AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D records an average benchmark score of 58386, placing it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 trails with an average score of 48995, placing it in the 90th percentile.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-threaded Cinebench tests?

A: Results are mixed. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D scores 3551 versus 3318 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245, a 7% advantage. However, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel part leads decisively with 32924 versus 22807, a 30.7% margin.

Q: Which processor wins the single-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 dominates single-core Cinebench. It scores 468 in R15 single-core versus 343 for the AMD, a 26.7% lead, and 4648 in R23 single-core versus 2228, a 52.1% lead.

Q: What are the core and thread configurations of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 has 14 cores and 14 threads, meaning it does not use simultaneous multithreading.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D features 96 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 has 24 MB of shared L3 cache, one-quarter of the AMD's capacity.

Q: What are the process nodes and foundries for these chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is built on TSMC's 4 nm node with 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 uses TSMC's 3 nm node with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die.

The Verdict

The benchmark data divides these processors into two distinct profiles. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins 10 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, with its largest advantages in integer math, physics simulation, and prime number finding. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 wins 5 comparisons, but its wins in single-core Cinebench R23 are enormous: a 52.1% margin that suggests a fundamentally different single-thread performance class.

For workloads dominated by integer operations, data compression, and physics calculations, the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is the stronger choice. Its 35% lead in PassMark integer math and 62.4% lead in PassMark physics are decisive. The processor also wins PassMark multithread by 6.7%, indicating solid overall throughput.

For single-threaded rendering tasks, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is the clear pick. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4648 versus 2228 is not a marginal difference; it is a category gap. Similarly, its R15 single-core score of 468 versus 343 shows the same pattern. The Intel part also wins floating-point math by 32% and data encryption by 24.4%.

Users running mixed desktop workloads should note the AMD part's higher average benchmark score (58386 versus 48995) and its 92nd percentile ranking versus the Intel's 90th. The AMD processor also offers an unlocked multiplier, which the Intel chip lacks, a factor for overclocking-oriented buyers. The database shows a processor that wins more tests overall and one that wins the most demanding single-thread tests by a wide margin.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win belongs to the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 in Cinebench R23 single-core. Its score of 4648 beats the AMD's 2228 by 52.1%. This is the widest delta in the entire comparison set. The same test in R15 shows a 26.7% Intel lead (468 versus 343), and R23 multi-core shows Intel ahead by 30.7% (32924 versus 22807). These three results establish Intel's dominance in Cinebench workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D counters with its own set of commanding wins. PassMark physics shows a 62.4% advantage (4171 versus 2569), the largest AMD margin. PassMark integer math follows with a 35% lead (123140 versus 91187). Prime number finding favors AMD by 19.2% (435 versus 365), and data compression by 18.3% (474501 versus 400942). Extended instructions also go to AMD by 17.9% (39272 versus 33304).

The remaining tests are closer. PassMark multithread gives AMD a 6.7% edge (41318 versus 38706), and PassMark single-thread shows AMD ahead by 7.1% (4704 versus 4394). Random string sorting is nearly a tie, with AMD at 49764 versus Intel's 49140, a 1.3% margin. Cinebench R15 multi-core also goes to AMD by 7% (3551 versus 3318).

The Intel side wins PassMark floating-point math by 32% (120548 versus 81998) and data encryption by 24.4% (30236 versus 22856). These wins, combined with the three Cinebench victories, give Intel 5 wins total. The pattern is consistent: Intel takes floating-point-heavy and single-core rendering tests, while AMD takes integer, physics, and compression workloads.

Specification Differences

The core counts differ substantially. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 has 14 cores and 14 threads. Clock speeds also diverge: AMD runs at 4.70 GHz base and 5.60 GHz boost, Intel at 3.50 GHz base and 5.10 GHz boost. Thermal design power shows a 120 W rating for AMD versus 65 W for Intel.

Cache hierarchies differ per core. AMD provides 80 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, while Intel provides 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 per core. Shared L3 cache is 96 MB for AMD versus 24 MB for Intel. Memory bandwidth favors Intel at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for AMD, though both support DDR5 on dual-channel buses.

PCIe connectivity is another differentiator. AMD offers Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes; Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: AMD uses Radeon Graphics, Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The multiplier is unlocked on AMD and locked on Intel. Sockets are AMD Socket AM5 for the AMD part and Intel Socket 1851 for the Intel part. Both support ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D belongs to the 9000 series and uses Zen 5 architecture under the Granite Ridge codename. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 belongs to Core Ultra Series 2 and uses Arrow Lake architecture under the Arrow Lake-S codename. Process nodes differ: AMD is on 4 nm, Intel on 3 nm, both fabricated by TSMC.

Transistor counts reveal a significant design divergence. The Intel chip packs 17,800 million transistors across a 243 mm² die, while the AMD chip uses 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die. This reflects different design philosophies: Intel's larger, denser die versus AMD's smaller, more cache-focused layout.

The cache architecture is a defining difference. AMD's 96 MB shared L3 cache is four times Intel's 24 MB. Combined with the smaller per-core L1 and L2, AMD's design emphasizes a large shared pool for its 8 cores. Intel's design allocates larger per-core L1 (192 KB) and L2 (3 MB) caches, which supports its 14-core layout with 14 threads.

Both processors target the desktop segment and are currently active in production. The AMD part has a launch MSRP of $499, and the Intel part has a launch MSRP of $270. Release dates differ: Intel launched on 2025-01-06, AMD on 2026-01-28. The AMD part number is 100-000001973, and the Intel part number is SRVFE.