AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D vs Intel Core 7 251TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split in workload types. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins 10 of the 15 shared benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Core 7 251TE wins 5. The AMD processor’s victories are frequently by large margins, while Intel’s wins are mostly narrow.

The largest single advantage for the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D appears in the PassMark extended instructions test, where it scores 39,272 against Intel’s 16,974, a lead of 131.4%. The PassMark find prime numbers test shows an even bigger relative gap, with AMD at 435 versus Intel’s 140, a 210.7% advantage. These two results indicate a substantial edge in specialized instruction throughput and integer-heavy algorithmic workloads.

The AMD part also dominates in data compression, scoring 474,501 versus 334,399, a 41.9% lead. PassMark multithread results show AMD ahead by 37.6% (41,318 versus 30,022). The physics test is another major win for AMD: 4,171 versus 1,938, a 115.2% advantage. Random string sorting goes to AMD by 25.5% (49,764 versus 39,643). Data encryption is closer, with AMD ahead by just 3.1% (22,856 versus 22,176). Single-thread PassMark results favor AMD by 31.8% (4,704 versus 3,568), and the same margin appears in the PassMark singlethread entry.

Intel’s wins are concentrated in Cinebench and math throughput. The Cinebench R23 single-core result is Intel’s strongest showing: 3,602 versus 2,228, a 38.1% lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core also goes to Intel, with 25,518 versus 22,807, a 10.6% advantage. In Cinebench R15, the results split: Intel wins single-core by 5.2% (362 versus 343), while AMD wins multi-core by 38.1% (3,551 versus 2,572). PassMark floating point math goes to Intel by 4.2% (85,607 versus 81,998), and integer math goes to Intel by 2.1% (125,739 versus 123,140).

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this split. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D holds an average benchmark score of 58,386, placing it at the 92nd percentile among all CPUs. The Intel Core 7 251TE averages 41,650, at the 88th percentile. In the database’s nearest rival comparisons, the AMD part sits close to the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M (58,323, within 0.1%) and the Intel Xeon w5-2545 (58,504, within 0.2%). The Intel Core 7 251TE is similarly close to the Intel Core Ultra 7 265H (41,621, within 0.1%) and the Intel Core i7-14650HX (41,576, within 0.2%).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design approaches. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture on 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’s own foundry.

Core counts differ sharply. The AMD processor has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel part has 24 cores and 32 threads. Despite having three times the core count, Intel’s multi-threaded PassMark score is lower, which indicates that the AMD cores deliver much higher per-thread throughput in several tests.

Clock speeds tell part of the story. The AMD part has a base clock of 4.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The Intel part has a base clock of 1.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The higher base clock on the AMD side explains its strong showing in single-thread PassMark, while the Intel part relies on boost behavior for its Cinebench single-core win.

Cache configurations are also distinct. Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The AMD part has 1 MB of L2 cache per core, while Intel has 1.25 MB per core. The L3 cache differs substantially: AMD provides 96 MB shared, Intel provides 36 MB shared. That 60 MB difference is likely a factor in AMD’s large wins in data compression and random string sorting, workloads that benefit from larger on-die data storage.

Memory support overlaps but is not identical. Both support dual-channel memory with 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. AMD supports DDR5 only, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs. The AMD processor provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU. The Intel part provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Integrated graphics also differ: AMD includes Radeon Graphics, Intel includes UHD Graphics 770.

Physical characteristics diverge. The AMD die size is 70.6 mm² with 8,315 million transistors. The Intel die size is 215 mm², with no transistor count recorded in the database. The AMD part uses the AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700.

Power targets are notably different. The AMD processor has a 120 W TDP, while the Intel processor has a 45 W TDP. That 75 W difference helps explain why Intel’s part achieves its results at a much lower power envelope, but it also means the AMD part is designed for a different thermal class.

The AMD multiplier is unlocked, while the Intel multiplier is locked. The AMD part launches with a release date of 2026-01-28, while the Intel part launched on 2025-01-12. The AMD launch MSRP is $499, and the Intel launch MSRP is $384.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to two distinct performance profiles. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is the stronger all-around performer in the majority of measured tests, with 10 wins out of 15. Its advantages are decisive in data compression, extended instructions, prime number finding, physics simulation, and multithreaded throughput. The Intel Core 7 251TE wins the Cinebench R23 tests, particularly single-core, and takes narrow leads in floating point and integer math.

