AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX Comparison

AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 and Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX represent two distinct approaches to mobile computing, with the benchmark data showing a clear performance hierarchy between them. The Intel part wins all eleven recorded head-to-head comparisons, yet the AMD chip holds a higher overall percentile ranking, indicating a nuanced picture that depends heavily on workload characteristics and system-level integration.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data shows a complete sweep for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX across all eleven PassMark subtests in the head-to-head comparison. The Intel processor claims victories in data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating-point math, integer math, multithreaded performance, physics simulation, random string sorting, and single-thread performance.

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 does not win a single benchmark in this direct comparison. However, its average benchmark score of 52901 places it above the Intel chip's 48287 average, a reversal that stems from the different benchmark suites recorded for each processor. The AMD part's percentile ranking of 91 versus Intel's 90 suggests that in the broader database context, the AMD chip sits marginally higher relative to all CPUs, despite losing every direct head-to-head test.

The Intel part shows its largest advantages in workloads that scale with core count and raw throughput. The AMD chip, with its lower thermal envelope, remains competitive in integer math, where the Intel advantage narrows to 4.6 percent. For users prioritizing power efficiency, the AMD processor's 28 watt TDP against Intel's 55 watt TDP indicates a substantially lower power draw, though the performance cost is significant in most measured areas.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge fundamentally in their core configurations. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 uses 8 cores and 16 threads, built on the Gorgon Point codename with a hybrid Zen 5 and Zen 5c arrangement. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX uses 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning it lacks simultaneous multithreading, with its Arrow Lake-HX architecture.

Process technology differs by one node step. The AMD chip is fabricated on TSMC's 4 nm process, while the Intel part uses a 3 nm process, also from TSMC. Die sizes are similar, with AMD at 233 mm² and Intel at 243 mm², though Intel's transistor count of 17,800 million is explicitly recorded while AMD's is not listed.

Cache hierarchies show substantial differences. The AMD processor provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of L3 cache. The Intel processor offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3, meaning the Intel part has three times the L3 capacity and larger per-core caches at every level.

Memory support also separates the two. The AMD chip supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X across a dual-channel bus, with memory bandwidth rated at 89.6 GB/s. The Intel processor supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but achieves 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD part includes ECC memory support, while the Intel processor does not.

PCIe connectivity favors Intel, which offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes compared to AMD's Gen 4 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: AMD uses the Radeon 880M, while Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 48 execution units. The Intel processor has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the AMD chip is locked.

Clock speeds show a slight edge for Intel on boost, with 5.10 GHz against AMD's 5.00 GHz, and a larger base clock advantage at 3.10 GHz versus 2.00 GHz. The AMD part operates at a 28 watt TDP, while Intel's rating is 55 watts.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The single-thread results show the Intel processor ahead by 10.1 percent, scoring 4481 against AMD's 4029. This reflects the Intel chip's higher base and boost clocks, combined with its larger L2 cache per core.

Multithreaded performance shows a larger gap. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX scores 38069 in the PassMark multithread test, while the AMD chip manages 25889, a 32 percent deficit. The Intel part's additional six cores contribute directly here, even without hyperthreading.

Integer math presents the closest contest. Intel scores 92150 versus AMD's 87940, a 4.6 percent margin. This suggests the AMD Zen 5 cores execute integer operations efficiently per clock, offsetting some of Intel's core count advantage.

Floating-point math shows a decisive Intel win at 120735 against 55799, a 53.8 percent difference. The physics test follows a similar pattern, with Intel at 2526 and AMD at 1210, a 52.1 percent gap.

Prime number finding produces the most extreme differential. Intel scores 359 while AMD records only 71, an 80.2 percent deficit for the AMD part. This workload appears highly sensitive to the architectural differences between the two processors.

Data encryption favors Intel by 46.5 percent, with scores of 30022 and 16055. Data compression shows a 16.6 percent Intel advantage, with 393071 against 327891. Extended instructions deliver a 22.5 percent Intel lead, 31212 versus 24193. Random string sorting completes the sweep with Intel at 47616 and AMD at 34801, a 26.9 percent margin.

The Cinebench results for Intel show strong multi-core scaling: 3261 in R15 multi-core, 13590 in R20 multi-core, and 32358 in R23 multi-core. Single-core results progress from 460 in R15 to 1918 in R20 to 4568 in R23. No comparable Cinebench data exists for the AMD part in the recorded measurements.

The Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX is the superior performer in every measured workload. The data shows consistent advantages ranging from 4.6 percent in integer math to 80.2 percent in prime number finding, with most tests landing between 16 and 54 percent in Intel's favor. For applications that stress floating-point math, physics simulation, encryption, or multithreaded throughput, the Intel processor delivers substantially higher scores.

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 offers a different value proposition that the benchmark scores do not capture directly. Its 28 watt TDP, ECC memory support, and LPDDR5X compatibility make it suitable for embedded and power-constrained deployments where the Intel part's 55 watt TDP would be prohibitive. The AMD chip also benefits from a 91st percentile ranking versus Intel's 90th, driven by its higher average benchmark score of 52901 against 48287.

The average benchmark scores reflect different test suites rather than contradictory performance. The AMD part's recorded benchmarks are entirely PassMark-based, while the Intel part includes both PassMark and Cinebench results. The Intel processor's PassMark performance consistently exceeds the AMD chip, but the AMD part's average score benefits from its specific benchmark mix.

Users requiring maximum compute throughput should select the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX. The data shows no workload where the AMD processor wins. Users operating within strict thermal limits or requiring ECC memory should consider the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164, accepting the significant performance trade-offs in exchange for the lower power envelope and specialized features.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX has 14 cores and 14 threads. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: The Intel processor scores 4481 in the PassMark single-thread test, which is 10.1 percent higher than the AMD chip's 4029.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 has ECC memory support. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel processor achieves 102.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the AMD chip reaches 89.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX boosts to 5.10 GHz, slightly higher than the AMD chip's 5.00 GHz boost clock.

Q: How does the TDP compare between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 operates at a 28 watt TDP, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX is rated at 55 watts.