AMD Ryzen 5 7400 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 356H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 and Intel Core Ultra 7 356H are very different processors aimed at different segments, yet their average benchmark scores land within 2% of each other. The Ryzen 5 7400 is a desktop chip with a high boost clock and a mature platform, while the Core Ultra 7 356H is a mobile processor with a much higher core count and a newer architecture. The data shows a clear split: the Core Ultra 7 356H dominates in every recorded benchmark, but the Ryzen 5 7400 offers a desktop form factor and a specific feature set that matters for certain builders.

The Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is the outright performance winner in the database. It wins all 11 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with its largest advantages coming in physics and floating-point workloads. If your priority is raw compute performance, especially in multi-threaded tasks, the data points squarely at the Intel chip.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 is not without merit, but its role is different. It is a desktop processor that fits into an AM5 motherboard, which means it is designed for systems that do not rely on the mobile BGA socket. The Ryzen 5 7400 also supports ECC memory, a feature the Intel chip lacks, and it has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The Core Ultra 7 356H is locked and consumes less power on paper, but the benchmark scores do not favor the AMD chip in any single test.

For a builder who wants a drop-in desktop processor with overclocking headroom and ECC support, the Ryzen 5 7400 is the sensible pick. For anyone who can use a mobile platform or wants the highest benchmark scores in this comparison, the Core Ultra 7 356H is the clear choice. The average scores are close (42055 vs 41215), but the distribution of wins is not: the Intel part is ahead in every measured category.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and foundries. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 is built on a 5 nm process at TSMC, using the Zen 4 architecture with the Raphael codename. It is a 6-core, 12-thread part with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H uses a 3 nm process at Intel’s own foundry, with the Panther Lake architecture and the Panther Lake-H codename. It has 16 cores and 16 threads, with a lower base clock of 1.90 GHz but a higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz.

The cache layouts also differ significantly. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has more total cache at every level, which contributes to its higher scores in memory-sensitive tests like data compression and random string sorting.

Memory support is another differentiator. The Ryzen 5 7400 supports DDR5 only, with a dual-channel bus and 83.2 GB/s of bandwidth. The Core Ultra 7 356H supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, but with a higher rated bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. The Intel part also has more PCIe lanes reserved for the CPU (Gen 5 with 12 lanes versus Gen 5 with 24 lanes for AMD), though the AMD chip offers more lanes overall.

The integrated graphics differ as well: the AMD Radeon Graphics versus the Intel Xe3 Graphics. Both are capable of basic display output, but the benchmark data does not cover iGPU performance. The Ryzen 5 7400 supports ECC memory, while the Core Ultra 7 356H does not. The Ryzen 5 7400 also has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel chip is locked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Core Ultra 7 356H wins every single recorded comparison, and the margins are often large. In PassMark data compression, the Intel chip scores 336177 against 261749 for the AMD chip, a delta of -22.1% (where negative delta means the AMD chip is behind). This pattern repeats across all workloads.

The biggest gap is in the find prime numbers test. The Intel part scores 327, while the AMD part scores just 79, a delta of -75.8%. This is a massive advantage for the Intel chip, likely due to its higher core count and larger cache. Floating point math shows a similar story: 103128 versus 40784, a delta of -60.5%. Physics tests follow with 2895 versus 1150, a delta of -60.3%.

Even in single-threaded performance, where the AMD chip’s higher base clock might help, the Intel part leads. The PassMark single-thread score is 4072 for Intel versus 3248 for AMD, a delta of -20.2%. The Intel chip’s 4.70 GHz boost clock clearly matters more than the AMD chip’s 4.30 GHz in this workload.

Data encryption shows a delta of -43.6% (26345 for Intel, 14865 for AMD). Extended instructions see a delta of -28.6% (27898 versus 19924). Integer math is closer but still favors Intel: 83111 versus 64733, a delta of -22.1%. Random string sorting is also a clear Intel win: 40990 versus 31110, a delta of -24.1%. The multithread score is 33978 for Intel versus 21712 for AMD, a delta of -36.1%.

The only benchmark where the AMD chip is not far behind is integer math, where the delta is -22.1%, matching the data compression delta exactly. But even there, the Intel part holds a solid lead. The data shows no workload where the Ryzen 5 7400 is competitive.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H does not.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 has an average benchmark score of 42055, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has an average score of 41215. The AMD chip is slightly ahead by 0.2% in average score, despite losing every individual test.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 has 16 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor is unlocked for overclocking?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H is locked.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7400 has 83.2 GB/s.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 356H wins in every benchmark category recorded. Its largest margins are in prime number finding (-75.8%), floating point math (-60.5%), and physics (-60.3%). These are compute-heavy workloads that benefit from the Intel chip’s 16 cores and higher boost clock. The Intel part also wins in data encryption (-43.6%), extended instructions (-28.6%), and random string sorting (-24.1%), which are tasks that rely on cache and memory bandwidth. For any workload that involves parallel processing or heavy arithmetic, the Core Ultra 7 356H is the better choice based on the data.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 does not win any benchmark, but it wins in platform features. It uses the AMD Socket AM5, which is a desktop socket, meaning it can be installed in a standard desktop motherboard. It also has an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking, and it supports ECC memory, which is important for certain workstation or server use cases. The AMD chip has more PCIe lanes (24 versus 12), which could matter for multi-GPU or NVMe configurations.

In terms of use cases, the Core Ultra 7 356H is suited for mobile workstations or compact systems that use the Intel BGA 2540 socket. It is a lower-power part with a 25 W TDP, though the database shows it outperforming the AMD chip despite the AMD part’s higher 65 W TDP. The Ryzen 5 7400 is better for a desktop builder who wants a specific AM5 platform, ECC support, and the ability to overclock, even if the benchmark scores are lower.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The AMD Ryzen 5 7400 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 356H has 16 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 3.30 GHz for AMD and 1.90 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 4.30 GHz for AMD and 4.70 GHz for Intel. The TDP is 65 W for AMD and 25 W for Intel.

The sockets are completely different: AMD Socket AM5 versus Intel BGA 2540. The process nodes are 5 nm (TSMC) for AMD and 3 nm (Intel) for Intel. The AMD chip has a transistor count of 6,570 million and a die size of 71 mm²; the Intel chip has no recorded transistor count or die size. Cache sizes differ at every level: L1 is 64 KB per core for AMD versus 192 KB per core for Intel; L2 is 1 MB per core for AMD versus 2.5 MB per core for Intel; L3 is 16 MB shared for AMD versus 18 MB shared for Intel.

Memory support is DDR5 only for AMD, while Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth is 83.2 GB/s for AMD and 115.2 GB/s for Intel. ECC support is present on AMD but absent on Intel. PCIe is Gen 5 with 24 lanes for AMD and Gen 5 with 12 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics for AMD and Intel Xe3 Graphics for Intel. The market segment is Desktop for AMD and Mobile for Intel. The multiplier is unlocked for AMD and locked for Intel. The release dates are 2025-09-15 for AMD and 2026-01-04 for Intel. Neither processor has a recorded launch MSRP.