AMD Ryzen 7 170 vs Intel Core 7 360 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 170 and Intel Core 7 360 are both mobile processors, but they represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The recorded benchmarks show a clear split: the AMD chip dominates in multi-threaded and data-heavy workloads, while the Intel chip takes a decisive lead in single-threaded tasks and a specific prime-number calculation. The head-to-head data shows AMD winning 7 of 11 tests, with Intel winning 4. The most extreme margin is in integer math, where the Ryzen 7 170 scores 79,738 against the Core 7 360's 34,238, a delta of 132.9%. This is not a small edge; it is a near-total victory in a core CPU operation. Conversely, the Intel part wins single-thread with 4,274 versus 3,128, a 26.8% advantage, which is significant for lightly-threaded responsiveness.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data paints a picture of two very different compute profiles. The AMD Ryzen 7 170's biggest win is in PassMark integer math, where it scores 79,738 versus the Intel Core 7 360's 34,238, giving AMD a 132.9% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire dataset and indicates a massive throughput advantage in arithmetic operations. Data compression also heavily favors AMD: 265,920 versus 142,877, a 86.1% lead. This suggests the AMD chip can handle archive and compression workloads with substantially higher efficiency.

The margin narrows but still favors AMD in extended instructions, where the Ryzen 7 170 scores 18,107 against the Intel's 12,390, a 46.1% difference. Random string sorting shows AMD ahead at 27,804 versus 17,636, a 57.7% lead, which points to better memory and cache handling for data manipulation tasks. Data encryption also goes to AMD: 16,078 versus 11,164, a 44% advantage. The multi-thread score, an aggregate of many workloads, shows the Ryzen 7 170 at 20,760 versus the Core 7 360's 15,544, a 33.6% lead. Floating-point math is essentially a tie: 44,979 versus 44,963, with AMD winning by a negligible 0% delta.

The Intel Core 7 360's wins are equally telling. In single-thread, it scores 4,274 versus 3,128, a 26.8% advantage. This is the most important metric for many everyday applications that rely on a single core. The physics test also favors Intel: 1,213 versus 890, a 26.6% lead, which suggests better performance in simulation and physics-based computations. The most unusual result is in find prime numbers, where Intel scores 120 versus AMD's 49, a 59.2% advantage. This is the largest percentage win for Intel, and it indicates a specific algorithmic advantage in this particular integer-heavy, low-parallelism task. The data compression result for Intel, 142,877, is less than half of AMD's score, showing that the Ryzen 7 170's cache and thread configuration gives it a decisive edge in memory-intensive operations.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split explains the benchmark results. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 uses 8 cores and 16 threads based on the Zen 3+ architecture, codenamed Rembrandt-R, built on a 6 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 7 360 has 6 cores and 6 threads, using the Wildcat Lake codename, built on a 3 nm process at Intel. The core count difference is clear: AMD offers two more cores and ten more threads, which directly drives its multi-thread lead. The process node difference, 6 nm versus 3 nm, is significant for efficiency, but the benchmark data shows the Intel chip achieving its single-thread superiority through higher clock speeds and a different core design.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 16 MB of L3. The Intel chip has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 6 MB of L3. This is a key distinction: Intel's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches likely contribute to its single-thread and physics test wins, while AMD's larger 16 MB L3 shared pool helps with multi-threaded data sharing. The memory support also differs: AMD uses dual-channel DDR5 with a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, while Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X but uses a single-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. The dual-channel configuration gives AMD a 28.6% bandwidth advantage, which aligns with its wins in data compression and random string sorting.

Other differences include the integrated graphics: AMD uses a Radeon 680M, while Intel uses Xe3 Graphics with 2 Xe cores. The PCIe support also differs, with AMD offering Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only) versus Intel's Gen 4 with 6 lanes (CPU only). The sockets are different, with AMD using FP7 and Intel using BGA 1516. The TDP ratings are notable: AMD is rated at 35 watts, while Intel is rated at 15 watts, suggesting Intel's design targets lower power envelopes, which is consistent with its smaller process node and fewer cores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core 7 360 is faster, scoring 4,274 in PassMark single-thread versus the AMD Ryzen 7 170's 3,128, a 26.8% difference.

Q: Why does the AMD Ryzen 7 170 score so much higher in multi-thread tests?

A: The AMD chip has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel chip has 6 cores and 6 threads. The benchmark data shows AMD leading multi-thread by 33.6%, with a score of 20,760 versus 15,544.

