AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 vs Intel Core 7 251TE

The database places these two processors in adjacent performance percentiles, with the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 at the 87th percentile and the Intel Core 7 251TE at the 88th percentile. Their average benchmark scores differ by roughly 5.5%, with the Intel part recording 41650 against the AMD part's 39485. Despite similar overall standings, the benchmark breakdown reveals two very different compute profiles: the AMD chip wins on single-threaded PassMark tests and extended instruction throughput, while the Intel chip dominates multi-threaded workloads and most raw math operations. The head-to-head record is lopsided at 11 wins for Intel and 4 for AMD, but the AMD victories occur in areas that matter for specific software workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single-score gap in the comparison favors Intel in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core 7 251TE scores 3602 against the Ryzen AI 7 450's 2038, a margin of 43.4%. The same pattern appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, with Intel ahead by 40.6% (362 versus 215). These are decisive gaps in lightly threaded rendering tasks, and they indicate that the Intel architecture delivers substantially higher per-thread performance in Cinebench's workload.

Intel also wins the multi-core Cinebench R23 test, scoring 25518 versus 18316, a 28.2% advantage. However, the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test tells a different story: the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 wins with 2713 against 2572, a 5.5% margin. This reversal suggests that the two processors scale differently across Cinebench versions, with AMD holding an edge in the legacy test while Intel dominates the newer one.

PassMark results further separate the two. Intel wins integer math by 29.6% (125739 versus 88531), floating point math by 36.4% (85607 versus 54447), and data encryption by 26.7% (22176 versus 16247). Intel also leads in find prime numbers by 36.4% (140 versus 89), physics by 18.6% (1938 versus 1578), multithread by 12.2% (30022 versus 26350), data compression by 5.5% (334399 versus 315906), and random string sorting by 10.1% (39643 versus 35648).

AMD's counterattack comes in two specific areas. The extended instructions test shows a 32% advantage for the Ryzen AI 7 450, scoring 22400 versus 16974. The PassMark single-thread test also favors AMD, with a 9.3% lead (3901 versus 3568). That single-thread PassMark result is notable because it contradicts the Cinebench single-core results, where Intel leads by more than 40%. The divergence likely stems from different instruction mixes in the two test suites.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen AI 7 450 uses a Zen 5 architecture on TSMC's 4 nm process, with the codename Gorgon Point and a die size of 195 mm². It packs 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 7 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on Intel's 10 nm process, with a larger die at 215 mm², and it provides 24 cores and 32 threads. The core count difference is substantial: Intel offers triple the cores and double the threads.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. Both parts list 80 KB of L1 per core, but the L2 differs: AMD provides 1 MB per core while Intel provides 1.25 MB per core. The L3 cache is where the gap widens. AMD has 8 MB total, while Intel has 36 MB shared. That 28 MB difference in last-level cache likely contributes to Intel's strong showing in data-heavy PassMark tests.

Memory support also differs. AMD supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses with identical recorded bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs by generation: AMD uses Gen 4 with 16 CPU lanes, while Intel uses Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

The integrated graphics are separate designs. AMD pairs the CPU with Radeon 860M, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 770. The process node and foundry differ as well: AMD is built by TSMC at 4 nm, Intel by its own fabs at 10 nm. Clock speeds show a mixed picture: AMD has a 2.00 GHz base clock and 5.10 GHz boost, while Intel has a lower 1.40 GHz base but a higher 5.40 GHz boost. Thermal design power favors AMD at 28 watts versus Intel's 45 watts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE records an average benchmark score of 41650, compared to the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450's 39485. The Intel part sits at the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD part sits at the 87th percentile.

Q: Why does Intel win most head-to-head tests despite having a lower base clock?

A: Intel's base clock is 1.40 GHz versus AMD's 2.00 GHz, but Intel boosts to 5.40 GHz versus AMD's 5.10 GHz. More importantly, Intel has 24 cores and 32 threads versus AMD's 8 cores and 16 threads, and Intel carries 36 MB of shared L3 cache versus AMD's 8 MB. The core and cache advantages outweigh the base clock deficit in multi-threaded workloads.

Q: In which tests does the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 outperform the Intel Core 7 251TE?

