AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 vs Intel Core 7 251E Comparison

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 and the Intel Core 7 251E are two very different processors aimed at different segments, despite both being active, recent releases. The AMD chip is a 6-core, 12-thread mobile processor built on a 4 nm process for efficient laptops, while the Intel chip is a 24-core, 32-thread desktop processor built on a 10 nm process for high-throughput desktop workloads. The database shows a stark contrast in their design goals, with the AMD part prioritizing power efficiency and the Intel part prioritizing raw core count and clock speed.

FAQ

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core 7 251E has 24 cores and 32 threads. This gives the Intel a 4x advantage in core count and a 2.67x advantage in thread count.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds of the two CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 boosts up to 4.80 GHz. The Intel Core 7 251E boosts up to 5.60 GHz, making it 0.80 GHz faster in maximum clock speed.

Q: Which processor offers more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core 7 251E has 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 has only 8 MB of L3 cache. The Intel part has 4.5 times the L3 cache capacity of the AMD part.

Q: What are the thermal design power (TDP) ratings?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 has a TDP of 28 watts. The Intel Core 7 251E has a TDP of 65 watts, which is more than double the AMD's power envelope.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 and the Intel Core 7 251E support ECC memory. Both also support dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

Q: What integrated graphics do they feature?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 uses the Radeon 840M. The Intel Core 7 251E uses the UHD Graphics 770.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split between the two processors is substantial. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 is built on a 4 nm process by TSMC, while the Intel Core 7 251E is built on a 10 nm process by Intel. This process difference is reflected in the die size, with the AMD chip measuring 195 mm² and the Intel chip measuring 257 mm². The AMD processor is based on the Zen 5 architecture under the Krackan Point codename, part of the Ryzen AI PRO 300 generation. The Intel processor uses the Bartlett Lake codename, part of the Core 7 generation.

The core configurations differ fundamentally. The AMD chip uses 6 cores with a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The Intel chip uses 24 cores with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The cache hierarchy also diverges. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but the AMD chip has 1 MB of L2 cache per core while the Intel chip has 2 MB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache is the most significant difference: 8 MB on the AMD versus 36 MB shared on the Intel.

Memory support shows another split. The AMD processor supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, while the Intel processor supports DDR4 and DDR5. Both are dual-channel and have identical memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The PCIe capabilities differ, with the AMD using Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and the Intel using Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The market segments are also distinct, with the AMD part designated as Mobile and the Intel part designated as Desktop. The sockets are different as well: the AMD uses AMD Socket FP8, while the Intel uses Intel Socket 1700.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data in the database is limited because the Intel Core 7 251E has no recorded benchmark scores. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 has a full suite of Cinebench and PassMark scores, but the Intel part's benchmark field is empty, and the comparison table shows no entries. This makes a direct numerical comparison impossible based on the recorded data.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 scores 1,743 in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 276 in Cinebench R15 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it scores 11,534 multi-core and 1,802 single-core. PassMark results show 221,581 in data compression, 11,212 in data encryption, 15,721 in extended instructions, 74 in find prime numbers, 39,662 in floating point math, 63,233 in integer math, 19,215 in multi-thread, 1,084 in physics, 24,334 in random string sorting, and 3,758 in single-thread tests. The average benchmark score for the AMD chip is 27,932, placing it in the 80th percentile of all CPUs.

Without any benchmark scores for the Intel Core 7 251E, the data cannot support a win count for either side. The wins fields show zero for both processors. The nearest rivals for the AMD part provide context for its performance level. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 is 0.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D, 0.2% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U, 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i9-10900K, and 0.3% behind the Intel Core i9-12900H. These deltas are all within a fraction of a percent, indicating that the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 sits in a very tight performance cluster with those established desktop and mobile processors.

Specification Differences

The specification table reveals clear differences across nearly every major category. The core count is the most dramatic: 6 cores on the AMD versus 24 cores on the Intel. Threads follow at 12 versus 32. The base clock is slightly higher on the Intel part at 2.10 GHz versus 2.00 GHz, and the boost clock is also higher on the Intel at 5.60 GHz versus 4.80 GHz. The TDP is a major separator, with the AMD drawing 28 watts and the Intel drawing 65 watts.

