AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235A Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear overall winner in direct comparisons. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A takes 10 of the 11 head-to-head benchmark wins, while the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 manages only one. The most significant Intel victory comes in the passmark_find_prime_numbers test, where it scores 392 against AMD's 129, a 67.1% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison and indicates a substantial lead in integer-heavy prime calculation workloads.

The Intel part also dominates floating-point math, scoring 118778 versus 70587 for the AMD chip, a 40.6% margin. Data encryption shows a 34.9% gap in Intel's favor (30136 vs 19612), and physics calculations go Intel's way by 27.3% (2437 vs 1772). The passmark_multithread test, often a strong indicator of overall throughput, favors Intel at 38392 against 31817, a 17.1% lead. Random string sorting also goes to Intel, 49489 versus 40557, an 18% difference. Extended instructions favor Intel by 16.1% (31625 vs 26544), and single-thread performance shows Intel ahead by 12.7%, scoring 4557 versus 3977. Data compression is closer, with Intel taking a 4.9% win at 393800 versus 374429.

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185's single win is in passmark_integer_math, where it scores 117832 against Intel's 88626, a substantial 33% advantage. This is the only test where AMD turns the tables, and it does so decisively. However, this solitary victory does not offset the breadth of Intel's wins across the other workloads.

Looking at the overall average benchmark scores, the AMD part sits at 62839, while the Intel part averages 48201. This discrepancy is notable because the head-to-head results tell a different story. The average score for AMD is pulled up by its strong integer math result and other PassMark sub-tests, while the Intel part's average is lower despite winning most direct comparisons. The AMD processor also holds a higher percentile rank at 93 versus Intel's 90, meaning it outperforms a larger share of all CPUs in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A demonstrates its strengths across a broad range of tasks that rely on raw computational throughput and single-thread responsiveness. Its wins in encryption, physics, floating-point math, and prime number finding indicate a processor well-suited to scientific computing, financial modeling, and any workload that benefits from strong per-core execution. The 12.7% single-thread lead over the AMD part suggests better responsiveness in lightly threaded applications such as legacy software or everyday desktop tasks. The multithread victory by 17.1% also shows that the Intel chip handles parallel workloads effectively, despite having fewer threads than its rival.

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 finds its niche in integer-heavy operations. The 33% lead in integer math is a significant margin, pointing to strengths in database operations, cryptographic key handling, and other integer-bound tasks. This is a specialized strength, but it is a meaningful one for specific embedded and server-like applications. The AMD chip also carries a higher average benchmark score overall (62839 vs 48201) and a better percentile rank (93 vs 90), which suggests that its aggregate performance across all recorded tests is more consistent, even if it loses most direct head-to-head matchups.

It is important to note the context of these two processors. The AMD part is a mobile embedded chip with a 28 TDP, while the Intel part is a desktop chip with a 65 TDP. The Intel chip's higher power envelope likely contributes to its performance advantages, but the data does not directly attribute causality. From a pure benchmark perspective, the Intel part wins more tests, but the AMD part holds a higher overall standing in the database.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A is the stronger performer in most measurable benchmarks. Its 10-1 win record in head-to-head tests, combined with decisive margins in encryption, floating-point, and prime number workloads, makes it the clear choice for users who prioritize raw speed across diverse applications. The 17.1% multithread lead and 12.7% single-thread lead mean that whether the workload is parallel or sequential, the Intel chip generally delivers more performance.

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185, despite losing most direct comparisons, should not be dismissed. Its 33% integer math advantage is substantial, and its higher average benchmark score (62839 vs 48201) along with a better percentile rank (93rd vs 90th) indicates that it offers strong overall capability, particularly in integer-bound tasks. The AMD chip also operates at a lower 28 TDP, which makes it suitable for embedded or power-constrained environments where the Intel chip's 65 TDP would be less practical.

For a desktop user building a general-purpose system, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A is the superior choice based on the benchmark record. For an embedded or mobile application where integer math dominates and power efficiency is a priority, the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 has a clear argument. The selection depends entirely on the workload profile and platform constraints.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A wins 10 of the 11 head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 wins only 1.

Q: Where does the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 outperform the Intel chip?

A: The AMD chip wins the passmark_integer_math test with a score of 117832 versus 88626, a 33% advantage.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in the comparison?

A: The largest gap is in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where the Intel chip scores 392 against AMD's 129, a 67.1% difference in Intel's favor.

Q: How do their overall benchmark averages compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 has an average benchmark score of 62839, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A averages 48201.

Q: Which chip has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 ranks in the 93rd percentile, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A ranks in the 90th percentile.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 has a TDP of 28, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A has a TDP of 65.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and target different market segments. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 uses the Gorgon Point codename and is part of the Ryzen AI Embedded generation built on Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. It is manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC with a die size of 233 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A is an Arrow Lake-S part, part of the Core Ultra Series 2, built on the Arrow Lake architecture. It uses a 3 nm process at TSMC and has a die size of 243 mm². Intel's chip also has a recorded transistor count of 17,800 million, while AMD's transistor count is not specified in the database.

The core configurations differ significantly. The AMD chip has 12 cores and 24 threads, indicating simultaneous multithreading, while the Intel chip has 14 cores and 14 threads with no multithreading. This means the AMD part can process more threads concurrently, although the Intel chip has more physical cores. Cache layouts also diverge: AMD uses 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 16 MB of L3 cache. Intel uses 192 KB of L1 per core and 3 MB of L2 per core, with 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The larger per-core caches on the Intel side may contribute to its single-thread performance lead.

Memory support shows another split. AMD supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory with dual-channel operation and a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Intel supports only DDR5, also dual-channel, but with a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. AMD includes ECC memory support, while Intel does not. PCIe capabilities differ as well: AMD provides Gen 4 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ, with AMD using a Radeon 890M and Intel using an Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A has a launch MSRP of $269. The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

Clock speeds differ: AMD has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz, while Intel has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel chip starts at a higher base frequency, but the AMD chip boosts slightly higher. TDP ratings are notably different: AMD is rated at 28, while Intel is rated at 65. The socket types are incompatible: AMD uses AMD Socket FP8, while Intel uses Intel Socket 1851. The AMD chip is classified as a mobile segment part, while the Intel chip is a desktop part. Release dates differ by several months: AMD's release date is recorded as 2026-02-28, while Intel's is 2025-07-28. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The AMD part number is listed as unknown, while Intel's part number is SRWPN.