AMD Ryzen 5 150 vs Intel Core Ultra 3 205 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive overall picture: the Intel Core Ultra 3 205 wins 10 of the 11 recorded head-to-head comparisons, with the AMD Ryzen 5 150 taking a single victory. The margin of that victory, however, is notable. In the passmark_integer_math test, the AMD processor scores 62,151 against Intel's 54,755, a 13.5% advantage. This indicates a specific strength in integer-heavy workloads that the Intel part does not match.

Every other comparison favors Intel, often by substantial margins. The largest gap appears in passmark_find_prime_numbers, where the Core Ultra 3 205 scores 268 versus the Ryzen 5 150's 47, a difference of 82.5%. This test typically stresses branch prediction and core efficiency, and the data shows a dramatic separation. Floating point math also heavily favors Intel: a score of 75,136 against 35,118, a 53.3% deficit for AMD. The physics test shows a similar trend, with Intel at 2,016 and AMD at 806, a 60% gap.

The multithreaded passmark score, a general indicator of parallel throughput, gives Intel 26,167 versus AMD's 17,492, a 33.2% lead. Single-thread performance also belongs to Intel, recording 4,575 against 3,155, a 31% difference. Data compression and encryption workloads show Intel ahead by 18.9% and 28.5% respectively. Extended instruction throughput, which measures SIMD and specialized instruction efficiency, sees Intel at 22,578 versus AMD's 14,675, a 35% gap. Random string sorting, another memory and cache sensitive workload, goes to Intel by 28%.

The overall average benchmark scores place the Ryzen 5 150 at 34,881, while the Core Ultra 3 205 sits at 31,473. Interestingly, the AMD chip has a higher average score despite losing most direct comparisons. This is explained by the average score including a broader benchmark set, but in the specific head-to-head tests recorded here, Intel is the clear winner. The Ryzen 5 150's nearest rivals in the database, which include the Intel Xeon 6349P and Intel Core i7-13800H, cluster within 0.3% of its average score, indicating it sits in a dense performance tier. The Core Ultra 3 205's nearest rivals, such as the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HX and Intel Core i5-13500, are similarly close, within 0.1% of its average.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 uses the Zen 3+ architecture on the Rembrandt-R codename, built on a 6 nm process at TSMC. It features 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.55 GHz. Its thermal design power is 35 watts. The Intel Core Ultra 3 205 uses the Arrow Lake architecture, codename Arrow Lake-S, on a 3 nm process, also from TSMC. It has 8 cores and 8 threads, with no hyper-threading, a base clock of 3.80 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. Its TDP is 57 watts.

The cache layouts differ substantially. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 per core, a much larger 3 MB of L2 per core, and 15 MB of shared L3. The Intel die is larger at 243 mm² and contains 17,800 million transistors, while the AMD die measures 210 mm² with no transistor count recorded in the database.

Memory support is DDR5 for both, with dual-channel buses. However, memory bandwidth differs: AMD records 76.8 GB/s, while Intel reaches 102.4 GB/s. PCIe connectivity also differs by generation. The AMD part uses Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while Intel uses Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. Both lack ECC memory support.

Integrated graphics are present on both. AMD uses a Radeon 660M, while Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU. The market positioning also differs. The Ryzen 5 150 is a mobile segment part on AMD Socket FP7, while the Core Ultra 3 205 is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1851. The AMD multiplier is locked, as is the Intel multiplier. The Intel part has a recorded launch MSRP of $140.

The production status for both is active. The AMD release date is recorded as 2025-09-30, and the Intel release date is 2025-07-31. The AMD part number is 100-000000990(FP7r2), and the Intel part number is SRVFC.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows a clear split in workload categories. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 wins exclusively in passmark_integer_math. This test measures arithmetic operations on integer data, which are common in general productivity tasks, database operations, and certain financial or scientific computations. The 13.5% advantage over Intel in this specific test means the AMD part holds a niche for integer-heavy single-threaded or lightly threaded workloads.

The Intel Core Ultra 3 205 dominates everywhere else. Its 82.5% lead in find_prime_numbers suggests strong performance in algorithms that rely on tight loops and predictable branching. The 53.3% lead in floating-point math positions it well for scientific computing, 3D rendering, and physics simulations. The physics test, with a 60% lead, reinforces this interpretation.

For general multithreaded productivity, the Intel part leads by 33.2% in the passmark multithread score. This covers tasks like video encoding, compilation, and other parallel workloads. Single-thread performance, which governs responsiveness and lightly threaded applications, favors Intel by 31%. Data compression and encryption, which are important for file archiving and secure communications, show Intel ahead by 18.9% and 28.5% respectively. The extended instructions test, which includes SIMD operations like AVX, gives Intel a 35% lead.

The average benchmark scores place the Ryzen 5 150 in the 84th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 3 205 sits in the 82nd percentile. This means that despite the Intel chip winning most direct comparisons, the AMD chip ranks slightly higher against the entire database of processors. This is a nuance worth considering when evaluating overall positioning.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to the Intel Core Ultra 3 205 as the stronger processor in nearly every measured workload. Its wins in single-thread, multithread, floating-point, physics, encryption, compression, extended instructions, and prime number finding are consistent and often large. The sole AMD win in integer math is real but isolated.

For users prioritizing integer arithmetic, the AMD Ryzen 5 150 offers a 13.5% edge over Intel in that specific test. For every other use case, from general productivity to scientific workloads, the Intel part shows a clear advantage, often exceeding 30%. The Intel chip also carries a higher TDP at 57 watts versus 35 watts, which may reflect its higher clock speeds and larger core count. The AMD part offers 12 threads versus Intel's 8, yet the Intel part still wins the multithread score by 33.2%. This indicates the Intel cores are more efficient per thread in the recorded tests.

The architectural differences support these results. Intel's 3 nm process, larger L2 cache per core, higher memory bandwidth, and Gen 5 PCIe connectivity all contribute to its performance profile. The AMD part uses a mature 6 nm process and a smaller cache structure. The Core Ultra 3 205 appears to be the better choice for users seeking maximum benchmark performance across a broad range of tasks, while the Ryzen 5 150 serves a narrower niche.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins the most head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 3 205 wins 10 of the 11 recorded head-to-head tests. The AMD Ryzen 5 150 wins only one, the passmark_integer_math test.

Q: What is the difference in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 3 205 scores 4,575 in the passmark single-thread test, while the AMD Ryzen 5 150 scores 3,155. This gives Intel a 31% lead.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multithreaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 3 205 records a passmark multithread score of 26,167, which is 33.2% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 150's 17,492.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus. However, the Intel part has a higher recorded memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, while the AMD part records 76.8 GB/s.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of each?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 150 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 3 205 has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 150 has an average benchmark score of 34,881, which is higher than the Intel Core Ultra 3 205's 31,473. The AMD part also ranks in the 84th percentile versus the Intel part's 82nd percentile.