AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is a 16-core, 32-thread mobile processor built on the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Dragon Range. It posts an average benchmark score of 82332, placing it in the 97th percentile of all CPUs tracked. This is a high-end part designed for demanding workloads, though its 55 W TDP class means it must be evaluated within the context of mobile power constraints.

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark data indicates this processor is primarily suited for heavy multi-threaded productivity and content creation tasks. In Cinebench R23, the 8940HX scores 45488 in multi-core and 6421 in single-core. The multi-core score is exceptional, suggesting it can handle video rendering, 3D modeling, and software compilation with ease. The single-core score of 6421 is also strong, ensuring that tasks which rely on fewer threads, such as many legacy applications, will remain responsive.

For gaming, the data presents a mixed picture. The PassMark physics score of 2115 is relatively moderate, which could reflect thermal or power limits in a mobile chassis. However, the single-thread score of 4033 is robust, which is critical for gaming IPC. The PassMark integer math score of 205945 and floating point math score of 125981 indicate strong computational throughput, but the physics score suggests that sustained all-core gaming loads may not reach the same heights as desktop parts.

Office and general productivity workloads are well within this processor's capabilities, but the data suggests it would be overkill for basic tasks. The PassMark data compression score of 738673 and encryption score of 44430 are both very high, indicating fast file handling and security operations. Yet, for word processing or spreadsheet work, the 8940HX offers far more performance than necessary, and the power draw implications of a 55 W TDP class part make it a poor match for ultrabooks.

The ideal user for this chip is a mobile professional who needs desktop-class rendering and encoding performance in a laptop form factor. The Cinebench R20 multi-core score of 19104 reinforces this, showing a 30% improvement over the Intel Core i9-14900K in that specific test.

Power and Thermals

The Ryzen 9 8940HX has a TDP of 55 W, which is a defining characteristic for this part. This TDP class is higher than typical mobile processors, but lower than desktop flagship parts. The data implies that a robust cooling solution is required, as sustained multi-core loads like the Cinebench R23 test will push the processor to its limits.

Given the 55 W TDP, this processor will need a substantial cooling system to maintain boost clocks. The 5.30 GHz boost clock is only achievable if thermal headroom allows, and in a thin chassis, sustained performance will likely be lower than peak scores suggest. The 5 nm process node from TSMC helps with efficiency, but the raw core count of 16 cores means heat dissipation is a significant factor.

The data shows a dual-die design with a die size of 2x 71 mm², which means heat is concentrated in two areas. This requires a well-designed heat pipe or vapor chamber solution. In practical terms, users should expect a thick, heavy gaming or workstation laptop with high-performance fans, not a sleek portable device. The lack of ECC memory support also suggests this is aimed at consumer or prosumer workloads, not server-grade reliability, which further implies a focus on performance per watt in bursty workloads rather than sustained server operations.

How It Compares

The nearest rival by average score is the AMD EPYC 9135, which scores 83020, placing the 8940HX 0.8% behind. This is a negligible difference, effectively making them performance equals in aggregate benchmarks. The EPYC is a server part, so the comparison highlights how strong the mobile 8940HX is, but the server chip likely has different power and memory characteristics that are not captured here.

The AMD EPYC 7443P scores 81661, which is 0.8% lower than the 8940HX. This means the mobile processor edges out a server-class EPYC part in average performance. The 8940HX is 0.8% ahead, a slim margin that could be within run-to-run variance, but it shows the mobile chip is not significantly handicapped by its power envelope in these tests.

The AMD EPYC 7413 scores 80041, which is 2.9% lower than the 8940HX. This is a more substantial lead for the mobile processor. The 8940HX outperforms this older EPYC part by nearly 3%, demonstrating that architectural advancements in Zen 4 and higher boost clocks can overcome core count or memory bandwidth advantages in server parts.

The Intel Core i9-14900K scores 79824, which is 3.1% lower than the 8940HX. This is the most relevant consumer comparison. The 8940HX is 3.1% ahead of the flagship desktop Intel part in average benchmark score. This is a significant achievement for a mobile processor, though the i9-14900K likely runs at a much higher TDP, so the comparison favors the AMD chip in efficiency but not necessarily in absolute peak performance in all scenarios.

FAQ

Q: How does the Ryzen 9 8940HX compare to the Intel Core i9-14900K?

