AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus

The database records a direct comparison between two desktop processors with very different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D is an 8-core, 16-thread part from the 7000 series, built on a 5 nm process, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is an 18-core, 18-thread chip from the Core Ultra Series 2, manufactured on a 3 nm node. The Intel part holds a significant advantage in the recorded benchmark data, with an average benchmark score of 66855 and a percentile ranking of 93 among all CPUs, whereas the AMD chip sits at a 50th percentile with no recorded average score. The Intel processor also carries a lower launch MSRP of $199 compared to the AMD part’s $329, though pricing analysis is not the focus here. The following sections break down the recorded performance data, architectural differences, and the contexts in which each processor’s strengths apply.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data for the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus comes from a comprehensive suite of Cinebench and PassMark tests, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D has no benchmark entries in the database. This creates a one-sided comparison, but the Intel results are still informative. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 30867, a figure that reflects its 18 physical cores and 18 threads. The single-core score of 2261 in the same test shows a strong per-thread capability. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score is 18442 and the single-core score is 2603. The older Cinebench R15 test records a multi-core score of 4640 and a single-core score of 328.

PassMark results for the Intel processor cover a wide range of workloads. The multi-thread score is 51596, and the single-thread score is 4757. Integer math produces 125091, while floating-point math reaches 162692. Data compression scores 568721, which is the highest recorded figure in the PassMark set, and data encryption scores 42144. Extended instructions yield 44565, and find prime numbers produces a score of 486. Random string sorting records 69090, and the physics test scores 3494.

Because the AMD processor has no benchmark scores in the database, the head-to-head analysis is limited. The Intel part’s nearest rivals provide context for its positioning. The AMD EPYC 4465P has an average score of 66925, which is 0.1% lower than the Intel chip’s 66855. The Intel Xeon 6515P scores 67006, 0.2% lower. The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX scores 67469, 0.9% higher than the 250K Plus. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, a closely related part, scores 66159, which is 1.1% lower. These deltas place the 250K Plus in a tight competitive band around the 67000 average score mark, with the largest gap in the recorded set being less than 1% against the Ultra 9 275HX.

The absence of AMD benchmark data means no direct wins can be attributed to the Ryzen 7 7700X3D in this comparison. The Intel processor’s scores stand as the only recorded performance measurements, and they show a part that is competitive with server-class chips like the EPYC 4465P and Xeon 6515P, despite being a mainstream desktop product.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus shows clear strengths in multi-threaded workloads, as indicated by its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 30867 and its PassMark multi-thread score of 51596. Its 18-core, 18-thread configuration is well suited to tasks that scale across many physical cores, such as rendering, data compression, and scientific computing. The PassMark data compression score of 568721 and floating-point math score of 162692 reinforce this pattern. The single-thread score of 4757 in PassMark and 2261 in Cinebench R23 also indicate strong per-core performance, which benefits lightly threaded applications like legacy games or single-threaded productivity tools.

The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D has no recorded benchmark scores, so the database cannot confirm any specific workload wins for this part. However, its architectural characteristics, which are detailed in the next section, suggest potential advantages in certain scenarios. The 96 MB of shared L3 cache is a notable feature, and the 8-core, 16-thread layout with SMT support may provide better thread scheduling flexibility in mixed workloads. Without recorded data, these remain potential strengths rather than confirmed results.

The Intel part’s 125 TDP and 3 nm process node indicate a design focused on efficiency and high clock speeds, with a boost clock of 5.30 GHz and a base clock of 4.20 GHz. The AMD part has a 120 TDP, a base clock of 4.00 GHz, and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, which are lower than the Intel figures. In the absence of AMD benchmarks, the Intel processor’s recorded wins cover all measured categories, but the architectural differences suggest the AMD chip could compete in cache-sensitive applications.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in their underlying designs. The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D uses the Raphael codename and is based on Zen 4 architecture, manufactured on a 5 nm process by TSMC. It contains 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a substantial 96 MB of shared L3 cache. The transistor count is 11,270 million on a die size of 71 mm². The memory subsystem supports DDR5 with dual-channel operation and a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. ECC memory is supported. The PCIe interface is Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are provided by Radeon Graphics. The socket is AMD Socket AM5, and the multiplier is locked.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename and is based on Arrow Lake architecture, manufactured on a 3 nm process by TSMC. It contains 18 cores and 18 threads, with no SMT, a base clock of 4.20 GHz, and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The transistor count is 17,800 million on a die size of 243 mm². The memory subsystem supports DDR5 with dual-channel operation and a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, which is higher than the AMD part’s 83.2 GB/s. ECC memory is supported. The PCIe interface is Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics are provided by Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The socket is Intel Socket 1851, and the multiplier is unlocked.

The most striking difference is the cache configuration. The AMD chip’s 96 MB of shared L3 cache is three times larger than the Intel chip’s 30 MB, which can benefit workloads that repeatedly access large datasets. The Intel chip’s higher memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s may provide an advantage in memory-intensive tasks. The core count difference is also notable: 18 physical cores on the Intel part versus 8 cores with 16 threads on the AMD part. The Intel chip’s lack of SMT means 18 threads total, while the AMD chip’s SMT doubles its thread count to 16. The process node difference, 3 nm for Intel versus 5 nm for AMD, contributes to the Intel chip’s higher clock speeds and efficiency. The Intel chip also has a larger die size at 243 mm² compared to 71 mm², and a higher transistor count at 17,800 million versus 11,270 million.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare between the two chips?

A: The AMD processor has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 96 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus support ECC memory.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth figures for each processor?

A: The AMD processor has a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, and the Intel processor has a memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s.

Q: Are the multipliers unlocked on either processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D has a locked multiplier. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has an unlocked multiplier.

Q: What is the process node for each processor?

A: The AMD processor is manufactured on a 5 nm process, and the Intel processor is manufactured on a 3 nm process.

The Verdict

The recorded data strongly favors the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus in this comparison, primarily because it has benchmark scores while the AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D does not. The Intel chip’s average benchmark score of 66855 and 93rd percentile ranking place it in the upper tier of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals, the AMD EPYC 4465P and Intel Xeon 6515P, score within 0.2% of it, indicating that the 250K Plus delivers performance comparable to server-class parts. The Intel chip’s 18 cores, 5.30 GHz boost clock, and 115.2 GB/s memory bandwidth provide a strong foundation for multi-threaded and memory-intensive workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D, with its 96 MB of shared L3 cache and 16 threads, offers a different set of characteristics, but the database contains no benchmark results to validate its performance. Its 50th percentile ranking among all CPUs, based on the recorded data, is far below the Intel chip’s 93rd percentile. The AMD part’s lower boost clock of 4.50 GHz and lower memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s further separate it from the Intel chip in the recorded metrics.

For users prioritizing recorded benchmark performance, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the clear choice based on the data. Its multi-core scores, such as 30867 in Cinebench R23 and 51596 in PassMark multi-thread, demonstrate capability across a broad range of workloads. The AMD part may appeal to those who value its large L3 cache or its 5 nm process efficiency, but the absence of recorded scores means those potential advantages are not substantiated in the database. The Intel chip’s unlocked multiplier also provides flexibility for users who adjust clock settings, while the AMD chip’s locked multiplier limits such adjustments. Based strictly on the recorded data, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the higher-performing processor.