AMD Ryzen 7 9700X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a surprisingly split picture between these two desktop processors. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 and AMD Ryzen 7 9700X trade blows across the 15 head-to-head tests, with AMD taking 8 wins and Intel taking 7. The margins, however, are not evenly distributed.

Intel's most dominant victory comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 3655 against AMD's 2211, a massive 65.3% lead. This is the single largest delta in the entire comparison. Intel also shows a strong 26.4% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 25891 versus 20485. These two Cinebench results indicate that Intel's architecture is exceptionally well-tuned for this particular rendering workload.

Intel also outperforms in PassMark's find prime numbers test, scoring 358 versus 192, an 86.5% margin. This is the biggest percentage win for either side in any test. The floating point math test also goes to Intel, with scores of 92038 versus 78999, a 16.5% advantage. Smaller Intel wins come in Cinebench R15 single-core (368 versus 346, 6.4% delta), PassMark data encryption (22285 versus 21815, 2.2% delta), and PassMark physics (2342 versus 2241, 4.5% delta).

AMD's wins are equally decisive, but in different areas. The PassMark integer math test is a complete rout, with AMD scoring 120142 against Intel's 65345, a 45.6% advantage. Data compression shows AMD ahead by 30.7%, with scores of 437140 versus 302811. The extended instructions test goes to AMD by 23.1% (35318 versus 27162), and random string sorting by 21.8% (46782 versus 36590).

The remaining AMD wins are narrower but consistent. PassMark multi-thread shows AMD ahead by 18%, with 37161 versus 30459. The single-thread test (recorded twice in the database) gives AMD a 5.2% edge, 4654 versus 4412. Cinebench R15 multi-core also goes to AMD by 17.9%, with scores of 3178 versus 2609.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this split: Intel Core Ultra 5 225 averages 36938 points, while the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X averages 37943, a 2.7% gap in AMD's favor. Intel ranks in the 85th percentile of all CPUs, while AMD ranks in the 86th.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture for different workloads. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is the better choice for integer-heavy compute, compression, sorting, and general multi-threaded workloads. Its 45.6% lead in integer math and 30.7% lead in data compression are too large to ignore for those types of tasks.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 225 is the pick for single-core rendering and specific math workloads. Its 65.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is remarkable, and the 86.5% win in prime number finding is equally decisive. The 26.4% multi-core win in Cinebench R23 also makes it the stronger option for that specific renderer.

Neither chip is a clear overall winner. The database shows AMD with a slightly higher average score, but the workloads matter more than the aggregate. For a user running Cinebench or similar floating-point render tasks, Intel wins. For integer math, data compression, or sorting tasks, AMD wins. The choice is workload-dependent, not processor-dependent.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from fundamentally different design philosophies. Intel's Core Ultra 225 is built on Arrow Lake-S architecture, fabricated on a 3 nm process at TSMC. AMD's Ryzen 7 9700X uses Zen 5 architecture (Granite Ridge) on a 4 nm process, also from TSMC. The Intel chip integrates 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die, while AMD packs 8,315 million transistors onto a much smaller 70.6 mm² die.

The core configuration differs significantly. Intel has 10 cores and 10 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads, using simultaneous multithreading to double thread count. The clock speeds also vary: Intel has a 3.30 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost, while AMD lists a 3.80 GHz base and 5.50 GHz boost. Despite AMD's higher clocks, both CPUs share the same 65W TDP.

Cache hierarchy is distinct. Intel uses 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3. AMD uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 32 MB shared L3. The larger L3 on AMD could contribute to its compression and integer performance. Intel's per-core L2 is larger, which may explain its single-core Cinebench strength.

Memory and IO also differ. Both support dual-channel DDR5. Intel lists 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, while AMD lists 89.6 GB/s. Intel offers Gen 5 PCIe with 20 CPU lanes; AMD offers Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes. AMD also supports ECC memory, while Intel does not. The integrated graphics are Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16 EU on Intel, versus Radeon Graphics on AMD.

The sockets are incompatible. Intel uses Socket 1851, AMD uses AM5. Intel's multiplier is locked, while AMD's is unlocked for overclocking. AMD also has a higher launch MSRP of $359, versus $246 for Intel.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 scores 25891, a 26.4% lead over the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X's 20485.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X have a significant advantage in any single benchmark?

A: Yes, in PassMark integer math, AMD scores 120142 versus Intel's 65345, a 45.6% lead.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X scores 4654 in both PassMark single-thread tests, while Intel scores 4412, giving AMD a 5.2% edge.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: Intel has 10 cores and 10 threads. AMD has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support dual-channel DDR5 memory. Intel has a rated 102.4 GB/s bandwidth, AMD has 89.6 GB/s.

Q: Which CPU has more PCIe lanes?

A: AMD offers Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes, while Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins in:

• Rendering workloads: 26.4% ahead in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 65.3% ahead in single-core.
• Prime number finding: 86.5% ahead.
• Floating-point math: 16.5% ahead.
• Encryption: 2.2% ahead.
• Physics: 4.5% ahead.
• Older single-core Cinebench: 6.4% ahead.

AMD Ryzen 7 9700X wins in:

• Integer math: 45.6% ahead.
• Data compression: 30.7% ahead.
• Extended instruction support: 23.1% ahead.
• Random string sorting: 21.8% ahead.
• Multi-threaded PassMark: 18% ahead.
• Single-thread PassMark: 5.2% ahead.
• Cinebench R15 multi-core: 17.9% ahead.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core Ultra 5 225 | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Series | Core Ultra Series 2 | 9000 series |

| Cores | 10 | 8 |

| Threads | 10 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.90 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1851 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Architecture | Arrow Lake | Zen 5 |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 4 nm |

| Transistors | 17,800 million | 8,315 million |

| Die Size | 243 mm² | 70.6 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

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

| L3 Cache | 20 MB shared | 32 MB shared |

| Memory Bandwidth | 102.4 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | false | true |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes | Gen 5, 24 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG 16 EU | Radeon Graphics |

| Multiplier Unlocked | false | true |

| Launch MSRP | $246 | $359 |