AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits these two desktop processors into clearly distinct roles. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT takes the majority of the head-to-head tests, winning 12 of 17 recorded comparisons, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 secures 5 wins in specific single-thread and math-heavy workloads.

The AMD processor dominates in heavily threaded productivity and data processing. Its largest victory comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 177,566 against Intel's 91,187, a 94.7% advantage. Data compression shows a 49.1% lead (597,862 versus 400,942), and data encryption is 25.1% ahead (37,814 versus 30,236). Random string sorting also favors AMD by 27.3% (62,537 versus 49,140). In multi-core rendering tests, the AMD part wins every Cinebench iteration, with a consistent 13.5% margin across R15, R20, and R23 multicore and single-core variants.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 claims its wins in specific computations. It leads PassMark single-thread performance by 20.9% (4,394 versus 3,474), and PassMark physics by 33.2% (2,569 versus 1,715). It also wins floating-point math by 17.5% (120,548 versus 99,398) and prime number finding by 43.8% (365 versus 205). Notably, the Intel part's single-thread win extends to the Cinebench tests? No, actually AMD wins those too, with a 13.5% margin in Cinebench R23 single-core (5,276 versus 4,648). The Intel single-thread advantage is specific to the PassMark single-thread test, not synthetic renderer single-core scores.

This split suggests the AMD processor is the throughput king for parallel workloads, while the Intel chip excels at latency-sensitive or branch-heavy integer tasks. The Intel part's physics score of 2,569 versus 1,715 indicates better game physics simulation performance, while AMD's massive integer lead points to database, compilation, and scientific computing strengths.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT is a 16-core, 32-thread processor built on Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Vermeer, using TSMC's 7 nm process. It packs 8,300 million transistors across a dual-die design with two 74 mm² chiplets. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 is a 14-core, 14-thread processor on Arrow Lake architecture, using TSMC's 3 nm node, with 17,800 million transistors on a single 243 mm² die.

Thread counts tell the first major story. AMD offers 32 threads versus Intel's 14, which explains the multi-thread dominance. The Intel part lacks Hyper-Threading support in this configuration, so its 14 cores correspond exactly to 14 threads. AMD's simultaneous multithreading doubles its thread count from 16 to 32.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The AMD processor has 64 MB of L3 cache shared across the chip, with 512 KB L2 and 64 KB L1 per core. The Intel chip has 24 MB of shared L3, 3 MB L2 per core, and a much larger 192 KB L1 per core. The larger per-core L1 and L2 on Intel likely contribute to its single-thread PassMark win, while the larger total L3 on AMD supports its massive thread-scheduling workloads.

Memory support diverges by generation. AMD uses DDR4 with dual-channel access and 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. Intel uses DDR5 with dual-channel access and exactly double the bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe capabilities also differ: AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes.

The Intel part includes integrated graphics, Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units, while the AMD chip has no integrated GPU. This is a functional difference for systems without a discrete graphics card. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. Socket requirements also separate them: AMD uses Socket AM4, Intel uses Socket 1851.

Power envelopes differ significantly. The AMD chip has a 105 W TDP, while the Intel chip draws 65 W. Base clocks are 3.30 GHz for AMD and 3.50 GHz for Intel; boost clocks are 4.80 GHz and 5.10 GHz respectively. The Intel part's higher boost clock and lower TDP suggest better power efficiency per thread, though the AMD part's higher thread count changes the efficiency calculus for parallel work.

The Verdict

Choose the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT if your workloads scale across many threads. The data shows a 13.5% lead in every Cinebench multicore test, a 94.7% lead in integer math, and a 49.1% lead in data compression. The 32-thread count makes it the clear choice for video rendering, code compilation, data analysis, and any benchmark that rewards parallel execution. Its 90th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 50,718, places it slightly above the Intel part's 48,995 average.

Choose the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 if single-thread latency or floating-point throughput matters more. It wins PassMark single-thread by 20.9%, PassMark physics by 33.2%, and floating-point math by 17.5%. Its 65 W TDP also makes it easier to cool, and its integrated Arc graphics provide display output without a separate GPU. The 14-core, 14-thread design is adequate for mainstream multitasking but loses decisively in multi-threaded rendering, where AMD's 32 threads produce consistently higher Cinebench scores.

