AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G vs Intel Core 7 240H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clear split between the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G and the Intel Core 7 240H. Intel wins 8 of the 11 compared tests, while AMD takes 3 wins. The margin of victory varies widely by workload, which means the choice between these two parts depends heavily on what the system is asked to do.

Intel's biggest win comes in the passmark_find_prime_numbers test, where the Core 7 240H scores 102 against AMD's 55, a 46.1% advantage. That is the largest delta in the entire comparison. The physics test shows a similar pattern: Intel scores 1723 versus AMD's 999, a 42% lead. Floating point math also favors Intel heavily, with 58905 versus 43494, a 26.2% gap. Integer math follows at 80396 versus 63707, a 20.8% lead, and data encryption shows Intel ahead by 20.1% (15155 versus 12111). The multithread score favors Intel by 15.4% (23975 versus 20285), while random string sorting is closer at 5.1% (28866 versus 27407). Data compression is the narrowest Intel win at 6.7% (271774 versus 253484).

AMD's wins are concentrated in fewer tests but still meaningful. The extended instructions test shows AMD ahead by 10.7% (18697 versus 16897). The single-thread tests, listed twice in the data as passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread with identical scores, show AMD at 3829 versus Intel's 3782, a 1.2% edge. That is a slim margin, but it does indicate that AMD's architecture extracts slightly more performance from a single thread despite Intel's higher boost clock.

The average benchmark scores tell a different story than the head-to-head wins. Intel's average is 31483, placing it in the 82nd percentile of all CPUs. AMD's average is 40718, placing it in the 87th percentile. This discrepancy is notable: Intel wins most direct comparisons, but AMD's overall benchmark average is higher because its nearest rivals in the database all cluster around 40500 to 40700. Intel's nearest rivals cluster around 31470 to 31510. The two processors occupy different performance tiers in the database's overall scoring, even though the direct head-to-head tests favor Intel in most categories.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G uses the Gorgon Point codename, part of the Ryzen AI PRO 400 generation built on a 4 nm process from TSMC. The Intel Core 7 240H uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-H, part of the Core 7 (Raptor Lake Refresh) generation, built on Intel's 10 nm process.

Core counts differ substantially. AMD provides 6 cores and 12 threads, while Intel provides 10 cores and 16 threads. That four-core and four-thread advantage helps explain Intel's dominance in multithreaded and physics workloads. Clock speeds also favor Intel: the Core 7 240H has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, compared to AMD's 2.00 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost. Despite this, AMD wins the single-thread benchmark by 1.2%, which indicates that architectural efficiency per clock matters more than raw clock speed in that specific test.

Cache configurations show a significant difference in L3 capacity. Intel has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while AMD has only 4 MB of L3. The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core. L2 cache differs: Intel has 2 MB per core, AMD has 1 MB per core. Intel's larger cache hierarchy likely contributes to its wins in data compression and encryption, where larger working sets can stay resident.

The socket and market positioning differ completely. AMD uses AMD Socket AM5 and is classified as a desktop part. Intel uses Intel BGA 1744 and is classified as a mobile part. This is a critical distinction: the AMD chip is designed for desktop systems, while the Intel chip is designed for laptops and other mobile form factors. The TDP reflects this: AMD is rated at 65 watts, Intel at 45 watts. Despite the lower TDP, Intel delivers higher multithreaded performance in the recorded benchmarks.

Memory support diverges as well. AMD supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel memory and a measured bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, though the database does not list a bandwidth figure for Intel. AMD also supports ECC memory, while Intel does not. PCIe connectivity differs: AMD provides Gen 4 with 10 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 5 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ in branding and execution. AMD includes a Radeon 840M, while Intel includes Iris Xe Graphics with 64 execution units. The database does not provide graphics benchmarks for either part, so no direct comparison is possible from the recorded data.

