AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 256V Comparison

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 and Intel Core Ultra 7 256V represent two distinct approaches to mobile computing, with the data revealing a clear performance hierarchy. The AMD processor, built on the Zen 5 architecture, dominates in multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel chip, based on Lunar Lake, shows specific strengths in efficiency and particular single-thread tasks. The benchmark results, drawn from the database, show the AMD part winning 14 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, with the Intel part taking 3.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic separation occurs in multi-core performance. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 scores 18,698, which is 79.8% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V's 10,399. The Cinebench R15 multicore test tells the same story: the AMD part scores 2,842 versus 1,583.5, a 79.5% lead. This pattern repeats across general-purpose multi-threaded benchmarks. Geekbench multicore shows a 59.2% advantage for the AMD chip, with scores of 13,760 versus 8,643. PassMark multithread reveals a 50.9% gap, with the AMD processor scoring 29,467 against Intel's 19,530.

The gulf widens further in specific compute tasks. PassMark integer math shows the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 at 101,831, a staggering 134.9% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V's 43,358. Data compression also favors AMD heavily: the score of 354,510 is 91.6% higher than Intel's 184,985. Random string sorting shows a 75.5% advantage for AMD, and extended instructions favor AMD by 60.5%.

Single-core results are closer but still favor AMD in most tests. Geekbench singlecore has the AMD part at 2,253, which is 13.2% ahead of Intel's 1,990. Cinebench R23 singlecore shows a 6.1% lead for AMD, with scores of 1,992 versus 1,877.5. Cinebench R15 singlecore also favors AMD by a small 6.1% margin, 303 versus 285.5.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V claims its wins in two specific PassMark tests. PassMark find prime numbers shows Intel at 192, which is 39.1% better than AMD's 117. PassMark single thread also goes to Intel, with a score of 4,029 versus 3,841, a 4.7% advantage. The third win for Intel is in floating point math, where it scores 58,576 against AMD's 62,802, a 7.2% deficit that still counts as a loss for AMD in the head-to-head table. The data shows a clear split: AMD excels in throughput and integer-heavy work, while Intel shows a unique edge in prime-number calculation and raw single-thread performance in certain workloads.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide explains the benchmark outcomes. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 uses the Zen 5 architecture, specifically the Strix Point codename, and is manufactured on a 4 nm process by TSMC. It features 10 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V uses the Lunar Lake architecture, also made by TSMC but on a 3 nm node. It has 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

The cache structures differ substantially. The AMD processor has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of L3 cache. Intel's design uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The larger L1 and L2 caches on the Intel part likely contribute to its single-thread performance win in PassMark, while AMD's larger L3 and higher thread count support its multi-core dominance.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with a dual-channel bus and a recorded bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel part's memory support is listed as dependent on the motherboard, with no specific bandwidth figure recorded. The PCIe configuration differs: AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while Intel uses Gen 5 with 4 lanes. Both have integrated graphics, with AMD offering the Radeon 880M and Intel the Arc 140V. The AMD processor has a TDP of 28 watts, while the Intel chip is rated at 17 watts, indicating a lower power envelope for the Lunar Lake part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 consistently outperforms the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V in multi-core tests. The Cinebench R23 multicore score is 18,698 for AMD versus 10,399 for Intel, a 79.8% difference. Geekbench multicore shows a 59.2% gap, and PassMark multithread shows a 50.9% gap.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel part wins three head-to-head tests: PassMark find prime numbers (192 versus 117, a 39.1% advantage), PassMark single thread (4,029 versus 3,841, a 4.7% advantage), and PassMark floating point math (58,576 versus 62,802, a 7.2% deficit for AMD).

Q: How does single-thread performance compare?

A: In most tests, AMD leads. Geekbench singlecore shows AMD at 2,253 versus Intel's 1,990, a 13.2% lead. Cinebench R23 singlecore gives AMD a 6.1% lead. However, PassMark single thread favors Intel by 4.7%, showing the Intel chip can win in specific single-threaded workloads.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 has 10 cores and 20 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has 8 cores and 8 threads. This difference in thread count is a major factor in the multi-core performance gap.

Q: Which processor has a lower power rating?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V has a TDP of 17 watts, while the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 has a TDP of 28 watts. The lower TDP suggests the Intel part is designed for more power-efficient operation.

Q: How do the cache sizes differ?

A: The AMD processor has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of L3. The Intel processor has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. Intel's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches contrast with AMD's larger L3.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in every major specification category. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 has 10 cores and 20 threads, versus Intel's 8 cores and 8 threads. AMD's base clock is 2.00 GHz compared to Intel's 2.20 GHz, but AMD's boost clock is 5.00 GHz versus Intel's 4.80 GHz. The TDP is 28 watts for AMD and 17 watts for Intel. AMD uses the AMD Socket FP8, while Intel uses Intel BGA 2833. The architecture is Zen 5 for AMD and Lunar Lake for Intel, with codenames Strix Point and Lunar Lake respectively. The process node is 4 nm for AMD and 3 nm for Intel, both from TSMC. AMD's die size is 233 mm², while Intel's die size is not recorded. Cache configurations differ: AMD has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB L3; Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. Memory support shows AMD with DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while Intel's support is listed as motherboard-dependent. AMD has a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s; Intel has none recorded. PCIe lanes are Gen 4 with 16 lanes for AMD, versus Gen 5 with 4 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics differ: Radeon 880M for AMD, Arc 140V for Intel. Both have ECC memory disabled and no unlocked multiplier. Release dates differ: AMD on 2024-06-30, Intel on 2024-09-23.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates that the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 is the stronger processor for multi-threaded and integer-heavy workloads. The 79.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore and the 134.9% lead in PassMark integer math are decisive advantages. The AMD chip also holds a 13.2% edge in Geekbench singlecore, showing it is not solely a multi-core specialist. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, with its lower TDP and wins in specific tests, is positioned for different priorities. The PassMark single thread win and the prime numbers advantage suggest Intel has optimized for particular single-thread tasks, while the 17-watt TDP indicates a focus on power efficiency. The overall average benchmark scores reflect this: AMD scores 40,048, while Intel scores 21,112, a difference that places AMD in the 87th percentile of all CPUs versus Intel's 75th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 wins in all multi-threaded rendering tasks, as shown by the Cinebench R15 and R23 multicore results. It also dominates in data compression, integer math, random string sorting, and extended instructions, making it the choice for compute-heavy and data-processing workloads. The AMD part leads in Geekbench multicore and singlecore, indicating broad general-purpose strength. Its higher TDP of 28 watts suggests it can sustain higher performance under load.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V wins in PassMark find prime numbers, a test that measures specific algorithmic efficiency, and in PassMark single thread, which indicates a slight advantage in certain single-threaded operations. The PassMark floating point math result shows Intel trailing by only 7.2%, indicating competitive performance in floating-point tasks. The lower 17-watt TDP makes the Intel part more suited for scenarios prioritizing power efficiency over raw throughput. The head-to-head record of 14 wins for AMD and 3 for Intel confirms that the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 is the superior performer in most recorded benchmarks, with Intel's wins concentrated in niche areas.