AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 has 8 cores and 16 threads. Both support 16 threads, but Intel does so with twice the physical core count.

Q: How do the two compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H records an average benchmark score of 41215, placing it 4.2% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450's 39485. Both processors sit at the 87th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H scores 2040 versus 2038 for the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450, a 0.1% difference. In PassMark single-thread, Intel leads 4072 to 3901, a 4.2% advantage.

Q: Which chip has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 has 8 MB of L3 cache. Intel also has larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations.

Q: What memory bandwidth do the two support?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H supports 115.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 supports 89.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory.

Q: Which processor wins the majority of head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins 14 of the 15 recorded head-to-head tests. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 wins only one test: PassMark integer math, with a 6.5% advantage.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Gorgon Point codename, built on TSMC's 4 nm process node. Its die measures 195 mm². The processor integrates 8 cores with 16 threads, using a hybrid arrangement implied by its generation label "Ryzen AI 400 (Zen 5 / Zen 5c)". Cache is organized as 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of L3. The integrated graphics are Radeon 860M.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H belongs to the Core Ultra Series 3, using the Panther Lake architecture and codename, fabricated on Intel's 3 nm process. It packs 16 cores with 16 threads, meaning each core maps to one thread. Cache layout differs substantially: 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The integrated graphics are Intel Xe3 Graphics.

Memory controllers differ in bandwidth capability. The Intel part reaches 115.2 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for the AMD part, though both support DDR5 and LPDDR5X on a dual-channel bus. ECC memory is supported only by the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450; the Intel chip does not enable ECC. PCIe connectivity also diverges: Intel provides Gen 5 with 12 CPU lanes, while AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes.

Process node and foundry represent a clear split: TSMC 4 nm for AMD versus Intel 3 nm for Intel. The Intel chip uses a smaller process node, while the AMD chip has a larger die area recorded. Both processors are mobile-market parts, active in production, with matching release dates.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 claims a single victory in the recorded benchmark set: PassMark integer math. Its score of 88531 beats the Intel part's 83111, a 6.5% margin. This indicates a specific strength in integer-heavy workloads, where the Zen 5 core design demonstrates an edge over the Intel Panther Lake implementation.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H dominates across nearly every other category. Its largest wins appear in PassMark find prime numbers, where it scores 327 versus 89, a 72.8% advantage. Floating point math also shows a massive gap: 103128 versus 54447, a 47.2% lead. Physics simulation favors Intel by 45.5% with scores of 2895 versus 1578. Data encryption shows a 38.3% lead (26345 versus 16247), and multithread performance shows a 22.4% lead (33978 versus 26350).

Cinebench results are closer but still favor Intel. In Cinebench R15 multicore, Intel leads by 11.2% (3055 versus 2713). In Cinebench R15 single-core, the gap widens to 29% (303 versus 215). However, in Cinebench R23, the differences shrink dramatically: multicore is 18395 versus 18316 (0.4% lead for Intel), and single-core is 2040 versus 2038 (0.1% lead for Intel).

For use cases, the data indicates the Intel chip is the general-purpose pick for most compute tasks, especially those relying on encryption, prime number calculations, floating point, physics, and multi-threaded throughput. The AMD chip's appeal narrows to integer math workloads, where its 6.5% advantage could matter in specific scientific or database applications.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several recorded specifications. Core count: 8 for AMD versus 16 for Intel. Thread count is identical at 16. Base clock: 2.00 GHz for AMD versus 1.90 GHz for Intel. Boost clock: 5.10 GHz for AMD versus 4.70 GHz for Intel. TDP: 28 W for AMD versus 25 W for Intel. Socket: AMD Socket FP8 versus Intel BGA 2540. Architecture: Zen 5 versus Panther Lake. Codename: Gorgon Point versus Panther Lake. Process node: 4 nm versus 3 nm. Foundry: TSMC versus Intel. Die size: 195 mm² for AMD, no recorded value for Intel.

Cache hierarchy differs at every level. L1 per core: 80 KB versus 192 KB. L2 per core: 1 MB versus 2.5 MB. L3: 8 MB versus 18 MB shared. Memory bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s versus 115.2 GB/s. ECC memory: true for AMD, false for Intel. PCIe: Gen 4 with 16 lanes versus Gen 5 with 12 lanes. Integrated graphics: Radeon 860M versus Intel Xe3 Graphics. Part numbers also differ: 100-000001868 for AMD, SA4RGQ9EU for Intel.

Both processors share several attributes: dual-channel memory bus, DDR5 and LPDDR5X support, mobile market segment, active production status, locked multipliers, same release date, and no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single benchmark margin belongs to PassMark find prime numbers. Intel scores 327, AMD scores 89, giving Intel a 72.8% lead. This is the most decisive result in the dataset and suggests a fundamental advantage in integer-heavy prime detection algorithms.

PassMark floating point math shows Intel at 103128 versus AMD at 54447, a 47.2% gap. This aligns with the physics benchmark, where Intel leads 2895 versus 1578, a 45.5% difference. Both results point to strong FPU throughput on the Panther Lake design.

Data encryption favors Intel heavily: 26345 versus 16247, a 38.3% lead. Data compression also goes to Intel: 336177 versus 315906, a 6% margin. Extended instructions show Intel ahead by 19.7% (27898 versus 22400). Random string sorting gives Intel a 13% edge (40990 versus 35648).

Multithread performance in PassMark shows Intel at 33978 versus AMD at 26350, a 22.4% lead. This is consistent with Intel's 16 physical cores versus AMD's 8, despite matching thread counts. Cinebench R15 multicore confirms the trend: Intel 3055 versus AMD 2713, an 11.2% lead.

Single-core results are narrower. PassMark single-thread gives Intel 4072 versus AMD 3901, a 4.2% edge. Cinebench R23 single-core is nearly a tie: 2040 versus 2038, just 0.1% apart. Cinebench R15 single-core shows a larger gap: 303 versus 215, a 29% lead for Intel.

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450's only win is PassMark integer math: 88531 versus 83111, a 6.5% advantage. This is the sole benchmark where AMD outperforms Intel in the recorded head-to-head set.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear overall winner: the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H. It wins 14 of 15 head-to-head benchmarks and holds a higher average benchmark score (41215 versus 39485). Its advantages are particularly pronounced in prime number finding, floating point math, physics, and encryption, where margins range from 38.3% to 72.8%. The Intel part also delivers more memory bandwidth (115.2 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s), more L3 cache (18 MB versus 8 MB), and a smaller process node (3 nm versus 4 nm).

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 shows a single meaningful strength: integer math, where it leads by 6.5%. It also offers ECC memory support, which the Intel chip lacks, and a higher boost clock (5.10 GHz versus 4.70 GHz). For workloads that prioritize integer operations and require ECC, the AMD part has a specific niche.

For general mobile computing, multi-threaded tasks, scientific calculations, and encryption-heavy workloads, the benchmark results favor the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H. For integer-math-centric applications where ECC is a requirement, the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 remains relevant. The two processors tie at the 87th percentile overall, but the Intel chip's win count and average score indicate it is the stronger performer in the database's recorded tests.