AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 135H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 and Intel Core Ultra 5 135H are both 28-watt mobile processors aimed at thin-and-light laptops, yet they deliver markedly different performance profiles. Benchmark data shows the Intel part wins the majority of head-to-head tests, while the AMD chip takes a decisive lead in single-threaded workloads. With 15 shared benchmarks, the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H claims 10 victories, leaving the Ryzen AI 7 345 with 5 wins.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the comparison is the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where the AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 scores 271 against Intel's 244, a 11.1% advantage. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R23 single-core, where AMD leads 1818 to 1700, a 6.9% margin. Passmark single-thread testing confirms the trend, with AMD scoring 3875 versus 3521, another 10.1% gap. These results indicate the Zen 5 architecture delivers superior per-thread performance.

In multi-core workloads, the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H takes command. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows Intel at 11875.5 against AMD's 11461, a 3.5% lead. The Cinebench R15 multi-core result is nearly identical, with Intel scoring 1718 versus 1712, a slim 0.3% margin. The Passmark multithread test swings further toward Intel, which scores 22422 against AMD's 19927, an 11.1% difference.

The gap widens substantially in specific computational tasks. Passmark floating-point math shows Intel at 54867 versus AMD's 42621, a 22.3% deficit for AMD. Passmark data encryption reveals an even larger delta, with Intel scoring 15026 against 11814, a 21.4% gap. The prime numbers test is the most lopsided, with Intel at 89 versus AMD's 62, a 30.3% difference. Integer math follows suit, with Intel's 73509 outpacing AMD's 63475 by 13.7%.

AMD does hold one additional computational win beyond single-thread tests. Passmark extended instructions show AMD at 17003 against Intel's 15028, a 13.1% lead. This suggests the AMD core handles certain specialized instruction sets more efficiently. In data compression, Intel leads 251651 to 237484, a 5.6% advantage, while random string sorting goes to Intel at 28980 versus 25435, a 12.2% margin. Physics simulation also favors Intel, 1482 to 1089, a 26.5% gap.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 uses the Krackan Point codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI 300 generation built on Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. It is fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. In contrast, the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H is part of the Core Ultra Series 1, using the Meteor Lake architecture on a 7 nm process at Intel's own foundry.

Core counts diverge sharply. The AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads, while Intel packs 14 cores and 18 threads into its design. This core disparity explains much of the multi-threaded performance gap. Cache hierarchies also differ: AMD provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a modest 4 MB of L3. Intel allocates 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3, giving it a substantial cache advantage for larger working sets.

Base clock speeds show Intel at 3.60 GHz versus AMD's 2.00 GHz, though both boost to 4.60 GHz. The higher base clock helps Intel in sustained workloads, while the boost parity suggests similar peak single-core capability. Memory support includes DDR5 and LPDDR5X for AMD, while Intel lists DDR5 with memory support dependent on the motherboard. Both use dual-channel memory with identical 89.6 GB/s bandwidth.

PCIe connectivity differs in generation and lane count. AMD offers PCIe Gen 4 with 14 CPU lanes, while Intel provides PCIe Gen 5 with 8 CPU lanes. The integrated graphics also differ: AMD uses the Radeon 840M, while Intel employs Arc Xe-LPG with 96 execution units. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both are locked (multiplier-unlocked is false). AMD uses Socket FP8, while Intel uses BGA 2049.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 leads in every single-threaded benchmark. It wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 11.1%, Cinebench R23 single-core by 6.9%, and Passmark single-thread by 10.1%.

Q: How much faster is the Intel chip in multi-threaded tests?

A: Intel leads in Passmark multithread by 11.1% (22422 vs 19927) and Cinebench R23 multi-core by 3.5% (11875.5 vs 11461). The Cinebench R15 multi-core result is nearly tied at 0.3% in Intel's favor.

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

A: The Passmark find prime numbers test shows the biggest delta, with Intel scoring 89 versus AMD's 62, a 30.3% advantage for Intel.

Q: Do the processors have the same memory bandwidth?

A: Yes, both support dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both also support DDR5, though AMD additionally lists LPDDR5X support.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H has 14 cores and 18 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What are the manufacturing process differences?

A: AMD uses a 4 nm process at TSMC, while Intel uses a 7 nm process at its own foundry. This gives AMD a smaller transistor node.

The Verdict

The data points to distinct use cases. The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H is the stronger choice for heavily threaded workloads, evidenced by its 10 benchmark wins out of 15 head-to-head tests. Its 14 cores and 18 threads provide a clear advantage in floating-point math, encryption, compression, and physics simulations, where it leads by margins ranging from 5.6% to 30.3%. The Passmark multithread score of 22422 confirms its multi-core competence.

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 wins where single-thread responsiveness matters most. Its 10.1% to 11.1% leads in single-core benchmarks translate to snappier application response in lightly threaded scenarios. The extended instructions win by 13.1% also indicates strength in specialized compute tasks. However, the 6-core, 12-thread configuration limits its multi-core ceiling, as shown by the 22.3% deficit in floating-point math.

Both processors sit at the 81st percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are close: AMD at 29461 and Intel at 29093. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $342; AMD has no listed launch MSRP. For users prioritizing multi-threaded productivity or number-crunching, the Intel Core Ultra 5 135H is the data-backed selection. For users who value single-thread speed and have workloads that use extended instructions, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 justifies consideration.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ most significantly: AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads, while Intel has 14 cores and 18 threads. Base clocks vary, with AMD at 2.00 GHz and Intel at 3.60 GHz, while both reach 4.60 GHz boost. Cache configurations diverge, with AMD offering 80 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core plus 4 MB L3, versus Intel's 112 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 per core plus 18 MB shared L3. Process nodes differ: AMD uses 4 nm TSMC, Intel uses 7 nm Intel. The PCIe interface differs: AMD has Gen 4 with 14 lanes, Intel has Gen 5 with 8 lanes. The codenames and generations are distinct: Krackan Point with Ryzen AI 300 (Zen 5/Zen 5c) versus Meteor Lake with Ultra 5. Memory support lists DDR5 and LPDDR5X for AMD, DDR5 only for Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon 840M versus Arc Xe-LPG 96EU. Sockets differ: AMD Socket FP8 versus Intel BGA 2049. Release dates are also different: 2025-01-14 for AMD versus 2023-12-13 for Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 wins in single-threaded performance categories. Its Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core scores are 11.1% and 6.9% higher, respectively, and its Passmark single-thread score is 10.1% higher. It also wins in extended instructions by 13.1%. These wins suggest AMD is preferable for applications that scale poorly across cores or that depend on per-thread latency, such as older software, certain scripting workloads, or interactive tasks.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 135H wins in multi-threaded and throughput-oriented categories. It takes the Passmark multithread test by 11.1%, physics by 26.5%, floating-point math by 22.3%, data encryption by 21.4%, integer math by 13.7%, random string sorting by 12.2%, data compression by 5.6%, and both Cinebench multi-core tests by 0.3% to 3.5%. The prime numbers gap of 30.3% is its largest win. This profile makes Intel the choice for rendering, simulation, scientific computing, and any workload that can use its 14 cores and 18 threads effectively.