AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins every single recorded head-to-head contest. Across 15 direct comparisons, the Intel part takes all 15 wins, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 records zero victories. This is not a close split with each chip excelling in different workloads; the database shows a complete sweep by Intel.

That said, the margin of victory varies enormously by workload type. In integer-heavy tasks, the AMD chip stays competitive. The PassMark integer math test shows Intel ahead by only 2.2%, which is within noise for most real-world use. Similarly, single-threaded performance shows a modest gap: Intel leads by 7.3% in PassMark single-thread and 11.1% in Cinebench R23 single-core. These are meaningful but not decisive advantages.

The picture changes dramatically in floating-point, encryption, physics, and prime-number workloads. Intel leads by 49.3% in floating-point math, 59.6% in physics, 44.7% in data encryption, and a massive 79.6% in the find-prime-numbers test. These are not marginal edges; they represent fundamentally different computational throughput in specific instruction patterns.

For users running integer math, typical office productivity, and single-threaded applications, the two chips are close enough that other system factors will dominate. For users running scientific computing, encryption workloads, physics simulations, or anything that stresses floating-point units, the Intel part is clearly the stronger choice according to the recorded data.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing approaches and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 uses TSMC's 4 nm process node and is built on the Krackan Point codename with a Ryzen AI 300 generation designation, employing a Zen 5 / Zen 5c hybrid core layout. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H uses Intel's own 3 nm process and is built on the Panther Lake architecture, specifically the Panther Lake-H variant within the Core Ultra Series 3.

Core counts differ substantially. The AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel chip has 12 cores and 12 threads. Both support simultaneous multi-threading, but Intel achieves the same thread count with twice the physical cores. This explains the large multicore deltas in the benchmark data, as doubling physical cores provides substantial throughput advantages in parallel workloads.

Cache hierarchies are also quite different. The AMD processor provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a total of 4 MB of L3 cache. The Intel processor provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel's larger L3 cache, more than four times the AMD allocation, helps explain the strong performance in data-heavy workloads like compression and encryption.

Clock speeds favor Intel slightly: 1.90 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost versus AMD's 2.00 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost. The AMD chip has a higher base clock, but Intel has the higher boost ceiling. Power targets are close, with AMD rated at 28 W TDP and Intel at 25 W TDP.

Memory support differs. The AMD chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with dual-channel memory and a measured bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel chip supports LPDDR5X only, also dual-channel, but with a significantly higher measured bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. That bandwidth advantage likely contributes to Intel's wins in memory-sensitive benchmarks.

PCIe capabilities also differ. AMD offers Gen 4 with 14 lanes from the CPU. Intel offers Gen 5 with 4 lanes from the CPU. Intel's PCIe generation is newer, but lane count is much lower.

The integrated graphics differ as well. AMD pairs the CPU with a Radeon 840M. Intel pairs it with an Arc B370. Both are mobile-oriented iGPUs, but the database does not include graphics benchmarks for either.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results establish the overall pattern. In Cinebench R23 multicore, Intel scores 16,331 versus AMD's 11,461, a 29.8% advantage. Cinebench R15 multicore shows Intel at 2,504 versus AMD's 1,712, a 31.6% lead. These are large margins in CPU-intensive rendering workloads.

Single-core performance is closer but still favors Intel. Cinebench R23 single-core gives Intel 2,044 against AMD's 1,818, an 11.1% gap. Cinebench R15 single-core shows the same 11.1% delta with scores of 305 and 271. PassMark single-thread shows Intel at 4,180 versus AMD's 3,875, a 7.3% lead.

The PassMark suite reveals where Intel's architecture pulls ahead most dramatically. Floating-point math: Intel 84,067 versus AMD 42,621, a 49.3% lead. Physics: Intel 2,697 versus AMD 1,089, a 59.6% lead. Data encryption: Intel 21,367 versus AMD 11,814, a 44.7% lead. Find prime numbers: Intel 304 versus AMD 62, a 79.6% lead. These are not incremental improvements; they are roughly 1.5x to 5x throughput advantages in specific computational patterns.

