When it comes to comparing AMD and Intel processors in gaming laptops, the differences can be significant. Factors like thermal design and build quality can affect performance, making direct comparisons challenging. However, we recently had the opportunity to put two nearly identical laptops head-to-head, allowing for a more accurate comparison.
Asus provided us with the new ROG Zephyrus G16 featuring AMD’s Zen 5 CPU, giving us the chance to compare it to the Intel-based version we reviewed earlier. What we found was surprising, as the performance differences between the two CPUs were more significant than anticipated.
A Rare Comparison
Comparing AMD and Intel CPUs directly is common, but having two nearly identical laptops with different processors is rare. The Zephyrus G16 models we tested were identical in all aspects except for the CPU and memory configuration. This provided a unique opportunity to directly compare the performance of AMD and Intel processors under similar conditions.
The AMD version of the Zephyrus G16 features 32GB of memory, while the Intel version has 16GB. The most significant difference, however, lies in the CPUs. The AMD model utilizes a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, while the Intel model uses a Core Ultra 9 185H. Despite the higher core count and power envelope of the Intel CPU, the AMD processor proved to be faster in real-world applications and benchmarks.
Productivity Performance
In productivity applications such as Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve, the AMD Zephyrus G16 outperformed the Intel model by 7-10%. The higher core count and performance capabilities of the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU contributed to this performance advantage, showcasing AMD’s superiority in these tasks.
Gaming Performance
When it comes to gaming, the AMD Zephyrus G16 also showed a clear performance advantage over the Intel model. In games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Red Dead Redemption 2, the AMD version delivered higher frame rates, demonstrating its superior gaming performance.
Final Verdict
Overall, the AMD Zephyrus G16 emerged as the winner in this comparison, showcasing AMD’s dominance in both productivity and gaming tasks. While Intel is gearing up to launch new CPUs, the current AMD processors offer superior performance in similar laptop designs. For users looking for a high-performance gaming laptop, AMD seems to be the better choice, at least until Intel’s new offerings are available.
