AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the two processors compare in terms of core and thread counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads. The Intel part offers double the physical cores but the same thread count, indicating different threading architectures.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H scores 2044 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U has no recorded benchmark data in the database. The Intel part also records 4180 in PassMark single-thread tests.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H supports LPDDR5X memory with a bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U supports DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s. The Intel processor provides roughly 52% higher memory bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP rating?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U has a TDP of 28 watts, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has a TDP of 25 watts. The AMD part consumes 3 watts more, though both are classified as mobile segments.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U is built on a 4 nm process by TSMC, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H uses a 3 nm process from Intel. The Intel node is smaller, suggesting denser transistor integration.

Q: Does the AMD processor support ECC memory, and what about the Intel part?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H does not. This makes the AMD chip more suitable for error-sensitive workloads.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U belongs to the 8000 series, built on the Zen 4 architecture with the codename Hawk Point. It uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, containing 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is from the Core Ultra Series 3, using the Panther Lake architecture and codename, built on Intel's 3 nm process. The Intel part has no listed transistor count or die size in the database.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The AMD chip provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The Intel design allocates more cache per core for L1 and L2, though the total L3 is only 2 MB larger.

Memory support diverges: AMD uses DDR5 with dual-channel and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel uses LPDDR5X with dual-channel and 136.5 GB/s. The Intel part also supports PCIe Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only), whereas AMD uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: AMD includes Radeon 760M, Intel includes Arc B370.

The Intel processor has 12 physical cores but only 12 threads, meaning no hyperthreading per core. The AMD part has 6 cores and 12 threads, indicating simultaneous multithreading. Both are mobile segment parts, with the AMD socket being AMD Socket FP8 and Intel using Intel BGA 2540. The Intel part has a part number SA4REQ9EW, while the AMD part number is unknown.

Production status for both is Active. The AMD release date is April 2024, while the Intel release date is January 2026. Neither has a multiplier unlocked, so overclocking is not possible from the factory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains benchmark scores only for the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H; the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U has no recorded benchmarks, so direct numeric comparisons rely solely on Intel data. The Intel part achieves a Cinebench R15 multicore score of 2504 and a single-core score of 305. In Cinebench R20, it scores 10213 multicore and 1441 single-core. Cinebench R23 results show 16331 multicore and 2044 single-core.

PassMark tests for the Intel chip reveal strong floating-point performance: 84067 in floating-point math, 64934 in integer math, and 304 in find prime numbers. Data compression scores 276539, while encryption reaches 21367. Extended instructions score 23906, random string sorting scores 34082, and multithread performance is 28717. Physics scores 2697, and single-thread tests score 4180.

Since the AMD part has zero benchmarks, the head-to-head analysis is one-sided. The Intel processor demonstrates high multi-threaded capability with its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 16331. The single-core score of 2044 indicates solid per-thread performance. The PassMark multithread score of 28717 and single-thread score of 4180 place the Intel chip in a competitive position within its class.

The percentile data for Intel shows it sits at the 84th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 33989. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H at 34083 (0.3% lower), Intel Core i7-12800HX at 33875 (0.3% higher), Intel Xeon 6353P at 33844 (0.4% higher), and AMD EPYC 4244P at 34220 (0.7% lower). These deltas are small, indicating the 338H performs within a narrow band of comparable processors.

Without AMD benchmarks, no direct win or loss can be calculated. The winsA and winsB fields are both zero, reflecting the absence of head-to-head test data. This means any comparative claims must rely on architectural specifications rather than measured performance.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U | Intel Core Ultra 5 338H |

|----------------|--------------------------|-------------------------|

| Cores | 6 | 12 |

| Threads | 12 | 12 |

| Base clock | 3.50 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.90 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Panther Lake |

| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 25,000 million | Not listed |

| Die size | 178 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 cache | 64 KB per core | 192 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 2.5 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 16 MB shared | 18 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 136.5 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 lanes | Gen 5, 4 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 760M | Arc B370 |

| Release date | April 2024 | January 2026 |

| Part number | Unknown | SA4REQ9EW |

The AMD chip has a higher base clock (3.50 GHz vs 1.90 GHz) and higher boost clock (4.90 GHz vs 4.70 GHz). The Intel part has more cores but identical thread count. The Intel processor supports faster memory bandwidth and newer PCIe generation, though with fewer lanes. AMD offers ECC support and larger transistor count.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H delivers measurable performance in all recorded benchmarks, with strong multi-threaded scores. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 16331 and PassMark multithread score of 28717 indicate solid parallel workload handling. The single-core scores of 2044 in R23 and 4180 in PassMark show balanced per-thread performance. The high memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s supports data-intensive tasks. The 84th percentile ranking places it above the majority of all CPUs in the database.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U has no benchmark data, so its performance wins cannot be quantified. However, its architectural advantages are clear from specifications. The higher base and boost clocks (3.50 GHz and 4.90 GHz) suggest strong single-thread responsiveness. The 6-core, 12-thread configuration with Zen 4 architecture may deliver efficient multi-threading per core. The ECC memory support makes it suitable for reliability-critical workloads. The 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes provide more connectivity options compared to Intel's 4 Gen 5 lanes.

For workloads requiring error correction, the AMD part is the only choice. For tasks needing maximum memory bandwidth, the Intel part with LPDDR5X and 136.5 GB/s offers a clear advantage. The Intel chip's 12 physical cores could benefit heavily threaded applications, though the thread count parity with AMD's 6-core part suggests AMD uses simultaneous multithreading more aggressively.

The Verdict

The data presents a one-sided benchmark picture: only the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has recorded scores, making it the only chip with measurable performance in the database. Its average benchmark score of 33989 and 84th percentile ranking confirm it performs above most CPUs. The near-rival deltas (within 0.7% of comparable Intel and AMD parts) indicate stable, consistent performance in its class.

For users prioritizing measured performance, the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is the only option with verified results. Its 12 cores and 136.5 GB/s memory bandwidth support demanding applications. The lack of ECC memory and 4 PCIe Gen 5 lanes may limit certain enterprise or expansion-heavy use cases.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U offers architectural advantages: ECC support, 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, higher clock speeds, and a larger transistor count. These features matter for embedded systems requiring data integrity and peripheral connectivity. The absence of benchmarks means its performance cannot be confirmed, but the specifications suggest a capable processor for specific industrial roles.

Selecting between them depends on verified data versus architectural features. The Intel chip provides all recorded performance evidence. The AMD chip offers ECC and more PCIe lanes, which are critical for certain embedded deployments. Without AMD benchmark scores, the Intel part stands as the measured performer, while the AMD part remains a specification-based alternative.