AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255H Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear hierarchy between these two mobile processors. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H wins all 11 recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 records zero wins. This is not a close contest by any metric measured.

The Intel part is the stronger choice for users who prioritize raw compute throughput. Its PassMark multithread score of 30703 beats the AMD chip's 19091 by 37.8%. The gap extends across every workload category, from integer math to random string sorting. The Intel chip sits at the 83rd percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD chip sits at the 86th percentile, but the average benchmark score tells a different story: the AMD part averages 37762, the Intel part averages 33537. The percentile discrepancy reflects the broader distribution of scores in the database, not head-to-head performance.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 appeals to a narrower set of requirements. It uses the Zen 5 architecture on a 4 nm TSMC process, and it delivers a 2.00 GHz base clock with a 4.50 GHz boost clock. The Intel chip boosts to 5.10 GHz. Both parts carry a 28 W TDP, so the Intel chip achieves its substantial performance advantage within the same thermal envelope.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H is the default pick for anyone whose workloads scale with core count and thread count. The AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel chip has 16 cores and 16 threads. That core advantage translates directly into the benchmark results, especially in multithreaded tests.

The AMD chip remains relevant for systems where the platform matters more than peak CPU performance. It uses AMD Socket FP8, supports ECC memory, and integrates the Radeon 840M graphics. The Intel chip uses Intel BGA 2049, integrates Arc Graphics 140T, and also supports ECC memory. Both support DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Gorgon Point codename, belonging to the Ryzen AI PRO 400 generation that mixes Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. It is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H uses the Arrow Lake architecture under the Arrow Lake-H codename, part of the Core Ultra Series 2 generation. It is built on a 3 nm process, also at TSMC.

Core counts differ sharply. The AMD chip provides 6 cores and 12 threads, relying on simultaneous multithreading to reach 12 threads. The Intel chip provides 16 cores and 16 threads, with no multithreading advantage, meaning each core corresponds to exactly one thread. Despite having fewer threads than cores, the Intel chip's raw core count gives it a massive parallel throughput advantage.

Cache hierarchies reflect the different design targets. The AMD chip offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of L3 cache total. The Intel chip offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip's 24 MB shared L3 is six times larger than the AMD chip's total L3, which helps in workloads with large working sets.

Memory bandwidth also favors Intel. The AMD chip provides 89.6 GB/s over a dual-channel bus. The Intel chip provides 102.4 GB/s over a dual-channel bus. Both support DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory types, and both support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs by generation and lane count. The AMD chip provides Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes. The Intel chip provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. The Intel chip's newer PCIe generation and higher lane count give it more headroom for storage and expansion.

Clock speeds set the tone for single-thread performance. Both parts share a 2.00 GHz base clock. The AMD chip boosts to 4.50 GHz. The Intel chip boosts to 5.10 GHz, a 13.3% higher boost ceiling, which aligns with its 13% lead in the PassMark single-thread test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has 16 cores and 16 threads. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes. Both the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 and the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H list ECC memory support as true.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: Both processors carry a 28 W TDP.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H boosts to 5.10 GHz. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 boosts to 4.50 GHz. Both share a 2.00 GHz base clock.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 has 4 MB of L3 cache total.

Q: Which processor wins the PassMark multithread benchmark?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H scores 30703, which is 37.8% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435's 19091.

Specification Differences

The recorded data shows differences across nearly every major specification category.

