AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and the Intel Core Ultra 5 225, with the AMD part taking 11 wins out of 15 recorded tests and Intel taking 4. The most decisive AMD victory comes in PassMark integer math, where the Ryzen 7 9850X3D scores 123,140 against Intel's 65,345, a 88.4% advantage. PassMark physics also heavily favors AMD at 4,171 versus 2,342, a 78.1% lead. Data compression shows a 56.7% gap (474,501 vs. 302,811), while extended instructions favor AMD by 44.6% (39,272 vs. 27,162). Random string sorting delivers a 36% edge for AMD (49,764 vs. 36,590), and Cinebench R15 multi-core shows AMD ahead by 36.1% (3,551 vs. 2,609). PassMark multi-thread scores put the Ryzen 7 9850X3D at 41,318 versus 30,459, a 35.7% win, and prime number finding shows a 21.5% advantage (435 vs. 358). Smaller AMD wins appear in data encryption (22,856 vs. 22,285, a 2.6% edge) and PassMark single-thread (4,704 vs. 4,412, a 6.6% margin).

Intel's wins are concentrated in Cinebench workloads. The Core Ultra 5 225 leads Cinebench R23 multi-core with 25,891 against AMD's 22,807, an 11.9% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 39% gap in Intel's favor (3,655 vs. 2,228), and Cinebench R15 single-core gives Intel a 6.8% lead (368 vs. 343). PassMark floating-point math also goes to Intel at 92,038 versus 81,998, a 10.9% win.

The average benchmark score across all recorded tests places the AMD part at 58,386, which sits in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs. Intel's average is 36,938, landing in the 85th percentile. The nearest rivals for AMD include the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M (average 58,323, delta 0.1%), the Intel Xeon w5-2545 (58,504, delta -0.2%), and the Intel Core i9-14900 (58,115, delta 0.5%). Intel's nearest competitors include the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F (36,945, delta 0%), the AMD Ryzen 5 5500X3D (37,018, delta -0.2%), and the AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 450 (37,093, delta -0.4%).

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. AMD uses Zen 5 with the Granite Ridge codename, fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. Intel uses Arrow Lake with the Arrow Lake-S codename, fabricated on a 3 nm process, also at TSMC. The transistor counts differ substantially: AMD packs 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die, while Intel uses 17,800 million transistors across a 243 mm² die.

Core configurations diverge sharply. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads. This means AMD enables simultaneous multithreading while Intel does not, giving AMD 16 logical threads versus Intel's 10 physical threads. The base clocks are 4.70 GHz for AMD and 3.30 GHz for Intel, while boost clocks reach 5.60 GHz on AMD and 4.90 GHz on Intel. Thermal design power also differs: AMD is rated at 120 W, Intel at 65 W.

Cache hierarchies show distinct strategies. AMD uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 96 MB of shared L3 cache. Intel uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The AMD L3 capacity is 4.8 times larger than Intel's, which explains its strong performance in data-heavy workloads like compression and integer math. Intel's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches support its single-thread performance in Cinebench.

Memory support is DDR5 for both, with dual-channel buses. AMD lists memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s, while Intel lists 102.4 GB/s. AMD supports ECC memory; Intel does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well: AMD provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), Intel provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ, with AMD using Radeon Graphics and Intel using Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU.

The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier and carries the part number 100-000001973. Intel's multiplier is locked, and the part number is SRQCZSRVF7. AMD's release date is 2026-01-28, while Intel's is 2025-01-06.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins most multi-thread tests. It leads Cinebench R15 multi-core by 36.1% (3,551 vs. 2,609) and PassMark multi-thread by 35.7% (41,318 vs. 30,459). However, Intel wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 25,891 versus 22,807, an 11.9% advantage.

Q: How do the two compare in single-thread performance?

A: Intel holds the single-core advantage in Cinebench tests. The Core Ultra 5 225 leads Cinebench R23 single-core by 39% (3,655 vs. 2,228) and Cinebench R15 single-core by 6.8% (368 vs. 343). In PassMark single-thread, AMD leads by 6.6% (4,704 vs. 4,412).

Q: What explains the AMD lead in integer math and compression?

A: The 96 MB shared L3 cache on the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D provides a large data reservoir for these workloads. PassMark integer math shows an 88.4% gap (123,140 vs. 65,345), and data compression shows a 56.7% gap (474,501 vs. 302,811), indicating the cache capacity directly benefits these tasks.

Q: Does the Intel processor have any clear strengths?

A: Yes, the Core Ultra 5 225 wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core, plus Cinebench R15 single-core and PassMark floating-point math. The 39% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and the 10.9% lead in floating-point math (92,038 vs. 81,998) are its most notable results.

Q: How do the average scores rank these CPUs overall?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has an average benchmark score of 58,386, placing it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 averages 36,938, in the 85th percentile. AMD's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon w5-2545 at 58,504 (delta -0.2%), while Intel's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 5600F at 36,945 (delta 0%).

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 Ultra 5 225 has 10 cores and 10 threads. AMD's multithreading capability provides 6 more logical threads despite having 2 fewer physical cores.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core Ultra 5 225 |

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

| Cores | 8 | 10 |

| Threads | 16 | 10 |

| Base clock | 4.70 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.60 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Arrow Lake |

| Codename | Granite Ridge | Arrow Lake-S |

| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | TSMC |

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

| Die size | 70.6 mm² | 243 mm² |

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

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 3 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 96 MB shared | 20 MB shared |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe lanes (CPU) | 24 (Gen 5) | 20 (Gen 5) |

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

| Release date | 2026-01-28 | 2025-01-06 |

| Launch MSRP | $499 | $246 |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Part number | 100-000001973 | SRQCZSRVF7 |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D dominates in workloads that stress multi-threaded throughput and large data sets. Its 96 MB L3 cache and 16 threads produce decisive wins in PassMark integer math (88.4% ahead), PassMark physics (78.1% ahead), and data compression (56.7% ahead). Extended instructions also favor AMD by 44.6%, and random string sorting by 36%. The average benchmark score of 58,386 places it in the 92nd percentile, meaning it outperforms the vast majority of recorded CPUs. For compute-heavy tasks like scientific simulation, database processing, or any workload that leverages large caches and parallel threads, the data clearly favors AMD.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225 wins in specific scenarios. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows Intel ahead by 11.9%, and Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 39% lead. These results suggest Intel's architecture, with 3 MB of L2 per core and a 3 nm process, handles certain rendering and single-threaded workloads more efficiently. PassMark floating-point math also goes to Intel by 10.9%, indicating an advantage in floating-point-heavy calculations. The lower TDP of 65 W versus 120 W means Intel consumes less power, and the launch MSRP of $246 is lower than AMD's $499. However, Intel's average score of 36,938 in the 85th percentile places it behind AMD in overall benchmark standing.

The 11-to-4 win split in head-to-head tests tells the broader story. AMD wins the majority of recorded benchmarks, particularly in PassMark suites, while Intel secures its wins in Cinebench and floating-point. The data indicates that for users prioritizing multi-threaded compute, cache-sensitive operations, and overall percentile ranking, the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is the stronger performer. For users focused on single-threaded Cinebench results or floating-point math, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225 delivers competitive results with a lower power envelope and earlier release date.