AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark comparison between the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is heavily one-sided. Across all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D records a win, with the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H failing to take a single test. The margin of victory varies widely, from a relatively modest 11.1% advantage in single-threaded PassMark tests to a staggering 229.7% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core.

The largest single delta appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the AMD part scores 6739 against Intel's 2044. That 229.7% advantage indicates a fundamental difference in per-thread capability. The multi-threaded Cinebench R23 result tells a similar story: AMD scores 47737 versus Intel's 16331, a 192.3% delta. The AMD processor's 12 cores, 24 threads, and 4.40 GHz base clock combine with a 5.50 GHz boost clock to produce results that completely outpace the Intel part's 12 cores, 12 threads, 1.90 GHz base, and 4.70 GHz boost.

In the Cinebench R20 suite, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D posts 20049 multi-core and 2830 single-core scores, against Intel's 10213 and 1441, respectively. Those deltas are 96.3% and 96.4%. The Cinebench R15 numbers are closer in relative terms but still decisive: 4811 versus 2504 multi-core (92.1% delta) and 679 versus 305 single-core (122.6% delta).

PassMark workloads show the same pattern, though with interesting variation. The integer math test gives AMD a 176.8% lead (179727 versus 64934), while the floating point math test yields a smaller 42.3% advantage (119622 versus 84067). The data compression test shows AMD at 685074 versus Intel's 276539, a 147.7% delta. Random string sorting favors AMD by 110.9% (71864 versus 34082). The extended instructions test gives AMD a 131.8% lead (55426 versus 23906). Data encryption shows a 55.8% delta (33282 versus 21367). The find prime numbers test delivers a 78.9% advantage (544 versus 304). The physics test shows a 98% delta (5340 versus 2697). The multithread test gives AMD a 95.5% lead (56154 versus 28717).

The narrowest margin in the entire comparison is in PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests, where AMD scores 4646 and Intel scores 4180. The 11.1% delta is still a clear win, but it is far smaller than the multi-thread deltas. That suggests the Intel architecture has competitive single-thread capability despite being a mobile part with a much lower TDP.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded benchmark data, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D wins every single test in the comparison set. There is no recorded test where the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H comes out ahead. The AMD part dominates across rendering, math processing, encryption, compression, and physics simulation workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D's wins are largest in workloads that stress multi-threaded throughput and heavy instruction execution. Cinebench R23 multi-core and single-core, integer math, and data compression show the biggest deltas. These results align with the AMD part's desktop positioning, its 24 threads, and its 128 MB L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H, by contrast, is a mobile processor with 12 threads and an 18 MB shared L3 cache, which explains its lower scores in sustained multi-threaded workloads.

The Intel part's closest relative performance appears in the PassMark single-thread tests, where the delta drops to 11.1%. This indicates that for lightly threaded tasks, the gap narrows considerably. The Intel chip's 4.70 GHz boost clock and larger per-core L2 cache (2.5 MB per core versus 1 MB per core) help it stay within striking distance of the AMD part in single-thread scenarios, even though it falls short.

For use-case analysis, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the clear choice for multi-threaded rendering, scientific computation, data compression, and encryption workloads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H, with its 25 W TDP and mobile BGA 2540 socket, is positioned for portable systems where power draw and thermal constraints matter more than raw performance. The data shows the Intel part trailing by at least 42.3% in every head-to-head test, so it cannot match the AMD part in any measured workload.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturers, use different foundries, and target different market segments. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is a desktop part built on the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Granite Ridge. It uses a 4 nm process node from TSMC and contains 16,630 million transistors across a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is a mobile processor based on the Panther Lake architecture, also codenamed Panther Lake, using a 3 nm process node from Intel's own foundry.

The AMD processor supports 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel processor also has 12 cores but only 12 threads, meaning it lacks simultaneous multithreading. The AMD base clock is 4.40 GHz with a boost of 5.50 GHz. The Intel base clock is 1.90 GHz with a boost of 4.70 GHz. The AMD part has a TDP of 120 W, while the Intel part draws only 25 W.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part's much larger L3 cache is likely a factor in its data compression and encryption advantages.

Memory support also differs. The AMD processor uses DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory. The Intel processor uses LPDDR5X memory with a dual-channel bus and a higher recorded memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s, but it does not support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. The AMD part offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part offers Gen 5 with only 4 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also differ: AMD uses Radeon Graphics, while Intel uses Arc B370.

The AMD processor is multiplier unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the Intel processor is locked. The AMD part uses the AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel part uses Intel BGA 2540, a soldered mobile socket. The AMD part has a launch MSRP of $599. The Intel part has no recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has 24 threads across 12 cores. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 threads across 12 cores, meaning it does not support simultaneous multithreading.

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

A: The largest delta is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D scores 6739 versus Intel's 2044, a 229.7% advantage.

Q: How does memory bandwidth compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has a higher recorded memory bandwidth at 136.5 GB/s using LPDDR5X, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D records 89.6 GB/s using DDR5.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H does not.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has a TDP of 120 W. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has a TDP of 25 W.

Q: Is the Intel part competitive in any benchmark?

A: The closest result is in PassMark single-thread tests, where the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H scores 4180 versus AMD's 4646, a delta of 11.1%. This is the smallest margin in the entire comparison set.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every recorded specification field. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D belongs to the 9000 series from AMD, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H belongs to the Core Ultra Series 3 from Intel. The AMD part uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename, while the Intel part uses the Panther Lake architecture with the same codename.

The process node differs: AMD uses 4 nm from TSMC, while Intel uses 3 nm from Intel. Transistor count and die size are recorded for AMD (16,630 million transistors, 2x 70.6 mm²) but not for Intel. Cache layouts differ: AMD has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 128 MB L3; Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 2.5 MB L2 per core, and 18 MB shared L3.

Memory support splits between DDR5 (AMD) and LPDDR5X (Intel). Memory bandwidth favors Intel at 136.5 GB/s versus AMD's 89.6 GB/s. ECC support is present on AMD but absent on Intel. PCIe lanes favor AMD at 24 Gen 5 lanes versus Intel's 4 Gen 5 lanes. Integrated graphics use Radeon Graphics on AMD and Arc B370 on Intel.

Market segment differs: AMD is Desktop, Intel is Mobile. Release dates are 2025-01-05 for AMD and 2026-01-04 for Intel. The AMD part has a launch MSRP of $599; the Intel part has none recorded. The multiplier is unlocked on AMD and locked on Intel. Sockets differ: AMD Socket AM5 versus Intel BGA 2540. Base clock, boost clock, TDP, and thread count all favor the AMD part, as detailed in the benchmark sections above.