AMD Ryzen 5 7400 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents an unusually one-sided comparison. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database, claiming 11 wins out of 11 recorded tests. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 does not record a single victory in any measured workload. The Intel part leads by margins ranging from a narrow 0.3% in integer math to a dominant 74% in prime number finding.

The Ryzen 5 7400 still holds appeal for desktop builders who require an unlocked multiplier, ECC memory support, or a PCIe Gen 5 connection with 24 lanes. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is a mobile processor with a locked multiplier, no ECC support, and only 4 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. For pure benchmark performance, the Intel chip is the clear winner. The AMD chip sits in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel chip sits in the 84th percentile, yet the Intel chip outperforms it across the board in measured tests.

This is a case where the aggregate benchmark score tells a different story than the individual tests. The Ryzen 5 7400 has an average benchmark score of 42055, while the Core Ultra 5 338H has an average of 33989. The discrepancy comes from the different benchmark suites: the AMD chip runs PassMark tests, while the Intel chip runs both PassMark and Cinebench tests, and the Cinebench scores pull the Intel average down. In the shared PassMark tests, the Intel chip wins every time.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 uses the Zen 4 architecture with the Raphael codename, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It packs 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The chip has a 65 W TDP and uses the AMD Socket AM5. The transistor count is 6,570 million on a 71 mm² die. Cache is organized as 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H uses the Panther Lake architecture with the Panther Lake-H codename, built on a 3 nm process at Intel's own foundry. It has 12 cores and 12 threads, meaning no hyperthreading, with a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The TDP is much lower at 25 W, and it uses the Intel BGA 2540 socket for mobile systems. Cache is organized as 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. Intel does not list transistor count or die size for this part.

The core count difference is significant. The Intel chip has twice as many physical cores, 12 versus 6, but the same thread count of 12 because the AMD chip uses simultaneous multithreading. The Intel chip has a higher boost clock by 0.40 GHz, but a much lower base clock by 1.40 GHz. The lower base clock likely reflects the mobile power envelope.

Memory support differs completely. The AMD chip uses DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, plus ECC support. The Intel chip uses LPDDR5X with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s, with no ECC support. The Intel memory bandwidth is 64% higher, which contributes to its wins in memory-sensitive workloads.

Integrated graphics also differ. The AMD chip has Radeon Graphics, while the Intel chip has Arc B370. The Intel part is a mobile processor released for the 2026 model year, while the AMD chip is a desktop processor released in late 2025.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The single-thread test shows a 22.3% lead for the Intel chip, scoring 4180 against the AMD's 3248. This is a substantial gap for single-core performance and indicates the Panther Lake architecture has a significant IPC advantage or clock advantage at boost.

The multithread test shows a 24.4% lead for Intel, scoring 28717 versus 21712. Despite having the same thread count, the Intel chip's 12 physical cores outperform the AMD chip's 6 cores with 12 threads.

The physics test shows the largest percentage gap outside of prime numbers. Intel scores 2697 versus AMD's 1150, a 57.4% lead. Floating point math shows a 51.5% lead for Intel, scoring 84067 versus 40784. These are massive margins that indicate the Intel chip has substantially stronger computational throughput per thread.

Prime number finding shows the biggest relative gap at 74%, with Intel scoring 304 versus AMD's 79. Data encryption shows a 30.4% lead for Intel, scoring 21367 versus 14865. Extended instructions show a 16.7% lead, scoring 23906 versus 19924.

The closest contest is integer math, where Intel scores 64934 versus AMD's 64733, a margin of just 0.3%. This is effectively a tie and shows the two chips have comparable integer throughput. Random string sorting shows an 8.7% lead for Intel, scoring 34082 versus 31110. Data compression shows a 5.3% lead, scoring 276539 versus 261749.

The Cinebench results for the Intel chip are recorded separately. It scores 2504 in Cinebench R15 multicore and 305 in singlecore, 10213 in R20 multicore and 1441 in singlecore, and 16331 in R23 multicore and 2044 in singlecore. The AMD chip has no Cinebench scores in the database, so no direct comparison is possible for those tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 has 6 cores. Both have 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H boosts to 4.70 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 boosts to 4.30 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H does not.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has a memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 7400's 83.2 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H does not.

Q: Which processor won the most benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H won all 11 head-to-head benchmark tests recorded in the database. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 won none.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins in every benchmark category where both chips are measured. The largest margins come in prime number finding, physics, and floating point math, where the Intel chip leads by 74%, 57.4%, and 51.5% respectively. These workloads benefit from the Intel chip's 12 physical cores and higher memory bandwidth. The smallest lead is in integer math at 0.3%, which is effectively a tie.

The Intel chip also leads in single-thread performance by 22.3%, which matters for everyday responsiveness and lightly threaded applications. The higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz and the 3 nm process likely contribute to this result. The encryption workload shows a 30.4% lead, and extended instructions show a 16.7% lead.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 has no benchmark wins in the database, but it has structural advantages that matter for specific use cases. Its unlocked multiplier makes it suitable for overclocking, something the Intel chip cannot do. Its ECC memory support is valuable for error-sensitive workloads. Its 24 PCIe Gen 5 lanes provide far more expansion bandwidth than the Intel chip's 4 lanes. It is a desktop processor with a 65 W TDP, while the Intel chip is a mobile processor with a 25 W TDP.

The AMD chip sits in the 88th percentile of all CPUs, above the Intel chip's 84th percentile. Its average benchmark score of 42055 is higher than the Intel's 33989, though this is skewed by the Intel chip's additional Cinebench results. The nearest rivals for the AMD chip include the Intel Core i9-12900K, which scores 42335 and is 0.7% ahead, and the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 8945HS, which scores 41963 and is 0.2% behind. The Intel chip's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H, which scores 34083 and is 0.3% ahead, and the AMD EPYC 4244P, which scores 34220 and is 0.7% ahead.

For desktop builders who want maximum benchmark performance in the recorded tests, the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is the stronger choice. For builders who need overclocking, ECC memory, or extensive PCIe connectivity, the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 offers those features even though it loses every measured benchmark.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 7400 | Intel Core Ultra 5 338H |

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

| Cores | 6 | 12 |

| Threads | 12 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Raphael | Panther Lake |

| Process Node | 5 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB per core | 192 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB per core | 2.5 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB shared | 18 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 136.5 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 24 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics | Arc B370 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Transistors | 6,570 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 71 mm² | Not listed |

| Release Date | 2025-09-15 | 2026-01-04 |

The two processors target different markets entirely. The AMD chip is a desktop part with a higher TDP, an unlocked multiplier, ECC support, and extensive PCIe connectivity. The Intel chip is a mobile part with a much lower TDP, more cores, higher boost clock, and higher memory bandwidth. The benchmark data shows the Intel chip delivering superior performance in every measured test, despite the AMD chip having a higher percentile ranking and a higher average benchmark score.