Core Ultra 7 255HX vs Ryzen 9 8940HX
Core Ultra 7 255HX
Ryzen 9 8940HX
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 7 255HX
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 9 8940HX
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core Ultra 7 255HX | Ryzen 9 8940HX |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Arrow Lake-HX (2025) / 3 nm) | ✨ Modern (Dragon Range (2025) / 5 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core Ultra 7 255HX | Ryzen 9 8940HX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 7 255HX and Ryzen 9 8940HX
Core Ultra 7 255HX
The Core Ultra 7 255HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2025-01-01. It is based on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture. It features 20 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2114. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 49,765 points. Launch price was $450.
Ryzen 9 8940HX
The Ryzen 9 8940HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 April 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Dragon Range (2025) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FL1. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 51,161 points. Launch price was $499.
Processing Power
The Core Ultra 7 255HX packs 20 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 9 8940HX offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Core Ultra 7 255HX has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 255HX versus 5.3 GHz on the Ryzen 9 8940HX — a 1.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 8940HX (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 255HX uses the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 9 8940HX uses Dragon Range (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 255HX scores 49,765 against the Ryzen 9 8940HX's 51,161 — a 2.8% lead for the Ryzen 9 8940HX. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,923 vs 2,800, a 4.3% lead for the Core Ultra 7 255HX that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 16,885 vs 16,000 (5.4% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 255HX). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 255HX vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 8940HX.
| Feature | Core Ultra 7 255HX | Ryzen 9 8940HX |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 20 / 20+25% | 16 / 32 |
| Boost Clock | 5.2 GHz | 5.3 GHz+2% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 30 MB (total) | 64 MB (total)+113% |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB (per core)+200% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 3 nm-40% | 5 nm |
| Architecture | Arrow Lake-HX (2025) | Dragon Range (2025) |
| PassMark | 49,765 | 51,161+3% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,923+4% | 2,800 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 16,885+6% | 16,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Core Ultra 7 255HX uses the FCBGA2114 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 8940HX uses FL1 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-6400 memory speed. The Core Ultra 7 255HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Core Ultra 7 255HX) vs 28 (Ryzen 9 8940HX) — the Ryzen 9 8940HX offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel HM870,Intel WM880 (Core Ultra 7 255HX) and AMD FL1 (Ryzen 9 8940HX).
| Feature | Core Ultra 7 255HX | Ryzen 9 8940HX |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA2114 | FL1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-6400 | DDR5-5200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 192 GB+200% | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 24 | 28+17% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core Ultra 7 255HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Ryzen 9 8940HX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support true virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Intel Arc Xe-LPG (Core Ultra 7 255HX) and Radeon 610M (Ryzen 9 8940HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 255HX rivals Ryzen 9 9850HX.
| Feature | Core Ultra 7 255HX | Ryzen 9 8940HX |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel Arc Xe-LPG | Radeon 610M |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | true | true |
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