The socket differs, with the AMD using AMD Socket FP8 and the Intel using Intel Socket 1700. The architecture is Zen 5 for the AMD, while the Intel has no architecture listed. The codenames differ: Krackan Point for AMD and Bartlett Lake for Intel. The generation is Ryzen AI PRO 300 (Zen 5 / Zen 5c) for AMD and Core 7 (Bartlett Lake) for Intel. The process node is 4 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel. The foundry is TSMC for AMD and Intel for the Intel chip. The die size is 195 mm² for AMD and 257 mm² for Intel.

Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3. Both have 80 KB L1 per core, but the AMD has 1 MB L2 per core versus 2 MB per core on the Intel. The L3 cache is 8 MB on the AMD versus 36 MB shared on the Intel. Memory support shows the AMD supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while the Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. Both are dual-channel with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on both. The PCIe version differs: Gen 4 on AMD versus Gen 5 on Intel, both with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics are the Radeon 840M on AMD versus UHD Graphics 770 on Intel. The market segment is Mobile for AMD and Desktop for Intel. The release dates are close, with the AMD released on January 5, 2025, and the Intel released on January 12, 2025.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 clearly wins in the power efficiency category. Its 28-watt TDP is less than half of the Intel's 65-watt TDP, making it suited for thin-and-light mobile systems where thermal and battery constraints are strict. The AMD chip also uses a more advanced 4 nm process, which typically allows for lower power draw at similar performance levels. Its smaller die size of 195 mm² further indicates a more compact design intended for mobile integration. The support for LPDDR5X memory is another mobile-oriented feature, as low-power memory is common in laptops.

The Intel Core 7 251E wins in core count, thread count, cache capacity, and maximum clock speed. With 24 cores and 32 threads, it offers four times the cores and 2.67 times the threads of the AMD part. The 36 MB L3 cache is 4.5 times larger than the AMD's 8 MB, which benefits workloads that repeatedly access large datasets. The 5.60 GHz boost clock is 0.80 GHz higher than the AMD's 4.80 GHz, suggesting a strong advantage in lightly threaded tasks that rely on a single core. The Intel part also supports DDR4 memory, which can be a cost or availability advantage in some desktop builds, and it uses PCIe Gen 5 for faster data transfer to compatible devices.

The AMD processor's benchmark scores indicate it can handle a range of tasks. Its PassMark multi-thread score of 19,215 and Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 11,534 show it is not a weak performer despite its low core count. Its single-thread Cinebench R23 score of 1,802 and PassMark single-thread score of 3,758 demonstrate solid single-core capability. The Intel part, with no recorded benchmarks, cannot be directly compared on these metrics, so the data only supports the specification-based advantages listed above.

The Verdict

The choice between these two processors depends entirely on the use case, and the data points to different scenarios for each. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 is the clear pick for any mobile deployment. Its 28-watt TDP, 4 nm process, and support for low-power LPDDR5X memory make it appropriate for laptops where power consumption and heat dissipation are primary concerns. Its benchmark scores, placing it in the 80th percentile of all CPUs with an average score of 27,932, show that it delivers competitive performance within that power envelope. The lack of a launch MSRP in the database means no pricing comparison can be made, but the design clearly targets the mobile market segment.

The Intel Core 7 251E is the choice for desktop workloads that demand maximum thread count and cache. The 24 cores and 32 threads are effectively unmatched by the AMD part, and the 36 MB L3 cache provides a substantial buffer for data-intensive applications. The 65-watt TDP is higher but appropriate for a desktop processor with a larger cooling solution. The PCIe Gen 5 support adds future-proofing for high-bandwidth storage and graphics. The launch MSRP for the Intel part is listed as $384, which can be stated once as context for its positioning.

The performance comparison is incomplete. The database has no benchmark scores for the Intel Core 7 251E, so the recorded data cannot verify whether its core advantage translates into real-world wins. The AMD part's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-12900H, which it trails by 0.3%, and the Intel Core i9-10900K, which it leads by 0.2%. These are established high-performance chips, and the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 sits within 0.3% of them. This suggests that for mobile processors, the AMD part is a strong contender. For the Intel desktop chip, the specification sheet is the only available evidence, and it shows a processor built for scale rather than efficiency.

The verdict from the data is straightforward. For a laptop, the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 340 is the only logical option, as the Intel part is a desktop component. For a desktop system where core count and cache are the priority, the Intel Core 7 251E has the specifications to deliver, though its actual benchmark scores are not yet recorded. The two processors do not overlap in their intended usage, so the decision is less about which is better and more about which segment the build belongs to.