largest gap is in Passmark find prime numbers, where the Intel Xeon 6357P leads by 38.9% (149 vs 91). Passmark physics shows a nearly identical 38% advantage for Intel (2,305 vs 1,430).

Q: Which processor has better memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel Xeon 6357P has no memory bandwidth figure listed in the database, so a direct comparison cannot be made from the available data.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon 6357P is the choice for workloads that depend on raw computational throughput in specific areas. Its 38.9% lead in prime number finding and 38% lead in physics simulation are the largest margins in the entire comparison. Floating point math also favors Intel by 14.7%, making it suitable for scientific computing and simulation tasks that rely heavily on FPU performance. The consistent, if modest, leads in Cinebench single and multi-core tests suggest Intel has a slight edge in general rendering and CPU-bound tasks.

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS wins in data-centric workloads. Its 25.8% advantage in random string sorting indicates strength in text processing and database-style operations. The 19.1% lead in data encryption is significant for security-related tasks, and the 13.2% edge in extended instructions points to better optimization for new instruction set extensions. The 6.2% win in integer math and 4.3% in data compression round out a profile that suits file handling, compression tools, and general integer-heavy applications.

For users who prioritize a balanced average, the AMD part's higher average benchmark score of 41,963 versus Intel's 40,630 suggests it delivers more consistent performance across a broad range of tasks, even though Intel wins more individual tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS uses 8 cores and 16 threads, as does the Intel Xeon 6357P, so core counts match. Clock speeds differ: AMD has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, while Intel runs at 3.00 GHz base and 5.40 GHz boost. Thermal design power differs substantially, with AMD rated at 45 W and Intel at 80 W.

The AMD part uses the AMD Socket FP7, while Intel uses Intel Socket 1700. The architecture differs as well: AMD is built on Zen 4 (Hawk Point), while Intel uses Raptor Lake (Raptor Lake-R). Process nodes are different, with AMD on a 4 nm process from TSMC and Intel on a 10 nm process from Intel. Die size also differs, with AMD at 178 mm² and Intel at 257 mm². AMD has 25,000 million transistors, while Intel has no transistor count listed.

Cache configurations differ across all levels. AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: AMD supports DDR5 only, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s; Intel has none listed. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe support differs: AMD has Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while Intel has Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part includes integrated Radeon 780M graphics, while the Intel part has no integrated graphics (N/A). The market segments differ, with AMD targeting Mobile and Intel targeting Server/Workstation. Release dates differ, with AMD released on 2024-04-15 and Intel on 2025-02-23. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $556. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data points to different use cases for each processor. The Intel Xeon 6357P wins 12 of 17 benchmarks, with its largest margins in prime number finding (38.9%), physics simulation (38%), and floating point math (14.7%). It also leads in every Cinebench test, though by smaller margins of 3.7% to 4.0%. For workloads that stress floating point units, physics calculations, or any task that resembles prime number generation, the Intel part is the clear choice. Its 5.40 GHz boost clock likely contributes to its single-thread advantage, where it leads by 7.4% in Passmark.

The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS, despite losing more tests, posts a higher average benchmark score (41,963 vs 40,630) and sits at the 88th percentile versus Intel's 87th. Its wins in random string sorting (25.8% ahead), data encryption (19.1% ahead), and extended instructions (13.2% ahead) make it the better option for data processing, security workloads, and software that leverages newer instruction sets. The 45 W TDP also suggests it operates in a lower power envelope compared to Intel's 80 W, which may matter for sustained mobile workloads.

The choice depends on the workload profile. For server or workstation deployments focused on scientific computing, physics, or floating-point-heavy tasks, the Intel Xeon 6357P is supported by the benchmark data. For mobile platforms or tasks centered on data compression, encryption, and integer math, the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS shows measurable advantages. The Intel part wins more tests, but the AMD part wins the average, indicating that AMD's victories come in heavier-weight workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors embody different architectural approaches. The AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS uses Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The die measures 178 mm² and contains 25,000 million transistors. Intel's Xeon 6357P uses Raptor Lake architecture (Raptor Lake-R codename), built on a 10 nm process at Intel, with a die size of 257 mm² and no transistor count listed.

Cache hierarchy differs significantly. AMD allocates 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, with 16 MB of shared L3. Intel provides 80 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 per core, with a larger 24 MB shared L3. This gives Intel more total cache per core, which may contribute to its single-thread performance advantage.

Memory architecture diverges as well. AMD supports DDR5 only, with a listed bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, with no bandwidth figure recorded. Both use dual-channel memory buses and support ECC.

PCIe capabilities differ by generation and lane count. AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The newer PCIe generation on Intel allows for higher bandwidth per lane, though AMD provides more total lanes.

Integrated graphics present another key difference. The AMD part includes Radeon 780M integrated graphics, making it suitable for systems without a discrete GPU. The Intel Xeon 6357P has no integrated graphics, requiring a separate GPU for any display output.

The manufacturing and market positioning differ as well. AMD targets the mobile segment with a 45 W TDP, while Intel targets server/workstation with an 80 W TDP. The AMD part was released in April 2024, while Intel followed in February 2025. Both processors are currently marked as Active in production status.