The database's nearest rival comparisons reinforce this split. The AMD chip's average score of 50,718 sits within 0.6% of the Intel Core i9-14900T and 0.5% of the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370. The Intel chip's 48,995 average is within 0.8% of the Intel Core i5-14600K and 0.5% of the AMD Ryzen 9 7900. Both processors occupy the 90th percentile of all CPUs, so neither is a weak choice, but they serve different masters.

For a workstation that prioritizes throughput, the AMD part wins outright. For a desktop where single-thread responsiveness and lower power draw are priorities, the Intel part holds the edge. The 12-to-5 win count in the head-to-head favors AMD, but the specific workloads where Intel wins are meaningful for gaming physics and certain scientific calculations.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245 has 14 cores and 14 threads.

Q: How much faster is the AMD chip in multi-core rendering?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT leads by 13.5% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 37,373 versus 32,924 for Intel.

Q: Where does the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 beat the AMD chip?

A: Intel wins PassMark single-thread by 20.9% (4,394 versus 3,474), PassMark physics by 33.2% (2,569 versus 1,715), floating-point math by 17.5% (120,548 versus 99,398), and prime number finding by 43.8% (365 versus 205).

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 support ECC memory.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD chip uses DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel chip uses DDR5 with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth, exactly double.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 has integrated graphics, using Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT has no integrated GPU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result is in PassMark integer math. AMD scores 177,566, Intel scores 91,187, a 94.7% difference. This is the single largest margin in the comparison and reflects the AMD chip's 32 threads handling integer operations in parallel. Data compression shows a 49.1% gap (597,862 versus 400,942), and data encryption a 25.1% gap (37,814 versus 30,236). Random string sorting completes AMD's data-processing sweep with a 27.3% lead.

Cinebench results are remarkably uniform. Every test, from R15 to R23, shows exactly a 13.5% AMD advantage. The multicore scores are 3,767 versus 3,318 for R15, 15,696 versus 13,828 for R20, and 37,373 versus 32,924 for R23. Single-core Cinebench repeats the same 13.5% margin: 531 versus 468 for R15, 2,215 versus 1,952 for R20, and 5,276 versus 4,648 for R23. This consistency suggests the AMD architecture maintains its relative advantage regardless of renderer version.

The Intel wins are concentrated in PassMark tests. Prime number finding is the most dramatic Intel victory at 43.8% (365 versus 205). Physics follows at 33.2% (2,569 versus 1,715). Floating-point math shows Intel ahead by 17.5% (120,548 versus 99,398). PassMark single-thread, recorded twice in the data as both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread, gives Intel a 20.9% win at 4,394 versus 3,474.

The overall PassMark multithread score favors AMD by 13.2% (43,810 versus 38,706), and PassMark extended instructions favor AMD by 17.5% (39,141 versus 33,304). The AMD chip also wins PassMark data compression and encryption as noted above. In total, AMD wins 12 tests, Intel wins 5, with no ties recorded.

Specification Differences

The core specifications differ across every major category. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT uses the 5000 series branding with Zen 3 architecture and the Vermeer codename, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 uses Core Ultra Series 2 with Arrow Lake architecture and the Arrow Lake-S codename.

Process node and die size show a generational gap. AMD uses TSMC's 7 nm process with 8,300 million transistors split across two 74 mm² dies. Intel uses TSMC's 3 nm process with 17,800 million transistors on a single 243 mm² die. The transistor count is more than double on Intel, packed into a much larger single die.

Clock speeds favor Intel on both base and boost: 3.50 GHz base and 5.10 GHz boost versus AMD's 3.30 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost. TDP favors Intel's efficiency at 65 W versus AMD's 105 W. Both use dual-channel memory, but AMD supports DDR4 at 51.2 GB/s while Intel supports DDR5 at 102.4 GB/s. Both support ECC. PCIe generation differs: AMD is Gen 4 with 20 lanes, Intel is Gen 5 with 20 lanes.

Cache configurations are structurally different. AMD has 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with 64 MB shared L3. Intel has 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 per core, with 24 MB shared L3. The Intel L2 is six times larger per core, which helps its single-thread performance. The AMD L3 is nearly three times larger in total, which helps its many-thread workloads.

Integrated graphics exist only on Intel: Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. The AMD chip has no iGPU. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel part is locked. Sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel Socket 1851. Release dates differ by about five months, with AMD launching July 30, 2024 and Intel launching January 6, 2025.