AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 vs Intel Core 3 N355 Comparison

The Verdict

The recorded data shows a decisive overall performance advantage for the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164. Across the 11 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, the AMD part wins 11, while the Intel Core 3 N355 wins 0. The average benchmark score for the AMD chip is 52901, placing it in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel chip averages 13492 and sits in the 68th percentile. The AMD processor is the clear choice for compute-heavy workloads, multithreaded tasks, and any application where raw throughput is the priority.

The Intel Core 3 N355, by contrast, operates at a lower power envelope with a 15 TDP versus the AMD's 28 TDP, and it uses a simpler single-channel memory bus. The data does not show any benchmark category where the Intel part pulls ahead; its advantages are purely structural (lower power, different socket) rather than performance-based. For systems where power draw is the dominant constraint and the workload is light, the Intel part may be more suitable, but the benchmark evidence indicates it will trail the AMD chip in every measured compute task.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 uses the Gorgon Point codename and belongs to the Ryzen AI Embedded generation built on Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. It is fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC, with a die size of 233 mm². The Intel Core 3 N355 uses the Twin Lake architecture, which is part of the Core 3 generation based on Alder Lake-N, and is fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process. These process differences are substantial: the AMD chip uses a more advanced node from TSMC, which correlates with its higher clock speeds and performance results.

Both processors have 8 cores, but the AMD chip supports 16 threads through simultaneous multithreading, while the Intel chip has 8 threads with no multithreading. The AMD chip has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel chip has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The cache layouts also differ. The AMD chip provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD part's larger per-core L2 and bigger L3 pool likely contribute to its benchmark leads.

Memory support diverges sharply. The AMD chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X in a dual-channel configuration with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel chip supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5, but only in a single-channel configuration with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD part also supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the AMD chip uses Gen 4 with 16 lanes, while the Intel chip uses Gen 3 with 9 lanes. The integrated graphics are the Radeon 880M on the AMD side and the UHD Graphics 770 on the Intel side.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 comes in the PassMark extended instructions test, where it scores 24193 versus the Intel Core 3 N355's 5968, a delta of 305.4%. This indicates a massive advantage in specialized instruction throughput, likely reflecting the newer Zen 5 architecture and higher core clocks.

In data compression, the AMD chip scores 327891 against the Intel chip's 117435, a lead of 179.2%. This is the largest absolute score gap in the dataset, and it suggests the AMD part handles compression workloads with roughly 2.8 times the throughput. Encryption follows a similar pattern: the AMD chip scores 16055 versus 8121, a 97.7% advantage. Prime number finding shows a 163% lead for AMD (71 versus 27), and floating-point math shows a 145.9% lead (55799 versus 22695). Integer math gives the AMD chip a 159.5% lead (87940 versus 33894).

Multithreaded performance, a key differentiator given the AMD chip's 16 threads versus the Intel chip's 8, shows a 154.5% lead for AMD: 25889 versus 10174. The physics test shows a 93.6% lead (1210 versus 625). Random string sorting gives AMD a 136.6% lead (34801 versus 14706). Even in single-threaded performance, where the Intel chip's lower thread count is irrelevant, the AMD chip leads by 87.1%: 4029 versus 2153 in both PassMark single-thread tests.

The smallest relative win for AMD is in single-thread performance at 87.1%, still a substantial margin. Across all 11 tests, the AMD chip wins every category, with deltas ranging from 87.1% to 305.4%. The Intel chip's closest performance is in data encryption and physics, but it still trails by roughly 94% to 98% in those tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 has 16 threads, while the Intel Core 3 N355 has 8 threads. The AMD chip has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz; the Intel chip has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The TDP differs: 28 for AMD versus 15 for Intel.

The socket is different: AMD Socket FP8 versus Intel BGA 1264. The process node is 4 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel, with different foundries (TSMC versus Intel). The die size is 233 mm² for AMD, while no die size is recorded for Intel. The cache hierarchy differs: AMD uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 8 MB L3; Intel uses 96 KB L1 per core, 2 MB shared L2, and 6 MB shared L3.

Memory support differs: AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X with dual-channel and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth; Intel supports DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5 with single-channel and 38.4 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on AMD but not on Intel. PCIe lanes are Gen 4 with 16 lanes on AMD versus Gen 3 with 9 lanes on Intel. The integrated graphics are Radeon 880M on AMD and UHD Graphics 770 on Intel. The release date is later for AMD: 2026-03-08 versus 2025-01-06 for Intel. The Intel part has a recorded part number (SRPNT), while the AMD part number is unknown. Both are locked multipliers, both are mobile market segment, and both are active production.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 has an average benchmark score of 52901, while the Intel Core 3 N355 has an average score of 13492. The AMD chip also sits in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, compared to the Intel chip's 68th percentile.

Q: How many threads does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 supports 16 threads from its 8 cores, while the Intel Core 3 N355 supports 8 threads from its 8 cores. The AMD chip's simultaneous multithreading gives it a thread count advantage that shows up heavily in multithreaded benchmarks.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD chip has a dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, supporting DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The Intel chip has a single-channel memory bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, supporting DDR4, DDR5, and LPDDR5. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not.

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 wins in single-threaded performance with a score of 4029 versus the Intel Core 3 N355's 2153, a delta of 87.1%. This is the smallest relative lead for AMD, but it is still a clear win.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in the PassMark extended instructions test, where the AMD chip scores 24193 versus the Intel chip's 5968, a delta of 305.4%. This is followed by data compression at 179.2% and prime number finding at 163%.

Q: Are there any benchmark tests where the Intel Core 3 N355 wins?

A: No. Across the 11 head-to-head benchmark comparisons in the database, the Intel Core 3 N355 wins 0 tests. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 wins all 11 tests.