AMD Ryzen 5 9500F vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data is unambiguous: the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF wins all 11 benchmark comparisons against the AMD Ryzen 5 9500F. The largest margin appears in floating-point math, where Intel scores 131546 against AMD's 56570, a 132.5% advantage. That is not merely a lead; it is a doubling of throughput in a workload class that typically stresses the processor's execution units and vector pipelines.

Data encryption shows the second-largest gap. Intel records 33381 versus AMD's 15716, a 112.4% difference. Encryption workloads often depend on dedicated instructions and memory bandwidth, and the database indicates Intel holds a commanding position here. Find prime numbers follows with Intel at 416 and AMD at 220, an 89.1% delta. This is a classic integer-heavy, latency-sensitive test, and the gap suggests the Intel architecture has a substantial per-thread advantage in this specific pattern.

The multithread score also favors Intel decisively: 43110 versus 28312, a 52.3% delta. With 14 cores and 14 threads against AMD's 6 cores and 12 threads, the parallel throughput difference is expected, but the magnitude exceeds the raw core count ratio. Physics simulation shows Intel at 2998 versus AMD's 1851, a 62% advantage, and random string sorting lands at 55206 versus 34174, a 61.5% delta. Both are memory-access-heavy workloads, and Intel's larger L2 cache per core (3 MB versus 1 MB) likely contributes to the measured result.

Extended instructions favor Intel 37912 to 26370, a 43.8% delta, and data compression shows 460123 versus 325678, a 41.3% advantage. Integer math is the closest contest in percentage terms: Intel scores 98854 versus AMD's 84198, a 17.4% delta. Despite being the narrowest win, it is still a clear margin. Single-thread performance, measured by both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, gives Intel 4715 versus AMD's 4258, a 10.7% delta. This is the smallest gap in the set, but it still places Intel ahead in the most fundamental scalar performance metric.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark wins, Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF is the preferred part across every test category recorded in this database. Multithread performance, floating-point math, encryption, prime-number finding, physics, data compression, random string sorting, extended instructions, integer math, and single-thread performance all fall on the Intel side of the ledger.

The data indicates that Intel's advantage is largest in workloads involving heavy mathematical computation, particularly floating-point and encryption. The 132.5% delta in floating-point math is the single largest margin in the comparison, making it the standout recommendation for compute-focused tasks that rely on vector operations or sustained arithmetic throughput. Encryption-heavy applications, such as data-at-rest encryption or secure communications, benefit from the 112.4% advantage, which positions Intel as the database's pick for security-related workloads.

Multithreaded applications such as video rendering, physics simulation, data compression, and software compilation benefit from the 52.3% multithread delta. The 62% physics win at 2998 further supports Intel for simulation workloads that demand high core counts. Data compression at 41.1% delta remains a strong recommendation for data center-like workloads. Even for single-threaded responsiveness, where the gap is smallest, the Intel part still leads by 10.7% in single-thread score, so the database suggests a universal preference for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF in these tests.

The AMD Ryzen 5 9500F, despite losing all 11 head-to-head tests, still delivers notable results in absolute terms: the multithread score of 28312 and single-thread score of 4258 place it in the 91st percentile among all CPUs, matching Intel's percentile. For users who prioritize lower power draw (65 W TDP versus 125 W TDP) or ECC memory support, the AMD part has architectural advantages that the benchmark scores do not reflect. However, within these specific benchmark workloads, the Intel part is the consistent winner.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. Intel's Core Ultra 5 245KF is built on Arrow Lake-S, the desktop variant of the Arrow Lake architecture, and it uses a 3 nm process node fabricated by TSMC. The die contains 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen 5 9500F uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm TSMC process with 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die. The Intel chip has a smaller process node but a larger physical die and more than double the transistor count.

Core configuration differs sharply. Intel provides 14 cores and 14 threads, indicating no simultaneous multithreading (SMT) on its performance cores. AMD provides 6 cores and 12 threads, meaning each Zen 5 core supports two threads. The net effect is that Intel has more physical cores but fewer threads than the core-to-thread ratio would suggest, while AMD has fewer cores but doubles its thread count through SMT. Intel's base clock is 4.20 GHz with a boost of 5.20 GHz, while AMD runs at 3.80 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost. Intel's higher clocks contribute to its single-thread advantage in the recorded data.

Cache hierarchy presents another key divergence. Intel allocates 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. AMD uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and a larger 32 MB shared L3. Intel's larger per-core L2 is notable for workloads that repeatedly access a small working set. The L3 difference, 24 MB versus 32 MB, favors AMD, but the benchmark data suggests that does not translate into a win in the measured tests.

Memory support is DDR5 for both, with dual-channel buses. Intel's memory bandwidth is rated at 102.4 GB/s, while AMD's is rated at 89.6 GB/s. Intel also supports ECC memory? No, the database shows ECC memory is false for Intel and true for AMD. PCIe connectivity differs: Intel provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only). AMD's additional four lanes may matter for expansion-heavy builds, though this is not directly reflected in the benchmark scores. Neither processor includes integrated graphics, both are marked as N/A.

Socket and platform requirements also separate the two. Intel uses Socket 1851, while AMD uses Socket AM5. Both processors have an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. Intel's TDP is 125 W, while AMD's is 65 W, a substantial difference in rated power draw. The release dates place Intel in the 2024-10-23 timeframe and AMD in 2025-09-07; the database records Intel as the earlier release.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF records a single-thread score of 4715 in both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, while the AMD Ryzen 5 9500F records 4258. Intel leads by 10.7% in both tests.

Q: How large is the multithread performance gap?

A: Intel scores 43110 in passmark_multithread versus AMD's 28312, a 52.3% delta. Intel also has 14 cores and 14 threads, while AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 9500F support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the database lists ECC memory as true for the AMD Ryzen 5 9500F. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has ECC memory listed as false.

Q: What are the process node differences between the two?

A: Intel uses a 3 nm process node, while AMD uses a 4 nm process node. Both are fabricated by TSMC.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 9500F has 32 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has 24 MB. However, Intel has 3 MB of L2 per core versus AMD's 1 MB per core.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has a TDP of 125 W, and the AMD Ryzen 5 9500F has a TDP of 65 W.

Specification Differences

The following table lists only the fields where the two processors differ, according to the database.

• Cores: Intel 14, AMD 6
• Threads: Intel 14, AMD 12
• Base clock: Intel 4.20 GHz, AMD 3.80 GHz
• Boost clock: Intel 5.20 GHz, AMD 5.00 GHz
• TDP: Intel 125 W, AMD 65 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1851, AMD Socket AM5
• Architecture: Intel Arrow Lake, AMD Zen 5
• Codename: Intel Arrow Lake-S, AMD Granite Ridge
• Generation: Intel Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake), AMD Ryzen 5 (Zen 5 (Granite Ridge))
• Process node: Intel 3 nm, AMD 4 nm
• Transistors: Intel 17,800 million, AMD 8,315 million
• Die size: Intel 243 mm², AMD 70.6 mm²
• L1 cache (per core): Intel 192 KB, AMD 80 KB
• L2 cache (per core): Intel 3 MB, AMD 1 MB
• L3 cache (shared): Intel 24 MB, AMD 32 MB
• Memory bandwidth: Intel 102.4 GB/s, AMD 89.6 GB/s
• ECC memory: Intel false, AMD true
• PCIe lanes (CPU only): Intel Gen 5, 20 Lanes, AMD Gen 5, 24 Lanes
• Release date: Intel 2024-10-23, AMD 2025-09-07
• Launch MSRP: Intel $294, AMD $219
• Part number: Intel SRQCY, AMD 100-000001406