AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall benchmark averages?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 records an average benchmark score of 46030, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 records 36938. The AMD part sits at the 89th percentile of all CPUs, whereas the Intel part sits at the 85th percentile.

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core rendering workloads?

A: The results are split. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 scores 3334 versus 2609 for Intel, a 27.8% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 scores 25891 versus 21812 for AMD, a 15.8% advantage for Intel.

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins all single-thread benchmarks. It scores 3655 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 1988 for AMD (45.6% higher), and 4412 in PassMark single-thread versus 3867 for AMD (12.4% higher).

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

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads, meaning it does not use simultaneous multithreading.

Q: Which processor wins in integer math performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 scores 121754 in PassMark integer math, compared to 65345 for Intel. That is an 86.3% advantage, the largest single delta in the head-to-head comparison.

Q: What is the process node and foundry for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 uses a 4 nm process from TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 uses a 3 nm process, also from TSMC.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 is built on the Zen 5 architecture with the Strix Point codename, part of the Ryzen AI 300 generation that mixes Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. It has 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The chip uses a 4 nm process from TSMC and has a die size of 233 mm². The L1 cache is 80 KB per core, L2 is 1 MB per core, and L3 is 16 MB. The integrated graphics are the Radeon 890M. This is a mobile part on AMD Socket FP8 with a TDP of 28 watts.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is built on the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-S codename, part of the Core Ultra Series 2 generation. It has 10 cores and 10 threads, meaning no hyper-threading, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The chip uses a 3 nm process from TSMC and has a die size of 243 mm². Transistor count is 17,800 million. The L1 cache is 192 KB per core, L2 is 3 MB per core, and L3 is 20 MB shared. The integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. This is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1851 with a TDP of 65 watts.

Several structural differences stand out. The AMD chip relies on a higher thread count of 24 versus 10, which explains its strength in parallel integer work. The Intel chip counters with a much higher base clock and a denser 3 nm process. Cache organization differs as well: Intel provides a shared 20 MB L3, while AMD provides a smaller 16 MB L3 but distributes L1 and L2 differently, with 80 KB and 1 MB per core respectively versus 192 KB and 3 MB per core for Intel. Memory bandwidth is higher on the Intel side at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s, though both use dual-channel memory and support DDR5. The AMD part also supports LPDDR5X, which is absent from the Intel memory support list.

PCIe capabilities differ by generation and lane count. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 uses Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part is unlocked for neither, and neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. Both have active production status. The AMD release date is 2024-06-30 and the Intel release date is 2025-01-06.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data contains 15 benchmark entries, with the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 winning 6 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 winning 9. The largest AMD victory is in integer math, where the AMD chip scores 121754 versus 65345 for Intel, a delta of 86.3%. That is the single biggest margin in the entire comparison. The second largest AMD win is in data compression, where AMD scores 404918 versus 302811 for Intel, a 33.7% advantage. AMD also wins PassMark multithread with 32916 versus 30459, a 8.1% margin, and PassMark random string sorting with 44552 versus 36590, a 21.8% margin. AMD wins extended instructions with 29269 versus 27162, a 7.8% margin, and Cinebench R15 multi-core with 3334 versus 2609, a 27.8% margin.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 counters with decisive wins in several single-thread and scalar workloads. The largest Intel margin is in find prime numbers, where Intel scores 358 versus 122 for AMD, a 65.9% advantage. Intel wins Cinebench R23 single-core with 3655 versus 1988, a 45.6% margin, and Cinebench R15 single-core with 368 versus 301, an 18.2% margin. Intel also wins floating point math with 92038 versus 75153, an 18.3% margin, and physics with 2342 versus 1819, a 22.3% margin. Data encryption goes to Intel with 22285 versus 20802, a 6.7% margin. PassMark single-thread goes to Intel with 4412 versus 3867, a 12.4% margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core goes to Intel with 25891 versus 21812, a 15.8% margin.