For users whose work involves data compression, encryption, physics calculations, or instruction-heavy algorithms, the AMD processor is the clear choice based on the recorded margins. The 131.4% lead in extended instructions and the 210.7% lead in prime numbers are not marginal differences. The AMD part also holds a 37.6% advantage in PassMark multithread, which aligns with its higher average benchmark score of 58,386 versus 41,650.

For users who prioritize Cinebench rendering scores, the Intel part delivers higher numbers in R23 multi-core (25,518 versus 22,807) and a very large single-core lead (3,602 versus 2,228, a 38.1% advantage). The Intel part also draws less power at 45 W TDP, which may matter in constrained systems, and it supports DDR4 memory in addition to DDR5.

The data does not show a single universal winner. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins the majority of tests and holds a higher overall percentile (92 versus 88), but the Intel Core 7 251TE has specific strengths in Cinebench and math workloads. The choice depends on which benchmark suite matches the intended use.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has an average benchmark score of 58,386, compared to 41,650 for the Intel Core 7 251TE.

Q: How large is the AMD lead in the PassMark extended instructions test?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D scores 39,272 versus 16,974 for the Intel Core 7 251TE, a lead of 131.4%.

Q: In which test does the Intel processor have its biggest advantage?

A: The Intel Core 7 251TE leads by 38.1% in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 3,602 against 2,228.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and the Intel Core 7 251TE have ECC memory support.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 96 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core 7 251TE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins in PassMark data compression (474,501 versus 334,399, a 41.9% lead), PassMark data encryption (22,856 versus 22,176, a 3.1% lead), PassMark extended instructions (39,272 versus 16,974, a 131.4% lead), PassMark find prime numbers (435 versus 140, a 210.7% lead), PassMark multithread (41,318 versus 30,022, a 37.6% lead), PassMark physics (4,171 versus 1,938, a 115.2% lead), PassMark random string sorting (49,764 versus 39,643, a 25.5% lead), and PassMark single-thread (4,704 versus 3,568, a 31.8% lead). It also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (3,551 versus 2,572, a 38.1% lead).

The Intel Core 7 251TE wins in Cinebench R15 single-core (362 versus 343, a 5.2% lead), Cinebench R23 multi-core (25,518 versus 22,807, a 10.6% lead), Cinebench R23 single-core (3,602 versus 2,228, a 38.1% lead), PassMark floating point math (85,607 versus 81,998, a 4.2% lead), and PassMark integer math (125,739 versus 123,140, a 2.1% lead).

The AMD processor is the better fit for compression, encryption, physics simulation, and general multithreaded throughput. The Intel processor is the better fit for Cinebench-style rendering workloads and has the higher single-core Cinebench score, along with slightly better floating point and integer math results.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several specification fields. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core 7 251TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. The AMD base clock is 4.70 GHz versus 1.40 GHz for Intel. The AMD boost clock is 5.60 GHz versus 5.40 GHz for Intel. The AMD TDP is 120 W versus 45 W for Intel.

The socket differs: AMD uses Socket AM5, Intel uses Socket 1700. The process node is 4 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel. The AMD die size is 70.6 mm², the Intel die size is 215 mm². The AMD part has 8,315 million transistors; no transistor count is recorded for Intel.

L2 cache differs: AMD has 1 MB per core, Intel has 1.25 MB per core. L3 cache differs: AMD has 96 MB shared, Intel has 36 MB shared. Memory support differs: AMD supports DDR5 only, Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. PCIe lanes differ: AMD provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes, Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: AMD uses Radeon Graphics, Intel uses UHD Graphics 770.

The multiplier status differs: AMD is unlocked, Intel is locked. The launch MSRP differs: AMD is $499, Intel is $384. The release dates differ: AMD is 2026-01-28, Intel is 2025-01-12. The part numbers differ: AMD is 100-000001973, Intel is SRQAXQ5ZG.