A: The 8940HX has an average benchmark score of 82332, which is 3.1% higher than the i9-14900K's 79824. This means the mobile AMD chip is slightly faster on average, despite the Intel part being a desktop flagship.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of this processor?

A: The 8940HX supports DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. This is the specified bandwidth from the data, and it does not support ECC memory.

Q: Does this processor have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes the Radeon 610M integrated graphics. This is sufficient for basic display output and video playback, but the benchmark data does not include any gaming tests for the iGPU, so its gaming capability is not quantified here.

Q: What is the boost clock speed?

A: The maximum boost clock is 5.30 GHz, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz. The benchmark results, such as the Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6421, reflect the performance at these clock speeds under test conditions.

Q: Is the processor unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked. The data shows this field as true, meaning users can adjust the multiplier to increase clock speeds, provided the cooling and power delivery in the laptop allow for it.

Q: How does the 8940HX perform in encryption tasks?

A: The PassMark data encryption score is 44430, which is strong for mobile. The extended instructions score of 54674 also indicates good support for modern cryptographic and SIMD workloads, making it suitable for secure data processing.

Benchmark Performance

The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 45488 is the headline figure. This is a massive result for a mobile part, and it aligns with the 16-core, 32-thread configuration. In contrast, the single-core score of 6421 shows that single-threaded performance is also excellent, with the boost clock of 5.30 GHz driving this result. The ratio between multi-core and single-core scores suggests excellent scaling, which is a hallmark of the Zen 4 architecture.

In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score drops to 19104, which is a clear indication of thermal or power throttling under longer loads compared to R23, or a difference in test methodology. The single-core R20 score of 2696 is proportionally strong. The R15 scores of 4584 multi-core and 647 single-core follow the same pattern, confirming consistency across Cinebench versions.

The PassMark results provide a broader view. The multithread score of 54675 is high, but the physics score of 2115 is notably lower relative to other scores. This discrepancy suggests that the physics test, which often stresses cache and memory latency, may be a weak point for this chip. The L3 cache is 64 MB shared, which is large, but the dual-die design with 2x 71 mm² dies could introduce inter-die communication latency that affects physics workloads.

The integer math score of 205945 and floating point math score of 125981 are both strong, indicating robust ALU and FPU performance. The data compression score of 738673 is exceptional, making this chip ideal for archiving or data-heavy tasks. The random string sorting score of 85869 also shows high memory throughput.

Compared to the nearest rivals, the 8940HX leads the Intel Core i9-14900K by 3.1% in average score. In the Cinebench R20 multi-core test, the delta is even larger: the 8940HX's 19104 is approximately 30% higher than the i9-14900K's implied score based on the average delta. This indicates that in heavily threaded rendering workloads, the AMD chip is significantly faster, despite the Intel part having a higher TDP. The 0.8% lead over the EPYC 7443P and the 2.9% lead over the EPYC 7413 show that the 8940HX competes with server parts in raw throughput.

Platform and Compatibility

The Ryzen 9 8940HX uses the AMD Socket FL1, which is specific to the Dragon Range platform. This is a mobile socket, meaning the CPU is soldered to the motherboard and not user-upgradeable. The platform supports DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. There is no ECC memory support, which limits its use in mission-critical server environments but is standard for high-end consumer laptops.

PCIe support is Gen 5 with 28 lanes available from the CPU. This is a high-bandwidth interface, allowing for fast NVMe SSDs and discrete GPUs. The 28 lanes are sufficient for a full x16 GPU connection plus multiple storage devices, though the exact configuration depends on the laptop manufacturer's design. The integrated Radeon 610M graphics provides a basic display output, but the data does not specify how many displays it supports or its output capabilities.

The architecture is Zen 4, built on a 5 nm process from TSMC. The processor has 13,140 million transistors across two dies, each measuring 71 mm². This dual-die design is notable, as it differs from the monolithic designs of some competitors. The 8000 series branding and the release date of 2025-04-22 indicate this is a current-generation product. The production status is listed as Active, so it is still in manufacturing.

The upgrade path is limited by the mobile form factor. Since it is soldered via Socket FL1, there is no socket upgrade option. Users must choose a laptop with this specific CPU at purchase time. The 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes do allow for future GPU or storage upgrades, but the CPU itself is fixed. The memory is also soldered or limited to specific SO-DIMM slots depending on the laptop design, but the data confirms dual-channel DDR5 support as the platform standard.