AMD or Intel? Which CPU is best suited to my needs? (2025)

Introduction

Many XMG and SCHENKER laptops allow you to choose between Intel and AMD processors. Both manufacturers deliver equally impressive performance and efficiency - it is a real neck-and-neck race, a constant competition.

It is impossible to say that one manufacturer is generally better, faster, or more efficient than the other. The assessment depends heavily on which specific Intel and AMD variants are being compared and what the laptop will primarily be used for.

In this article, we will help you find the optimal balance between performance, battery life, efficiency, and features.

To do this, we distinguish between the following laptop categories:

Below, we will examine each of these categories and highlight the differences between the CPU platforms.

Ultrabooks (without dGPU)

For mobile use, both AMD's new Ryzen AI models (Krackan and Strix Point) and Intel's Core Ultra 7 (Arrow Lake-H) offer strong overall performance. Both impress with very good single-core performance, while AMD stands out in multi-core efficiency and with its sometimes (depending on game) more powerful integrated graphics unit (Radeon 890M).

Both platforms are energy-efficient, have similar long battery life, and feature modern technologies such as USB4, AV1 encoding, and AI accelerators.

Both are very well suited for typical office and everyday applications. However, if gaming (e.g. retro or indy gaming) is one of the main use-cases, we would slightly lean towards AMD, thanks to its overall higher iGPU performance. In all other scenarios, performance is comparable.

Models in this segment:

• XMG EVO 14 - E25
• XMG EVO 15 - E25
• XMG EVO 15 - M25

Comparison table:

Mid-range gaming (15 inches)

Our 15-inch laptops with graphics cards up to GeForce RTX 5070 use the same CPUs as the XMG EVO series, so the similarities and differences are roughly the same.

AMD is slightly ahead in terms of efficiency under load, which can enable AMD to utilize more of its multi-core potential under particularly high loads (simultaneous CPU and GPU utilisation).

If you mainly use your laptop for gaming, Intel might be the best choice here. If additional tasks such as content creation, multitasking, or parallel workloads are also important, AMD is the preferable option due to its higher efficiency in multi-core workloads.

Models in this segment:

• XMG CORE 15 - M25
• XMG FUSION 15 - L25

Comparison table:

Mid-range gaming (16 inches)

In our 16-inch models with RTX 5070, AMD's Ryzen AI 300 series in XMG CORE competes with Intel's significantly more powerful Core Ultra 9 275HX in XMG FUSION. The latter offers more cores and a clear advantage in multi-core benchmarks but requires noticeably more power under load. AMD, on the other hand, remains more efficient but lacks certain platform advantages such as DDR5-6400 or Gen5 SSD support.

Interestingly, despite its higher performance, the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX comes at a lower cost than AMD's top model in this segment, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370.

Those seeking maximum CPU performance and the most advanced platform features should choose the Intel HX series. For efficiency-focused users, the Ryzen AI 9 365 is an excellent option - offering outstanding value for money and more than enough performance for gaming and productivity.

Models in this segment:

• XMG CORE 16 - M25
• XMG FUSION 16 - M25

Comparison table:

Upper mid-range and top-end gaming

This segment includes all models that can be configured with at least a GeForce RTX 5070 Ti - up to the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 in the XMG NEO. Here, AMD's Dragon Range and Fire Range compete against Intel's Core Ultra 9 275HX and the older Core i9-14900HX.

Overview

In multi-core benchmarks, the Ryzen 9 9955HX typically offers slightly higher performance and efficiency than the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, though the differences are minor in practice. Intel's top model impresses with modern platform features (for example, Thunderbolt 4 and CSO-DIMM) and overall better battery life.

AMD remains highly efficient under load but has comparatively higher idle consumption, which affects battery life negatively. Surprisingly, the older i9-14900HX can provide slightly better battery life than the AMD models in this comparison.

Gaming

The gaming crown clearly goes to the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, which leads the field thanks to its large 3D V-Cache, particularly in CPU-limited titles. Because of its exceptional gaming performance and higher cost, the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is available exclusively in the XMG NEO - the only model in this comparison that can be combined with the top-tier RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 GPUs.

Features

The AMD models in this segment do not support USB4/Thunderbolt. However, USB-C 3.2 Gen2 with Power Delivery and DisplayPort - available in this class from AMD and also in the older i9-14900HX - is entirely sufficient for most setups.

Price tips

The Intel Core i9-14900HX offers similar raw single- and multi-core performance at a very attractive price, but it is less efficient under load than either AMD or Intel’s newer Core Ultra generation. In terms of battery life, it performs roughly on par with Dragon and Fire Range. Speaking of Dragon Range: the Ryzen 9 8945HX in XMG APEX 16 MAX also offers high performance, but scores with significantly better efficiency (under load) than the i9-14900HX and impresses overall with a very good price-performance ratio.

Models in this segment:

• XMG APEX 16 MAX - M25
• XMG FOCUS 17 - M25
• XMG NEO 16 - A25
• XMG NEO 16 - E25
• XMG PRO 16 - M25
• XMG PRO 16 Value Edition - M25

Comparison table:

Contact

We hope these explanations help you make your decision. If you have any questions about the optimal configuration, our team will be happy to advise you.

Further information

Please also refer to these additional FAQ articles:

• What are the differences between the various XMG and SCHENKER laptop series?
• Which XMG or SCHENKER laptops are recommended for my specific use-case?
• Which XMG laptop has the longest battery life?
• Which XMG laptop has the highest GPU performance?

Addendum:

Which AMD CPU is currently the best?