A: AMD wins four head-to-head tests: Cinebench R15 multi-core (2713 versus 2572, 5.5% ahead), PassMark extended instructions (22400 versus 16974, 32% ahead), and both PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests (3901 versus 3568, 9.3% ahead in each).

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

A: The results conflict by test suite. In Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core, Intel leads by 40.6% and 43.4% respectively. In PassMark single-thread, AMD leads by 9.3%. The Cinebench tests show a much larger Intel advantage, indicating that Intel's single-thread performance is highly workload-dependent.

Q: What are the power and socket differences?

A: AMD has a 28 watt TDP and uses AMD Socket FP8, while Intel has a 45 watt TDP and uses Intel Socket 1700. AMD's part is classified as mobile, while Intel's is classified as desktop.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 and the Intel Core 7 251TE support ECC memory. Both also support dual-channel memory, though AMD lists DDR5 and LPDDR5X while Intel lists DDR4 and DDR5.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads; Intel has 24 cores and 32 threads. AMD's base clock is 2.00 GHz with a 5.10 GHz boost; Intel's base is 1.40 GHz with a 5.40 GHz boost. TDP is 28 watts for AMD and 45 watts for Intel. The socket is AMD Socket FP8 for one and Intel Socket 1700 for the other.

The process node differs: AMD uses 4 nm from TSMC, Intel uses 10 nm from Intel. Die size is 195 mm² for AMD and 215 mm² for Intel. L2 cache is 1 MB per core on AMD versus 1.25 MB per core on Intel. L3 cache is 8 MB on AMD versus 36 MB shared on Intel. Memory support shows AMD with DDR5 and LPDDR5X, Intel with DDR4 and DDR5. PCIe generation differs: Gen 4 for AMD, Gen 5 for Intel, both with 16 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon 860M for AMD and UHD Graphics 770 for Intel. The market segment is mobile for AMD and desktop for Intel. Intel has a recorded launch MSRP of $384; AMD has no launch MSRP in the database. The architecture field is listed as Zen 5 for AMD and not specified for Intel, though the codename for Intel is Bartlett Lake.

The Verdict

The data shows a clear split by workload type. The Intel Core 7 251TE wins the majority of benchmarks, taking 11 of 15 head-to-head tests. Its advantages are largest in multi-threaded math, encryption, and Cinebench rendering, where it leads by margins between 12.2% and 43.4%. The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 wins four tests, but its wins are concentrated in single-thread PassMark and extended instructions, plus the legacy Cinebench R15 multi-core test.

The Intel part's 24 cores and 32 threads provide a structural advantage in parallel workloads that AMD's 8 cores and 16 threads cannot match. The 36 MB of shared L3 cache on Intel versus 8 MB on AMD also explains the consistent PassMark wins in data compression, encryption, and sorting. For users running heavily threaded applications, the Intel Core 7 251TE is the stronger choice based on the recorded scores.

The AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 counters with a lower 28 watt TDP and a mobile socket, which positions it for power-constrained systems. Its 32% lead in extended instructions and 9.3% lead in PassMark single-thread indicate that certain instruction-heavy or lightly threaded workloads will run faster on the AMD part. The Cinebench R15 multi-core win for AMD, despite losing R23 multi-core by 28.2%, suggests that older software versions may favor the AMD architecture.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core 7 251TE wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core, Cinebench R15 single-core, PassMark data compression, data encryption, find prime numbers, floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, and random string sorting. These are the bulk of the tested workloads, covering rendering, cryptography, numerical computation, and sorting. The largest Intel margins appear in single-core Cinebench tests, where it leads by over 40%, and in floating point math and find prime numbers, where it leads by 36.4%. The Intel part also holds the higher average benchmark score and the higher percentile ranking.

AMD Ryzen AI 7 450 wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core, PassMark extended instructions, and both PassMark single-thread tests. The extended instructions win is the largest AMD margin at 32%. The single-thread PassMark wins at 9.3% indicate that AMD's Zen 5 architecture handles certain single-threaded instruction sequences more efficiently than Intel's Bartlett Lake design. The Cinebench R15 multi-core win, though modest at 5.5%, shows that AMD can outperform Intel in at least one legacy multi-threaded benchmark. The AMD part also carries a lower TDP at 28 watts, which may be relevant for systems where thermal envelope is a constraint.