AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255H Comparison

The Verdict

The data available for these two processors tells a very one-sided story in terms of measurable performance. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H is the only one of the two with recorded benchmark scores in the database. It holds an 83rd percentile rank among all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X sits at the 50th percentile with no recorded average benchmark score. The Intel chip has an average benchmark score of 33,537, which places it in direct competition with processors like the AMD Ryzen 5 240 (33,542), the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS (33,667), and the AMD Ryzen 5 7645HX (33,668), with performance deltas of 0%, -0.4%, and -0.4% respectively. It also slightly outperforms the Intel Core i5-12600HX (33,375) by 0.5%. For any workload measured by the database, the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H is the clear choice, as the AMD part lacks any recorded performance data to compare against.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different market segments and use fundamentally different designs. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X is a desktop-class part from the 9000 series, built on the Granite Ridge codename using the Zen 5 architecture. It is manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC, with a die size of 70.6 mm² and 8,315 million transistors. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H is a mobile processor from the Core Ultra Series 2, based on the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-H codename. It is manufactured on a smaller 3 nm process, also at TSMC.

Core configuration differs significantly. The AMD chip has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel chip has 16 cores and 16 threads, meaning it does not use simultaneous multithreading despite having twice the physical core count. Clock speeds also differ, with the AMD part starting at a base clock of 3.80 GHz and boosting to 5.50 GHz, while the Intel part has a lower base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz.

Cache hierarchies are structured differently. The AMD processor allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, with 32 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor has a larger L1 cache at 192 KB per core and a much larger L2 cache at 3 MB per core, but a smaller shared L3 cache at 24 MB. This gives the Intel chip a total of 3 MB of L2 per core versus 1 MB for the AMD chip, and the AMD chip has 33% more shared L3 cache.

Memory support shows both similarities and differences. Both support dual-channel memory and ECC memory. The AMD chip supports DDR5 with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, with a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. PCIe support also differs: the AMD part provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD chip uses Radeon Graphics, while the Intel chip uses Arc Graphics 140T. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel processor is locked. The AMD chip uses the AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel chip uses the Intel BGA 2049 socket. The AMD part was released on 2025-10-06, while the Intel part was released earlier on 2025-01-12.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Direct benchmark comparisons are limited because the database contains no recorded benchmark scores for the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, however, has a full set of recorded results across multiple test suites. The data shows strong multi-core performance from the Intel chip, with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 9,240, a Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 6,381, and a Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 1,515. Single-core results are also solid, with Cinebench R23 single-core at 1,843, Cinebench R20 single-core at 900, and Cinebench R15 single-core at 251.

Geekbench results show a multi-core score of 14,024 and a single-core score of 2,335. PassMark results cover a range of workloads. The Intel chip scores 30,703 in multi-thread, 4,317 in single-thread, 298,850 in data compression, 23,395 in data encryption, 23,755 in extended instructions, 303 in find prime numbers, 98,796 in floating point math, 77,975 in integer math, 2,254 in physics, and 36,058 in random string sorting.

Since the AMD processor has no recorded scores, the head-to-head comparison is entirely one-sided. The Intel chip delivers measurable results across every benchmark category, while the AMD chip offers no data points for comparison. The absence of data for the AMD part means the recorded benchmarks indicate that the Intel chip is the only one with verified performance characteristics in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has 16 cores, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X has 8 cores. Both have 16 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock difference?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X boosts up to 5.50 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H's boost clock of 5.10 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H is manufactured on a 3 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X is manufactured on a 4 nm process. Both are fabricated by TSMC.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X and the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H support ECC memory.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth for each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has a memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s.

Q: Which processor is unlocked for overclocking?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has an average benchmark score of 33,537, placing it in the 83rd percentile among all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X has no recorded average benchmark score and sits in the 50th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows a clear split based on available information. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255H is the only processor with recorded benchmark results, so it wins every measured performance category by default. Its scores indicate strength in multi-threaded workloads, as shown by a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 9,240 and a PassMark multi-thread score of 30,703. It also shows solid single-thread performance with a PassMark single-thread score of 4,317 and a Geekbench single-core score of 2,335.

The Intel chip also delivers strong results in specific computational tasks. Data compression scores 298,850, data encryption scores 23,395, and extended instructions score 23,755. Integer math scores 77,975, floating point math scores 98,796, and random string sorting scores 36,058. Physics scores 2,254, and find prime numbers scores 303. These results indicate a well-rounded processor for mobile computing workloads.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X cannot be said to win any benchmark category, as the database contains no recorded scores for it. However, the architecture data shows where it holds theoretical advantages. It has a higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz versus 5.10 GHz, a larger shared L3 cache of 32 MB versus 24 MB, and more PCIe lanes at 24 versus 20. It also has an unlocked multiplier, which the Intel chip lacks. These are specification-level advantages, not measured performance wins.

The Intel chip wins on process node with 3 nm versus 4 nm, on memory bandwidth with 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s, and on core count with 16 versus 8. It also has a larger L1 cache per core (192 KB versus 80 KB) and a larger L2 cache per core (3 MB versus 1 MB). The Intel chip was released earlier, on 2025-01-12, compared to the AMD chip's release on 2025-10-06.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. Core count differs: the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9700X has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H has 16 cores and 16 threads. Base clock differs: 3.80 GHz for the AMD chip versus 2.00 GHz for the Intel chip. Boost clock differs: 5.50 GHz for the AMD chip versus 5.10 GHz for the Intel chip. TDP differs significantly: the AMD chip is rated at 65 watts, while the Intel chip is rated at 28 watts.

Socket types are completely different. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 2049. The AMD chip is based on the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename, while the Intel chip uses the Arrow Lake architecture with the Arrow Lake-H codename. Process nodes differ: 4 nm for AMD, 3 nm for Intel, both at TSMC.

Cache specifications show clear differences. L1 cache is 80 KB per core for AMD versus 192 KB per core for Intel. L2 cache is 1 MB per core for AMD versus 3 MB per core for Intel. L3 cache is 32 MB shared for AMD versus 24 MB shared for Intel. Memory support differs: the AMD chip supports DDR5 only, while the Intel chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth differs: 89.6 GB/s for AMD versus 102.4 GB/s for Intel.

PCIe support differs: the AMD chip provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: Radeon Graphics for AMD versus Arc Graphics 140T for Intel. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel chip is locked. The AMD chip has a transistor count of 8,315 million and a die size of 70.6 mm², while the Intel chip has no recorded transistor count or die size. Release dates differ: 2025-10-06 for AMD versus 2025-01-12 for Intel. The AMD part number is 100-000001404E, while the Intel part number is SRQAN.