AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255H Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher overall benchmark average?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G records an average benchmark score of 63331, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H scores 33537. The AMD part sits in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, compared to the Intel part's 83rd percentile.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-thread performance?

A: The scores are nearly identical. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H scores 4317 in PassMark single-thread tests, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G scores 4309. The Intel chip leads by just 0.2%.

Q: Which CPU wins the head-to-head benchmark comparison?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H takes 7 of the 11 head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G wins 4. However, the AMD chip dominates the multithreaded PassMark average, scoring 63331 versus Intel's 33537.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has 16 cores and 16 threads, meaning it relies on single-threaded core designs rather than simultaneous multithreading.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G has 8 MB of L3 cache. The Intel chip also has a larger per-core L1 and L2 allocation.

Q: What are the market segments for these two chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G is classified as a Desktop processor, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H is classified as Mobile. Both are currently active production parts.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G and Intel Core Ultra 7 255H represent fundamentally different design approaches. The AMD chip, codenamed Gorgon Point, belongs to the Ryzen AI 400 generation built on Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. It uses a 4 nm process from TSMC and measures 195 mm². The Intel part, codenamed Arrow Lake-H, is part of the Core Ultra Series 2 and uses the Arrow Lake architecture on a 3 nm TSMC process.

The core configurations diverge sharply. AMD deploys 8 cores with 16 threads, using simultaneous multithreading to double its logical core count. Intel opts for 16 physical cores with 16 threads, forgoing hyperthreading entirely. This means the Intel chip has twice as many physical cores, but both processors expose the same number of threads to software.

Cache hierarchies also differ significantly. The AMD chip allocates 80 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a total of 8 MB of L3. The Intel chip provides 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2 per core, plus a larger 24 MB shared L3 pool. The Intel's larger per-core cache allocation supports its wider physical core count.

The memory interfaces show a similar split. Both support DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory over dual-channel buses. However, the Intel part records a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s versus the AMD's 89.6 GB/s. Both processors support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs by generation and lane count. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G provides Gen 4 with 12 CPU lanes, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. The Intel part's higher lane count and newer generation allow for more expansion headroom.

Integrated graphics also separate the two. AMD pairs its chip with Radeon 860M graphics, while Intel uses Arc Graphics 140T. The socket types reflect their intended use: AMD uses Socket AM5, while Intel uses BGA 2049, which is a soldered mobile package.

The TDP figures show a major difference in power targets. The AMD chip is rated at 65 W, while the Intel chip is rated at 28 W. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel processor is locked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between workload types. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G wins heavily in integer-heavy and compression tasks, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H dominates floating-point and prime-number workloads.

The largest AMD victory comes in PassMark data compression, where the AMD chip scores 402831 against Intel's 298850, a 34.8% advantage. This is a substantial margin that indicates strong throughput in data-streaming operations. The AMD chip also wins integer math by 27.9%, scoring 99732 versus 77975. Extended instructions favor AMD by 18.8% (28223 versus 23755), and random string sorting goes to AMD by 18.3% (42663 versus 36058).

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H counters with decisive wins in other areas. The largest Intel advantage is in find prime numbers, where Intel scores 303 versus AMD's 87, a massive 71.3% lead. Floating-point math goes to Intel by 35.5% (98796 versus 63683). Physics simulation favors Intel by 36.1% (2254 versus 1440). Data encryption goes to Intel by 19.1% (23395 versus 18937).

The multithreaded PassMark score is nearly a tie. Intel wins by just 0.9%, scoring 30703 against AMD's 30422. The single-thread scores are also effectively tied, with Intel at 4317 and AMD at 4309, a 0.2% difference. These near-identical results suggest that the two chips have comparable general-purpose single-core performance and similar overall multithreaded throughput on this specific test.

The average benchmark score, however, tells a different story. The AMD chip's average of 63331 far exceeds Intel's 33537, because the AMD part's high scores in compression and integer math skew its average upward, while the Intel chip's lower scores in those same tests pull its average down. This makes the average a useful but incomplete summary: it rewards the AMD chip's specific strengths.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has 16 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are identical at 2.00 GHz, and boost clocks match at 5.10 GHz.

