AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K Comparison

The benchmark data presents a clear hierarchy between the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K and the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D. The AMD part is the dominant performer in the majority of tests, winning 13 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel chip secures only 4 wins. The average benchmark scores reflect this, with the Ryzen 9 9900X3D posting a score of 54681 against the Intel’s 55304, a difference of 1.1% in favor of the Intel chip when looking at the overall average. However, the individual workload results tell a more nuanced story of specific strengths and weaknesses.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern is the AMD processor’s consistent and substantial lead in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D scores 47737 compared to the Intel’s 37001, a significant 22.5% advantage. This margin is replicated across the older Cinebench versions as well, with the R20 multi-core test showing the AMD part at 20049 versus 15540 for the Intel, and the R15 multi-core test at 4811 versus 3729. The data indicates that the Ryzen 9 9900X3D is categorically faster in rendering and other heavily threaded tasks.

Single-core performance follows the same trend, albeit with the same percentage margin. The Ryzen 9 9900X3D achieves 6739 points in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K manages 5223, a 22.5% deficit. This pattern of a consistent 22.5% delta in the Cinebench suite suggests a fundamental architectural advantage for the AMD chip in these specific tasks, whether they are single or multi-threaded.

Beyond Cinebench, the AMD processor extends its lead in several PassMark tests. The most dramatic difference is in PassMark integer math, where the Ryzen 9 9900X3D scores 179727, a massive 45% higher than the Intel’s 98850. The AMD chip also leads by 32.5% in data compression (685074 vs 462110) and by 31.8% in extended instructions (55426 vs 37822). In the PassMark physics test, the margin is 37.3% in favor of the AMD part (5340 vs 3348). These results point to a processor that is exceptionally strong in raw computational throughput and data manipulation.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K, however, is not without its victories. Its most decisive win is in PassMark floating-point math, where it scores 131107, a 9.6% improvement over the Ryzen 9 9900X3D’s 119622. This is a notable counterpoint, indicating that the Intel architecture handles floating-point operations more efficiently. The Intel chip also takes a narrow lead in PassMark single-thread performance, scoring 4700 versus 4646 for the AMD part, a 1.2% edge. The data encryption test is another narrow win for Intel, with a score of 33481 compared to 33282 for AMD, a margin of 0.6%. These wins, while fewer, show that the Intel part has specific strengths in certain computational areas.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is based on the Arrow Lake architecture and is manufactured on a 3 nm process node by TSMC, whereas the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture and a 4 nm process node, also from TSMC. The Intel chip integrates 14 cores and 14 threads, while the AMD chip has 12 cores and 24 threads, meaning the AMD part is a more traditional 12-core part with multi-threading, while the Intel part has 14 cores but no hyper-threading.

Cache configuration is a major differentiator. The Intel processor has a shared 24 MB L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has a much larger 128 MB shared L3 cache. This massive L3 cache likely contributes to the AMD part’s dominance in data-heavy workloads like compression and integer math. The per-core cache also differs, with the Intel chip featuring 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2 per core, while the AMD chip has 80 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core.

Other architectural differences include the physical package. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is a monolithic design with a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors. In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is a chiplet-based design with two dies, each measuring 70.6 mm², totaling 16,630 million transistors. Both support DDR5 memory, with the Intel chip offering a higher theoretical memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s compared to the AMD’s 89.6 GB/s. Both also support ECC memory and have an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the clear winner for productivity and multi-threaded applications. Its 22.5% lead in all Cinebench multi-core tests makes it the superior choice for 3D rendering, video encoding, and any workload that scales across many threads. The 45% advantage in integer math and 32.5% lead in data compression further solidify its position for scientific computing, financial modeling, and database workloads. Its 37.3% lead in the physics test also suggests a strong performance in simulation tasks.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K, while behind in overall multi-threading, has specific niches where it excels. Its 9.6% victory in floating-point math indicates it is better suited for workloads that are heavy on scientific calculations and certain types of engineering simulations. The narrow victory in PassMark single-thread performance, while small, shows that the Intel part can hold its own in lightly threaded applications. The data encryption win, although marginal, gives it a slight edge in security-related tasks.

The Verdict

The data is unequivocal for users who require maximum multi-core performance. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the superior processor for demanding, heavily threaded workloads. Its consistent 22.5% lead across the Cinebench suite and its massive advantages in integer math and data compression make it the definitive choice for content creators, researchers, and professionals running parallel tasks. The average benchmark score of 54681, while 1.1% lower than the Intel part, does not reflect the magnitude of the wins in the most critical performance categories.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is a capable desktop processor with its own strengths. Its victory in floating-point math and its higher single-thread score, albeit by a small margin, make it a viable option for users whose primary applications favor those specific instructions. However, the data shows that for the majority of compute-intensive tasks, the AMD processor is significantly faster. The choice is clear: for raw multi-threaded power, the Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the data-backed winner.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is significantly faster, scoring 47737 points compared to the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K’s 37001 points, a 22.5% difference in favor of AMD.

Q: Does the Intel processor have any major benchmark wins?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K wins in PassMark floating-point math by 9.6% (131107 vs 119622) and has a slight 1.2% lead in PassMark single-thread performance (4700 vs 4646).

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache size?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has a significantly larger L3 cache at 128 MB (shared), while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has a 24 MB (shared) L3 cache.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K has 14 cores and 14 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has a higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz, compared to the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K’s boost clock of 5.20 GHz.

Q: What is the manufacturer's process node for each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is built on a 3 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is built on a 4 nm process, both from TSMC.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 5 245K | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Cores | 14 | 12 |

| Threads | 14 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 4.20 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 120 W |

| Process Node | 3 nm | 4 nm |

| Die Size | 243 mm² | 2x 70.6 mm² |

| Transistors | 17,800 million | 16,630 million |

| L1 Cache | 192 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 3 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24 MB (shared) | 128 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 102.4 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

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

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

| Release Date | 2024-10-23 | 2025-01-05 |

| Launch MSRP | $319 | $599 |