AMD Ryzen 7 260 vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus records an average benchmark score of 66855, placing it in the 93rd percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 scores 43717 on average, which places it in the 88th percentile.

Q: How does the Intel chip compare to its nearest rivals in the database?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus sits within 1.1% of the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, and trails the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX by 0.9%. It is effectively tied with the AMD EPYC 4465P at -0.1% and the Intel Xeon 6515P at -0.2%.

Q: Where does the AMD Ryzen 7 260 rank among its closest competitors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 is essentially level with the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 at a 0% delta, just 0.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 170, 0.7% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 465, and 0.9% ahead of the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has a launch MSRP of $199.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 7 260 does not.

Q: What are the respective process nodes for these two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 is built on a 4 nm TSMC process, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses a 3 nm TSMC process.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 260 and Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus represent fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD part uses the Zen 4 architecture under the Hawk Point codename, belonging to the Ryzen 7 generation. It is a mobile segment processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, relying on simultaneous multithreading to reach that thread count. The Intel part uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename under the Core Ultra Series 2 branding, belonging to the Ultra 5 generation. It is a desktop segment processor with 18 cores and 18 threads, meaning it does not use multithreading; each core provides a single thread.

The transistor counts differ substantially. AMD packs 25,000 million transistors into a 178 mm² die, while Intel fits 17,800 million transistors into a larger 243 mm² die. This reflects the different process nodes: AMD uses TSMC's 4 nm process, while Intel uses TSMC's 3 nm process. The cache hierarchies are also distinct. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3.

The integrated graphics differ as well. AMD integrates a Radeon 780M, while Intel integrates an Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. Memory support is DDR5 for both, with dual-channel buses, but Intel has a higher memory bandwidth at 115.2 GB/s versus AMD's 89.6 GB/s. PCIe support also differs: AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD chip does not. Power envelopes are very different, with AMD at 45 W TDP and Intel at 125 W TDP.

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers a decisive outcome. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the database, 15 out of 15, with no wins for the AMD Ryzen 7 260. The average score gap is substantial: 66855 versus 43717, a difference of roughly 53% in favor of Intel. The Intel chip also reaches the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, compared to AMD's 88th.

For multi-threaded workloads, the Intel processor is the clear choice. Its 18 cores without SMT deliver 30867 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, against AMD's 17211.5 from 8 cores with SMT. The gap is 44.2%. For single-threaded tasks, Intel also leads, scoring 2261 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus AMD's 1770.5, a 21.7% advantage. The Intel chip has higher base and boost clocks at 4.20 GHz and 5.30 GHz, compared to AMD's 3.80 GHz and 5.10 GHz.

The AMD Ryzen 7 260 is a mobile processor with a 45 W TDP, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is a desktop processor with a 125 W TDP. The data does not show any benchmark where the AMD chip outperforms the Intel chip. The AMD part's advantages are limited to its smaller process node in terms of transistor density, its lower TDP, and its integrated Radeon 780M graphics. For raw performance across every measured workload, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus dominates.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 260 | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |

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

| Cores | 8 | 18 |

| Threads | 16 | 18 |

| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.10 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 125 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP8 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Codename | Hawk Point | Arrow Lake Refresh |

| Generation | Ryzen 7 (Zen 4, Hawk Point) | Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake) |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Transistors | 25,000 million | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | 178 mm² | 243 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 780M | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Unlocked Multiplier | No | Yes |

| Production Status | Active | Active |

| Release Date | 2025-01-05 | 2026-03-10 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins every recorded comparison. The largest single margin comes in PassMark's find prime numbers test, where Intel scores 486 against AMD's 77, a 84.2% advantage. This is an extreme outlier in terms of relative performance, indicating a massive gap in that specific integer workload.

The floating point math test also shows a large divide. Intel scores 162692 versus AMD's 59462, a 63.5% lead. The physics test follows a similar pattern, with Intel at 3494 and AMD at 1218, a 65.1% difference. Data encryption shows Intel at 42144 versus AMD's 20267, a 51.9% margin.

Multi-threaded rendering benchmarks reinforce the pattern. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel scores 30867 versus AMD's 17211.5, a 44.2% lead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 4640 versus AMD's 2747.5, a 40.8% margin. PassMark multithread shows Intel at 51596 versus AMD's 28078, a 45.6% difference.

Single-threaded results are closer but still favor Intel. Cinebench R23 single-core shows Intel at 2261 versus AMD's 1770.5, a 21.7% lead. PassMark single thread shows Intel at 4757 versus AMD's 3736, a 21.5% margin. Cinebench R15 single-core shows Intel at 328 versus AMD's 276.5, a 15.7% lead.

Integer math shows a smaller gap. Intel scores 125091 versus AMD's 96737, a 22.7% advantage. Data compression shows Intel at 568721 versus AMD's 351517, a 38.2% lead. Extended instructions show Intel at 44565 versus AMD's 26544, a 40.4% margin. Random string sorting shows Intel at 69090 versus AMD's 42383, a 38.7% difference.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins in every category measured. For multi-threaded rendering, Cinebench R23 and R15 multi-core results show Intel ahead by 44.2% and 40.8% respectively. For single-threaded rendering, Intel leads by 21.7% in R23 and 15.7% in R15. For general productivity tasks like integer math, data compression, and random string sorting, Intel leads by 22.7%, 38.2%, and 38.7% respectively.

For cryptographic workloads, PassMark data encryption shows Intel at a 51.9% advantage. For physics simulations, Intel leads by 65.1%. For floating point math, Intel leads by 63.5%. For prime number finding, Intel leads by 84.2%. Overall multithread performance in PassMark shows Intel at a 45.6% advantage.

The AMD Ryzen 7 260 does not win any benchmark in the database. Its strengths are qualitative rather than quantitative. It operates in the mobile segment with a 45 W TDP, making it suitable for power-constrained environments. It integrates Radeon 780M graphics, which may serve portable systems. It uses a 4 nm process, which provides a smaller die size at 178 mm². However, the recorded data shows no performance category where the AMD chip surpasses the Intel chip. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the superior processor across all 15 measured benchmarks.