When comparing gaming laptops, the battle between AMD and Intel processors is a constant. We’re always searching for the best CPU, just like we do with desktop PCs. However, a true head-to-head comparison is often impossible due to variations in thermal design and build quality among laptops. Thankfully, Asus has provided a unique opportunity to assess these two powerhouses side-by-side. We received the new ROG Zephyrus G16 equipped with AMD’s latest Zen 5 CPU, allowing us to directly compare it to the Intel-based ROG Zephyrus G16 reviewed earlier this year.
While I initially anticipated minor performance discrepancies, given the nearly identical nature of these laptops, I was completely wrong. This kind of direct comparison is rare. We often compare AMD and Intel CPUs, even in laptops, but seldom do we get the chance to observe two near-identical machines competing head-to-head. Laptop design plays a crucial role in performance, so we generally refrain from making sweeping claims about AMD vs. Intel performance when comparing isolated laptops. A broader analysis is needed to discern trends. The Zephyrus G16 presents a unique opportunity to compare these two directly, as they share the same charger, body, cooling system, and graphics card.
There are two key differences: the CPU and memory. The AMD Zephyrus G16 boasts 32GB of memory, while the Intel version has only 16GB. This memory is soldered, preventing a true apples-to-apples comparison. The more significant difference, of course, is the CPU. The AMD version utilizes a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, a 12-core processor with a maximum boost clock of 5.1GHz and a 28W power consumption. The Intel version employs a Core Ultra 9 185H, featuring 16 cores, a boost clock of 5.1GHz, and a 45W power draw. While Intel seems to have the upper hand on paper, this isn’t the case. The Core Ultra 185H uses a hybrid architecture, with some cores lacking Hyperthreading support. Consequently, the Core Ultra 185H supports 22 threads, while the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 manages 24 threads. Regardless of the specifications, it’s important to note that these are AMD and Intel’s flagship mobile processors currently, at least until Intel’s Lunar Lake CPUs arrive later this year.
Let’s delve into the benchmarks, focusing on real-world applications as much as possible. We employed PugetBench for Creators to evaluate creation apps, and the higher the score, the better. The results are fascinating. In Cinebench, while not a real-world application, it effectively highlights the difference between these two CPUs. AMD takes the lead in both single-core and multi-core performance. Due to the memory disparity, we ran Cinebench to confirm that the CPU differences were the primary driver of performance, not simply a consequence of the memory difference. Photoshop corroborates this, demonstrating a significant outlier compared to other tests. This is unsurprising, as Photoshop utilizes a percentage of the available memory, allowing the AMD laptop with its 32GB of memory to achieve a higher score. While the CPU plays a role in this performance jump, it’s not the sole factor. Therefore, consider Cinebench and Photoshop as opposite ends of the spectrum when comparing these two laptops. In Cinebench, the CPU dominates, while in Photoshop, its influence is less pronounced.
DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro provide the most transparent view of the CPU differences. AMD exhibits a 10% lead in Resolve and a 7% lead in Premiere Pro, a consistent trend across the tested applications. It’s one thing to find similar laptops with different CPUs and compare them, but these results clearly demonstrate that the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is approximately 7% to 10% faster than the Core Ultra 9 185H, at least in productivity apps.
The gaming landscape is particularly interesting with these two laptops. First, they share the same GPU, but more importantly, both GPUs are identically tuned. Laptop brands often configure different Total Graphics Power (TGP) amounts and have varying software parameters. Both laptops use the RTX 4070 with a 105W TGP, managed through Asus Armoury Crate. I anticipated similar performance, but this wasn’t the case. Before exploring the games, it’s crucial to consider 3DMark. The two machines were practically identical in Fire Strike and Time Spy, with the AMD configuration slightly trailing. Surprisingly, the AMD configuration was significantly slower in Port Royal, a ray tracing benchmark. Ray tracing can heavily burden the CPU, and perhaps the Core Ultra 185H’s additional power advantage helps in this test. However, 3DMark doesn’t tell the whole story, as evidenced by our real-world game results.
Across the board, the AMD version of the Zephyrus G16 outperforms the Intel version, sometimes by a significant margin. In Horizon Zero Dawn, AMD provides a significant boost, and in Red Dead Redemption 2, AMD achieves near-60 frames per second (fps) while Intel falls short. Games seldom benefit from 32GB of memory over 16GB, and the games tested here don’t demand more than 16GB. The surprising aspect is that all these tests were run at the native resolution of the screen (1600p) and at the highest graphics preset. At higher resolutions and graphics settings, the CPU typically plays a lesser role in performance. These results showcase the delicate ecosystem within a laptop.
With Intel preparing to launch its Lunar Lake CPUs, AMD’s dominance in this comparison isn’t surprising. However, the extent of AMD’s victory was unexpected. Despite utilizing a smaller power envelope and fewer cores, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 surpasses the Core Ultra 9 185H in both games and productivity apps. This is before even considering aspects like battery life—refer to our ZenBook S 16 review to see how AMD’s new laptop CPUs fare.
This doesn’t imply that you should blindly choose an AMD laptop. Even laptops with identical specifications can exhibit vastly different performance, highlighting the importance of consulting individual laptop reviews before purchasing. However, when comparing AMD and Intel in the same design, I recommend opting for AMD, at least until we witness what Lunar Lake has to offer.
