AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive outcome: the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins all 11 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D. The largest gap appears in floating-point math, where Intel scores 162,692 versus AMD's 43,594, a delta of -73.2%. This indicates a substantial advantage in workloads that rely heavily on floating-point operations, such as scientific simulations and certain rendering tasks.

Integer math tells a similar story, though with a narrower margin. The Intel part scores 125,091 against AMD's 70,774, a -43.4% delta. This still represents a commanding lead, but the smaller gap suggests the AMD processor is relatively stronger in this discipline than in floating-point throughput.

The multithreaded Passmark score shows Intel at 51,596 versus AMD at 25,047, a -51.5% delta. The Intel chip delivers roughly double the aggregate multithreaded performance. This is consistent with the core count disparity, where Intel fields 18 cores against AMD's 6, though both parts report 18 threads for Intel and 12 threads for AMD.

Data compression and random string sorting both show identical -52.2% deltas. Intel scores 568,721 in compression against AMD's 271,649, and 69,090 in string sorting versus AMD's 32,999. These workloads are often memory-latency sensitive, and the results suggest the Intel architecture handles them more efficiently despite AMD's large L3 cache.

Encryption workloads show a -62.5% delta, with Intel at 42,144 and AMD at 15,797. This is a significant gap, likely reflecting the Intel processor's newer instructions and higher thread count. Extended instructions also favor Intel at 44,565 versus 20,455, a -54.1% delta.

Prime number finding, a test that stresses integer throughput and branch prediction, shows Intel at 486 versus AMD's 221, a -54.5% delta. Physics calculations, which often benefit from high single-core clocks, show Intel at 3,494 versus AMD's 2,779, a -20.5% delta. This is the closest result in the entire set, indicating that AMD's 3D V-Cache design narrows the gap in this specific workload.

Single-thread performance, recorded in both the single_thread and singlethread tests, shows identical scores of 4,757 for Intel and 3,494 for AMD, a -26.6% delta. This reflects the Intel chip's higher boost clock of 5.30 GHz against AMD's 4.50 GHz. The data shows no benchmark where the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D takes a win, so the head-to-head comparison is one-sided in favor of the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent fundamentally different design philosophies. AMD's Ryzen 5 7500X3D uses the Raphael codename, built on a 5 nm TSMC process with a 71 mm² die containing 11,270 million transistors. Intel's Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename, fabricated on a 3 nm TSMC process with a 243 mm² die containing 17,800 million transistors. The smaller process node and larger die give Intel more room for compute resources.

Core topology differs sharply. AMD provides 6 cores and 12 threads, while Intel provides 18 cores and 18 threads. The Intel part does not use simultaneous multithreading, so each core contributes one thread. AMD's 6 cores each support two threads. This explains the multithreaded performance gap, as Intel's raw core count is triple that of AMD.

Cache hierarchies are also distinct. AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 96 MB L3 cache. Intel allocates 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 30 MB L3 cache. AMD's massive L3 capacity is designed to feed its 3D V-Cache technology, which can reduce memory latency in certain workloads. Intel's smaller L3 but larger per-core L1 and L2 suggests a different balance, favoring per-core bandwidth over aggregate cache capacity.

Memory bandwidth shows Intel ahead at 115.2 GB/s versus AMD's 83.2 GB/s, both using dual-channel DDR5. Both processors support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs: AMD offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). This gives AMD more PCIe lanes for expansion, though Intel's memory bandwidth advantage may matter more for compute-heavy tasks.

Integrated graphics distinguish the two as well. AMD includes Radeon Graphics, while Intel includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The Intel iGPU is likely more capable for basic display output and light media tasks, though neither is positioned as a gaming GPU replacement.

Clock speeds favor Intel in both base and boost: 4.20 GHz base and 5.30 GHz boost versus AMD's 4.00 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost. Thermal design power also differs significantly: Intel is rated at 125 W versus AMD's 65 W. The higher TDP reflects Intel's larger core count and higher clocks. The Intel multiplier is unlocked, while AMD's is locked, meaning the Intel part allows user overclocking.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D has 6 cores. Intel also has 18 threads, whereas AMD has 12 threads.

Q: What is the L3 cache difference?

A: AMD provides 96 MB of shared L3 cache, while Intel provides 30 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD's larger L3 is part of its 3D V-Cache design.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus boosts to 5.30 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D boosts to 4.50 GHz.

Q: How does single-thread performance compare?

A: Intel scores 4,757 in the Passmark single-thread test, while AMD scores 3,494. This is a -26.6% delta in favor of Intel.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus support ECC memory.

Q: What is the manufacturing node for each?

A: AMD uses a 5 nm process, while Intel uses a 3 nm process. Both are fabricated by TSMC.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 6 | 18 |

| Threads | 12 | 18 |

| Base Clock | 4.00 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 125 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Raphael | Arrow Lake Refresh |

| Process Node | 5 nm | 3 nm |

| Transistors | 11,270 million | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | 71 mm² | 243 mm² |

| L1 Cache (per core) | 64 KB | 192 KB |

| L2 Cache (per core) | 1 MB | 3 MB |

| L3 Cache (shared) | 96 MB | 30 MB |

| Memory Bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 24 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $269 | $199 |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins every recorded benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. Its advantages are largest in floating-point math (-73.2%), encryption (-62.5%), and extended instructions (-54.1%). These results point to workloads involving heavy numeric computation, cryptography, and SIMD-style operations. The Intel part also wins decisively in multithreaded throughput (-51.5%), making it the stronger choice for content creation, compilation, and other parallel workloads. Its single-thread lead (-26.6%) also benefits everyday responsiveness and lightly threaded applications.

The AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D does not win any recorded benchmark, but the data still reveals where it comes closest to closing the gap. Its best relative performance is in physics calculations, where the delta narrows to -20.5%. This suggests the 3D V-Cache helps in physics-based simulations or game physics. The AMD part also shows a smaller gap in integer math (-43.4%) than in floating-point math, indicating its architecture is comparatively stronger for general integer processing.

For users prioritizing raw compute throughput, high clock speeds, and memory bandwidth, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the clear choice based on these measurements. The AMD part offers a lower TDP of 65 W versus Intel's 125 W, which could matter for power-constrained builds, and its larger L3 cache may benefit certain latency-sensitive workloads. However, in the recorded benchmark suite, the Intel processor is consistently ahead across all categories.