AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a sharply divided picture between the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 and the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H. The AMD processor wins 8 of the 17 recorded comparisons, while Intel takes 9, but the margins tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count suggests.

AMD's most decisive victories come in multi-core rendering workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen AI 9 365 scores 18,698 against Intel's 9,240, a massive 102.4% advantage. The Cinebench R15 multi-core result shows a similar pattern: 2,842 for AMD versus 1,515 for Intel, a 87.6% lead. These are not small margins; they indicate a fundamental difference in how the two processors handle heavily threaded compute tasks.

The single-core Cinebench results also favor AMD, though by smaller amounts. In Cinebench R23 single-core, AMD scores 1,992 versus Intel's 1,843, an 8.1% edge. The R15 single-core test shows AMD ahead by 20.7%, with 303 points against Intel's 251. This suggests AMD's Zen 5 architecture holds a per-thread performance advantage in at least some rendering workloads.

Intel fights back in several other benchmark categories. The Geekbench multi-core test goes to Intel: 14,024 versus 13,760, a 1.9% margin. Geekbench single-core also favors Intel, with 2,335 against AMD's 2,253, a 3.5% lead. These are close results, indicating that in general-purpose compute tasks, the two processors are nearly equivalent.

PassMark results show a clear split by workload type. AMD dominates integer math with 101,831 versus 77,975, a 30.6% advantage. AMD also wins data compression (354,510 versus 298,850, up 18.6%), extended instructions (25,113 versus 23,755, up 5.7%), and random string sorting (39,447 versus 36,058, up 9.4%). Intel counters with floating point math (98,796 versus 62,802, a 36.4% lead), data encryption (23,395 versus 18,297, up 21.8%), find prime numbers (303 versus 117, up 61.4%), physics (2,254 versus 1,704, up 24.4%), and multi-thread (30,703 versus 29,467, up 4%). Intel's single-thread PassMark score is 4,317 against AMD's 3,841, an 11% advantage.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect these mixed results. AMD's average is 40,048, placing it in the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while Intel's average is 33,537, good for the 83rd percentile. AMD's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 7700 with an average score of 40,081 (0.1% behind), while Intel's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 5 240 at 33,542 (effectively tied).

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H wins 9 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 wins 8. However, AMD's victories in Cinebench multi-core are by far the largest margins recorded, including a 102.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core.

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

A: The results are mixed. AMD leads in Cinebench R15 single-core (303 versus 251, a 20.7% edge) and Cinebench R23 single-core (1,992 versus 1,843, an 8.1% edge). Intel leads in Geekbench single-core (2,335 versus 2,253, a 3.5% edge) and PassMark single-thread (4,317 versus 3,841, an 11% edge).

Q: What is the biggest performance gap in either direction?

A: AMD's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 18,698 is 102.4% higher than Intel's 9,240, the largest delta in the dataset. Intel's biggest win is the PassMark find prime numbers test, where it scores 303 versus AMD's 117, a 61.4% advantage.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 has an average benchmark score of 40,048, compared to Intel's 33,537. AMD also ranks higher in the overall percentile, sitting at the 87th percentile versus Intel's 83rd.

Q: Are the processors close in overall performance?

A: Not in aggregate. AMD's average score is roughly 19% higher than Intel's. The nearest rivals in the database confirm the gap: AMD's closest competitor is the Ryzen 7 7700 at 40,081, while Intel's closest is the Ryzen 5 240 at 33,542.

Q: Does either processor win consistently across all workload types?

A: No. AMD dominates rendering and integer-heavy workloads, while Intel leads in floating-point math, encryption, prime number finding, and physics simulations. Geekbench results are close, with Intel holding a slight edge.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. AMD's Ryzen AI 9 365 uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Strix Point codename, part of the Ryzen AI 300 generation that mixes Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. Intel's Core Ultra 7 255H uses the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-H, from the Core Ultra Series 2 generation.

Manufacturing processes differ: AMD is built on a 4 nm node, while Intel uses a 3 nm node. Both are fabricated by TSMC, but the smaller node gives Intel a potential density advantage. AMD's die size is recorded at 233 mm², while Intel's die size is not listed in the database.

Core configurations diverge significantly. AMD packs 10 cores and 20 threads, while Intel offers 16 cores but only 16 threads. This means AMD enables simultaneous multithreading on its cores, while Intel's chip does not. The thread count difference is notable given Intel's higher core count, and it helps explain AMD's strong multi-core rendering results despite having fewer physical cores.

Cache hierarchies also differ substantially. AMD provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of L3 cache. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. Intel's larger per-core caches and bigger L3 pool suggest a design aimed at feeding its higher core count and reducing memory latency.

Memory support is similar on the surface: both support DDR5 and LPDDR5X over dual-channel buses. However, Intel's memory bandwidth is recorded at 102.4 GB/s versus AMD's 89.6 GB/s, a 14% advantage. Intel also supports ECC memory, while AMD does not.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Intel's newer PCIe standard and higher lane count give it an edge for external devices.

Integrated graphics also vary. AMD uses the Radeon 880M, while Intel uses Arc Graphics 140T. Both are integrated solutions, but the database does not provide direct benchmark comparisons for them.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 | Intel Core Ultra 7 255H |

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

| Cores | 10 | 16 |

| Threads | 20 | 16 |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel BGA 2049 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Arrow Lake |

| Codename | Strix Point | Arrow Lake-H |

| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Die size | 233 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 cache | 80 KB per core | 192 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 3 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 16 MB | 24 MB shared |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 16 lanes | Gen 5, 20 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 880M | Arc Graphics 140T |

| Release date | 2024-06-30 | 2025-01-12 |

| Part number | 100-000001530 | SRQAN |

The base clock is identical at 2.00 GHz for both, as is the TDP at 28 watts. Both processors are locked (multiplier not unlocked), target the mobile market segment, and are marked as active production. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP in the database.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split decision based on workload priorities. For heavily threaded rendering tasks, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 is the superior choice. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score is more than double Intel's, and the R15 multi-core result shows a similar pattern. Anyone whose primary use involves 3D rendering, video encoding, or other multi-threaded content creation should favor AMD based on these measurements.

For general-purpose compute, the two are closer. Intel wins Geekbench multi-core and single-core by small margins, and its PassMark multi-thread score is 4% higher. Intel also leads in floating-point math, encryption, and physics simulations, suggesting an advantage in scientific computing and data processing workloads that rely on those operations.

AMD's overall average benchmark score of 40,048 versus Intel's 33,537 indicates a higher aggregate performance level, and AMD's 87th percentile ranking versus Intel's 83rd confirms this. The nearest-rival data reinforces the gap: AMD competes with desktop-class parts like the Ryzen 7 7700, while Intel sits alongside mobile chips like the Ryzen 7 8840HS and Ryzen 5 7645HX.

The choice depends on the application mix. The Ryzen AI 9 365 delivers exceptional multi-core rendering performance and strong integer math, backed by a higher average score across all recorded benchmarks. The Core Ultra 7 255H offers superior floating-point throughput, faster single-thread PassMark results, higher memory bandwidth, ECC support, and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity. Users who need those specific features or workload strengths will find Intel's chip compelling; users who prioritize rendering and aggregate throughput should look to AMD.