AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a one-sided contest. Across all 17 recorded comparisons, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K takes the win. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 does not lead a single test in the head-to-head set. The smallest gap appears in single-threaded integer work, while the largest deficits appear in floating-point math and data encryption.

Starting with Cinebench, the Intel part dominates multi-core rendering. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Core Ultra 9 285K scores 42522 against the Ryzen AI 9 HX 375's 21812, a delta of -48.7% for the AMD chip. The R15 multi-core test shows the same pattern: 6494 versus 3334, again -48.7%. Single-core scores are closer but still favor Intel. Cinebench R23 single-core sees the Intel chip at 2377 versus 1988, a -16.4% gap. R15 single-core shows 359 versus 301, a -16.2% difference.

Geekbench results reinforce the trend. In multi-core, Intel posts 26702 against AMD's 13957, a -47.7% delta. The single-core test shows 2870 versus 2084, a -27.4% gap. These margins indicate that the Intel processor holds a substantial lead in both lightly threaded and heavily threaded workloads.

PassMark's suite reveals where the gap widens and narrows. The floating-point math test shows Intel at 224324 versus AMD's 75153, a -66.5% delta. Data encryption shows a -64% delta, with Intel at 57745 and AMD at 20802. The find-prime-numbers test produces the largest single delta at -77.4%, with Intel scoring 541 versus AMD's 122. Extended instructions show a -53% delta, physics -53.8%, random string sorting -53.1%, and multi-thread -51.1%. Integer math is the closest PassMark comparison: Intel at 172379 versus AMD at 121754, a -29.4% delta. Data compression shows a -48.7% delta. Single-threaded PassMark shows 5087 versus 3867, a -24% delta.

The average benchmark score for the Intel part is 83807, placing it in the 96th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The AMD part averages 46030, sitting in the 89th percentile. The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus at -0.2%, the AMD EPYC 4584PX at +0.9%, the AMD EPYC 9135 at +1%, and the AMD EPYC 7F72 at -1.5%. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 sits near the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 at -0.1%, the AMD EPYC 4364P at +0.1%, the Intel Core i9-13900HX at -0.1%, and the AMD EPYC 7303 at +0.2%. These rival positions show that the AMD mobile chip competes with mid-range desktop parts, while the Intel desktop chip aligns with server-class processors.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different market segments and use different silicon designs. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 is a mobile part built on TSMC's 4 nm process, using the Zen 5 architecture with the Strix Point codename. It belongs to the Ryzen AI 300 generation, which combines Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. The die measures 233 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is a desktop processor on TSMC's 3 nm node, using the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-S codename. It belongs to the Ultra 9 generation. Its die is 243 mm², and Intel lists 17,800 million transistors.

Core counts differ sharply. The AMD chip has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel chip has 24 cores and 24 threads. This means the Intel part has twice the physical cores but the same thread count, indicating that the AMD chip relies on simultaneous multithreading while the Intel chip does not. Base clocks also differ: AMD runs at 2.00 GHz, Intel at 3.70 GHz. Boost clocks show Intel at 5.70 GHz versus AMD's 5.10 GHz.

Cache hierarchies diverge. The AMD part uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of L3. The Intel part uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The larger per-core caches on the Intel chip help explain its advantage in cache-sensitive workloads. The process node difference, 4 nm versus 3 nm, gives Intel a manufacturing edge, though both parts come from TSMC.

Memory support differs. AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with dual-channel memory and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory, while the AMD chip does not. PCIe connectivity favors Intel: Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only) versus AMD's Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ as well. AMD uses the Radeon 890M, while Intel uses the Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the AMD chip is locked. Sockets are incompatible: AMD uses Socket FP8, Intel uses Socket 1851. The Intel part is a desktop component with a 125 TDP, while the AMD part is a mobile component with a 28 TDP.

Where Each One Wins

Given the benchmark results, the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K wins every measured category. The data shows no workload where the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 takes the lead. However, the structure of the two chips suggests different deployment contexts.

The Intel part is a desktop processor with an unlocked multiplier, 24 physical cores, and a 125 TDP. It targets sustained high-performance workloads that benefit from high core counts, large caches, and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity. Its 36 MB of shared L3 and 3 MB of L2 per core support heavy data sets. The 96th percentile ranking places it among the fastest CPUs in the database.

The AMD part is a mobile processor with a 28 TDP, 12 cores, and 24 threads. Its power envelope is roughly one-fifth of the Intel chip's TDP. The 89th percentile ranking shows it performs well within its mobile segment. Its 16 MB of L3 and per-core L2 of 1 MB are smaller but appropriate for a low-power design. The Radeon 890M integrated graphics and LPDDR5X memory support suit thin-and-light laptops.

The practical interpretation is that the Intel chip wins on raw performance across the board, but the AMD chip operates in a much lower thermal budget. The benchmark set does not include power efficiency or battery-life metrics, so the data cannot quantify the trade-off. The recorded scores favor the desktop part in every test, but the mobile part's 28 TDP allows it to fit in systems where the 125 TDP Intel chip cannot operate.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has an average benchmark score of 83807, while the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has an average of 46030.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark gap between the two?

A: The largest gap appears in the PassMark find-prime-numbers test, where Intel scores 541 versus AMD's 122, a -77.4% delta for the AMD chip.

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has 24 cores, while the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has 12 cores. Both have 24 threads.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 uses a 4 nm process, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K uses a 3 nm process. Both are fabricated by TSMC.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K supports ECC memory, but the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K boosts to 5.70 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 boosts to 5.10 GHz.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has a 24-core, 24-thread configuration, while the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks are 3.70 GHz for Intel and 2.00 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks are 5.70 GHz versus 5.10 GHz. TDP differs dramatically: 125 for Intel, 28 for AMD.

Sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1851 versus AMD Socket FP8. The process node is 3 nm for Intel and 4 nm for AMD. The Intel die measures 243 mm² with 17,800 million transistors; the AMD die measures 233 mm² with no transistor count listed. Cache structures differ: Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. AMD has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB L3.

Memory support: Intel uses DDR5 with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth, AMD uses DDR5 and LPDDR5X with 89.6 GB/s. ECC memory is supported on Intel but not AMD. PCIe: Intel has Gen 5 with 20 lanes, AMD has Gen 4 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics: Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU, AMD uses Radeon 890M. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, the AMD chip does not. The Intel part is a desktop component with a launch MSRP of $589; the AMD part is a mobile component with no launch MSRP listed. Release dates differ: Intel on 2024-10-23, AMD on 2024-06-30.