AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX vs Intel Core 5 330 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear hierarchy between these two mobile processors. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX wins 11 of the 13 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core 5 330 takes the remaining 2. The magnitude of the AMD advantage varies dramatically by workload, ranging from a razor-thin 0.1% margin in one test to a dominant 340.5% in another.

The largest single gap appears in PassMark integer math, where the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX scores 146,506 against 33,258 for the Intel Core 5 330, a 340.5% lead. This result reflects the substantial difference in core and thread counts between the two parts. Data compression shows a 241.7% advantage for AMD, with scores of 496,427 versus 145,287. Random string sorting, a workload that benefits from parallel execution, shows a 226.2% gap in favor of AMD at 57,971 versus 17,771.

Multi-threaded Cinebench R23 confirms the pattern. The AMD processor posts 25,265 points against 13,150 for Intel, a 92.1% advantage. This is nearly double the Intel score, aligning with the expectation set by the hardware configuration. Floating point math shows a 97.7% lead for AMD at 86,747 versus 43,885, while extended instructions deliver an 185.2% gap at 36,527 versus 12,808. Data encryption follows with a 170.1% margin, 29,919 versus 11,076. Prime number finding shows a 166.7% lead, 304 versus 114. The PassMark multithread score gives AMD 41,732 against 15,471, a 169.7% difference. Physics tests show an 81.9% advantage, 2,185 versus 1,201.

The single-core story is remarkably different. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the two processors are effectively tied: AMD scores 1,857 and Intel scores 1,856, a 0.1% difference that favors AMD by a single point. In the PassMark single-thread test, Intel actually takes the win. The Intel Core 5 330 scores 4,088 against 3,958 for AMD, a 3.2% advantage. This is the only PassMark category where Intel leads, and the margin is modest compared to the multi-thread gaps.

The data shows that the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX is overwhelmingly faster in parallel workloads, while the Intel Core 5 330 delivers competitive, occasionally superior, single-thread performance. The average benchmark scores in the database reflect this split: the AMD processor averages 71,797 across all recorded tests, while the Intel part averages 18,345.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Dragon Range codename, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 5 330 uses the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process at Intel's own foundry. Both are active mobile parts, but the similarities end there.

The AMD chip has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel chip has 6 cores and 6 threads. The Intel part has no hyperthreading, which explains the large multi-thread gaps in the benchmark data. AMD's base clock is 2.90 GHz with a boost of 5.10 GHz. Intel runs at 1.50 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost. The thermal design power differs significantly: AMD is rated at 55 W, Intel at 15 W.

Cache configurations also differ substantially. The AMD processor has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has a total of 192 KB of L1, 2.5 MB of L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD L3 cache is more than ten times larger, a factor that helps in workloads with large working sets.

Memory support diverges as well. AMD supports DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 83.2 GB/s of bandwidth. Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, but over a single-channel bus with 59.7 GB/s. The AMD memory bus delivers roughly 39% more bandwidth on paper, though the benchmark data does not isolate memory performance directly.

PCIe connectivity differs. The AMD processor uses Gen 5 with 28 lanes, while the Intel part uses Gen 4 with 6 lanes. The integrated graphics also differ: AMD uses a Radeon 610M, while Intel uses Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. Neither part supports ECC memory.

The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. The AMD chip is part of the 8000 series from AMD, while the Intel part carries the Core 5 naming. The AMD part number is 100-000001850, and the Intel part number is SAE3G. The AMD release date is recorded as 2025-04-22, while the Intel release date is 2026-04-15.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX dominates in every multi-threaded and parallel workload recorded in the benchmark set. The largest margins appear in integer math, data compression, random string sorting, and extended instructions, all of which scale with core count and thread count. The 12-core, 24-thread configuration with 64 MB of L3 cache gives it a structural advantage in any workload that can use more than a handful of threads.

The Intel Core 5 330 wins in only one recorded benchmark category: PassMark single-thread. The 4,088 score against AMD's 3,958 represents a 3.2% advantage. The Cinebench R23 single-core result is essentially a tie at 1,857 versus 1,856, so the Intel single-thread edge is real but narrow. The Intel part also carries a much lower 15 W TDP and a 3 nm process, which suggests efficiency advantages, but the benchmark data in this database does not include power or efficiency measurements.

For workloads that are heavily parallel, such as rendering, compression, encryption, and scientific math, the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX is the clear performer. The data shows margins from 81.9% to 340.5% across these categories. For lightly threaded workloads, the Intel part holds a small edge in PassMark single-thread, but the Cinebench R23 single-core result shows the two are nearly indistinguishable.

The percentile rankings place the AMD processor at the 94th percentile of all CPUs in the database, while the Intel part sits at the 72nd percentile. The AMD processor's nearest rivals by average score include the Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF at 71,910 (0.2% behind AMD), the Intel Xeon 6517P at 72,350 (0.8% ahead), and the Intel Xeon 6724P at 72,396 (0.8% ahead). The Intel Core 5 330's nearest rivals are lower-end parts: the Intel Core i3-14100 at 18,318 (0.1% behind), the Intel Core 7 360 at 18,374 (0.2% ahead), and the Intel Core i3-13100 at 18,380 (0.2% ahead).

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX wins every multi-threaded benchmark in the database. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 25,265 against 13,150 for the Intel Core 5 330, a 92.1% lead. In PassMark multithread, the gap is 169.7% at 41,732 versus 15,471.

Q: Does the Intel Core 5 330 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes. The Intel Core 5 330 wins the PassMark single-thread test with 4,088 points against 3,958 for AMD, a 3.2% advantage. The Cinebench R23 single-core result is nearly identical, with AMD ahead by just 1 point at 1,857 versus 1,856.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX scores 146,506 against 33,258 for the Intel Core 5 330, a 340.5% difference.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 5 330 has 6 cores and 6 threads, with no hyperthreading.

Q: What are the thermal design power ratings?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX is rated at 55 W TDP. The Intel Core 5 330 is rated at 15 W TDP.

Q: How do the processors compare in overall database percentile?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX is in the 94th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The Intel Core 5 330 is in the 72nd percentile.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX | Intel Core 5 330 |

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

| Cores | 12 | 6 |

| Threads | 24 | 6 |

| Base clock | 2.90 GHz | 1.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.10 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel BGA 1516 |

| Codename | Dragon Range | Wildcat Lake |

| Process node | 5 nm (TSMC) | 3 nm (Intel) |

| Transistors | 13,140 million | Not recorded |

| Die size | 2x 71 mm² | Not recorded |

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

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

| L3 cache | 64 MB shared | 6 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Single-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 59.7 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 lanes | Gen 4, 6 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 610M | Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Release date | 2025-04-22 | 2026-04-15 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $309 |

| Part number | 100-000001850 | SAE3G |

Both processors are mobile parts, active in production, with no ECC memory support. The AMD processor belongs to the 8000 series and uses the Zen 4 architecture. The Intel processor uses the Wildcat Lake generation. The recorded average benchmark scores are 71,797 for AMD and 18,345 for Intel.