AMD Ryzen 7 9700X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 336H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X and Intel Core Ultra 5 336H shows a clear split: the AMD part wins 10 of the 15 recorded head-to-head tests, while Intel takes 5. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story about where each processor excels.

The largest victory for the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 120142 against Intel's 62070, a delta of 93.6%. This is the single biggest performance gap in the entire comparison. Data compression also heavily favors AMD, with a score of 437140 versus 280340, a 55.9% advantage. Extended instructions show a 43.9% lead for AMD (35318 vs 24542), and random string sorting goes to AMD by 36% (46782 vs 34402).

PassMark multithreaded performance gives AMD a 30.2% edge (37161 vs 28545), while single-thread performance favors AMD by 16% (4654 vs 4013). In Cinebench R15, AMD wins both multicore (3178 vs 2418, a 31.4% lead) and singlecore (346 vs 341, a slim 1.5% margin). Data encryption goes narrowly to AMD at 2.5% (21815 vs 21291).

Intel's wins are concentrated in specific workloads. The most striking is Cinebench R23 singlecore, where Intel scores 3387 against AMD's 2211, a 34.7% advantage. Cinebench R23 multicore also goes to Intel by 14.6% (23991 vs 20485). PassMark find prime numbers favors Intel by 35.8% (299 vs 192), and PassMark physics goes to Intel by 16.4% (2682 vs 2241). Floating point math is the closest Intel win, just 4.1% ahead (82415 vs 78999).

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this split: AMD's average is 37943 against Intel's 34485, a difference of roughly 10%. Both processors sit in the 84th to 86th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they are closely matched in overall standing despite their workload-specific differences.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X uses Zen 5 architecture on the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It is a desktop part with 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H uses Panther Lake architecture, a mobile processor built on Intel's 3 nm process, featuring 16 cores and 16 threads.

Core counts differ substantially, but thread counts are equal at 16. The Intel part achieves its 16 threads through its core configuration, while AMD relies on simultaneous multithreading on 8 physical cores. This explains why AMD wins in some multithreaded workloads (PassMark multithread at 30.2% ahead) but loses in others (Cinebench R23 multicore by 14.6%). The workloads that respond to raw core count favor Intel, while those that benefit from AMD's higher per-core throughput favor AMD.

Clock speeds show a clear trade-off. AMD's base clock is 3.80 GHz with a boost of 5.50 GHz, while Intel runs at 1.90 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost. The lower base clock on Intel is typical for a mobile part designed for power efficiency. AMD's TDP is 65 watts, while Intel's is 25 watts, reflecting the mobile versus desktop market positioning.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. AMD provides 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 32 MB shared L3. Intel offers 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. The larger per-core L1 and L2 on Intel may contribute to its strong Cinebench R23 singlecore showing, while AMD's larger L3 pool supports its data-heavy workloads.

Memory support also diverges. AMD uses DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. Intel supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth but no ECC. PCIe connectivity differs: AMD provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes, Intel provides Gen 5 with 12 lanes. Both integrate graphics, with AMD using Radeon Graphics and Intel using Xe3 Graphics. AMD's multiplier is unlocked, Intel's is not. AMD uses Socket AM5, Intel uses BGA 2540.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X has an average benchmark score of 37943, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H scores 34485. AMD's percentile rank is 86 versus Intel's 84.

Q: Why does Intel win Cinebench R23 singlecore despite AMD winning PassMark single-thread?

A: Cinebench R23 singlecore shows Intel ahead by 34.7% (3387 vs 2211), while PassMark single-thread shows AMD ahead by 16% (4654 vs 4013). Different workloads stress different aspects of the core, and Intel's Panther Lake architecture appears better optimized for Cinebench's rendering workload specifically.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: PassMark integer math shows the biggest delta at 93.6% in favor of AMD (120142 vs 62070). This is followed by data compression at 55.9% and extended instructions at 43.9%.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has 16 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X has 8 cores. Both have 16 threads total.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has a TDP of 25 watts. This reflects AMD's desktop orientation and Intel's mobile design.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: AMD supports ECC memory. Intel does not support ECC.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core Ultra 5 336H |

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

| Cores | 8 | 16 |

| Threads | 16 | 16 |

| Base clock | 3.80 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.50 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Granite Ridge | Panther Lake |

| Process node | 4 nm (TSMC) | 3 nm (Intel) |

| L1 cache | 80 KB per core | 192 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 2.5 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 32 MB shared | 18 MB shared |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 24 lanes | Gen 5, 12 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2024-08-07 | 2026-01-04 |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $359 | Not listed |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X dominates in integer-heavy and data-processing workloads. Its 93.6% lead in integer math, 55.9% lead in data compression, 43.9% lead in extended instructions, and 36% lead in random string sorting make it the clear choice for tasks involving number crunching, data manipulation, and sorting algorithms. It also wins passmark multithread by 30.2%, indicating strong overall throughput in mixed workloads. The 16% single-thread advantage in PassMark suggests better general per-core performance for everyday tasks.

For Cinebench R15 workloads, AMD leads by 31.4% in multicore and 1.5% in singlecore. Data encryption also goes to AMD, though narrowly at 2.5%. The AMD part's higher base and boost clocks, combined with its larger L3 cache, appear to drive these wins.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H wins in specific rendering and physics workloads. Cinebench R23 singlecore performance is 34.7% better than AMD, which is a substantial margin. Cinebench R23 multicore also favors Intel by 14.6%, suggesting that when the workload scales with the 16 cores, Intel's architecture pulls ahead despite lower clocks. PassMark find prime numbers shows Intel ahead by 35.8%, and PassMark physics by 16.4%. Floating point math is close, with Intel ahead by 4.1%.

The pattern suggests Intel's Panther Lake architecture, with its larger per-core L1 and L2 caches and higher core count, is well-suited for rendering workloads and physics simulations. AMD's higher clocks and larger L3 cache handle data-heavy integer tasks more efficiently.

The Verdict

The data clearly separates these two processors by use case. The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is the stronger processor for integer math, data compression, sorting, encryption, and general multithreaded throughput. Its 93.6% lead in integer math and 55.9% lead in data compression are decisive. The 16% single-thread advantage in PassMark also indicates strong everyday responsiveness. With its unlocked multiplier and desktop socket, it is positioned for users who want to push performance further.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H is the better choice for Cinebench rendering workloads, with a 34.7% lead in singlecore and 14.6% in multicore R23 scores. Its 16% advantage in PassMark physics and 35.8% lead in prime number finding suggest strengths in scientific and simulation tasks. The 25 watt TDP and mobile BGA socket make it suitable for compact, power-conscious systems.

The overall average benchmark scores favor AMD by about 10% (37943 vs 34485), and AMD wins 10 of 15 head-to-head tests. However, the Intel part's wins are in high-profile rendering benchmarks that many users prioritize. The choice depends on which workload matters more: AMD for data-heavy integer tasks, Intel for rendering and physics. The database shows both processors within 2 percentile points of each other overall, confirming they are competitive but with distinct strengths.