The release dates are far apart. Intel launched on 2024-12-17, while AMD launched on 2026-03-01. Intel has a launch MSRP of $502; AMD's launch MSRP is not recorded in the database. Both parts are listed as active in production, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results indicate that the Intel Core 7 240H is the stronger choice for compute-heavy workloads that scale with core count and cache. The physics test, which typically reflects simulation and gaming physics calculations, shows Intel ahead by 42%. Prime number finding, a pure integer workload, shows Intel ahead by 46.1%. Floating point math, which matters for scientific computing and certain rendering tasks, shows Intel ahead by 26.2%. Integer math, relevant to general productivity and database operations, shows Intel ahead by 20.8%. Data encryption shows Intel ahead by 20.1%, which matters for security applications and encrypted storage. Multithread performance, a broad measure of parallel capability, favors Intel by 15.4%. Data compression and random string sorting, both common in file archiving and database workloads, also favor Intel, by 6.7% and 5.1% respectively.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G wins in three specific areas. Extended instructions, which test SIMD and specialized instruction set efficiency, show AMD ahead by 10.7%. This suggests AMD's Zen 5 based design handles extended instruction workloads more efficiently than Intel's Raptor Lake refresh. The single-thread tests, which reflect responsiveness in lightly threaded applications, show AMD ahead by 1.2%. That is a small margin, but it demonstrates that AMD's higher performance per clock can overcome Intel's 0.70 GHz boost clock advantage in at least one workload.

For desktop users, the AMD part fits into the AM5 socket ecosystem and offers ECC memory support, which matters for reliability-focused builds. For mobile users, the Intel part fits into the BGA 1744 socket and carries a lower 45 watt TDP, which matters for thermal management in laptops. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which gives system designers more flexibility in memory selection. The AMD chip supports only DDR5 but offers higher recorded memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s.

The percentile ranks place AMD higher overall at 87 versus Intel's 82, and AMD's average benchmark score of 40718 substantially exceeds Intel's 31483. This suggests that when averaged across the full PassMark suite rather than just the head-to-head tests, AMD's scores are more consistent across a broader range of workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core 7 240H wins 8 of the 11 compared tests. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G wins 3 tests, including both single-thread entries and the extended instructions test.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where Intel scores 102 versus AMD's 55, a 46.1% advantage for Intel.

Q: Does the AMD processor have any advantage in single-thread performance?

A: Yes, but barely. AMD scores 3829 versus Intel's 3782 in the single-thread tests, a 1.2% lead.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: Intel has 10 cores and 16 threads. AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: Intel has 24 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD has 4 MB of L3 cache.

Q: Are these processors for the same type of system?

A: No. AMD is a desktop part using AMD Socket AM5 with a 65 watt TDP. Intel is a mobile part using Intel BGA 1744 with a 45 watt TDP.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a straightforward split. The Intel Core 7 240H is the stronger performer in most direct benchmark comparisons, particularly in multithreaded, physics, integer, floating point, encryption, and prime number workloads. Its 10 cores, 16 threads, larger L2 and L3 caches, and higher clock speeds give it a structural advantage in parallel tasks. The 42% physics lead and 46.1% prime number lead are decisive margins that would matter in simulations, scientific computing, and heavy multitasking.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G holds a smaller but real advantage in single-thread performance and extended instructions. Its 1.2% single-thread lead shows that the 4 nm Zen 5 based design is more efficient per clock despite a lower boost clock. The 10.7% extended instructions lead indicates better SIMD efficiency for workloads that use those instruction paths. AMD also posts a higher overall average benchmark score at 40718 versus Intel's 31483, and a higher percentile rank at 87 versus 82.

The fundamental difference is market segment. The AMD chip is a desktop part with a 65 watt TDP, AM5 socket, DDR5-only memory support, ECC memory support, and Gen 4 PCIe with 10 lanes. The Intel chip is a mobile part with a 45 watt TDP, BGA 1744 socket, DDR4 and DDR5 support, no ECC, and Gen 5 PCIe with 8 lanes. A desktop builder on AM5 who needs ECC and values single-thread efficiency would choose AMD. A laptop designer who needs the higher multithreaded throughput and can work within a 45 watt envelope would choose Intel. The data does not support a single winner; it supports two different tools for two different system classes.