AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core Ultra X7 358H Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X records an average benchmark score of 57498, while the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H scores 40967. The AMD part also sits at the 92nd percentile of all CPUs in the database, compared to the Intel part's 87th percentile.

Q: How does the single-core performance compare between the two?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X scores 2253 versus 2080 for the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, a 8.3% advantage. The gap widens slightly in PassMark single-thread, where AMD leads 4672 to 4124, a 13.3% difference.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has 16 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has 12 cores and 24 threads. Despite fewer cores, the AMD part uses simultaneous multithreading to double its thread count.

Q: What are the power targets of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has a 120W TDP, designed for desktop socket AM5. The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has a 25W TDP, built for the mobile BGA 2540 socket with a focus on efficiency.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H does not. Both support dual-channel memory, but the Intel part uses LPDDR5X with 153.6 GB/s bandwidth versus 89.6 GB/s for the AMD part's DDR5.

Q: How large is the L3 cache on each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has 64 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has 18 MB shared L3. The AMD part also has 1 MB L2 per core and 80 KB L1 per core, versus 3 MB L2 per core and 192 KB L1 per core on the Intel side.

The Verdict

The recorded data presents a one-sided comparison. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins all 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons in the database, with no wins recorded for the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H. The average score differential is substantial: 57498 versus 40967, a gap of roughly 40% in the AMD part's favor.

For workloads that stress multi-threaded throughput, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is the clear choice. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 32172 versus 18747 represents a 71.6% advantage, and its PassMark multithread score of 54643 beats 33802 by 61.7%. The AMD processor also leads in integer math by 117.8%, a dominant margin for compilation, rendering, and scientific computing tasks.

The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H is not without merit, but its strengths lie in efficiency rather than raw performance. With a 25W TDP versus 120W, the Intel part delivers roughly 60 to 80% of the AMD's performance in several tests while drawing a quarter of the power budget. Mobile users who need capable processing in a thin chassis would select the Intel part, but the data shows no benchmark where the Intel chip wins.

The verdict from the database is straightforward: for desktop performance, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X dominates every measured metric. The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H serves a different market segment, one where power envelopes matter more than peak scores.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest margin in the head-to-head results appears in PassMark integer math. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X scores 181056 against 83147 for the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, a 117.8% advantage. This test measures arithmetic operations common in general-purpose computing, so the gap suggests the AMD architecture handles integer workloads with far greater efficiency.

Data compression shows the second-largest spread. AMD scores 683579, which is 105.6% higher than Intel's 332508. Extended instructions also exceed the double mark: AMD's 55243 beats Intel's 27274 by 102.5%. These tests point to strong SIMD and vector processing capabilities in the Zen 5 design.

Cinebench R23 multicore reveals a 71.6% lead for AMD, with scores of 32172 versus 18747. The older Cinebench R15 multicore test shows a 65.4% gap, 5008 versus 3027. PassMark multithread follows at 61.7%, with AMD scoring 54643 and Intel 33802. These results consistently indicate that the AMD part's 24 threads extract far more parallel throughput than the Intel part's 16 threads.

Random string sorting tilts toward AMD by 78.4%, 72013 versus 40357. Data encryption shows a more moderate 28.3% lead, 33421 versus 26046. Prime number finding, a test sensitive to branch prediction and integer throughput, gives AMD a 29.4% edge, 436 versus 337.

The single-core results are closer but still favor AMD. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2253 versus 2080, an 8.3% gap. Cinebench R15 single-core gives AMD a 17.1% lead, 353 versus 301.5. PassMark single-thread records 4672 versus 4124, a 13.3% difference. Floating-point math shows a 15.6% advantage, 120083 versus 103842. Physics simulation narrows further to 11.9%, 3381 versus 3021.

Across all 15 recorded benchmarks, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins every comparison. The margins range from 8.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core to 117.8% in integer math, with most multi-threaded tests exceeding 60%.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X uses 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H uses 16 cores and 16 threads. The AMD part has a 4.40 GHz base clock and 5.60 GHz boost clock, compared to 1.90 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost for the Intel part. The TDP figures differ sharply: 120W for AMD, 25W for Intel.

