AMD Ryzen 7 170 vs Intel Core Ultra X9 378H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive sweep in the head-to-head comparison: the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H wins all 11 benchmark tests, with the AMD Ryzen 7 170 trailing in every category. The largest gap appears in the prime number finding test, where the Intel part scores 357 against the AMD's 49, a delta of -86.3%. This is the most extreme single-workload disparity in the dataset, indicating a fundamental difference in how the two processors handle integer-heavy iterative workloads.

The floating point math test shows the second-largest margin, with Intel at 114500 versus AMD at 44979, a -60.7% difference. This is particularly significant because floating point performance often correlates with scientific computing and simulation tasks. The Intel processor also dominates in physics calculations, scoring 3404 against 890, a -73.9% gap, which suggests a substantial advantage in simulation and physical modeling workloads.

The multithreaded PassMark score favors Intel by a wide margin: 38298 versus 20760, a -45.8% difference. This aligns with the core count disparity, as the Intel chip has 16 cores to the AMD's 8. However, the single-thread test also shows Intel ahead at 4453 versus 3128, a -29.8% gap, indicating that Intel's advantage is not solely derived from having more cores. The Intel processor also leads in data compression (386591 vs 265920, -31.2%), data encryption (29840 vs 16078, -46.1%), extended instructions (31315 vs 18107, -42.2%), integer math (92603 vs 79738, -13.9%), and random string sorting (44648 vs 27804, -37.7%).

The narrowest margin is in integer math, where Intel leads by only 13.9%. This suggests that for certain integer-heavy workloads, the AMD processor is comparatively more competitive, though it still loses outright. The average benchmark score for the Intel part is 47468, placing it in the 89th percentile among all CPUs, while the AMD averages 43689, in the 88th percentile. The Intel processor's nearest rival in the database is the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 5945, with a delta of -0.1%, while the AMD Ryzen 7 170 sits close to the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745, with a delta of 0%.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design approaches. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 uses the Zen 3+ architecture on a 6 nm TSMC process node, with a 210 mm² die size. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.75 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H, by contrast, uses a 3 nm Intel process node (codenamed Panther Lake) and has 16 cores with 16 threads, a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The Intel chip has no listed die size in the database, but its smaller process node suggests a denser transistor layout.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD chip has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. The Intel chip has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. This gives Intel a much larger per-core L1 and L2 cache, which likely contributes to its single-thread performance advantage. The L3 difference is modest (18 MB vs 16 MB), but the per-core L2 difference (2.5 MB vs 512 KB) is substantial.

Memory support diverges as well. The AMD processor supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s, and it supports ECC memory. The Intel processor supports LPDDR5X with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s, which is exactly double the AMD's bandwidth, and it does not support ECC. The PCIe configuration also differs: AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The Intel implementation offers higher per-lane bandwidth but fewer total lanes.

Both chips have integrated graphics, but they are different: the AMD uses a Radeon 680M, while the Intel uses an Arc B390. The AMD has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel has a TDP of 25 watts, meaning the Intel part is rated for lower power consumption despite having more cores and a higher boost clock. The AMD uses an AMD Socket FP7, while the Intel uses an Intel BGA 2540, so they are not socket-compatible. The AMD was released on 2025-09-30, while the Intel followed on 2026-04-03.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores and 16 threads. Both have the same thread count, but Intel has twice the core count.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel processor supports LPDDR5X with a bandwidth of 153.6 GB/s, which is exactly double the AMD's DDR5 bandwidth of 76.8 GB/s.

Q: Does the AMD processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 7 170 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H does not.

Q: What is the process node difference?

A: The AMD uses a 6 nm TSMC process, while the Intel uses a 3 nm Intel process. The Intel node is smaller, which typically allows for higher transistor density.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H scores 4453 in the PassMark single-thread test, compared to the AMD's 3128, a -29.8% difference in Intel's favor.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H has a TDP of 25 watts. Intel is rated for lower power despite having more cores.

The Verdict

The data clearly indicates that the Intel Core Ultra X9 378H is the superior processor in every benchmark category measured. Its 89th percentile ranking versus the AMD's 88th percentile, combined with an average benchmark score of 47468 versus 43689, confirms a consistent performance advantage. The Intel part leads by double digits in most workloads, with particularly large margins in prime number finding, physics, floating point math, and multithreaded tests. The only category where the AMD comes close is integer math, where the gap narrows to -13.9%, but it still loses.

For tasks that rely on single-thread performance, the Intel chip's 4453 score versus 3128 indicates a clear edge. For heavily parallel workloads, the Intel's 16 cores versus 8 deliver a -45.8% advantage in the multithreaded PassMark score. The Intel also offers double the memory bandwidth (153.6 GB/s vs 76.8 GB/s), which can benefit memory-bound applications. The AMD's advantages are limited to ECC memory support, a higher base clock (3.20 GHz vs 2.00 GHz), and a larger PCIe lane count (20 Gen 4 lanes vs 4 Gen 5 lanes), but these do not translate into benchmark wins.

The AMD Ryzen 7 170, however, is not without merit. Its 35-watt TDP and 6 nm process suggest a focus on efficiency, and its 16 MB L3 cache is nearly comparable to Intel's 18 MB. Still, the recorded benchmarks show no scenario where the AMD outperforms the Intel. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H is the choice for any workload that prioritizes raw performance, whether single-threaded or multithreaded. The AMD may appeal to users requiring ECC memory or a specific socket compatibility, but on performance data alone, the Intel part dominates.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification field. The AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel has 16 cores and 16 threads. The base clock differs: AMD at 3.20 GHz, Intel at 2.00 GHz. The boost clock also differs: AMD at 4.75 GHz, Intel at 5.00 GHz. TDP is lower on the Intel (25 watts) than on the AMD (35 watts). The socket is different: AMD Socket FP7 versus Intel BGA 2540. The process node is different: 6 nm TSMC for AMD, 3 nm Intel for the Intel chip.

Cache sizes vary: AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: AMD uses DDR5, Intel uses LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth is 76.8 GB/s for AMD and 153.6 GB/s for Intel. ECC support is present on AMD but absent on Intel. PCIe configuration: AMD has Gen 4 with 20 lanes, Intel has Gen 5 with 4 lanes. Integrated graphics are different: Radeon 680M for AMD, Arc B390 for Intel. The release dates are different: AMD on 2025-09-30, Intel on 2026-04-03.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H wins in every single benchmark category recorded, so the data does not present a single workload where the AMD Ryzen 7 170 comes out ahead. The Intel processor is the clear choice for:

• Prime number finding (357 vs 49, -86.3% gap)
• Physics calculations (3404 vs 890, -73.9%)
• Floating point math (114500 vs 44979, -60.7%)
• Multithreaded workloads (38298 vs 20760, -45.8%)
• Data encryption (29840 vs 16078, -46.1%)
• Extended instructions (31315 vs 18107, -42.2%)
• Random string sorting (44648 vs 27804, -37.7%)
• Data compression (386591 vs 265920, -31.2%)
• Single-thread performance (4453 vs 3128, -29.8%)
• Integer math (92603 vs 79738, -13.9%)

The AMD Ryzen 7 170 does not win any benchmark in the dataset. Its only qualitative advantages are ECC memory support, a higher base clock, and more PCIe lanes. For users who require ECC memory, the AMD is the only option between the two. For those who need more PCIe lanes for expansion (20 Gen 4 lanes versus 4 Gen 5 lanes), the AMD also offers more flexibility. However, in terms of computational performance, the database shows no area where the AMD outperforms the Intel. The Intel Core Ultra X9 378H is the superior processor for all measured workloads.