AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data contains a complete benchmark suite for the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U has no benchmark scores listed in the database. This absence of measured results for the AMD part means the head-to-head comparison is one-sided, but the Intel data can still be interpreted against its nearest rivals to establish performance context.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39,684 points and a single-core score of 2,356 points. In Cinebench R20, it records 21,198 multi-core and 2,992 single-core. The R15 results show 5,981 multi-core and 340 single-core. These scores place the processor at the 95th percentile among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 79,574.

The nearest rival comparisons confirm the Intel part sits in flagship desktop territory. It edges the Intel Core i9-14900KF by 0.3% in average score, with the 290HX Plus at 79,574 against 79,371 for the 14900KF. The Intel Core i9-14900K trails by 0.6%, scoring 79,097. The AMD EPYC 7413 leads by 0.6% at 80,041, and the Intel Xeon w5-2565X is 1.4% ahead at 80,671. These deltas are narrow, indicating the 290HX Plus performs essentially at parity with high-end desktop and workstation parts despite being a mobile processor.

PassMark results reinforce the multi-threaded strength. The multithread score of 59,439 is substantial, while data compression reaches 658,724, integer math hits 164,839, and floating-point math records 201,773. Extended instructions score 51,290, and random string sorting reaches 80,327. The single-thread PassMark score is 4,951, which is competitive but not the defining trait of this chip.

The physics test score of 3,387 and the prime number search score of 519 are lower in absolute terms, reflecting how these workloads scale with the architecture. Data encryption at 50,008 shows strong cryptographic throughput. The overall picture from the measured data is a processor optimized for heavy parallel workloads, with single-thread performance that is respectable but secondary to its core-count advantage.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus clearly wins in every measured benchmark category because the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U has no recorded scores. The database shows zero wins for the AMD part and zero wins for the Intel part in the head-to-head benchmark array, which is empty. This does not mean the AMD chip is uncompetitive; it means no comparative measurements exist in the current dataset.

For the Intel part, the data indicates a workload profile suited to multi-threaded rendering, scientific computation, and server-style tasks. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39,684 and PassMark multithread score of 59,439 point to strong performance in video rendering, 3D modeling, and batch processing. The data compression score of 658,724 and integer math score of 164,839 suggest excellent throughput for archive management, database operations, and general productivity.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U, based on its specifications, offers a different positioning. With 6 cores and 12 threads, a 28 watt TDP, and a 4.9 GHz boost clock, it targets efficiency rather than raw throughput. The 4 nanometer process node and 25,000 million transistors on a 178 mm² die indicate a dense, power-conscious design. Its Radeon 760M integrated graphics and 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth suggest it is built for embedded workloads where power draw and physical footprint matter more than peak compute.

Where the Intel chip wins is any scenario requiring maximum parallel execution. The 24 cores and 24 threads, combined with a 55 watt TDP and 5.5 GHz boost clock, allow it to dominate multi-threaded benchmarks. The AMD chip would likely win in efficiency-sensitive deployments, but the database provides no measured scores to confirm this. The Intel chip also has the advantage of PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, enabling faster peripheral connectivity, while the AMD chip uses PCIe Gen 4.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U uses the Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm process from TSMC, with the Hawk Point codename. It belongs to the 8000 series and the Ryzen Embedded generation. The die size is 178 mm² and it integrates 25,000 million transistors.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename under the Core Ultra Series 2 family. It is built on a 3 nm process, also from TSMC, with a larger die of 243 mm² but fewer transistors at 17,800 million. The Intel part belongs to the Ultra 9 generation and uses the Arrow Lake-HX architecture, though the architecture field is listed as null in the database.

Core and thread counts differ sharply. The AMD chip has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel chip has 24 cores and 24 threads. The Intel part does not use Hyper-Threading, as threads equal cores, whereas the AMD part doubles its threads through simultaneous multithreading. Base clocks are 3.50 GHz for AMD and 2.70 GHz for Intel, but boost clocks favor Intel at 5.50 GHz versus 4.90 GHz.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The AMD chip provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip offers 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The larger caches on the Intel part support its higher core count and more demanding data flow.

Memory support is DDR5 for both, with dual-channel buses. The Intel chip has a higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for AMD. Both support ECC memory, which is notable for embedded and workstation applications. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, while the AMD chip is locked.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD part uses the Radeon 760M, while the Intel part uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The Intel chip uses Intel BGA 2114 socket, while the AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP8. The Intel chip was released in March 2026, while the AMD chip came out in April 2024, making the Intel part a much newer design.

The transistor counts are counterintuitive: the AMD chip has 25,000 million transistors on a smaller die, while the Intel chip has 17,800 million on a larger die. This reflects different design goals. The AMD part packs more transistors per area, likely due to the integrated Radeon graphics and the Zen 4 compute tiles. The Intel part uses fewer transistors but a larger physical footprint, possibly due to different tile arrangements or power delivery needs.

The Verdict

The database provides clear measured results for the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus and none for the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U. This asymmetry dictates the verdict: the Intel chip is the only one with verified performance data, and that data is excellent. A 95th percentile ranking, an average benchmark score of 79,574, and near-parity with the Intel Core i9-14900K and Core i9-14900KF confirm it as a top-tier mobile processor.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U cannot be evaluated on measured performance because no benchmarks exist in the database. Its specifications suggest a very different product: fewer cores, lower TDP, smaller die, and an older process node. The 28 watt TDP versus 55 watts for Intel indicates the AMD part is designed for thermally constrained environments where the Intel chip would be impractical.

For users requiring maximum multi-threaded compute in a mobile form factor, the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the choice based on the recorded data. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39,684 and PassMark multithread score of 59,439 are concrete evidence of its capability. The 0.3% lead over the Core i9-14900KF and the 0.6% lead over the Core i9-14900K place it at the top of consumer desktop performance, which is remarkable for a mobile part.

For embedded applications where power efficiency, smaller footprint, and lower thermal output are priorities, the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U may be more appropriate, but this conclusion rests entirely on its specifications rather than measured data. The 4 nm process, 178 mm² die, and 28 watt TDP suggest an efficient design, and the Radeon 760M provides integrated graphics capability. However, without benchmark scores, any performance claims for the AMD part remain unverified.

The Intel chip's unlocked multiplier and 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes add flexibility for enthusiasts and workstation builders. The AMD chip's 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes are adequate but not as fast. Both support ECC memory, which matters for reliability in embedded and server contexts. The Intel chip's release in 2026 makes it a newer platform, while the AMD chip's 2024 release means it has been on the market longer.

The verdict from the data is straightforward: the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is a high-performance mobile processor with measured results at the 95th percentile, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U is a lower-power alternative without recorded benchmarks. The choice depends on whether the priority is raw compute or energy efficiency, but only the Intel chip has data to support its performance claims.

FAQ

Q: What is the average benchmark score for the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus?

A: The average benchmark score is 79,574, placing it at the 95th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus compare to the Intel Core i9-14900KF?

A: The 290HX Plus has an average score of 79,574, which is 0.3% higher than the Core i9-14900KF's 79,371.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U have any benchmark scores in the database?

A: No, the database lists no benchmarks for the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U, with zero wins in head-to-head comparisons and an average benchmark score of zero.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a boost clock of 5.50 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U has a boost clock of 4.90 GHz.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U has a TDP of 28 watts, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a TDP of 55 watts.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Both the AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus support ECC memory.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 8640U has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s.