AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D and the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H represent two fundamentally different approaches to processor design, one aimed at the desktop and the other at mobile platforms. The recorded data shows a clear split in their benchmark profiles, with the Intel part dominating every head-to-head test in this database, while the AMD chip leverages a massive cache to stay competitive in specific workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins every single head-to-head benchmark recorded in this database. Across eleven tests, it posts higher scores than the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D, with no exceptions. The largest margins come in floating-point math, where the Intel chip scores 84,067 against 34,511, a gap of 58.9 percent. It also leads strongly in prime number finding (304 versus 170, a 44.1 percent advantage) and extended instructions (23,906 versus 15,925, a 33.4 percent edge). These results indicate the Intel part holds a decisive advantage in compute-heavy, parallel workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D, by contrast, has no benchmark wins in the head-to-head table. However, its overall average benchmark score of 37,018 is higher than the Intel chip's 33,989, despite losing every direct comparison. This discrepancy stems from the fact that the averages include different test sets, and the AMD part's nearest rivals cluster tightly around its average, with deltas of only 0.2 to 0.3 percent. The Intel chip's nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H and Intel Core i7-12800HX, also sit within 0.7 percent of its average, but the AMD part's percentile rank of 85 versus Intel's 84 shows they occupy nearly the same overall performance tier.

For single-threaded work, the Intel chip is the clear pick. Its single-thread score of 4,180 beats the AMD's 2,941 by 29.6 percent. This translates to faster response in lightly threaded applications, where the Intel chip's higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz versus 4.00 GHz on the AMD part plays a direct role. The AMD chip's advantage, if any, lies in its 96 MB of shared L3 cache, which is a massive pool that can reduce memory latency in cache-sensitive workloads, but the recorded data does not show this translating into a benchmark win in this comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D uses the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm process from TSMC, with a die size of 74 mm². It is a desktop part on AMD Socket AM4, with 6 cores and 12 threads. Its base clock is 3.00 GHz and boost clock is 4.00 GHz, with a TDP of 105 watts. The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a substantial 96 MB of shared L3 cache, which is the standout feature of this chip. It supports DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, offering 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth, and includes ECC memory support. PCIe connectivity is Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, and there is no integrated graphics. The part number is 100-000001504, and it was released in June 2025.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is a mobile chip built on Panther Lake architecture, using a 3 nm process from Intel's own foundry. It has 12 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. Its TDP is only 25 watts, reflecting its mobile focus. The L1 cache is 192 KB per core, L2 is 2.5 MB per core, and L3 is 18 MB shared, which is far smaller than the AMD's L3 pool. Memory support is LPDDR5X in a dual-channel configuration, with a much higher bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s. There is no ECC support, and PCIe is Gen 5 with only 4 lanes from the CPU. This chip includes integrated graphics in the form of Arc B370, and it uses Intel BGA 2540 socket. It was released in January 2026, making it a newer part than the AMD chip.

The architectural differences are stark. The AMD chip uses a larger process node (7 nm versus 3 nm) but compensates with a huge L3 cache. The Intel chip counters with a much smaller L3 (18 MB versus 96 MB) but a far higher memory bandwidth (136.5 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s) and a higher boost clock. The Intel chip also has double the core count (12 versus 6), though both have 12 threads, meaning the Intel part does not use simultaneous multithreading. The AMD chip's L3 cache is 5.3 times larger than Intel's, a design choice aimed at gaming and server-style workloads where cache hits are critical. The Intel chip's memory bandwidth is 2.7 times higher, which benefits memory-intensive tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H comes in floating-point math. It scores 84,067 versus the AMD's 34,511, a delta of 58.9 percent in Intel's favor. This is a massive gap, indicating that the Intel chip's 12 cores and higher clocks deliver far superior floating-point throughput. The next largest margin is in prime number finding, where Intel leads 304 to 170, a 44.1 percent advantage. This test is often sensitive to clock speed and core count, and the Intel chip's 4.70 GHz boost clock gives it a clear edge.

In data encryption, the Intel chip posts 21,367 against 13,967, a 34.6 percent lead. Extended instructions show a 33.4 percent advantage, with scores of 23,906 versus 15,925. The multithread test, which is a broad measure of parallel performance, shows Intel ahead by 29.1 percent, scoring 28,717 versus 20,363. Random string sorting also favors Intel by 30.5 percent, with scores of 34,082 and 23,675. Data compression shows a 16.7 percent gap, with Intel at 276,539 and AMD at 230,392.

The smallest margins are in integer math, where Intel leads only 7.5 percent, scoring 64,934 versus 60,033. Physics shows a 15.4 percent advantage for Intel, with 2,697 versus 2,282. Single-thread performance, measured twice in the database, shows Intel ahead by 29.6 percent in both cases, with scores of 4,180 versus 2,941. These results indicate that the Intel chip wins across the board, but the margin varies significantly by workload. The AMD chip is closest in integer math, where its large L3 cache may help, but it still loses.

The data shows no benchmark where the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D wins. This is a one-sided comparison in terms of raw scores. However, the AMD chip's average benchmark score of 37,018 is higher than Intel's 33,989, which suggests that when considering a broader set of tests beyond the head-to-head list, the AMD part holds its own in the overall database ranking. Its percentile of 85 versus Intel's 84 confirms this near-parity in overall standing.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is the superior performer in every recorded head-to-head benchmark. For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, especially in floating-point math, encryption, and multi-threaded tasks, the Intel chip is the clear choice. Its 58.9 percent lead in floating-point math and 44.1 percent lead in prime number finding demonstrate a decisive advantage in number-crunching workloads. The Intel chip also offers integrated graphics, which the AMD part lacks entirely, making it a more self-contained solution for mobile systems.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D, despite losing every head-to-head test, has a higher overall average benchmark score and a slightly better percentile rank. This suggests that in the broader database context, the AMD chip is not far behind. Its 96 MB of L3 cache is a unique feature that could benefit workloads with high cache locality, but the recorded data does not show this advantage manifesting in any of the head-to-head tests. The AMD chip also has a higher TDP of 105 watts versus 25 watts, which means it is designed for desktop systems with adequate cooling, while the Intel chip targets power-efficient mobile platforms.

Users building a desktop system on AMD Socket AM4 with DDR4 memory may find the Ryzen 5 5500X3D a natural fit, especially given its ECC memory support and 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. Those seeking a mobile processor with integrated graphics, higher memory bandwidth, and a newer 3 nm process should favor the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H. The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel chip wins every direct comparison, so for raw performance in the tested workloads, it is the stronger part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-thread score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H scores 4,180 in the single-thread test, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D scores 2,941. The Intel chip leads by 29.6 percent.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two chips?

A: The largest gap is in floating-point math, where the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H scores 84,067 versus the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D's 34,511, a 58.9 percent advantage for Intel.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H does not.

Q: Which chip has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D has 96 MB of shared L3 cache, which is significantly larger than the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H's 18 MB shared L3.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H supports LPDDR5X memory with a bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D uses DDR4 with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Q: How many cores does each processor have?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads. Both have the same thread count, but the Intel chip has double the core count.