Integer math is the closest contest. Intel scores 64,934 versus AMD's 63,475, a difference of only 2.2%. This suggests that for general integer-heavy code, the two processors perform nearly identically.

Intermediate gaps appear in other tests. Extended instructions: Intel 23,906 versus AMD 17,003, a 28.9% lead. Multithread: Intel 28,717 versus AMD 19,927, a 30.6% lead. Random string sorting: Intel 34,082 versus AMD 25,435, a 25.4% lead. Data compression: Intel 276,539 versus AMD 237,484, a 14.1% lead.

The average benchmark score in the database reinforces the overall picture. Intel's average is 33,989, placing it at the 84th percentile of all CPUs. AMD's average is 29,461, at the 81st percentile. Intel's nearest rivals include the Core Ultra 7 165H (0.3% ahead) and the Core i7-12800HX (0.3% behind). AMD's nearest rivals include the Ryzen 7 3800X and the EPYC 9654, both essentially tied, and the Core i5-13500HX, which sits 0.7% behind.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 physical cores. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 has 6 physical cores. Both support 12 threads total.

Q: Is the AMD chip competitive in any workload?

A: Yes. In the PassMark integer math test, the AMD chip scores 63,475 against Intel's 64,934, a gap of only 2.2%. Single-threaded performance is also relatively close, with Intel leading by 7.3% in PassMark single-thread.

Q: How large is the multicore performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, Intel leads by 29.8%, scoring 16,331 versus 11,461. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the gap is 31.6%, with scores of 2,504 versus 1,712.

Q: Which chip has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 has 4 MB total L3 cache.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: Intel supports LPDDR5X with a measured bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with a measured bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

Q: Which processor uses a smaller manufacturing process?

A: Intel uses a 3 nm process node. AMD uses a 4 nm process node. Both are fabricated by their respective manufacturers: Intel for the Panther Lake chip, TSMC for the Krackan Point chip.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear conclusion: the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is the faster processor in every benchmark category recorded. The 15-0 win count leaves no ambiguity. For users who prioritize raw computational throughput, especially in floating-point, encryption, physics, or prime-number workloads, the Intel part delivers anywhere from 44.7% to 79.6% higher performance.

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 is not without merit, but its strengths are narrow. In integer math, the 2.2% gap means the two chips are effectively equivalent for that workload class. Single-threaded performance is also close enough that most desktop applications will feel similar. If the workload is integer-heavy and single-threaded, the AMD chip does not sacrifice much.

However, the Intel chip's advantages in multicore rendering, memory bandwidth (136.5 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s), and L3 cache capacity (18 MB versus 4 MB) make it the better choice for content creation, scientific computing, and any parallel workload. The AMD chip's higher base clock (2.00 GHz versus 1.90 GHz) does not translate into benchmark wins in the recorded data.

The AMD chip does offer broader memory support with both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while Intel is limited to LPDDR5X. That might matter for system design flexibility. AMD also provides 14 PCIe Gen 4 lanes versus Intel's 4 Gen 5 lanes, which could affect expansion options.

For users selecting a mobile processor purely on benchmark performance, the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is the stronger choice. The only scenario where the AMD chip makes sense is one dominated by integer math and single-threaded tasks, where the performance difference is small, paired with a need for DDR5 memory support or more PCIe lanes.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI 7 345 | Intel Core Ultra 5 338H |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 6 | 12 |

| Threads | 12 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.60 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Codename | Krackan Point | Panther Lake |

| Process Node | 4 nm (TSMC) | 3 nm (Intel) |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB per core | 192 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB per core | 2.5 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB | 18 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR5, LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 136.5 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 14 lanes | Gen 5, 4 lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 840M | Arc B370 |

| Release Date | 2025-01-14 | 2026-01-04 |

| Percentile | 81st | 84th |

| Average Benchmark Score | 29,461 | 33,989 |