AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 vs Intel Core Ultra 9 288V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a decisive majority of wins for the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, which takes 11 of the 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The largest margin comes in PassMark integer math, where the AMD part scores 121754 against Intel's 44019, a 176.6% advantage. This is a direct reflection of the core count disparity, with the AMD chip offering 12 cores and 24 threads versus the Intel chip's 8 cores and 8 threads.

Multi-threaded rendering workloads follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 posts 21812 points, which is 114.3% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V's 10178. The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows an almost identical gap: 3334 versus 1583, a 110.6% difference. These results confirm that the AMD processor's additional physical cores translate directly into sustained throughput in heavily parallel rendering tasks.

The data compression benchmark shows the largest single delta of the entire comparison. The AMD chip scores 404918 in PassMark data compression, while the Intel chip manages 186521, a 117.1% advantage. This workload benefits from both the higher core count and the larger L3 cache, 16 MB on the AMD part versus 12 MB on the Intel part. Random string sorting, another memory-heavy workload, shows a 96.9% lead for AMD (44552 versus 22622), reinforcing the pattern.

The AMD processor also wins in extended instruction throughput with a 87.5% edge (29269 versus 15613), and in multi-threaded aggregate performance with a 66.2% lead in PassMark multithread (32916 versus 19810). Data encryption shows a 47.1% advantage (20802 versus 14141), and floating-point math is 26.2% higher (75153 versus 59536). Even the physics test, which often favors balanced architectures, goes to AMD with an 11.1% lead (1819 versus 1637).

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V wins four comparisons, and all of them are single-threaded or scalar workloads. The PassMark single-thread test shows Intel at 4274 versus AMD's 3867, a 9.5% advantage. The Cinebench R15 single-core test is essentially a tie, with Intel at 301.5 and AMD at 301, a 0.2% margin. The only decisive Intel win is in the prime number search, where Intel scores 195 versus AMD's 122, a 37.4% lead. This particular workload relies on low-latency integer operations and appears to favor the Intel architecture's per-core efficiency.

The average benchmark scores reflect the overall split. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has an average score of 46030, which places it at the 89th percentile among all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V has an average score of 23219, sitting at the 76th percentile. The nearest rival for the AMD chip is the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 with an average score of 46062 (0.1% difference), while the Intel chip's closest competitor is the Intel Core i9-11900F at 23254 (0.2% difference).

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 dominates in every workload that scales with core count and thread count. This includes 3D rendering, video encoding, data compression, encryption, and any form of batch processing. The 12-core, 24-thread configuration with a 5.10 GHz boost clock gives it a substantial throughput advantage. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21812 is more than double the Intel chip's 10178, which means users running CPU-based render farms or heavy compilation tasks will see roughly twice the output rate.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V wins in single-threaded responsiveness and scalar integer workloads. The PassMark single-thread score of 4274 versus 3867 indicates better per-core execution, which benefits applications that cannot use more than one or two cores. The prime number search result, 195 versus 122, is the most pronounced Intel advantage and suggests superior branch prediction or lower instruction latency. For interactive use, such as code editing with instant linting or general desktop responsiveness, the Intel chip's single-thread edge is noticeable.

The split can be summarized by thread utilization. Applications that spawn many threads, such as video transcoding or physics simulation, belong to the AMD chip. Applications that run on a single thread, such as legacy software, some database queries, or specific cryptographic operations, belong to the Intel chip. The AMD chip also wins in mixed workloads that combine floating-point and integer math, as shown by the 26.2% lead in floating-point math and the 176.6% lead in integer math.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21812, which is 114.3% higher than the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V's 10178. The AMD chip also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 110.6% (3334 versus 1583).

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded tests?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V wins the PassMark single-thread test with 4274 against AMD's 3867, a 9.5% margin. The Cinebench R15 single-core test is nearly identical, with Intel at 301.5 and AMD at 301, a 0.2% difference.

