AMD Ryzen 7 9700X vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head comparison between the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X and the Intel Core 7 251TE shows a clear split: AMD dominates most throughput and data-processing workloads, while Intel takes the lead in the Cinebench rendering suite and a few math-oriented PassMark tests. The AMD processor wins 9 of the 15 recorded comparisons, with Intel taking the other 6.

The single largest margin in either direction belongs to AMD in PassMark extended instructions, where the Ryzen 7 9700X scores 35,318 against Intel's 16,974. That is a 108.1% advantage, meaning the AMD part more than doubles the Intel processor in this workload. The gap is so large that it suggests a fundamental difference in how each architecture handles the extended instruction set, rather than a marginal clock-speed advantage.

AMD also posts a 30.7% win in PassMark data compression, scoring 437,140 versus 334,399. The Ryzen 7 9700X is 30.4% ahead in PassMark single-thread, with 4,654 points against Intel's 3,568. The same 30.4% delta appears in the duplicate single-thread test, confirming the consistency of the measurement. In PassMark multithread, AMD leads 37,161 to 30,022, a 23.8% margin. The Ryzen 7 9700X also wins PassMark find prime numbers by 37.1% (192 versus 140), PassMark physics by 15.6% (2,241 versus 1,938), and PassMark random string sorting by 18% (46,782 versus 39,643).

The Cinebench results tell the opposite story. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel Core 7 251TE scores 3,602 against AMD's 2,211, a 38.6% lead. That is the largest Intel margin in any test. Cinebench R23 multi-core also goes to Intel: 25,518 versus 20,485, a 19.7% advantage. In the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test, AMD wins 3,178 to 2,572, a 23.6% margin, which is notable because Intel wins the newer R23 multi-core test by 19.7%. The two processors trade places depending on the rendering workload version. Cinebench R15 single-core goes to Intel by a slim 4.4% (362 versus 346).

The remaining PassMark tests are closer. Intel wins floating point math 85,607 to 78,999, a 7.7% margin. Integer math goes to Intel 125,739 to 120,142, a 4.5% lead. Data encryption is nearly tied: Intel scores 22,176 against AMD's 21,815, a 1.6% difference.

Looking at the aggregate scores, the Intel Core 7 251TE has a higher average benchmark score of 41,650 compared to AMD's 37,943. The Intel processor also sits at the 88th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is at the 86th percentile. However, the AMD part's nearest rivals in the database are all within 0.4% of its average score: the Intel Core i9-14901E at 37,911 (0.1% higher), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 at 37,904 (0.1% higher), the Intel Core 5 211E at 37,829 (0.3% higher), and the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132 at 37,804 (0.4% higher). The Intel Core 7 251TE's nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H at 41,621 (0.1% higher), the Intel Core i7-14650HX at 41,576 (0.2% higher), the Intel Core i7-12850HX at 41,779 (0.3% lower), and the Intel Core i7-14700T at 41,914 (0.6% lower). The data indicates that the Intel processor's aggregate advantage comes from its wins in the Cinebench suite, which carries substantial weight in the average score calculation.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-thread score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE leads in Cinebench R23 single-core with 3,602 points, which is 38.6% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X's 2,211 points.

Q: How do the two processors compare in PassMark multithread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X wins PassMark multithread with 37,161 points, a 23.8% margin over the Intel Core 7 251TE's 30,022 points.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in either direction?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark extended instructions, where the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X scores 35,318 against the Intel Core 7 251TE's 16,974, a 108.1% advantage for AMD.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE has an average benchmark score of 41,650, compared to the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X's 37,943. Intel also holds a higher percentile rank at 88 versus AMD's 86.

Q: How close is the data encryption performance?

A: The two processors are nearly identical in PassMark data encryption. The Intel Core 7 251TE scores 22,176, which is only 1.6% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X's 21,815.

Q: Does the Intel processor win any rendering benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Intel Core 7 251TE wins Cinebench R23 multi-core (25,518 versus 20,485, a 19.7% lead) and Cinebench R23 single-core (3,602 versus 2,211, a 38.6% lead). However, the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (3,178 versus 2,572, a 23.6% margin).