Q: Does the memory configuration affect the benchmark results?

A: Yes, the AMD chip uses dual-channel memory with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel chip uses single-channel with 59.7 GB/s. The AMD chip wins data compression by 86.1% and random string sorting by 57.7%, which are memory-sensitive workloads.

Q: What is the most significant architectural difference between the two chips?

A: The process node and core count. AMD uses 8 cores on a 6 nm TSMC process, while Intel uses 6 cores on a 3 nm Intel process. The cache layout also differs, with AMD offering a shared 16 MB L3 and Intel offering larger per-core L1 and L2 caches.

Q: Does the Intel chip have any clear advantages in the recorded data?

A: Yes, it wins single-thread by 26.8%, physics by 26.6%, and find prime numbers by 59.2%. These wins suggest strength in low-parallelism and latency-sensitive tasks.

Q: How do the overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has an average benchmark score of 43,689, placing it in the 88th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 7 360 has an average score of 18,374, placing it in the 72nd percentile.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge in almost every core specification. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 7 360 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The base clock differs significantly: AMD runs at 3.20 GHz, while Intel runs at 1.50 GHz. The boost clocks are closer, with AMD at 4.75 GHz and Intel at 4.80 GHz. The TDP is 35 watts for AMD versus 15 watts for Intel. The process node is 6 nm for AMD (TSMC) and 3 nm for Intel (Intel foundry).

Cache hierarchies are different. AMD uses 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Intel uses 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support shows AMD with dual-channel DDR5 and 76.8 GB/s bandwidth, while Intel has single-channel DDR5/LPDDR5X and 59.7 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on AMD but not on Intel. PCIe lanes differ: AMD has 20 lanes, Intel has 6 lanes, both Gen 4. The integrated graphics are Radeon 680M for AMD and Intel Xe3 Graphics (2 Xe) for Intel. The sockets are AMD Socket FP7 versus Intel BGA 1516. The release dates also differ, with AMD from September 2025 and Intel from April 2026. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $426, while the AMD chip has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data indicates a clear division of roles. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 is the stronger multi-threaded processor, with a 33.6% lead in the multi-thread benchmark and a 132.9% lead in integer math. Its 16 threads and dual-channel memory make it suitable for workloads that scale with parallelism, such as compression, encryption, and data sorting. The Intel Core 7 360, with its 26.8% single-thread lead and 59.2% advantage in prime number finding, is better for tasks that depend on per-core speed and low-latency access to cached data. The Intel chip also uses less power, with a 15 watt TDP versus 35 watts, which could favor thinner mobile designs.

The average benchmark scores reflect this split: AMD sits at 43,689 and the 88th percentile, while Intel sits at 18,374 and the 72nd percentile. The nearest rivals for AMD are other high-core-count AMD parts, such as the Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 at 43,704 and the Ryzen 7 260 at 43,717. The Intel Core 7 360's nearest rivals are lower-core desktop parts, including the Core i3-13100 at 18,380 and the Core i3-14100 at 18,318. This suggests the AMD chip competes in a higher performance tier, while the Intel chip sits closer to entry-level desktop parts despite its mobile designation.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 170 wins in all data-processing and throughput-heavy categories. Data compression shows an 86.1% lead, random string sorting a 57.7% lead, and data encryption a 44% lead. Integer math is the standout, with AMD ahead by 132.9%. Extended instructions also favor AMD by 46.1%. For any workload that involves large datasets, parallel computation, or multi-threaded server-like tasks, the recorded numbers favor AMD. The multi-thread score of 20,760 versus 15,544 confirms this, as does the 16 MB L3 cache and dual-channel memory, which provide the bandwidth and shared storage necessary for such operations.

The Intel Core 7 360 wins in single-thread (4,274 versus 3,128), physics (1,213 versus 890), and find prime numbers (120 versus 49). These are tasks that rely on a single core's speed, branch prediction, and cache locality. The larger per-core L2 cache (2.5 MB versus 512 KB) likely contributes to these results. The physics test, often used in gaming physics simulations, shows Intel ahead by 26.6%, which could matter for certain interactive applications. The prime number test, with a 59.2% delta, indicates an advantage in specific integer algorithms that do not scale across cores. The lower 15 watt TDP also suggests Intel's design is more suited for power-constrained environments. For users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness and lower power draw, the Intel chip is the data-supported choice.