TDP ratings differ substantially: AMD is rated at 65 W, Intel at 28 W. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 2049. The AMD processor belongs to the Ryzen AI 400 generation (Zen 5 / Zen 5c), while the Intel processor is from the Ultra 7 generation (Arrow Lake-H).

The process nodes differ by one generation: AMD uses 4 nm TSMC, Intel uses 3 nm TSMC. The AMD die size is 195 mm², while the Intel die size is not recorded. Cache configurations differ in all levels: L1 is 80 KB per core for AMD versus 192 KB per core for Intel; L2 is 1 MB per core for AMD versus 3 MB per core for Intel; L3 is 8 MB for AMD versus 24 MB shared for Intel.

Memory bandwidth differs: AMD records 89.6 GB/s, Intel records 102.4 GB/s. Both support dual-channel DDR5 and LPDDR5X with ECC. PCIe differs: AMD uses Gen 4 with 12 lanes, Intel uses Gen 5 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: AMD uses Radeon 860M, Intel uses Arc Graphics 140T.

The multiplier is unlocked on the AMD chip but locked on the Intel chip. The AMD part number is 100-000001917; the Intel part number is SRQAN. The AMD release date is 2026-02-28, while the Intel release date is 2025-01-12. The market segment is Desktop for AMD and Mobile for Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G wins in tasks that rely on integer throughput, data compression, and instruction-level parallelism. Its 34.8% lead in data compression and 27.9% lead in integer math make it the stronger choice for workloads like archiving, database operations, and general computation that involves heavy integer manipulation. The 18.8% win in extended instructions and 18.3% win in random string sorting indicate strength in code paths that use specialized instruction sets or rapid data reordering.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H wins in floating-point math, prime-number generation, physics simulation, and encryption. The 35.5% lead in floating-point math and 36.1% lead in physics make it suitable for scientific computing, simulation, and rendering tasks that depend on floating-point precision. The 71.3% lead in find prime numbers suggests strong performance in modular arithmetic and number-theoretic workloads. The 19.1% lead in data encryption points to an advantage in cryptographic operations.

The multithreaded and single-thread PassMark scores are effectively tied, so neither chip claims a meaningful win in generic throughput or single-core responsiveness. The Intel chip's 16 physical cores give it an edge in workloads that scale linearly across many cores without needing thread-level parallelism. The AMD chip's 8 cores with 16 threads provide comparable multithreaded performance while consuming a higher TDP.

The market segment split also matters. The AMD chip is positioned as a desktop part, which aligns with its higher 65 W TDP and unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The Intel chip is a mobile part, rated at 28 W, which suits battery-conscious laptops and compact systems that need lower power draw.

The Verdict

The benchmark results indicate a clear division of strengths. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450G delivers superior integer-heavy performance, with a 34.8% advantage in data compression and a 27.9% advantage in integer math. Its average benchmark score of 63331 places it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, far above the Intel part's 33537 average in the 83rd percentile. For desktop users who prioritize data processing, archiving, and general integer work, the AMD chip is the stronger choice.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H is the pick for floating-point and physics workloads, with leads of 35.5% and 36.1% respectively, plus a dominant 71.3% advantage in prime-number finding. Its 16 physical cores and lower 28 W TDP make it attractive for mobile systems where power efficiency matters. The near-tie in multithreaded PassMark (Intel ahead by 0.9%) and single-thread scores (Intel ahead by 0.2%) means the Intel chip loses no ground in general responsiveness.

Neither processor is a universal winner. The AMD chip wins 4 of 11 head-to-head tests but with larger margins in its specialty areas, while the Intel chip wins 7 tests but with a mix of narrow and wide margins. The choice depends on the workload: AMD for integer-heavy desktop compute, Intel for floating-point-heavy mobile computing. The data does not support a single best pick across all categories.