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

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G and Intel Core Ultra 7 255H represent two distinct approaches to modern processor design. The recorded data shows a clear performance hierarchy, with the Intel part winning every head-to-head benchmark in the database. This analysis walks through the specific deltas, architectural reasoning, and the resulting use-case profile for each chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H wins all 11 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The largest margins appear in compute-heavy workloads. In floating-point math, the Intel part scores 98,796 versus 43,494 for the AMD chip, a delta of 56% in Intel's favor. Prime number finding shows an even more extreme gap: Intel scores 303 against AMD's 55, a delta of 81.8%. These are not marginal differences; they indicate a substantial raw throughput advantage for the Intel design.

Multi-threaded performance follows the same pattern. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H scores 30,703 in PassMark multithread, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G manages 20,285, a 33.9% deficit. Physics simulation shows a similar story, with Intel leading 2,254 to 999, a 55.7% gap. Integer math is closer but still favors Intel: 77,975 versus 63,707, a delta of 18.3%.

Memory-oriented workloads also lean Intel, though with varying margins. Data compression scores 298,850 for Intel versus 253,484 for AMD, a 15.2% difference. Random string sorting shows Intel ahead at 36,058 versus 27,407, a 24% delta. Data encryption is a clear Intel win at 23,395 versus 12,111, a 48.2% margin. Extended instruction workloads favor Intel by 21.3%, with scores of 23,755 and 18,697.

Even single-thread performance, often a strong suit for AMD's Zen designs, goes to Intel here. The Core Ultra 7 255H scores 4,317 in PassMark single-thread, while the Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G scores 3,829, an 11.3% deficit. This single-thread advantage compounds the multi-thread lead, making the Intel part dominant across the entire benchmark suite.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G uses the Gorgon Point codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI PRO 400 generation, built on a 4 nm TSMC process. It combines Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores in a 6-core, 12-thread configuration. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H is part of the Core Ultra Series 2, codenamed Arrow Lake-H, built on a 3 nm TSMC process. It uses the Arrow Lake architecture in a 16-core, 16-thread layout.

Core count is a primary differentiator. Intel packs 16 cores versus AMD's 6, and the thread counts reflect the design: 16 threads for Intel, 12 for AMD. The cache hierarchy also differs substantially. AMD provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of L3. Intel offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The Intel L3 cache is six times larger, which helps explain its lead in data compression and random string sorting.

Clock speeds show Intel's aggressive tuning. Both parts have a 2.00 GHz base clock, but Intel boosts to 5.10 GHz versus AMD's 4.50 GHz. This 0.6 GHz boost advantage directly contributes to the single-thread lead. Power envelopes differ sharply: Intel is rated at 28 W TDP, while AMD is rated at 65 W. The Intel part achieves its higher performance within a lower thermal budget, an efficiency indicator that the benchmark data supports.

Platform features also diverge. AMD uses Socket AM5 with Gen 4 PCIe (10 lanes), while Intel uses BGA 2049 with Gen 5 PCIe (20 lanes). Memory support differs as well: AMD supports DDR5 only, while Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth shows Intel ahead at 102.4 GB/s versus AMD's 89.6 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. The integrated graphics differ: AMD uses Radeon 840M, Intel uses Arc Graphics 140T. Market segments also differ, with the AMD part listed as Desktop and the Intel part as Mobile.

The Verdict

The data suggests a straightforward choice for performance-focused workloads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H wins every benchmark in the database, often by wide margins. Its 16-core design, larger cache, higher boost clock, and faster memory bandwidth combine to deliver superior results across compression, encryption, math, and physics tests. The 81.8% lead in prime number finding and 56% lead in floating-point math are decisive.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G does not win any head-to-head benchmark. Its strongest relative showing is in single-thread performance, where the 11.3% deficit is the smallest margin it achieves. The AMD part does hold a higher TDP rating at 65 W, which may indicate a different thermal design target, but the benchmark data does not translate that into any performance win.

The percentile data places the AMD part at the 87th percentile of all CPUs, which is higher than Intel's 83rd percentile. However, the average benchmark score tells a different story: AMD's average is 40,718, while Intel's is 33,537. This discrepancy arises because the two parts have different benchmark suites recorded. The AMD part's closest rivals include the Intel Xeon 6357P (0.2% delta), Intel Core 5 223PE (0.3%), Intel Core 7 253PE (0.4%), and Intel Core Ultra X7 368H (0.5%). The Intel part's nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 5 240 (0% delta), AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS (-0.4%), AMD Ryzen 5 7645HX (-0.4%), and Intel Core i5-12600HX (0.5%).

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Intel part has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD part has 6 cores and 12 threads. The process node favors Intel at 3 nm versus AMD's 4 nm, both from TSMC. The boost clock favors Intel at 5.10 GHz versus 4.50 GHz, with identical 2.00 GHz base clocks. TDP differs significantly: Intel at 28 W, AMD at 65 W.

Cache configurations are distinct. Intel uses 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. AMD uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 4 MB L3. Memory support diverges with Intel adding LPDDR5X alongside DDR5, while AMD supports DDR5 only. Memory bandwidth favors Intel at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. PCIe generation and lane count differ: Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes, AMD offers Gen 4 with 10 lanes.

Integrated graphics differ: Intel uses Arc Graphics 140T, AMD uses Radeon 840M. The socket and platform differ: Intel uses BGA 2049, AMD uses Socket AM5. Market segments also differ, with Intel listed as Mobile and AMD as Desktop. Release dates show Intel from January 2025 and AMD from March 2026.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H wins all 11 head-to-head benchmarks recorded in the database. The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G has zero wins.

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

A: The largest gap is in PassMark find prime numbers, where Intel scores 303 versus AMD's 55, a delta of 81.8%. Floating-point math also shows a large 56% gap.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Intel part has 16 cores and 16 threads. The AMD part has 6 cores and 12 threads. Intel also has a larger L3 cache at 24 MB shared versus AMD's 4 MB.

Q: Do the processors use the same process node?

A: No. Intel uses a 3 nm TSMC process, while AMD uses a 4 nm TSMC process. Both are fabricated by TSMC.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: Intel is rated at 28 W TDP, while AMD is rated at 65 W TDP. Intel delivers higher benchmark scores within a lower power envelope.

Q: Are the memory bandwidth figures different?

A: Yes. Intel shows 102.4 GB/s, while AMD shows 89.6 GB/s. Intel also supports LPDDR5X memory in addition to DDR5.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H wins every measured workload category. For data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating-point math, integer math, multithread performance, physics simulation, random string sorting, and single-thread performance, Intel holds the advantage. The margins range from 11.3% in single-thread to 81.8% in prime numbers.

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 435G shows no wins in the head-to-head data. Its closest relative performance is in single-thread workloads, where the 11.3% deficit represents its most competitive area. The AMD part does hold a higher percentile ranking at 87 versus Intel's 83, and it has a higher average benchmark score of 40,718 versus 33,537, though these figures come from different benchmark sets.

For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H is the clear choice based on the recorded data. Its 16-core configuration, larger cache, higher boost clock, and faster memory bandwidth deliver consistent wins. The AMD part, with its 65 W TDP and desktop socket, may suit a different platform requirement, but the benchmark data does not show it outperforming the Intel part in any recorded test.