AMD Ryzen 5 40 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 40 and Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus occupy opposite ends of the mobile processor spectrum. The recorded data shows a complete sweep for the Intel part across all 15 shared benchmark tests, with the AMD processor trailing by margins ranging from 48.0% to 95.9% depending on the workload. This analysis walks through the benchmark results, specification differences, and architecture characteristics to clarify what each processor delivers based on the database measurements.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus wins every recorded benchmark in the comparison. The database shows 15 wins for the Intel processor and 0 wins for the AMD Ryzen 5 40. This is not a close contest in any single test category. The Intel part holds the advantage in single-threaded performance, multi-threaded performance, memory bandwidth, and specialized instruction workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 40 does not win any of the 15 head-to-head tests. Its strongest relative showing comes in the PassMark single-thread test, where it trails by 48.0%. The AMD processor’s weakest relative result appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where it trails by 95.9%. The data indicates that the AMD part is designed for a different performance class entirely, likely targeting efficiency and lower power operation rather than peak throughput.

The use-case split is therefore straightforward. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is the processor for compute-heavy tasks: rendering, encryption, compression, physics calculations, and floating-point math. The AMD Ryzen 5 40, with its smaller core count and lower power envelope, sits in a lower performance tier. Its benchmarks suggest suitability for basic productivity and light workloads, though the database does not include any test where it outperforms the Intel part.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel processor scores 41913 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the AMD Ryzen 5 40 scores 4841. The Intel part leads by 88.4% in this test.

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

A: The largest gap appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test. The Intel part scores 482, the AMD part scores 20, and the Intel processor leads by 95.9%.

Q: Which processor has the smaller single-thread gap?

A: The PassMark single-thread test shows the smallest gap. The Intel processor scores 4764, the AMD part scores 2477, and the Intel lead is 48.0%.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has an average benchmark score of 15882. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has an average benchmark score of 61834.

Q: How do the processors rank against all CPUs in the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 sits in the 70th percentile, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus sits in the 93rd percentile.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows 15 wins for the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus and 0 wins for the AMD Ryzen 5 40.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the broadest performance gulf. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus records 41913 points, the AMD Ryzen 5 40 records 4841 points, and the delta is 88.4% in favor of Intel. This test stresses all cores simultaneously, and the Intel part’s 20 cores against the AMD part’s 4 cores explains the scale of the difference. The Cinebench R23 single-core test narrows the gap somewhat but still shows a decisive Intel advantage: 5917 versus 1150, a 80.6% lead.

The Cinebench R15 results follow the same pattern. In multi-core, Intel scores 4224 against AMD’s 790, a 81.3% lead. In single-core, Intel scores 596 against AMD’s 165.5, a 72.2% lead. The single-core results matter because they reflect per-thread efficiency independent of core count. Even with a single thread, the Intel architecture delivers far higher throughput.

PassMark integer math shows a 74.2% Intel lead, with scores of 122449 and 31598. Floating-point math shows an even larger 90.7% gap, with Intel at 163567 and AMD at 15194. The floating-point result suggests the Intel processor carries substantially wider execution resources or higher clock capability. The PassMark extended instructions test, which exercises AVX and similar instruction sets, shows an 83.6% Intel lead: 39283 versus 6437.

Data compression and encryption workloads follow the trend. PassMark data compression shows Intel at 493179 and AMD at 141533, a 71.3% lead. PassMark data encryption shows Intel at 37813 and AMD at 6646, an 82.4% lead. The encryption gap is notable because it often depends on hardware acceleration instructions; the Intel part clearly has a significant advantage in this area.

The PassMark physics test shows a 88.8% Intel lead, with scores of 3843 and 432. Random string sorting shows a 74.8% lead, with Intel at 60020 and AMD at 15124. The PassMark multithread test shows a 80.6% lead, with Intel at 48270 and AMD at 9341. The find prime numbers test shows the starkest single result: Intel at 482 and AMD at 20, a 95.9% gap. This test is highly sensitive to clock speed and integer execution, and the Intel part dominates completely.

The closest contest appears in the PassMark single-thread test. Intel scores 4764, AMD scores 2477, and the lead is 48.0%. Even in the AMD processor’s best case, it delivers only about half the single-thread performance. The database records two identical single-thread entries (passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread), both showing the same 48.0% gap.