There is no single "best" CPU; instead, there are different performance classes with different strengths.

Strix Point (Ryzen AI 300, e.g. Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 / 365) forms the Zen 5 basis for modern mainstream laptops. These SoCs combine strong single-core performance, a powerful RDNA 3.5 iGPU and very good efficiency - ideal for ultrabooks and mid-range gaming with a dGPU. Krackan Point (Ryzen AI 7 350) is the smaller variant: it uses the same architecture but has fewer CPU and iGPU cores, and is therefore more affordable.

Strix Halo (Ryzen AI Max / Max+) belongs to a completely different performance class: up to 16 Zen 5 cores, a huge RDNA 3.5 iGPU with up to 40 CUs and high TDP budgets. In terms of performance, its iGPU is said to be in the range of an RTX 4060 Laptop GPU. This makes Strix Halo a kind of "APU console in laptop format". However, we do not currently offer Strix Halo; see our roadmap update for details.

For gaming laptops that aim to replace desktops, AMD offers the "large" HX platforms. Dragon Range (Ryzen 9 8945HX, based on Zen 4) brings desktop-like multi-core performance to notebooks. Fire Range (Ryzen 9000HX, e.g. 9955HX / 9955HX3D) is the Zen 5 successor with even higher efficiency and - in the 3D V-Cache variant - outstanding gaming performance. Both Dragon Range and Fire Range are derived directly from corresponding desktop CPUs. Battery life is shorter than with the above-mentioned mobile platforms.

In addition to raw performance, there are also differences in support for platform features: Krackan and Strix variants (Point and Halo) integrate USB4 directly into the SoC, but offer fewer PCIe lanes and remain on PCIe 4.0. Dragon Range and Fire Range have significantly more lanes as well as PCIe 5.0 and are therefore better suited for high-end dGPUs and fast SSD configurations.

When it comes to memory, Strix Halo relies exclusively on non-upgradable* LPDDR5(X), while Krackan, Strix Point, Dragon Range and Fire Range continue to support classic SO-DIMMs.

* Strix Halo supports LPCAMM2 in theory, but it is currently not a practical option due to very high prices.

Conclusion: Strix Point and Krackan (Ryzen AI 300) are the efficient all-round platforms for modern ultrabooks and mid-range gaming laptops. Dragon Range and Fire Range (Ryzen 8000 / 9000HX), on the other hand, are the classic desktop replacement platforms: maximum multi-core and gaming performance with plenty of PCIe lanes and PCIe 5.0, but at the expense of battery life. Strix Halo is intended to replace dedicated mid-range graphics cards, but is not yet available in our portfolio.

Which Intel CPU is currently the best?

Intel also offers different classes depending on the intended use. Three platforms in particular play a role in our portfolio:

• Raptor Lake HX Refresh (e.g. Core i9-14900HX)
• Arrow Lake HX (Core Ultra 9 275HX)
• Arrow Lake H45 (Core Ultra 7 255H)

Raptor Lake HX Refresh (Core i9-14900HX) represents the classic "desktop-in-laptop" line: 24 cores (8 P-cores, 16 E-cores), high clock speeds of up to 5.8 GHz and PCIe 5.0 support for fast SSDs. This delivers strong all-core performance and very high gaming performance, but also requires a correspondingly large cooling system and is measurably more power-hungry under load than the newer Arrow Lake generations. The iGPU is just a simple "Intel UHD" without any serious gaming ambitions, and there is no integrated NPU for AI functions. On the other hand, the platform is often comparatively inexpensive in relation to its raw performance, which makes it attractive for price-conscious high-end gaming laptops.

Arrow Lake HX with Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX is the direct successor in the same performance class: again up to 24 cores, but with the new Lion Cove / Skymont architecture and a more modern manufacturing process (significant parts of the CPU are made at TSMC). In addition, there is an integrated NPU for AI workloads and a modern platform with DDR5-6400 (CSO-DIMM) and integrated USB4 / Thunderbolt support (and potentially Thunderbolt 5 via a dedicated controller, as seen in SCHENKER KEY 18 Pro). In practice, this means outstanding single- and multi-core performance, significantly higher efficiency with mixed loads and, thanks to greatly reduced idle power consumption, noticeably longer battery life. Support for Gen5 SSDs is of course also included.

Arrow Lake H45 with Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, on the other hand, is aimed at slimmer laptops and the upper mid-range: 16 cores in a hybrid layout (P-cores plus several E-core clusters, including "low-power" E-cores), a significantly reduced power budget and yet very high single-thread and everyday performance. The integrated Arc 140T graphic core is surprisingly powerful for video encoding, AI features and indie or retro gaming, and significantly more powerful than the smaller iGPUs in the HX series mentioned above. This makes Arrow Lake H45 a good choice for users looking for a mobile device with very good all-round performance, a capable iGPU and good battery life, with or without an additional dGPU.

All three platforms support pluggable and upgradeable DDR5 SO-DIMM memory. Their RAM support only differs in the maximum memory clock speed (up to 6400 MT/s with CSO-DIMM in Arrow Lake HX and H45).

Conclusion: Raptor Lake HX (i9-14900HX) scores with a strong price-to-performance ratio in the classic high-end gaming segment. Arrow Lake HX (Ultra 9 275HX) builds on this with a modern architecture, longer battery life and new platform features, but remains an uncompromisingly performance-oriented solution. Arrow Lake H45 (Ultra 7 255H), on the other hand, is the all-round platform for thinner devices and powerful ultrabooks and mid-range gaming laptops, essentially Intel's counterpart to AMD Strix Point.