AMD Ryzen 5 40 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 40 and Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus occupy entirely different segments of the processor market, and the benchmark data reflects a decisive performance gulf. The Intel part wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database, with the AMD processor holding a 70th percentile ranking versus the Intel’s 93rd. The average benchmark score for the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is 66855, while the AMD Ryzen 5 40 records 15882. The nearest rival to the AMD chip in the database is the AMD EPYC 75F3, which scores 15859, a delta of 0.1%, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 134U at 15910, a delta of -0.2%. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus sits close to the AMD EPYC 4465P, which scores 66925, a delta of -0.1%, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at 66159, a delta of 1.1%.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins in every recorded benchmark category, so the product split is not about which processor is faster overall but about the scale of its dominance in different workloads. The largest margin comes in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the Intel part scores 486 against the AMD’s 20, a delta of -95.9%. This indicates a massive advantage in integer-heavy, single-threaded mathematical workloads. Floating point math shows a similar story, with the Intel scoring 162692 versus 15194, a delta of -90.7%. For extended instruction set workloads, the Intel delivers 44565 compared to 6437, a delta of -85.6%. These results show the Intel architecture is far more capable in compute-intensive tasks that rely on modern instruction execution.

The AMD Ryzen 5 40 does not win any benchmark, but its performance profile is tailored to a different purpose. It is a mobile processor with a 15 TDP, designed for efficiency in portable devices. Its best relative result in the head-to-head data is the PassMark single thread test, where it scores 2477 against the Intel’s 4757, a delta of -47.9%. This is the smallest gap between the two chips, indicating that the AMD’s single-core capability is its strongest area relative to the Intel part. The Cinebench R23 single core result follows the same pattern, with the AMD at 1150 versus 2261, a delta of -49.1%. In multi-threaded workloads, the gap widens dramatically, as the AMD’s 4 cores and 8 threads cannot compete with the Intel’s 18 cores and 18 threads.

The Intel processor also shows its strength in memory and data tasks. PassMark data compression scores 568721 for the Intel versus 141533 for the AMD, a delta of -75.1%. Data encryption shows a delta of -84.2%, with the Intel at 42144 and the AMD at 6646. The Intel’s advantage in random string sorting is 69090 against 15124, a delta of -78.1%. For users running rendering, simulation, or data processing workloads, the Intel is the clear choice. The AMD remains viable only for low-power mobile scenarios where the Intel’s 125 TDP is not feasible.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from opposite ends of the design spectrum. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 uses the Zen 2 architecture with the Mendocino codename, built on a 6 nm process at TSMC. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The die size is 100 mm². Cache is organized as 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. It supports LPDDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus, with a memory bandwidth of 88.0 GB/s. The integrated graphics are Radeon 610M. The socket is AMD Socket FT6, and the PCIe interface is Gen 3 with 4 lanes from the CPU only. ECC memory is not supported, and the multiplier is locked.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is a desktop part from the Core Ultra Series 2, using the Arrow Lake Refresh codename. It is built on a 3 nm process at TSMC, with 18 cores and 18 threads, meaning it does not use Hyper-Threading. The base clock is 4.20 GHz, boosting to 5.30 GHz, with a 125 TDP. The die size is 243 mm², and the transistor count is 17,800 million. Cache is significantly larger: 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. It supports DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus with a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. ECC memory is supported. The integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The socket is Intel Socket 1851, and the PCIe interface is Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU only. The multiplier is unlocked, and the launch MSRP is $199.

The process node difference is significant: 3 nm versus 6 nm. The Intel part also has far more cache, with 30 MB of L3 versus 4 MB, and larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations. The AMD part is built for low power with a 15 TDP, while the Intel is a high-power desktop chip at 125 TDP. The memory types differ as well, with LPDDR5 for the AMD and DDR5 for the Intel, and the Intel has higher memory bandwidth at 115.2 GB/s versus 88.0 GB/s. The Intel supports ECC memory, the AMD does not. The PCIe generation and lane count also differ, with the Intel offering Gen 5 and 20 lanes versus Gen 3 and 4 lanes for the AMD.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scoring 30867, which is 84.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 40’s 4841. This is the largest multi-core margin in the Cinebench suite. The single-core R23 result is closer, with the Intel at 2261 and the AMD at 1150, a delta of -49.1%. The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the Intel at 4640 versus 790, a delta of -83%, while the single-core R15 test shows 328 versus 165.5, a delta of -49.5%. These results indicate that the Intel’s single-thread advantage is roughly double the AMD’s score, while its multi-thread advantage is more than six times in the R23 test.

