Best Laptop CPU? AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 vs Intel Core Ultra 9 185H

Summary

This video compares Intel and AMD processors in laptops, focusing on gaming performance, battery life, and efficiency. The AMD processor excels in battery life, rendering tasks, and lower power efficiency, while Intel shows strength in single-core performance and integrated graphics for gaming. The script also discusses the importance of considering the price-to-performance ratio and the impact of integrated graphics on thinner laptops. The conclusion suggests AMD's overall better performance, especially in non-gaming tasks and lower power scenarios.

Takeaways

• 🔋 AMD laptops generally have better battery life compared to Intel, with the AMD version lasting 35% longer in the YouTube video playback test.
• ⚡️ AMD processors show better performance on battery power, maintaining an 8% lead in multicore performance over Intel in Cinebench 2024 tests.
• 💻 In terms of power efficiency, AMD CPUs are more power efficient at all power levels, achieving higher Cinebench Multicore scores with less power.
• 🎮 For gaming, there's no significant difference in performance between AMD and Intel in most games tested, with AMD showing a slight edge in some titles.
• 💾 AMD's integrated graphics outperform Intel's, especially in games like Cyberpunk 2077, providing a smoother gaming experience.
• 🌡️ Despite using less power, AMD laptops ran hotter, but the Intel laptop felt warmer to the touch, indicating different thermal management approaches.
• 📊 In non-gaming workloads, AMD CPUs performed better, particularly in rendering tasks, with significant leads in applications like Blender and V-Ray.
• 💰 At the time of the review, the AMD version of the ASUS Zephyrus G16 was priced higher but included double the RAM compared to the Intel version.
• 🏁 Intel's Meteor Lake processors showed some performance issues in specific games like Red Dead Redemption 2, where AMD had a 10% lead.
• 🆕 Intel's newer Lunar Lake processors, while not targeted for gaming laptops, promise higher single-core performance and better integrated graphics.

Q & A

What are the key differences between Intel and AMD processors mentioned in the script?

The script highlights that Intel processors offer more total CPU cores but fewer threads due to the lack of hyperthreading on their E cores, while AMD's Zen 5c cores do support hyperthreading. Both have a 5.1GHz max single core boost and 24MB of L3 cache. They also both support LPDDR5X memory, with AMD allowing slightly faster RAM speeds.

How does battery life compare between Intel and AMD laptops in the test?

The AMD laptop outperformed the Intel one in battery life, lasting almost 12 hours in the YouTube video playback test compared to the Intel laptop's nearly 9 hours, which is a 35% longer battery life for the AMD version.

What was the performance difference when running on battery power?

When running on battery power, the AMD processor scored 11% higher in the Cinebench 2024 multicore test with chargers connected. At battery power, AMD still led in multicore performance with an 8% lead, while Intel took the lead in single core performance with a small gap.

How does AMD's power efficiency compare to Intel's in the tests?

AMD's processors were found to be more power efficient at all power levels, able to achieve higher Cinebench Multicore scores with less power. At a 15-watt TDP, AMD scored 69% higher in multicore performance compared to Intel.

What was the performance difference in various applications like Blender, V-Ray, and MATLAB?

AMD showed a significant lead in applications like Blender and V-Ray, with a 39% faster completion time in Blender at 35 watts and substantial leads in V-Ray and Corona rendering workloads. However, MATLAB performed better on Intel, making it a better choice for heavy MATLAB users.

How did the integrated graphics performance compare between Intel and AMD?

AMD's integrated graphics were substantially faster, with a 70% lead in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p high settings, making it usable at nearly 60 FPS, whereas Intel was significantly slower.

What was the average gaming performance difference between Intel and AMD processors across 20 games?

On average, there was no significant difference in gaming performance between the two processors across 20 games tested at 1080p, with AMD being only 0.35% faster. At 1440p, AMD showed a slight advantage with an average lead of 1.6%.

How do the prices of the ASUS Zephyrus G16 laptops with Intel and AMD processors compare?

At the time of recording, the AMD version of the ASUS Zephyrus G16 with RTX 4070 graphics was priced at $2300 USD, while the Intel version with half the RAM was at $2000 USD. However, the Intel version in the US only has 16GB of memory, unlike the 32GB in the tested model.

What are the recommendations for laptop buyers considering the Intel and AMD processors?

For gaming performance, either processor will suffice as the difference is minimal. However, AMD offers better battery life, performance in non-gaming workloads, and integrated graphics, especially beneficial in thinner laptops with lower power limits.

What is the script's stance on Intel's newer Lunar Lake processors in comparison to AMD?

The script suggests that Intel's newer Lunar Lake processors, while having higher single core performance and better integrated graphics, may not be competitive for multicore performance and may not be used in gaming laptops according to one large brand's plans.