AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher benchmark score in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX scores 59,494 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H scores 18,395. The AMD part leads by 223.4% in this test.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX wins every single-core benchmark in the database. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 8,399 is 311.7% higher than the Intel part's 2,040. In PassMark single-thread, the AMD scores 4,530 versus 4,072, a smaller 11.2% advantage.

Q: Are both processors on the same manufacturing process?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses a 3 nm process from Intel.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H does not.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has an average benchmark score of 101,041, compared to 41,215 for the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H. The AMD processor sits in the 97th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part sits in the 87th percentile.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX provides 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H provides 12 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX is built on the Zen 5 architecture with the Shimada Peak codename, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses the Panther Lake architecture. Both chips have 16 cores, but the AMD part supports 32 threads through Simultaneous Multithreading, whereas the Intel part supports only 16 threads with no multithreading. This thread count difference directly explains much of the multi-core performance gap seen in the benchmark data.

The manufacturing process differs as well. The AMD chip is fabricated on a 4 nm node by TSMC, while the Intel chip uses a 3 nm node from Intel. Despite the smaller process node on the Intel side, the AMD processor delivers substantially higher performance in every recorded test. The AMD chip contains 16,630 million transistors across a die size of 2x 70.6 mm², while the Intel part's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H provides 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and only 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip's larger L3 pool is a notable advantage for workloads with repeated data access patterns.

Memory architecture also separates the two. The AMD part supports DDR5 memory over an eight-channel bus with 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel part supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a dual-channel bus with 115.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The eight-channel configuration gives the AMD processor a 3.6x bandwidth advantage on paper, a factor that shows up in memory-intensive workloads.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX offers 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, targeting workstation expansion with multiple GPUs, storage controllers, and networking cards. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H offers 12 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, suitable for a mobile platform. The AMD processor has no integrated graphics, while the Intel part includes Intel Xe3 Graphics. The AMD chip is socketed on AMD Socket sTR5 with an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is soldered to Intel BGA 2540 with a locked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX wins all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The widest margin appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the AMD score of 8,399 beats the Intel score of 2,040 by 311.7%. This is an unusually large single-core gap, suggesting that the Intel part's 1.90 GHz base clock and 4.70 GHz boost clock place it at a disadvantage against the AMD part's 4.50 GHz base and 5.40 GHz boost in lightly threaded applications.

In multi-core workloads, the AMD processor's thread advantage is decisive. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the AMD chip scoring 59,494 against 18,395 for the Intel chip, a 223.4% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a 105.6% lead with scores of 24,987 versus 12,153. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 96.3% lead with 5,996 versus 3,055. The PassMark multithread score of 67,035 for the AMD part versus 33,978 for the Intel part represents a 97.3% lead.

Integer and floating point math workloads follow the same pattern. PassMark integer math shows the AMD chip at 236,120 versus 83,111, a 184.1% advantage. PassMark floating point math shows 156,215 versus 103,128, a 51.5% advantage. PassMark extended instructions shows 76,363 versus 27,898, a 173.7% lead. These results indicate that the AMD processor sustains its advantage across both integer-heavy and floating-point-heavy code paths.

Data compression and encryption workloads also favor the AMD chip heavily. PassMark data compression shows 920,954 versus 336,177, a 173.9% lead. PassMark data encryption shows 44,389 versus 26,345, a 68.5% lead. PassMark random string sorting shows 99,813 versus 40,990, a 143.5% lead. The compression and sorting results align with the AMD chip's larger L3 cache and higher memory bandwidth.

The closest contest appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where the AMD chip scores 337 and the Intel chip scores 327, a narrow 3.1% margin. This workload is highly dependent on integer throughput per thread, and the results suggest that the Intel part's per-core integer capability is competitive, even though its overall platform performance lags. PassMark physics shows the AMD part at 4,156 versus 2,895, a 43.6% lead. PassMark single-thread shows 4,530 versus 4,072, an 11.2% lead.

