Question Which CPU is best out of these three ?

[mesmerized]

Hello there,

I'm going to upgrade to a new laptop since 8GB of RAM and the 8th gen. i5 on my current Zenbook aren't enough for photo-editing (other than that, it's still a good machine) and I'm considering 3 models, which are fairly similar in terms of specs, but they use different CPU's.

I wanted to ask for your opinion regarding these three CPU's:

• Intel Ultra 7 155h
• AMD Ryzen 8845H
• Intel i9-13900H

I've done some basic research online and used a few tools to compare those units, but I can't really tell which one is best out of the three. It seems that the Ryzen is built in the 4nm technology, has a better GPU but fewer cores and threads than Intel's Ultra 7 155h, which as it seems is quite comparable with the i9. The i9 is the oldest of the three. I'm a bit lost here. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Eximo]

Are you getting a GPU? The 8845H would really outshine the others in graphics tasks.
8 Cores 16 threads 5.1Ghz, 12CU RDNA3 GPU, plus two AI accelerator cores (NPU)

i9-13900H, 6P cores and 8E cores. (5.4/4.1)
Older Iris Xe graphics I think 4 Xe cores.

Ultra 7 155h is basically the next gen from Intel, they are retiring the old numbering scheme.
6P cores, 8E cores, and 2 Low Power cores (new this generation) (4.8/3.8/2.5)
Also 8 Intel Xe cores for graphics, but manufactured by TSMC so quite similar to AMDs latest TSMC based chips.

Intel will have an edge in very multi-threaded tasks with is 20 threads, but AMD is not far behind with 16 threads. Clocks a little faster than the new Intel too since all of its cores can boost to 5.1, not just the P cores to 4.8Ghz or 5.1Ghz.

I think you will find them comparable expect for the graphics, with the 13900H well behind.

 

[geofelt]

They are comparable, make your decision on other factors such as display quality.
Here are the passmark ratings:
Ultra 7 155H:
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+Ultra+7+155H&id=5677
ryzen 8845H:
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+Ryzen+7+8845H&id=5929
13900H:
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i9-13900H&id=5210

The number of samples for the first two is low, the last is more accurate.

 

[mesmerized]

Thanks a lot to both of you!

Here's the thing. It looks like the two laptops I'm looking at have a lot in common. Both have 32 gigs or RAM, 2.8 OLED display, 1TB SSD drive. They weigh pretty much the same (1.19 for the Zenbook and 1.29 for the other one, which is actually produced by ASUS but under another name)

From what I can see, the one with Ryzen comes with a Radeon 780. I don't see anything regarding a graphics card in the Zenbook (the one that sports the 155h CPU). The Zenbook is a bit pricier, whereas the other one is cheaper but comes in pretty ugly colours

Here are some links to JD.com, the page I'll be buying from:

a14 Air 2024: https://item.jd.com/100096927362.html
Zenbook 2024: https://item.jd.com/10096425028225.html

EDIT: Sorry, I've just realized that the Radeon 780 is basically integrated with the Ryzen CPU (correct me if I'm wrong). Not sure what the Intel CPU comes with. It seems that the cheaper a14 Air is actually better?

 

[Eximo]

780M is basically what is in the Steamdeck if you are familiar with that device.

Latest Intel processors have Intel Arc GPUs built in. Essentially a low power Arc A380 without dedicated memory, or A370M that you might find in other Intel based laptops. They aren't perfect in the drivers, but suitable for most things with some fiddling.

 

[mesmerized]

Cheers.

Am I right to assume that the Radeon 780 is the better choice then? Initially I wanted to go for the Zenbook, but if AMD can deliver a better performance...

 

[alceryes]

Cheers.

Am I right to assume that the Radeon 780 is the better choice then? Initially I wanted to go for the Zenbook, but if AMD can deliver a better performance...

The Ultra 7 155H and Ryzen 7 8845H trade places at the top depending on the game, resolution, and settings. If you have a particular game or program in mind, it would be better to look specifically at those.
Note that, even though these iGPUs (APUs) are getting better and better, they will still get trounced by even mid-level current gen discrete GPUs.

 

[mesmerized]

Hello there,

If you don't mind, I'd like to revive this thread.

There's a new competitor I'd like to add to the bunch, i.e. R9 8945HS. Would it be a much better option than the other two? And... it seems that the laptop that sports the Ultra 7 155h is claimed to have the best battery performance, despite the fact that it's got the same battery as the laptop with the AMD chip.

Any thoughts?

 

[Eximo]

8845HS and 8945HS are functionally equivalent with the latter gaining 100Mhz boost and a 200Mhz on the base clock. I would call that a non-improvement under normal operating conditions. Current load and ambient temperature would make more of a difference.

Low Power cores is how it is achieving that longer battery life. If you run both machines with a constant load the results are more likely to be similar. That extended battery life is likely at idle or very low load conditions. Though that is supposition, haven't really seen any benchmarks that dive into it.

Honestly can't say I am interested in an Intel based laptop at this time, the AMD options are more interesting to me. Maybe when Lunar Lake launches things will be different.

 

[JasonovichClone]

I see OP's post was dated back in Mar 2024 but I can see the thread has been revived. I think best to hold back, new laptop CPU's from AMD and Intel are imminent. I suspect the ZEN 5 variant will perform better than the Lunar Lake equivalent but latter will have better energy efficiency due to latest Nano process from TMSC?

 

[Nighthawk117]

I would go with either the Intel Ultra 7 155h or AMD Ryzen 8845H as they are more power efficient than the 13900H and have better iGPU's. My preference would be the Ryzen 8845H. I would largely pick the laptop I preferred though.

 

[geofelt]

Hello there,

I'm going to upgrade to a new laptop since 8GB of RAM and the 8th gen. i5 on my current Zenbook aren't enough for photo-editing (other than that, it's still a good machine) and I'm considering 3 models, which are fairly similar in terms of specs, but they use different CPU's.

I wanted to ask for your opinion regarding these three CPU's:

• Intel Ultra 7 155h
• AMD Ryzen 8845H
• Intel i9-13900H

I've done some basic research online and used a few tools to compare those units, but I can't really tell which one is best out of the three. It seems that the Ryzen is built in the 4nm technology, has a better GPU but fewer cores and threads than Intel's Ultra 7 155h, which as it seems is quite comparable with the i9. The i9 is the oldest of the three. I'm a bit lost here. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Processors are competitively priced.
Buying on specs, (other than ram size and drive capacity) is usually fruitless.
I would look first to the package.
What kind of a display?
How portable do you need to be?
Stronger processors need better cooling, a capability that is marginal on laptops.
Find some candidate units and read the reviews on sites such as notebook review.