Q: Which processor has the higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V has a memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375's 89.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory, but Intel supports only LPDDR5X while AMD supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The AMD chip has 4 more cores and 16 more threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: Both processors share the same boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The base clocks differ, with Intel at 3.30 GHz and AMD at 2.00 GHz.

Q: Which processor has the higher overall benchmark percentile?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 is at the 89th percentile among all CPUs, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is at the 76th percentile. The average benchmark score for AMD is 46030, compared to Intel's 23219.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core and thread counts, with AMD offering 12 cores and 24 threads versus Intel's 8 cores and 8 threads. The base clock is higher on the Intel chip at 3.30 GHz, while the AMD chip starts at 2.00 GHz; both boost to 5.10 GHz. The thermal design power differs slightly, with AMD at 28 W and Intel at 30 W.

The memory support differs: AMD supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while Intel supports only LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth is higher on the Intel chip at 136.5 GB/s versus AMD's 89.6 GB/s. The PCIe implementation also differs: AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, while Intel uses Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes.

The cache layout is notably different. AMD has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of L3. Intel has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The die size is 233 mm² for AMD, while Intel does not report a die size. The socket types are also different: AMD uses Socket FP8, Intel uses BGA 2833.

The process nodes differ, with AMD on a 4 nm process and Intel on a 3 nm process, both fabricated by TSMC. The integrated graphics differ as well: AMD uses the Radeon 890M, Intel uses the Arc 140V. Release dates are separated by about three months, with AMD launching on 2024-06-30 and Intel on 2024-09-23.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Strix Point codename, part of the Ryzen AI 300 generation that combines Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V uses the Lunar Lake architecture, part of the Core Ultra Series 2 generation. Both are mobile processors with active production status.

The core topology is fundamentally different. AMD's Zen 5 design uses a homogeneous core layout with all 12 cores available for multithreaded work, while Intel's Lunar Lake uses a configuration of 8 cores with 8 threads, indicating no Hyper-Threading. This explains the large multithreaded performance gap: AMD's 24 threads versus Intel's 8 threads.

The cache hierarchy reflects different design philosophies. AMD provides 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a 16 MB L3 pool. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 per core and 2.5 MB of L2 per core, with a 12 MB shared L3. The larger per-core L1 and L2 on the Intel side likely explains its single-thread advantage in the PassMark tests, while the larger L3 on the AMD side supports better multi-threaded data sharing.

The integrated graphics solutions are distinct. AMD pairs the CPU with the Radeon 890M, while Intel uses the Arc 140V. Both are designed for mobile systems, but the benchmark data does not include graphics-specific tests, so the comparison is limited to CPU workloads.

The process technology also differs, with AMD on 4 nm and Intel on 3 nm, both from TSMC. Despite the smaller process node on the Intel chip, the AMD chip delivers substantially higher multi-threaded performance, indicating that core count and thread count are the dominant factors in these benchmarks rather than process geometry.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates a clear performance hierarchy. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 is the stronger processor for any workload that uses multiple threads. Its 24 threads versus Intel's 8 threads produce a 114.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 176.6% lead in integer math. The average benchmark score of 46030 places it at the 89th percentile, which is 13 percentile points above the Intel chip.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V is the better choice for single-threaded applications, where its PassMark single-thread score of 4274 (9.5% higher) and its prime number search score of 195 (37.4% higher) demonstrate superior per-core efficiency. The higher base clock of 3.30 GHz versus 2.00 GHz also supports this advantage.

For users running rendering, compilation, data compression, or any parallel workload, the AMD chip is the data-backed choice. For users running largely single-threaded productivity software or prioritizing low-latency scalar operations, the Intel chip has the edge. The overall percentile ranking favors AMD, and the head-to-head win count of 11 to 4 reflects that majority of benchmark categories are multi-threaded in nature.

The Intel chip does offer higher memory bandwidth (136.5 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s) and a newer process node (3 nm versus 4 nm), but these advantages do not translate into wins in the recorded CPU benchmarks outside of single-threaded tests. The AMD chip's larger core count and thread count are the decisive factors in the database results.