The multi-core picture is therefore mixed. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD leads by 27.8%, but in Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel leads by 15.8%. The PassMark multithread result favors AMD by 8.1%. The pattern suggests that AMD's advantage is strongest in integer-heavy and compression-heavy parallel workloads, while Intel excels in single-thread and floating-point workloads. The nearest rivals data places the AMD chip near the Intel Core Ultra 5 235, with a delta of -0.1%, and the Intel chip near the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F, with a delta of 0%. The AMD part's average score of 46030 places it close to the Intel Core i9-13900HX, which records a delta of -0.1%.

The Verdict

The data indicates two different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 is a 28-watt mobile processor with 12 cores and 24 threads. It wins in integer math, data compression, random string sorting, extended instructions, and multithread performance. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is a 65-watt desktop processor with 10 cores and 10 threads. It wins in single-thread performance, floating point math, physics, prime number finding, data encryption, and Cinebench R23 multi-core.

The benchmark records show that neither chip dominates across the board. The AMD chip holds a higher average benchmark score of 46030 versus 36938, and a higher percentile ranking of 89 versus 85. However, the Intel chip wins 9 of the 15 head-to-head tests. The AMD chip wins the largest single margin (integer math, 86.3%), while the Intel chip wins the second largest margin (find prime numbers, 65.9%).

For workloads that depend on parallel integer throughput, data compression, and multithreaded general performance, the recorded data favors the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375. For workloads that depend on single-thread responsiveness, floating point math, and physics simulation, the recorded data favors the Intel Core Ultra 5 225. The Intel chip also holds the advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is a common rendering benchmark, so the choice depends heavily on which specific benchmark family matches the intended workload.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads. Base clocks differ substantially: 2.00 GHz for AMD versus 3.30 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are closer, with AMD at 5.10 GHz and Intel at 4.90 GHz. TDP differs by more than double: 28 watts for AMD versus 65 watts for Intel.

Cache hierarchies are not directly comparable. AMD uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB L3. Intel uses 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3. The Intel chip has a larger die at 243 mm² versus 233 mm², and uses a 3 nm process versus 4 nm. Intel reports a transistor count of 17,800 million; the AMD chip does not report a transistor count in the database.

Memory support overlaps on DDR5, but AMD also lists LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth is higher for Intel at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. PCIe capability differs: AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes, Intel uses Gen 5 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: AMD uses Radeon 890M, Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. Sockets are entirely different: AMD Socket FP8 versus Intel Socket 1851. Release dates differ by roughly half a year, with AMD released on 2024-06-30 and Intel on 2025-01-06. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $246; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 wins in workloads that scale with thread count and integer throughput. The PassMark integer math score of 121754 versus 65345 indicates a strong advantage for arithmetic-heavy parallel code. Data compression also favors AMD heavily, with a score of 404918 versus 302811, a 33.7% lead. Random string sorting goes to AMD with 44552 versus 36590, a 21.8% lead. Extended instructions go to AMD with 29269 versus 27162, a 7.8% lead. The multithread score of 32916 versus 30459 confirms that AMD holds a general parallel throughput edge. Cinebench R15 multi-core also favors AMD with 3334 versus 2609, a 27.8% lead.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins in single-thread and scalar-heavy workloads. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3655 versus 1988 is a 45.6% lead, and the Cinebench R15 single-core score of 368 versus 301 is an 18.2% lead. PassMark single-thread goes to Intel with 4412 versus 3867, a 12.4% lead. Floating point math favors Intel with 92038 versus 75153, an 18.3% lead. Physics simulation favors Intel with 2342 versus 1819, a 22.3% lead. Prime number finding shows the largest Intel margin at 358 versus 122, a 65.9% lead. Data encryption goes to Intel with 22285 versus 20802, a 6.7% lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core also favors Intel with 25891 versus 21812, a 15.8% lead, which indicates that rendering workloads that use the R23 test specifically may prefer the Intel chip despite its lower thread count.

The use-case split is clear from the benchmark distribution. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 is the stronger choice for compression utilities, integer-heavy data processing, sorting algorithms, and general multithreaded tasks that resemble PassMark multithread. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 is the stronger choice for single-thread latency-sensitive applications, floating point simulation, physics calculations, encryption workloads, and Cinebench R23 rendering. The Intel chip also offers higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s and PCIe Gen 5 support, which the database lists as part of its platform capabilities.