AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 5 336H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H represent two distinct approaches to processor design, one aimed at high-performance desktop computing and the other at efficient mobile operation. The recorded data shows a clear split in capabilities, with the AMD part dominating heavily in most multi-threaded and integer-heavy tasks, while the Intel chip shows surprising strength in specific single-core and floating-point workloads. This analysis examines the benchmark results, architectural differences, and the practical implications of the recorded measurements.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data reveals a decisive overall victory for the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which won 11 of the 15 recorded comparisons. The most lopsided result comes from the PassMark integer math test, where the AMD processor scores 116,709 against the Intel chip’s 62,070, a delta of 88%. This massive gap indicates that the Ryzen 7 9800X3D’s Zen 5 architecture is exceptionally efficient at processing integer operations, which form the backbone of most general-purpose computing tasks.

Data compression is another area of overwhelming AMD superiority. The PassMark data compression test shows the Ryzen 7 9800X3D scoring 468,017 versus the Core Ultra 5 336H’s 280,340, a 66.9% advantage. Similarly, the extended instructions test (which often reflects SIMD and specialized instruction throughput) sees the AMD part score 38,808 against 24,542, a 58.1% lead. These results suggest that for workloads involving archiving, encryption, and vectorized compute, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is in a different performance tier.

The multi-threaded PassMark suite reinforces this pattern. The PassMark multithread score shows 40,009 for AMD versus 28,545 for Intel, a 40.2% difference. The physics test, which often scales with multi-core throughput, shows a 52.2% advantage (4,083 versus 2,682). Prime number finding, a classic CPU stress test, favors AMD by 41.5% (423 versus 299). Random string sorting shows a 41.1% lead (48,526 versus 34,402). The pattern is consistent: workloads that can utilize multiple cores or that depend on high memory bandwidth and cache performance heavily favor the AMD processor.

However, the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H does secure four wins, and some of them are significant. The Cinebench R23 single-core score is a major victory for Intel: 3,387 versus 2,080, a 38.6% advantage. This is the largest single-core gap in the entire comparison and suggests that the Panther Lake architecture’s performance core has a substantial per-thread throughput advantage. The Cinebench R15 single-core test also goes to Intel, albeit by a smaller margin: 341 versus 328, a 3.8% lead.

The Cinebench R23 multi-core test is another Intel win, with a score of 23,991 versus 23,230, a 3.2% advantage. This is notable because the AMD processor has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel part also has 16 threads (though with 16 physical cores). The Intel chip’s 3 nm process node and higher single-core efficiency allow it to edge out the AMD part in this specific rendering workload. The floating-point math test also goes to Intel: 82,415 versus 79,456, a 3.6% lead. This indicates that for pure FPU throughput, the Intel architecture holds a modest but real advantage.

The remaining benchmark, PassMark data encryption, is a narrow AMD win: 22,158 versus 21,291, a 4.1% margin. This is close, but it still counts toward the AMD tally. The single-thread PassMark tests (listed twice as single_thread and singlethread, both with identical scores) show AMD winning 4,430 versus 4,013, a 10.4% advantage. This is an interesting contrast with the Cinebench R23 single-core result, suggesting that the two architectures have different strengths depending on the instruction mix.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear picture for different use cases. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the dominant choice for multi-threaded desktop workloads. Its 88% lead in integer math, 66.9% lead in data compression, and 58.1% lead in extended instructions make it the obvious pick for content creation, software compilation, scientific computing, and any task that scales across cores. The 40.2% multithread advantage in PassMark and the 52.2% physics lead further cement this position. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D also holds an 87th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 39,768, placing it just above the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS (39,603, delta 0.4%) and just below the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 (40,048, delta -0.7%).

The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H, despite losing the overall head-to-head count, has its own clear strengths. The 38.6% single-core lead in Cinebench R23 is a major differentiator. For applications that are heavily dependent on single-thread performance, such as certain legacy software, some database operations, or lightly-threaded games, the Intel chip would provide noticeably better responsiveness. The Intel part also wins the floating-point math test, suggesting an edge in FPU-heavy scientific workloads. Its 84th percentile ranking and average score of 34,485 place it very close to the Intel Core i7-13700HX (34,554, delta -0.2%) and slightly above the Intel Core i5-13450HX (34,333, delta 0.4%).

For a desktop user building a high-performance workstation or gaming rig, the data overwhelmingly points to the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D. For a mobile user prioritizing single-core responsiveness and efficiency (the Intel chip has a 25 W TDP versus 120 W for AMD), the Core Ultra 5 336H has demonstrable advantages. The choice depends entirely on whether the workload is multi-threaded (AMD wins) or single-threaded/floating-point focused (Intel wins).

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and process nodes. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Granite Ridge, and is manufactured on a 4 nm process by TSMC. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 4.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H uses the Panther Lake architecture, also codenamed Panther Lake, and is manufactured on a 3 nm process by Intel. It has 16 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 1.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz.

