AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X vs Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL Comparison

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X and the Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL serve different priorities. The AMD part is a 6-core, 12-thread processor built on a 4 nm TSMC process with Zen 5 Granite Ridge architecture, a 5.40 GHz boost clock, and a 65 W TDP. The Intel part is a 16-core, 22-thread processor built on Intel's 7 nm process with Meteor Lake architecture, a 4.80 GHz boost clock, and a 45 W TDP.

The recorded data indicates both processors sit at the 50th percentile among all CPUs, with no benchmark results available to separate them in raw performance. However, the specification differences point to distinct use cases. The AMD chip delivers higher per-core clock speeds, a 32 MB shared L3 cache, and ECC memory support, making it suited for single-threaded workloads and reliability-sensitive embedded applications. The Intel chip offers more cores and threads, a larger per-core L1 and L2 cache, and integrated Arc Xe-LPG 128EU graphics, making it suited for multi-threaded workloads and systems that need capable integrated graphics without a discrete GPU.

The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $438; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP. Neither processor shows benchmark wins in the head-to-head data, so the choice rests on architectural and feature differences rather than measured performance deltas.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X uses the Granite Ridge codename from the 9000 series, built on Zen 5 architecture. It is manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC, with 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL uses the Meteor Lake-PS codename from the Core Ultra Series 1, built on Meteor Lake architecture. It is manufactured on a 7 nm process at Intel, with no transistor or die size figures recorded.

The AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1851. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking; the Intel multiplier is locked. The AMD chip supports ECC memory; the Intel chip does not. The AMD chip provides PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The AMD integrated graphics are listed as Radeon Graphics, while the Intel integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG 128EU.

The cache layouts differ significantly. The AMD chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip has 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. This means the Intel part has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, but the AMD part has a larger shared L3 pool.

Both processors support DDR5 memory and use a dual-channel memory bus. The recorded memory bandwidth is identical at 89.6 GB/s for both. The Intel memory support is noted as "Depends on motherboard," while the AMD support is straightforward DDR5.

The release dates differ: the AMD part was released on 2025-10-06, while the Intel part was released on 2024-04-07. Both are listed as Active in production status. The AMD part number is 100-000001405E; the Intel part number is SRN2Z.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL has 16 cores and 22 threads. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has a larger shared L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X has 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL has 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the PCIe capabilities of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X provides PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL provides PCIe Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics, and what type?

A: Both have integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X has Radeon Graphics. The Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL has Arc Xe-LPG 128EU.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL has 16 cores and 22 threads. The AMD base clock is 3.90 GHz, while the Intel base clock is 1.40 GHz. The AMD boost clock is 5.40 GHz, while the Intel boost clock is 4.80 GHz.

The TDP differs: the AMD part is rated at 65 W, while the Intel part is rated at 45 W. The sockets differ: AMD Socket AM5 versus Intel Socket 1851. The process node differs: 4 nm TSMC versus 7 nm Intel. The foundry differs: TSMC versus Intel.

The transistor count and die size are only recorded for the AMD part: 8,315 million transistors and 70.6 mm². The Intel part has no recorded values for either.

The cache hierarchy differs in all levels. The AMD L1 is 80 KB per core, the Intel L1 is 112 KB per core. The AMD L2 is 1 MB per core, the Intel L2 is 2 MB per core. The AMD L3 is 32 MB shared, the Intel L3 is 24 MB shared.

The memory support is DDR5 for both, with dual-channel buses and identical 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported only on the AMD part. PCIe generations and lane counts differ: Gen 5 with 24 lanes on AMD versus Gen 4 with 8 lanes on Intel.

The integrated graphics differ: Radeon Graphics on AMD versus Arc Xe-LPG 128EU on Intel. The multiplier is unlocked on AMD and locked on Intel. The release dates differ: 2025-10-06 for AMD versus 2024-04-07 for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $438; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data contains no entries. The wins counter shows 0 for both processors. The average benchmark score is 0 for both. The percentile versus all CPUs is 50 for both. With no measured performance data, the analysis must rely on architectural specifications and feature sets.

The clock speed advantage belongs to the AMD part. A 5.40 GHz boost clock versus 4.80 GHz represents a 0.60 GHz difference in favor of AMD. The base clock difference is larger: 3.90 GHz versus 1.40 GHz, a 2.50 GHz gap. These figures indicate the AMD processor has a substantial frequency advantage in single-threaded and lightly threaded scenarios.

The core and thread advantage belongs to the Intel part. With 16 cores versus 6, and 22 threads versus 12, the Intel processor has 10 additional cores and 10 additional threads. This indicates a significant advantage in heavily parallel workloads, assuming the software can utilize all available threads.

The cache data shows a mixed picture. The Intel part has larger per-core caches: 112 KB L1 versus 80 KB, and 2 MB L2 versus 1 MB. The AMD part has a larger shared L3: 32 MB versus 24 MB. Larger per-core caches can benefit workloads with high locality per thread, while a larger shared pool can benefit workloads that share data across cores.

The memory bandwidth is identical at 89.6 GB/s for both, indicating no advantage in raw memory throughput. The PCIe capability favors AMD with Gen 5 and 24 lanes versus Gen 4 and 8 lanes, which affects expansion options and data transfer speeds to peripherals.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9600X wins in scenarios that prioritize high clock speeds and low latency per core. The 5.40 GHz boost clock and 3.90 GHz base clock deliver higher frequency ceilings than the Intel part. The 32 MB shared L3 cache provides a larger pool for data shared across cores. ECC memory support makes the AMD part suitable for systems where data integrity is critical, such as storage servers or financial applications. The PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes offers higher bandwidth to compatible devices and more expansion capacity. The unlocked multiplier allows frequency tuning for performance-sensitive workloads. The 4 nm TSMC process with 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die indicates a dense, modern design.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 155HL wins in scenarios that prioritize core count and thread parallelism. The 16 cores and 22 threads double the core count of the AMD part and provide 10 additional threads. The larger per-core L1 and L2 caches (112 KB and 2 MB versus 80 KB and 1 MB) benefit workloads with high per-thread cache usage. The Arc Xe-LPG 128EU integrated graphics offer a more capable integrated GPU solution for systems without discrete graphics. The 45 W TDP is lower than the AMD 65 W TDP, indicating lower power draw under similar loads. The earlier release date of 2024-04-07 means the platform has been available longer. The launch MSRP of $438 provides a reference point for the Intel part.

The data does not record any benchmark wins for either processor. The percentile ranking is identical at 50 for both. The average benchmark score is 0 for both, meaning no measured performance exists in the database. The choice between these two processors therefore rests entirely on the specification differences and which set of features aligns with the intended workload. The AMD part favors single-threaded performance, ECC reliability, and PCIe Gen 5 expansion. The Intel part favors multi-threaded throughput, per-core cache capacity, and integrated graphics capability.