AMD Ryzen 7 9700F vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Comparison
AMD Ryzen 7 9700F
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: AMD Ryzen 7 9700F vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The recorded data shows a complete sweep for the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus across all eleven shared PassMark tests, with the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F trailing by margins ranging from 7.4% to 70.2%. The most lopsided result appears in floating-point math, where the Intel part scores 229,491 against the AMD's 77,955, a 66% deficit. Prime number finding is even starker: Intel's 615 versus AMD's 183, a 70.2% gap that reflects the Core Ultra's substantially larger physical core count.
The multi-threaded PassMark score tells a similar story. Intel delivers 68,574 versus 36,470 for AMD, a 46.8% advantage. This aligns with the core and thread disparity: the 270K Plus uses 24 cores and 24 threads, while the 9700F has 8 cores and 16 threads. In integer math, the gap narrows to 31.4% (175,986 for Intel, 120,788 for AMD), but the direction remains consistent. Even in single-threaded workloads, where the AMD part might be expected to close ground given its higher base clock, the Intel chip wins by 7.4% (5,068 versus 4,691).
Data compression shows Intel at 804,322 versus AMD's 421,988, a 47.5% lead. Encryption is similarly one-sided: 59,097 for Intel versus 21,488 for AMD, a 63.6% margin. Extended instructions, random string sorting, and physics all follow the same pattern, with Intel ahead by 47%, 52.7%, and 47.8% respectively. The narrowest margin in the entire dataset is the single-thread result, where both parts boost to 5.50 GHz, yet Intel still holds a measurable edge.
Architecture Differences
The two processors diverge fundamentally in construction. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Granite Ridge codename, fabricated on a 4 nm TSMC process. It integrates 8,315 million transistors across a 70.6 mm² die. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus belongs to the Arrow Lake Refresh codename under the Core Ultra Series 2 family, built on a 3 nm TSMC node with 17,800 million transistors and a 243 mm² die size. The process node difference (3 nm versus 4 nm) contributes to Intel's higher transistor density, though the die is over three times larger in area.
Cache hierarchies differ substantially. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. Intel uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The per-core cache figures reflect the distinct core designs: Intel's larger L1 and L2 allocations support its hybrid approach, while AMD's smaller per-core caches suit the Zen 5 core layout.
Memory bandwidth also favors Intel. The 270K Plus reaches 115.2 GB/s over dual-channel DDR5, while the 9700F maxes out at 89.6 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, a feature that appeals to workstation users. PCIe connectivity is close but not identical: AMD provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The Intel part includes integrated graphics in the form of Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units, while the AMD chip has none.
Power envelopes differ sharply. The AMD part carries a 65 W TDP, the Intel part a 125 W TDP. That higher power budget helps explain the Intel part's consistent performance lead, particularly in sustained multi-threaded workloads. Both processors have unlocked multipliers for overclocking, and both use DDR5 memory exclusively.
Where Each One Wins
Given the head-to-head results, the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus wins every measured category. The 24-core configuration dominates heavily threaded tasks: multi-threaded performance, data compression, encryption, physics, and floating-point math all show Intel leads between 46.8% and 66%. For workloads that scale with core count, such as rendering, scientific simulation, or batch data processing, the 270K Plus is the clear choice based on the recorded scores.
The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F does not win any of the eleven shared tests. Its closest margin is the 7.4% single-thread deficit, which suggests that in lightly threaded scenarios, the two chips are relatively close, though Intel still holds the advantage. The AMD part's 65 W TDP means it can operate in systems with more modest cooling and power delivery requirements, a qualitative benefit not reflected in raw benchmark scores. The 9700F also has two more PCIe lanes (24 versus 20), which could matter for configurations with multiple Gen 5 devices.
The Intel part's integrated graphics provide a fallback for systems without a discrete GPU, while the AMD chip requires a separate graphics card. For users building a compact or low-power system, the 9700F's lower TDP and smaller die (70.6 mm² versus 243 mm²) may be attractive, even if the benchmark data does not show a performance win. The 270K Plus holds the 96th percentile among all CPUs, while the 9700F sits at the 94th percentile, a two-point gap that reflects the overall performance separation.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has a higher single-threaded PassMark score?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 5,068 in the PassMark single-thread test, while the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F scores 4,691. Intel leads by 7.4%.
Q: How large is the multi-threaded performance gap?
A: The Intel part scores 68,574 in PassMark multi-thread, versus 36,470 for AMD, a 46.8% advantage for Intel.
Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?
A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F and the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus support ECC memory.
Q: What are the TDP ratings for each chip?
A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F has a 65 W TDP, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has a 125 W TDP.
Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?
A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F provides 24 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus provides 20 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only).
Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700F has no integrated graphics.
Specification Differences
The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ.
| Field | AMD Ryzen 7 9700F | Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus |
|-------|-------------------|------------------------------|
| Cores | 8 | 24 |
| Threads | 16 | 24 |
| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.70 GHz |
| TDP | 65 W | 125 W |
| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel Socket 1851 |
| Codename | Granite Ridge | Arrow Lake Refresh |
| Process Node | 4 nm | 3 nm |
| Transistors | 8,315 million | 17,800 million |
| Die Size | 70.6 mm² | 243 mm² |
| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |
| L3 Cache | 32 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |
| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |
| PCIe | Gen 5, 24 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |
| Integrated Graphics | N/A | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |
| Release Date | 2025-09-15 | 2026-03-10 |
| Launch MSRP | $289 | $299 |
| Part Number | 100-000001902 | SA4V6 |