AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX records an average benchmark score of 62738, compared to 58386 for the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D. Intel sits at the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, while AMD sits at the 92nd.

Q: Does the AMD processor win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes. The Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins 6 of the 15 head-to-head tests, including Cinebench R15 single-core (343 vs 327, a 4.9% lead), Cinebench R23 single-core (2228 vs 2163, a 3% lead), PassMark physics (4171 vs 2926, a 42.5% lead), and PassMark prime numbers (435 vs 400, an 8.8% lead).

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 7 255HX has 20 cores and 20 threads, meaning it has no hyperthreading while AMD supports simultaneous multithreading.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 96 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX has 30 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD's advantage is 66 MB, though Intel makes up for it with larger per-core L1 and L2 caches.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes. Both the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX have an unlocked multiplier.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX does not. Both support DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX represent fundamentally different design philosophies. AMD uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm TSMC process. Intel uses the Arrow Lake architecture on the Arrow Lake-HX codename, built on a 3 nm TSMC process. Both are fabricated by TSMC, which makes their transistor counts directly comparable: AMD packs 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die, while Intel packs 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die.

The core layout differs sharply. AMD provides 8 cores and 16 threads, relying on simultaneous multithreading to fill execution slots. Intel provides 20 cores and 20 threads, with no multithreading. Intel's thread count is lower than its core count suggests, but the raw core count is 12 higher than AMD's. The market segments reflect this: AMD targets desktops with Socket AM5, while Intel targets mobile with BGA 2114.

Cache organization also diverges. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, then pools 96 MB of shared L3. Intel allocates 192 KB of L1 per core and 3 MB of L2 per core, but only 30 MB of shared L3. AMD's L3 advantage is massive, but Intel's per-core L1 and L2 are larger, which helps workloads that fit in those smaller cache levels.

Memory bandwidth favors Intel. AMD lists 89.6 GB/s, while Intel lists 102.4 GB/s. Both use dual-channel DDR5. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD offers Gen 5 with 24 CPU-only lanes, while Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 CPU-only lanes. Integrated graphics differ as well: AMD uses Radeon Graphics, while Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. ECC memory support is exclusive to AMD, and the launch MSRP for AMD is $499; Intel has no recorded launch MSRP.

Clock speeds tell a mixed story. AMD has a base clock of 4.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. Intel has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. AMD's base clock is nearly double Intel's, but Intel's boost clock trails by only 0.40 GHz. The TDP difference is large: AMD draws 120 W, while Intel draws 55 W.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins 9 of the 15 recorded head-to-head tests, and several of those wins are decisive. The largest gap is in PassMark floating point math, where Intel scores 160624 against AMD's 81998, a 49% advantage. Data encryption shows a 42.1% gap (39499 vs 22856). Cinebench R23 multi-core shows Intel ahead by 30.1% (32612 vs 22807), and Cinebench R15 multi-core shows Intel ahead by 27.8% (4916 vs 3551). PassMark random string sorting goes to Intel by 20.5% (62591 vs 49764), and PassMark multithread goes to Intel by 14.3% (48234 vs 41318). Smaller Intel wins appear in data compression (515143 vs 474501, 7.9%), extended instructions (41247 vs 39272, 4.8%), and integer math (127126 vs 123140, 3.1%).

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D takes 6 wins, with its largest margin in PassMark physics. AMD scores 4171 against Intel's 2926, a 42.5% lead. Prime number finding favors AMD by 8.8% (435 vs 400). Cinebench R15 single-core goes to AMD by 4.9% (343 vs 327). PassMark single-thread goes to AMD by 3.1% (4704 vs 4562), as does Cinebench R23 single-core at 3% (2228 vs 2163).

The pattern is clear. Intel dominates multi-threaded and throughput-heavy workloads, often by double-digit margins. AMD wins every single-core and latency-sensitive test, though by smaller margins. The physics result is the exception: AMD's 42.5% lead in PassMark physics suggests that its cache and single-core strength matter more in that test than Intel's raw core count.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX |

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

| Cores | 8 | 20 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base clock | 4.70 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.60 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 55 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Arrow Lake |

| Codename | Granite Ridge | Arrow Lake-HX |

| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| 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) | 30 MB (shared) |

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

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

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

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2026-01-28 | 2025-01-12 |

| Launch MSRP | $499 | None recorded |

| Part number | 100-000001973 | SRVFG |

The socket difference is fundamental: AM5 is a desktop platform, while BGA 2114 is soldered for mobile. The release dates are about a year apart, with Intel launching first on 2025-01-12 and AMD on 2026-01-28. Both are active production parts with unlocked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins in scenarios that scale with core count and memory bandwidth. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows a 30.1% lead, and Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a 27.8% lead. PassMark floating point math nearly doubles AMD's score, and data encryption is 42.1% ahead. Data compression, random string sorting, integer math, extended instructions, and multithread all fall to Intel. For rendering, scientific math, encryption workloads, and any parallel throughput task, the data points clearly to Intel. The 20 physical cores and 102.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth provide the foundation for these wins.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins in single-threaded and latency-bound work. It takes Cinebench R15 single-core by 4.9%, Cinebench R23 single-core by 3%, and PassMark single-thread by 3.1%. The physics test is the standout: a 42.5% advantage over Intel, which suggests that physics simulation responds strongly to AMD's 96 MB of L3 cache and high clock speeds. Prime number finding also favors AMD by 8.8%. For gaming physics, single-thread-heavy applications, and cache-sensitive workloads, AMD holds the edge. The 5.60 GHz boost clock and massive L3 pool are the likely drivers.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this split. Intel's average of 62738 exceeds AMD's 58386 by roughly 7.5%, and Intel sits at the 93rd percentile versus AMD's 92nd. AMD's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-14900 at 58115 (0.5% behind AMD) and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 at 58826 (0.7% ahead of AMD). Intel's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P185 at 62839 (0.2% ahead) and the Intel Core Ultra 7 265HX at 63173 (0.7% ahead). Both processors sit in a tightly packed performance cluster, but Intel's position is slightly higher.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a straightforward choice. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is the stronger overall processor, with a higher average benchmark score (62738 vs 58386), a higher percentile ranking (93 vs 92), and more wins in head-to-head tests (9 vs 6). Its multi-core leads are substantial: 30.1% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 27.8% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, and 49% in floating point math. For users running render workloads, data processing, encryption, or any task that uses many threads, Intel is the data-backed pick.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is the better choice for single-thread-sensitive and cache-sensitive applications. It wins every single-core benchmark in the comparison, plus physics and prime number finding. The 42.5% physics lead is the largest margin in either direction outside Intel's floating point and encryption wins. Its 96 MB of L3 cache and 5.60 GHz boost clock give it a profile suited to workloads that do not scale linearly with core count. Desktop users on Socket AM5 also gain ECC memory support, which Intel lacks.

The TDP difference matters for platform selection. AMD's 120 W TDP is more than double Intel's 55 W, and AMD is a desktop part while Intel is a mobile part. They are not direct competitors in the same chassis, but the benchmark data allows a direct comparison of their compute capabilities. Intel delivers more multi-threaded performance at lower power, while AMD delivers superior single-thread performance with a larger cache. The verdict depends on workload: Intel for throughput, AMD for latency-bound tasks.