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core 7 251TE uses the Bartlett Lake codename on a 10 nm process at Intel. The process node difference is substantial, and the data reflects it in the extended instructions benchmark, where AMD's 108.1% lead suggests a much more efficient instruction pipeline.

The core configurations differ sharply. The AMD processor has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel processor has 24 cores and 32 threads. Despite having one-third the core count, the AMD part wins PassMark multithread by 23.8%. The Intel processor's extra cores do help in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it leads by 19.7%. The core count advantage appears workload-dependent: it helps in the newer Cinebench renderer but not in PassMark multithread.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Both processors have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache is 1 MB per core on the AMD part and 1.25 MB per core on the Intel part. The L3 cache is 32 MB shared on the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X and 36 MB shared on the Intel Core 7 251TE. Neither processor uses 3D V-Cache. The die size difference is notable: the AMD die measures 70.6 mm², while the Intel die measures 215 mm², roughly three times larger. The AMD processor has 8,315 million transistors; the database does not record a transistor count for the Intel part.

The memory support differs. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X supports DDR5 only, while the Intel Core 7 251TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use a dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, and both support ECC memory. The PCIe configuration also differs: the AMD processor provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel processor provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

The integrated graphics differ as well. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X includes Radeon Graphics, while the Intel Core 7 251TE includes UHD Graphics 770. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel processor does not. The AMD part number is 100-000001404; the Intel part number is SRQAXQ5ZG.

Specification Differences

The base clock speeds differ significantly. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X runs at 3.80 GHz, while the Intel Core 7 251TE runs at 1.40 GHz. The boost clocks are closer: 5.50 GHz for AMD and 5.40 GHz for Intel. The lower base clock on the Intel part, combined with its higher core count, explains why the Intel processor has a 45 W TDP versus the AMD processor's 65 W TDP.

The sockets are different. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel Core 7 251TE uses Intel Socket 1700. The AMD processor was released on 2024-08-07, and the Intel processor was released on 2025-01-12. The launch MSRP for the AMD part is $359, and the launch MSRP for the Intel part is $384.

The core and thread counts differ: 8 cores and 16 threads for AMD versus 24 cores and 32 threads for Intel. The L2 cache per core is 1 MB on AMD and 1.25 MB on Intel. The L3 cache is 32 MB shared on AMD and 36 MB shared on Intel. Memory support is DDR5-only on the AMD part versus DDR4 and DDR5 on the Intel part. The PCIe lane count differs: 24 lanes on AMD versus 16 lanes on Intel. The integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics on AMD versus UHD Graphics 770 on Intel. The multiplier is unlocked on AMD and locked on Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is the stronger choice for data-heavy and instruction-intensive workloads. Its 108.1% lead in PassMark extended instructions indicates a major advantage for applications that leverage advanced instruction sets. The 30.7% win in data compression makes it the better option for archiving, backup, and file-handling tasks. The 30.4% single-thread advantage in PassMark, along with the 23.8% multithread win, shows broad superiority in general-purpose PassMark metrics. The physics test win of 15.6% and the random string sorting win of 18% reinforce the pattern: the AMD part handles structured data and simulation workloads more efficiently. The Cinebench R15 multi-core win of 23.6% is also notable, showing that the AMD part can win in at least one rendering workload despite losing in newer Cinebench versions.

The Intel Core 7 251TE is the better option for the newer Cinebench rendering workloads. Its 38.6% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is the largest Intel margin in the entire comparison. The 19.7% win in Cinebench R23 multi-core shows that the 24-core configuration can be fully utilized by modern rendering engines. The Intel part also wins the math-oriented PassMark tests: floating point math by 7.7% and integer math by 4.5%. The data encryption win of 1.6% is small but consistent, and the Cinebench R15 single-core win of 4.4% rounds out the Intel advantages.

For users prioritizing rendering performance in current Cinebench versions, the Intel Core 7 251TE delivers clear wins. For users prioritizing data compression, extended instructions, and PassMark-style throughput, the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is the stronger performer. The aggregate benchmark score favors the Intel part by 9.8% (41,650 versus 37,943), but the head-to-head data shows that the choice depends heavily on the workload. The AMD part's 9 head-to-head wins versus Intel's 6 provide a simple summary: the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X wins more individual tests, while the Intel Core 7 251TE wins the tests that carry more weight in the average score calculation.