The core and thread configuration is a significant difference. The AMD part has 8 physical cores with simultaneous multithreading (16 threads). The Intel part has 16 physical cores but only 16 threads, meaning it does not use hyperthreading (or its equivalent). This means the Intel chip relies on more physical cores at lower clock speeds, while the AMD chip uses fewer cores at much higher clock speeds. The base clock difference is stark: 4.70 GHz for AMD versus 1.90 GHz for Intel. The boost clocks are closer: 5.20 GHz versus 4.60 GHz.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and a massive 96 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and only 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part’s 96 MB L3 cache is likely a major factor in its dominance in data compression and integer math tests, as larger caches reduce memory latency and improve data reuse. The Intel chip’s larger per-core L1 and L2 caches may contribute to its single-core advantage.

Memory support also differs. Both support DDR5, but the Intel part additionally supports LPDDR5X. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The memory bandwidth figures are notable: the Intel chip has a higher rated bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for AMD. This could partially explain the Intel wins in floating-point math and Cinebench R23 multi-core, where memory bandwidth can be a limiting factor. The AMD processor supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not.

The process node difference (4 nm TSMC for AMD versus 3 nm Intel for Intel) is relevant to efficiency. The Intel chip has a TDP of 25 W, while the AMD chip has a TDP of 120 W. This is a massive difference and reflects the intended market: the Intel part is a mobile processor (BGA 2540 socket), while the AMD part is a desktop processor (AM5 socket). The Intel chip’s integrated graphics are Intel Xe3 Graphics, while the AMD part uses Radeon Graphics. PCIe lane counts also differ: the AMD part supports Gen 5 with 24 lanes, while the Intel part supports Gen 5 with 12 lanes.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has 16 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 8 cores. However, both have 16 threads, as the AMD part uses simultaneous multithreading while the Intel part does not.

Q: Why does the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D win so many multi-threaded benchmarks despite having fewer cores?

A: The data shows the AMD part has a base clock of 4.70 GHz versus 1.90 GHz for Intel and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus 4.60 GHz. Additionally, the AMD part has 96 MB of shared L3 cache versus 18 MB for Intel. These factors, combined with the Zen 5 architecture, produce large wins in integer math (88%), data compression (66.9%), and multithread (40.2%).

Q: In which tests does the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H outperform the AMD processor?

A: The Intel chip wins 4 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons: Cinebench R23 single-core (3,387 versus 2,080, a 38.6% lead), Cinebench R23 multi-core (23,991 versus 23,230, a 3.2% lead), Cinebench R15 single-core (341 versus 328, a 3.8% lead), and PassMark floating-point math (82,415 versus 79,456, a 3.6% lead).

Q: What is the process node difference between the two chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is manufactured on a 4 nm process by TSMC, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H is manufactured on a 3 nm process by Intel.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H does not.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has an average benchmark score of 39,768, placing it in the 87th percentile. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has an average benchmark score of 34,485, placing it in the 84th percentile.

Q: How much memory bandwidth does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D supports 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H supports 115.2 GB/s.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D wins in multi-threaded desktop workloads. The data shows an 88% lead in integer math, a 66.9% lead in data compression, and a 58.1% lead in extended instructions. The PassMark multithread score is 40.2% higher, and the physics test is 52.2% higher. The AMD part also wins in single-thread PassMark by 10.4% and in data encryption by 4.1%. For tasks like video rendering, software compilation, data analysis, and any parallel compute workload, the AMD processor delivers substantially higher throughput. Its 96 MB L3 cache likely drives the large wins in cache-sensitive tests like data compression and random string sorting.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H wins in single-core and floating-point specific workloads. The Cinebench R23 single-core lead of 38.6% is the largest single-core margin in the comparison. The Cinebench R23 multi-core win of 3.2%, despite the lower core clock and smaller L3 cache, indicates that the 3 nm process and Panther Lake architecture are highly efficient. The floating-point math win of 3.6% (82,415 versus 79,456) shows that FPU-heavy scientific and engineering workloads would run slightly faster on the Intel chip. The higher memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s may contribute to these wins.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is a desktop processor from the 9000 series, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H is a mobile processor from the Core Ultra Series 3. The AMD part uses the AM5 socket, while the Intel part uses BGA 2540. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked.

Core counts differ: 8 cores for AMD versus 16 for Intel. Both have 16 threads. Clock speeds differ significantly: AMD has a base clock of 4.70 GHz and boost of 5.20 GHz, while Intel has a base of 1.90 GHz and boost of 4.60 GHz. TDP differs by a factor of nearly 5: 120 W for AMD versus 25 W for Intel.

Cache configurations differ: AMD has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 96 MB shared L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3. Memory support differs: AMD supports DDR5 only, while Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X. Memory bandwidth differs: 89.6 GB/s for AMD versus 115.2 GB/s for Intel. ECC support differs: AMD supports ECC, Intel does not. PCIe lanes differ: AMD has 24 Gen 5 lanes, Intel has 12 Gen 5 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: AMD uses Radeon Graphics, Intel uses Intel Xe3 Graphics. The process node differs: 4 nm TSMC for AMD versus 3 nm Intel for Intel. The AMD part has a launch MSRP of $479; no launch MSRP is recorded for the Intel part.