The socket and market segment separate the two completely. AMD fits the AM5 desktop socket, Intel uses BGA 2540 for mobile. The AMD processor is multiplier-unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the Intel part has a locked multiplier. The AMD chip's release date is 2024-08-14, and its launch MSRP is $499. The Intel part's release date is 2026-01-04, with no launch MSRP recorded.

Memory support diverges as well. AMD supports DDR5 with dual-channel configuration and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, plus ECC memory. Intel supports LPDDR5X with dual-channel configuration and 153.6 GB/s bandwidth, but no ECC. The PCIe lanes also differ: AMD provides Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes, Intel provides Gen 5 with 4 CPU lanes.

The integrated graphics differ: AMD includes Radeon Graphics, Intel includes Arc B390. Cache hierarchies are also distinct, with AMD's 64 MB L3 versus Intel's 18 MB shared L3, and per-core L1 and L2 values that favor Intel at the per-core level but AMD in aggregate.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X is built on Zen 5 architecture with the codename Granite Ridge. It belongs to the 9000 series and the Ryzen 9 generation. The process node is 4 nm, manufactured by TSMC, with 16,630 million transistors and a die size of 2x 70.6 mm².

The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H uses Panther Lake as its codename, part of the Panther Lake-H generation and the Core Ultra Series 3. The architecture field is not recorded in the database. The process node is 3 nm, manufactured by Intel, with no transistor count or die size listed.

The Zen 5 design uses a chiplet approach, as indicated by the dual die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel part appears to use a monolithic or different packaging approach, though the database does not specify. The AMD part's 24 threads from 12 cores suggest simultaneous multithreading, while the Intel part's 16 threads from 16 cores indicate no thread doubling.

Cache architecture reflects different design philosophies. AMD allocates 80 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, with a large 64 MB L3 shared pool. Intel allocates 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 per core, but only 18 MB shared L3. The Intel part has more per-core cache, which helps single-thread performance, but the AMD part's larger L3 benefits multi-threaded workloads with shared data.

The Intel part's 3 nm process node gives it a manufacturing advantage in density and efficiency, which aligns with its 25W TDP. The AMD part uses the previous-generation 4 nm node from TSMC, but compensates with higher clocks and more threads.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, so the use-case split is determined by margins rather than individual victories.

For multi-threaded rendering, video encoding, and 3D modeling, the AMD part's advantages exceed 60% in Cinebench R23 multicore and PassMark multithread. The integer math result, 117.8% ahead, makes the AMD chip particularly strong for code compilation, scientific simulation, and data processing tasks that rely on integer arithmetic.

Data compression and encryption favor AMD by 105.6% and 28.3% respectively, making the AMD part suitable for database workloads, file archiving, and security-related processing. The extended instructions test gives AMD a 102.5% lead, indicating strong AVX-class performance for vectorized applications.

The Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, despite losing all benchmarks, has a clear role in mobile computing. Its 25W TDP enables thin-and-light laptop designs where the AMD part's 120W requirement would be impossible. The Intel part's higher memory bandwidth, 153.6 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s, could benefit integrated graphics workloads, though the database does not include graphics benchmarks. The LPDDR5X support and BGA 2540 socket place it firmly in portable systems.

For single-thread performance, the AMD part leads by 8.3% to 17.1% depending on the test. This margin is smaller than the multi-threaded gaps, suggesting that the Intel part is comparatively competitive in lightly-threaded tasks like web browsing and office productivity, though still behind.

The physics test shows the closest margin at 11.9%, with AMD scoring 3381 versus 3021. This indicates that even in gaming-related physics simulations, the AMD part holds a clear but smaller advantage.

In summary, the database shows the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X as the performance leader across all measured categories, with the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H positioned for mobile efficiency where its lower power draw and compact BGA package are the deciding factors.