The PassMark suite reinforces this trend. The multithread test shows the Intel at 51596 against 9341, a delta of -81.9%. The physics test shows a delta of -87.6%, with the Intel at 3494 and the AMD at 432. Integer math scores 125091 for the Intel versus 31598 for the AMD, a delta of -74.7%. Floating point math shows the Intel at 162692 versus 15194, a delta of -90.7%. The extended instructions test shows the largest non-prime gap, with the Intel at 44565 and the AMD at 6437, a delta of -85.6%.

The encryption and compression tests show the Intel’s dominance in data handling. Data encryption scores 42144 for the Intel versus 6646 for the AMD, a delta of -84.2%. Data compression scores 568721 versus 141533, a delta of -75.1%. Random string sorting shows the Intel at 69090 versus 15124, a delta of -78.1%. The prime numbers test is the most lopsided, with the Intel at 486 and the AMD at 20, a delta of -95.9%. The single thread tests show the smallest gaps, with both PassMark single thread and singlethread tests showing the Intel at 4757 versus 2477, a delta of -47.9%.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the superior processor in every measurable way. It delivers at least 47.9% higher performance in single-threaded tests and more than 84% higher in multi-threaded Cinebench tests. Its 18 cores, 30 MB of L3 cache, 3 nm process, and 5.30 GHz boost clock produce results that place it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, compared to the AMD’s 70th percentile. The Intel part also offers ECC memory support, an unlocked multiplier, and a 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, making it a more capable platform for desktop workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 40 is not a competitor in the same class. It is a mobile processor with a 15 TDP, 4 cores, and 8 threads, built on the older Zen 2 architecture. Its average benchmark score of 15882 places it near server processors like the AMD EPYC 75F3 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 134U, but far below the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus’s average of 66855. The AMD’s best relative showing is in single-thread performance, where the gap narrows to 47.9%, but it still loses decisively. The AMD chip is appropriate for low-power mobile systems, while the Intel chip is for desktop users who need maximum performance. The data provides no scenario where the AMD Ryzen 5 40 wins a benchmark.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher Cinebench R23 multi-core score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 30867, while the AMD Ryzen 5 40 scores 4841, a delta of -84.3%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-thread performance?

A: In the PassMark single thread test, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus scores 4757 versus 2477 for the AMD Ryzen 5 40, a delta of -47.9%. In Cinebench R23 single core, the Intel scores 2261 versus 1150, a delta of -49.1%.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 5 40 has 88.0 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 5 40 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 40 and Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus differ in nearly every specification. The AMD has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel has 18 cores and 18 threads. The AMD base clock is 2.80 GHz, the Intel base clock is 4.20 GHz. The AMD boost clock is 4.30 GHz, the Intel boost clock is 5.30 GHz. The AMD TDP is 15, the Intel TDP is 125. The AMD uses AMD Socket FT6, the Intel uses Intel Socket 1851. The AMD architecture is Zen 2 with the Mendocino codename, the Intel uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename. The AMD process node is 6 nm, the Intel is 3 nm. The AMD die size is 100 mm², the Intel is 243 mm². The AMD L1 cache is 64 KB per core, the Intel is 192 KB per core. The AMD L2 cache is 512 KB per core, the Intel is 3 MB per core. The AMD L3 cache is 4 MB shared, the Intel is 30 MB shared. The AMD supports LPDDR5 memory, the Intel supports DDR5. The AMD memory bandwidth is 88.0 GB/s, the Intel is 115.2 GB/s. The AMD does not support ECC memory, the Intel does. The AMD PCIe is Gen 3 with 4 lanes, the Intel is Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The AMD integrated graphics are Radeon 610M, the Intel is Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The AMD market segment is Mobile, the Intel is Desktop. The AMD multiplier is locked, the Intel multiplier is unlocked. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $199, the AMD has no listed launch MSRP. The AMD transistor count is not listed, the Intel is 17,800 million. The Intel part number is SA4UZ, the AMD part number is unknown.