The average benchmark score confirms the overall positioning. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 averages 15882 points across its benchmark suite, with nearest rivals including the AMD EPYC 75F3 at 15859 (0.1% behind) and the Intel Core Ultra 5 134U at 15910 (0.2% ahead). The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus averages 61834 points, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core i9-13900KF at 61841 (0.0% delta) and the Intel Core i9-13900K at 61766 (0.1% behind). The Intel part’s average score is roughly 3.9 times higher than the AMD part’s average, placing it in a completely different performance class.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ dramatically. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has 20 cores and 20 threads. The Intel part does not use simultaneous multithreading, which is why its thread count equals its core count. The AMD part relies on SMT to double its thread count from 4 to 8.

Clock speeds also differ. The AMD processor has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The Intel processor has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The Intel part starts at a lower base clock but boosts substantially higher, which contributes to its single-thread advantage.

The power envelopes are far apart. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has a TDP of 15 watts. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has a TDP of 55 watts. This difference reflects the Intel part’s higher core count and clock potential, but it also means the Intel processor requires more substantial cooling and power delivery.

The sockets are incompatible. The AMD part uses AMD Socket FT6, while the Intel part uses Intel BGA 2114. Memory support differs as well: the AMD processor supports LPDDR5, while the Intel processor supports DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The memory bandwidth figures differ, with the AMD part rated at 88.0 GB/s and the Intel part at 102.4 GB/s.

PCIe capabilities differ. The AMD processor provides Gen 3 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The Intel processor provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). This difference affects expansion options for GPUs and storage.

The integrated graphics differ. The AMD part uses Radeon 610M. The Intel part uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The multiplier unlock status differs as well: the AMD processor is locked, while the Intel processor is unlocked.

The release dates differ. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has a release date of 2025-09-30. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus has a release date of 2026-03-16. Both processors are listed as Active in production status, and neither has a launch MSRP recorded in the database.

Architecture Differences

The process nodes differ. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 is built on a 6 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is built on a 3 nm process at TSMC. The smaller process node gives the Intel part a density and efficiency advantage at the transistor level, though its higher TDP indicates it uses that efficiency headroom for performance.

The AMD processor uses the Zen 2 architecture with the Mendocino codename. The Intel processor uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename, with the generation listed as Ultra 7 (Arrow Lake-HX). The database does not list a formal architecture name for the Intel part, but its codename and generation place it in the Core Ultra Series 2 lineup.

The cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD part has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part’s L3 cache is 7.5 times larger, which helps with data-heavy workloads and multi-threaded scaling.

The Intel processor carries far more transistors. The database lists 17,800 million transistors for the Intel part, while the AMD part has no transistor count recorded. The die sizes differ as well: the Intel part measures 243 mm², while the AMD part measures 100 mm². The larger die and transistor count reflect the Intel part’s 20 cores and larger cache pool.

The Intel part’s foundry and process are the same as the AMD part, both TSMC, but the node generations differ. The 3 nm Intel part versus the 6 nm AMD part explains some of the performance gap, though the core count difference is the dominant factor.

The Verdict

The database records no scenario where the AMD Ryzen 5 40 outperforms the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus. Every benchmark, from Cinebench R15 to PassMark single-thread, shows the Intel part ahead. The smallest margin is 48.0% in PassMark single-thread, and the largest is 95.9% in PassMark find prime numbers.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is the appropriate choice for workloads that demand high multi-core throughput, large cache capacity, and strong single-thread performance. Its 20 cores, 30 MB of L3 cache, 5.30 GHz boost clock, and 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth support this positioning. Its 93rd percentile ranking against all CPUs in the database confirms its high-end status.

The AMD Ryzen 5 40, with its 4 cores, 15 watt TDP, and 70th percentile ranking, targets a lower power envelope. Its 6 nm process, 4 MB L3 cache, and 88.0 GB/s memory bandwidth place it in a modest performance tier. The data shows it is not competitive with the Intel part in any measured workload, but its lower power draw may suit systems where cooling and battery life take priority over raw performance.

The nearest rival data places each processor in its respective class. The AMD part competes with server processors like the AMD EPYC 75F3 and EPYC 9354P, as well as the Intel Core Ultra 5 134U, all within 0.4% of its average score. The Intel part competes with desktop-class chips like the Intel Core i9-13900KF and i9-13900K, all within 0.2% of its average score. These groupings show that the AMD Ryzen 5 40 and Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus are not direct competitors; the Intel part sits several performance tiers higher.

For users prioritizing absolute performance, the Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus is the only option between these two. For users prioritizing minimal power consumption, the AMD Ryzen 5 40 offers a 15 watt TDP against the Intel part’s 55 watts, though the database provides no battery life or thermal measurements to quantify the real-world impact. The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel part wins every test, and the AMD part wins none.