Ryzen 9 9850HX vs Ryzen 9 8940HX
Ryzen 9 9850HX
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 Ryzen 9 9850HX
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 9 8940HX
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Ryzen 9 9850HX | Ryzen 9 8940HX |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025) / 4 nm) | ✨ Modern (Dragon Range (2025) / 5 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Ryzen 9 9850HX | 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 Ryzen 9 9850HX and Ryzen 9 8940HX
Ryzen 9 9850HX
The Ryzen 9 9850HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FL1. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 51,665 points. Launch price was $499.
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 Ryzen 9 9850HX packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 9 8940HX offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Ryzen 9 8940HX has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.2 GHz on the Ryzen 9 9850HX versus 5.3 GHz on the Ryzen 9 8940HX — a 1.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 8940HX (base: 3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Ryzen 9 9850HX uses the Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025) architecture (4 nm), while the Ryzen 9 8940HX uses Dragon Range (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 9 9850HX scores 51,665 against the Ryzen 9 8940HX's 51,161 — a 1% lead for the Ryzen 9 9850HX. Both processors carry 64 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 9850HX | Ryzen 9 8940HX |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 24 | 16 / 32+33% |
| Boost Clock | 5.2 GHz | 5.3 GHz+2% |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+25% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 64 MB (total) | 64 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 4 nm-20% | 5 nm |
| Architecture | Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025) | Dragon Range (2025) |
| PassMark | 51,665 | 51,161 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,800 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 16,000 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the FL1 socket with PCIe 5.0. Maximum memory speed reaches 5600 on the Ryzen 9 9850HX versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 9 8940HX — the Ryzen 9 9850HX supports 199.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 9850HX supports up to 192 of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 28 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: FL1 (Ryzen 9 9850HX) and AMD FL1 (Ryzen 9 8940HX).
| Feature | Ryzen 9 9850HX | Ryzen 9 8940HX |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FL1 | FL1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0 | PCIe 5.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 5600+111900% | DDR5-5200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 192 | 64 GB+34952433% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 28 | 28 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 9 9850HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen 9 9850HX) vs true (Ryzen 9 8940HX). Both include integrated graphics — AMD Radeon 610M (Ryzen 9 9850HX) and Radeon 610M (Ryzen 9 8940HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 9850HX rivals Core Ultra 7 255HX.
| Feature | Ryzen 9 9850HX | Ryzen 9 8940HX |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | AMD Radeon 610M | Radeon 610M |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V | true |
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