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows a complete sweep for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX across all 17 recorded tests. The average benchmark score of 101,041 places it in the 97th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H averages 41,215 and sits in the 87th percentile. The AMD processor's nearest rivals are server and workstation parts: the AMD EPYC 7513 is 1.2% behind, the AMD EPYC 8324P is 2.2% behind, and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX is 2.6% behind. The Intel part's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI 5 PRO 440 at a 0% delta, the Intel Core Ultra 7 366H at 0.1% behind, and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X at 0.4% behind.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX is positioned for desktop workstation use with its eight-channel memory bus, 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, ECC memory support, and 350 W thermal design power. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is a mobile part with a 25 W TDP, integrated graphics, dual-channel memory, and a locked multiplier. The data indicates that the AMD chip is the appropriate choice for workloads that demand maximum throughput, large memory bandwidth, and extensive I/O expansion. The Intel chip is suited for mobile systems where power draw and physical footprint are the primary constraints, though its benchmark results are far lower in every category.

The strongest argument for the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is its integrated Intel Xe3 Graphics, which the AMD part lacks entirely. Systems built around the AMD processor require a discrete GPU, while the Intel part can operate with its integrated graphics alone. For a mobile platform with modest performance requirements, the Intel chip provides a complete package. For a workstation with demanding compute tasks, the AMD processor's benchmark dominance and platform features make it the clear selection based on the recorded data.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX and Intel Core Ultra 7 356H differ in several recorded specifications. The AMD part has a base clock of 4.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while the Intel part has a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. Thermal design power is 350 W for the AMD chip and 25 W for the Intel chip. The AMD part uses AMD Socket sTR5, while the Intel part uses Intel BGA 2540.

The AMD processor supports 32 threads from 16 cores, while the Intel processor supports 16 threads from 16 cores. L1 cache is 64 KB per core on the AMD side versus 192 KB per core on the Intel side. L2 cache is 1 MB per core on the AMD side versus 2.5 MB per core on the Intel side. L3 cache is 64 MB on the AMD side versus 18 MB shared on the Intel side.

Memory support differs: the AMD chip supports DDR5 over eight channels with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel chip supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over dual channels with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the AMD chip but not on the Intel chip. PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with 128 lanes on the AMD chip versus Gen 5 with 12 lanes on the Intel chip. The AMD chip has no integrated graphics, while the Intel chip includes Intel Xe3 Graphics. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel chip is locked. The AMD chip launched on 2025-07-22 with a launch MSRP of $1649, while the Intel chip launched on 2026-01-04 with no recorded launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX wins every benchmark category in the database. Its largest advantages appear in Cinebench R23 single-core at 311.7% and Cinebench R23 multi-core at 223.4%. These results make it the stronger choice for 3D rendering, video encoding, scientific computing, data compression, and any workload that scales with thread count or benefits from high memory bandwidth. The eight-channel memory bus and 64 MB L3 cache support large in-memory datasets, and the 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes allow for extensive GPU and storage expansion.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H does not win any recorded benchmark, but its profile suggests specific usage scenarios. Its 25 W TDP and integrated Intel Xe3 Graphics make it suitable for compact mobile systems where power efficiency and a self-contained graphics solution are priorities. The dual-channel memory support for DDR5 and LPDDR5X provides flexibility for thin-and-light laptop designs. The 3 nm process node from Intel indicates a modern manufacturing technology, though the recorded performance data does not translate that into a benchmark advantage over the AMD part.

The closest benchmark margin between the two is PassMark find prime numbers at 3.1%, which shows that the Intel chip's per-core integer throughput can approach the AMD chip in a narrow workload. This is the only category where the Intel part comes within double digits of the AMD processor. All other categories show the AMD chip leading by at least 11.2%, with most margins exceeding 50%. For users who need maximum compute performance, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX is the only choice supported by the data. For users who need a low-power mobile processor with integrated graphics, the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H provides that capability, but it does so without a single benchmark victory over the AMD workstation part.