• Cores: AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 has 6 cores. Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has 16 cores.
• Threads: AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 has 12 threads. Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has 16 threads.
• Boost Clock: AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 boosts to 4.50 GHz. Intel Core Ultra 7 255H boosts to 5.10 GHz.
• Process Node: AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 uses 4 nm. Intel Core Ultra 7 255H uses 3 nm.
• L1 Cache: AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 has 80 KB per core. Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has 192 KB per core.
• L2 Cache: AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 has 1 MB per core. Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has 3 MB per core.
• L3 Cache: AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 has 4 MB. Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has 24 MB shared.
• Memory Bandwidth: AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 provides 89.6 GB/s. Intel Core Ultra 7 255H provides 102.4 GB/s.
• PCIe: AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 uses Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes. Intel Core Ultra 7 255H uses Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.
• Socket: AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 uses AMD Socket FP8. Intel Core Ultra 7 255H uses Intel BGA 2049.
• Integrated Graphics: AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 integrates Radeon 840M. Intel Core Ultra 7 255H integrates Arc Graphics 140T.
• Architecture: AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 uses Zen 5. Intel Core Ultra 7 255H uses Arrow Lake.
• Codename: AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 is Gorgon Point. Intel Core Ultra 7 255H is Arrow Lake-H.
• Foundry: Both use TSMC.
• Base Clock: Both run at 2.00 GHz.
• TDP: Both run at 28 W.
• Memory Support: Both support DDR5 and LPDDR5X.
• Memory Bus: Both use dual-channel.
• ECC Memory: Both support ECC.
• Market Segment: Both target mobile.
• Production Status: Both are active.
• Multiplier Unlocked: Neither is unlocked.
• Launch MSRP: Neither part has a recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark table contains 11 entries, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H wins every one. The largest margin appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where Intel scores 303 against AMD's 57, a 81.2% advantage. That test heavily rewards the Intel chip's core count and per-core efficiency.

Floating point math shows a similar blowout. Intel scores 98796 against AMD's 41114, a 58.4% lead. The physics test follows with Intel at 2254 and AMD at 995, a 55.9% gap. Data encryption shows Intel at 23395 against AMD's 11267, a 51.8% margin. These four tests represent the largest deltas in the dataset.

The multithread score, the most representative overall throughput metric, gives Intel 30703 against AMD's 19091, a 37.8% lead. Random string sorting shows Intel at 36058 against AMD's 24936, a 30.8% margin. Extended instructions give Intel 23755 against AMD's 16724, a 29.6% lead.

The narrower margins still favor Intel. Data compression shows Intel at 298850 against AMD's 232803, a 22.1% lead. Integer math gives Intel 77975 against AMD's 60879, a 21.9% margin. Single-thread performance shows the smallest gap: Intel at 4317 against AMD's 3757, a 13% lead. The single-thread test appears twice in the dataset with identical scores, confirming the result.

The AMD chip's best relative showing is in single-thread performance, where the 13% gap is roughly half the margin seen in multithread workloads. This suggests the Zen 5 architecture narrows Intel's advantage when only one core is active, but the core count disparity becomes decisive in parallel workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H wins in every recorded workload category. There is no benchmark in the dataset where the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 takes the lead. The Intel chip's advantages cluster around tasks that use many cores, large caches, and high memory bandwidth.

Multithreaded productivity work is the Intel chip's strongest territory. The 37.8% multithread lead, the 58.4% floating point lead, and the 55.9% physics lead all point to sustained parallel compute. The 24 MB shared L3 cache and 16 physical cores give it a structural advantage in rendering, simulation, and compilation workloads. The 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth supports data-heavy tasks.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435 does not win any benchmark, but its profile suggests where it fits. The 13% single-thread gap is the smallest margin in the dataset, meaning the AMD architecture is competitive in lightly threaded scenarios. The 4 nm process node and 28 W TDP indicate efficiency as a design priority. The Radeon 840M integrated graphics and AMD Socket FP8 platform make it a candidate for AMD-centric system builds where the GPU or platform features matter more than CPU benchmark supremacy.

The Intel chip's 3 nm process node, 5.10 GHz boost clock, and Gen 5 PCIe with 20 lanes give it the more forward-looking platform. The Arc Graphics 140T provides the integrated graphics solution. The Intel chip also carries the higher percentile ranking in the database at 83, though the AMD chip sits at 86.

Database results indicate that users who need maximum CPU throughput from a 28 W mobile part should select the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H. Users who prefer the AMD platform, require ECC memory support, or want the Zen 5 architecture may still choose the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435, accepting the performance deficit documented across all 11 benchmarks.