AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core 7 253PTE Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark record splits decisively along workload type. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins 14 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core 7 253PTE takes a single victory. That one win, however, lands in Cinebench R23 single-core, which matters for lightly threaded applications.

The AMD part dominates every multi-threaded and throughput-oriented test. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 5008 against 2144, a 133.6% advantage. The R23 multicore result shows 32172 versus 21276, a 51.2% lead. PassMark multithread confirms the pattern: 54643 against 25031, a 118.3% gap. For workloads that scale across cores, such as rendering, video encoding, data compression, or scientific computing, the Ryzen 9 9900X is clearly the stronger processor.

The Intel Core 7 253PTE claims only Cinebench R23 single-core, where it posts 3003 versus 2253 for the AMD chip, a 25% margin in its favor. That is a meaningful result for single-threaded tasks that rely on a single core's peak performance, though the broader single-thread picture is mixed. In Cinebench R15 single-core, AMD leads 353 to 302, a 16.9% advantage. In PassMark single-thread, AMD leads 4672 to 3794, a 23.1% margin. So the Intel win in R23 single-core appears isolated rather than representative of a general single-thread superiority.

The data suggests the Intel part is oriented toward efficiency and single-thread responsiveness, while the AMD part is built for sustained multi-core throughput. The 14-to-1 win count leaves little ambiguity about which processor dominates in aggregate performance.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing generations.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm TSMC process. It packs 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The thermal design power is 120 watts. Cache allocation includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3. Memory support covers DDR5 only, through a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. It also supports ECC memory. The CPU provides PCIe Gen 5 with 24 lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics. The multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking. The die uses two chiplets, each 70.6 mm², totaling 16,630 million transistors.

The Intel Core 7 253PTE uses the Bartlett Lake codename, built on a 10 nm Intel process. It has 10 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The thermal design power is much lower at 45 watts. Cache allocation includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3. Memory support covers both DDR4 and DDR5, through a dual-channel bus with the same 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported. The CPU provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 730. The multiplier is locked, so no overclocking. This part runs on Intel Socket 1700, whereas the AMD part uses AMD Socket AM5.

The core count difference (12 versus 10) and thread count difference (24 versus 20) explain much of the multi-thread performance gap. The Intel part compensates with a higher L2 cache per core (2 MB versus 1 MB), but the AMD part has nearly double the total L3 (64 MB versus 33 MB). The process node gap (4 nm versus 10 nm) likely contributes to the AMD part's ability to maintain higher clocks at a higher TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margins appear in compute-heavy synthetic workloads. PassMark find prime numbers shows the AMD part scoring 436 against 82 for Intel, a 431.7% advantage, the biggest gap in the entire record. PassMark extended instructions follows with 55243 against 17099, a 223.1% lead. PassMark data compression shows 683579 versus 275828, a 147.8% gap. PassMark physics shows 3381 versus 1318, a 156.5% advantage. PassMark random string sorting shows 72013 versus 28227, a 155.1% gap.

The AMD part also leads decisively in floating-point and integer math. PassMark floating point math scores 120083 versus 67209, a 78.7% advantage. PassMark integer math scores 181056 versus 119552, a 51.4% lead. PassMark data encryption scores 33421 versus 15500, a 115.6% gap. PassMark multithread scores 54643 versus 25031, a 118.3% lead.

Cinebench results show a more nuanced picture. Cinebench R15 multicore favors AMD by 133.6%. Cinebench R23 multicore favors AMD by 51.2%. But Cinebench R23 single-core favors Intel by 25%, the only Intel win. Cinebench R15 single-core favors AMD by 16.9%. PassMark single-thread favors AMD by 23.1%.

The average benchmark scores reflect the overall hierarchy. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has an average benchmark score of 57498, placing it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core 7 253PTE has an average benchmark score of 34962, placing it in the 84th percentile. The nearest rivals for the AMD part include the AMD EPYC 9015 (average score 57555, delta -0.1%), the AMD EPYC 7313 (57399, delta 0.2%), the Intel Core i9-14900 (58115, delta -1.1%), and the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M (58323, delta -1.4%). For the Intel part, the nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-13800H (34988, delta -0.1%), the Intel Core i9-12900HX (35003, delta -0.1%), the Intel Xeon 6349P (34890, delta 0.2%), and the AMD Ryzen 5 150 (34881, delta 0.2%).

The Verdict

The recorded data shows the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is the superior processor for multi-threaded workloads. Its 12 cores and 24 threads, combined with a 120-watt TDP and a 4 nm process, deliver substantial advantages across every PassMark multi-thread test and both Cinebench multicore tests. For rendering, data compression, encryption, physics simulation, and integer or floating-point math, the AMD part leads by margins ranging from roughly 51% to over 430%.

The Intel Core 7 253PTE offers a different trade-off. Its 45-watt TDP makes it far more power-efficient on paper, and its single-core Cinebench R23 result shows it can exceed the AMD part in that specific benchmark. However, that single win does not translate into a general single-thread advantage, as the AMD part wins both Cinebench R15 single-core and PassMark single-thread. The Intel part also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving flexibility for older platforms, and it has a higher L2 cache per core.

Buyers choosing between these two should weigh the dominant multi-thread performance of the AMD part against the lower power envelope and memory flexibility of the Intel part. The data clearly favors AMD for any workload that uses more than a few cores. For users who prioritize single-thread Cinebench R23 performance and minimal power draw, the Intel part has a specific appeal, but the overall benchmark record belongs to the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X.

The launch MSRP for the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is $499. The launch MSRP for the Intel Core 7 253PTE is $384.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins 14 out of 15 head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Core 7 253PTE wins only Cinebench R23 single-core.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: In PassMark find prime numbers, the AMD part scores 436 versus 82 for Intel, a 431.7% advantage. This is the largest margin in the record.

Q: Does the Intel part win any multi-threaded test?

A: No. The Intel Core 7 253PTE loses every multi-threaded benchmark in the head-to-head record, including Cinebench R15 multicore, Cinebench R23 multicore, and all PassMark multi-thread tests.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has an average benchmark score of 57498, placing in the 92nd percentile. The Intel Core 7 253PTE has an average benchmark score of 34962, placing in the 84th percentile.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core 7 253PTE has 10 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PTE supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X supports DDR5 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth.