AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 vs Intel Core i9-13900K Comparison

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 and Intel Core i9-13900K represent two very different philosophies in modern processor design: one is a 28-watt embedded mobile chip built on a 4 nm TSMC process, while the other is a 125-watt desktop flagship on Intel's 10 nm node. The benchmark data reveals a decisive performance gap, with the Intel part winning all 11 head-to-head comparisons, yet the AMD chip still holds a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs. This creates an interesting paradox where raw speed clearly favors Intel, but the AMD processor's efficiency and integration suggest it may be the more logical choice in specific, power-constrained scenarios.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 has an average benchmark score of 62839, while the Intel Core i9-13900K scores 61766. Despite this, the AMD chip sits in the 93rd percentile versus the Intel's 92nd percentile, showing that the AMD processor edges out the Intel in overall standing among all CPUs.

Q: How large is the performance gap in the multithreaded PassMark test?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900K scores 58589 in PassMark multithread, which is 45.7% higher than the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185's 31817. This is one of the most significant deltas in the head-to-head results, driven by the Intel's 24 cores and 32 threads versus AMD's 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What are the power consumption figures for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 has a TDP of 28 watts, while the Intel Core i9-13900K has a TDP of 125 watts. This represents a massive efficiency difference, with the AMD chip drawing less than a quarter of the Intel's rated power.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 and the Intel Core i9-13900K support ECC memory. This makes both suitable for workstation or server environments where data integrity is critical.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Core i9-13900K?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900K had a launch MSRP of $589. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 has no launch MSRP listed in the data.

Q: Which processor offers a higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900K boosts to 5.80 GHz, compared to the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185's 5.10 GHz. The Intel also has a higher base clock at 3.00 GHz versus 2.00 GHz for the AMD.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-13900K wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, but the nature of those wins varies. In heavily parallel workloads like PassMark data compression, the Intel is 52.8% ahead, scoring 793645 versus 374429. Similarly, in floating-point math, the Intel leads by 53.4% with 151562 points against AMD's 70587. These are workloads that scale with core count and raw clock speed, where the Intel's 24 cores and 5.80 GHz boost provide a clear advantage.

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185, despite losing all head-to-head tests, wins in the context of its intended market segment. It is a mobile processor with a 28-watt TDP, meaning it fits into laptops and embedded systems where the Intel's 125-watt TDP would be impossible to cool or power. The AMD chip also features the Radeon 890M integrated graphics, while the Intel relies on UHD Graphics 770, suggesting the AMD offers superior graphics performance for its class, though no direct benchmark data is provided for iGPU comparisons.

For single-threaded tasks, the gap narrows significantly. In the PassMark single-thread test, the Intel scores 4608 versus AMD's 3977, a delta of only 13.7%. This means that for lightly threaded applications like web browsing or office productivity, the AMD processor is much closer in performance, making its efficiency advantage more compelling in such scenarios.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is stark. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 uses the "Gorgon Point" codename with a hybrid Zen 5 / Zen 5c core arrangement, manufactured on TSMC's 4 nm process. The Intel Core i9-13900K uses the "Raptor Lake" architecture with Raptor Lake-S codename, built on Intel's 10 nm node. The die sizes differ, with AMD at 233 mm² and Intel at 257 mm², though the AMD chip integrates more onto a smaller area.

Cache hierarchies reveal another divergence. Both processors have 80 KB of L1 cache per core, but the AMD has 1 MB of L2 per core while the Intel has 2 MB per core. In L3 cache, the AMD offers 16 MB total, while the Intel provides 36 MB shared. This larger Intel cache likely contributes to its superior performance in data-heavy workloads, as evidenced by the 52.8% lead in data compression.

The AMD processor is designed for the mobile and embedded segment, using AMD Socket FP8, while the Intel targets desktop users on Socket 1700. The AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory, whereas the Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, giving it more flexibility in memory configuration. The Intel also has PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the AMD only offers Gen 4 with 16 lanes, indicating the Intel has faster I/O capabilities.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification difference is core count: the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core i9-13900K has 24 cores and 32 threads. This 2x core advantage for Intel is directly reflected in its multithreaded benchmark dominance. Clock speeds also differ significantly, with the Intel offering a 3.00 GHz base and 5.80 GHz boost, versus the AMD's 2.00 GHz base and 5.10 GHz boost.

Power consumption is a critical differentiator, with the AMD at 28 watts TDP and the Intel at 125 watts. This makes the AMD roughly 4.5x more power-efficient per watt, though the data does not include performance-per-watt calculations. The AMD is also a mobile part with a release date of 2026-02-28, while the Intel launched on 2022-09-26, making the AMD a much newer design.

Memory bandwidth also differs: the AMD has a listed memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel has no memory bandwidth figure in the data pack. The Intel has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the AMD does not. The Intel also has a part number SRMBH, while the AMD's part number is unknown.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-13900K dominates the head-to-head benchmarks across the board, with the largest wins in data-intensive tasks. In PassMark data compression, the Intel scores 793645 against AMD's 374429, a delta of -52.8% for AMD. Data encryption shows a similar pattern, with Intel at 46609 and AMD at 19612, a -57.9% delta. These are the two largest percentage gaps in the comparison.

Floating-point math is another area of significant Intel superiority, with Intel scoring 151562 versus AMD's 70587, a -53.4% delta. Random string sorting follows closely, with Intel at 87705 and AMD at 40557, a -53.8% delta. These results suggest the Intel's larger cache and higher clock speeds translate directly into faster data manipulation.

The multithreaded PassMark test shows Intel at 58589 and AMD at 31817, a -45.7% delta. The physics test follows a similar trend, with Intel at 3140 and AMD at 1772, a -43.6% delta. Integer math shows Intel at 207792 versus AMD's 117832, a -43.3% delta, while extended instructions yield Intel at 46477 and AMD at 26544, a -42.9% delta.

The smallest gap appears in single-threaded performance, where Intel scores 4608 and AMD scores 3977, a delta of only -13.7%. This is notable because it shows that for single-core workloads, the AMD chip is relatively competitive, despite its much lower power envelope. The AMD's 5.10 GHz boost clock helps close the gap, though it still cannot match the Intel's 5.80 GHz.

The Verdict

The data clearly indicates that the Intel Core i9-13900K is the superior performer in every measured benchmark, with an average score of 61766 and wins in all 11 head-to-head tests. For users who need maximum multithreaded throughput, the Intel's 24 cores and 32 threads provide unmatched results, particularly in data compression and encryption workloads. The Intel's 125-watt TDP is a non-issue for desktop users with adequate cooling, and its unlocked multiplier allows for further tuning.

However, the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 occupies a different niche entirely. Its 28-watt TDP makes it suitable for laptops and embedded systems where power consumption is paramount. The fact that it achieves a higher average benchmark score (62839) and percentile ranking (93rd) than the Intel (61766, 92nd) suggests that when comparing across all CPUs, the AMD chip's overall balance is more favorable relative to its power draw. The AMD also features the Radeon 890M integrated graphics, which likely provides better iGPU performance for multimedia tasks, though the data does not include direct comparisons.

The verdict depends entirely on the use case. For desktop enthusiasts building a high-performance workstation or gaming PC, the Intel Core i9-13900K is the clear choice, offering 45-58% higher performance in the most demanding workloads. For mobile users or embedded system designers who require adequate performance within a strict power budget, the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 is the logical selection, delivering competitive single-threaded scores (within 13.7%) while consuming less than a quarter of the power. The benchmarks do not lie: Intel wins on raw speed, but AMD wins on efficiency and integration, and the right pick depends on which metric matters more to the end user.