AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 9 386H Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H are recorded in the database as desktop and mobile processors respectively. In the head-to-head benchmark set, the AMD part wins all 17 comparisons, while the Intel part records no wins. The margins range from 10.1% in PassMark single-thread to 225.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head dataset records 17 benchmark comparisons between the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H. The AMD processor wins all 17. There are no recorded wins for the Intel part.

The largest single-test gap appears in Cinebench R23 single-core. The AMD scores 6739 against 2071.5, a 225.3% advantage. Cinebench R23 multi-core also shows a triple-digit gap: 47737 versus 20547, a 132.3% advantage. PassMark integer math follows with 179727 versus 87284, a 105.9% gap, and PassMark data compression shows 685074 versus 352365, a 94.4% gap. PassMark extended instructions is close behind at 55426 versus 29138, a 90.2% gap.

Other large margins include PassMark physics at 5340 versus 3028, a 76.4% gap, PassMark random string sorting at 71864 versus 42135, a 70.6% gap, PassMark multithread at 56154 versus 35399, a 58.6% gap, Cinebench R20 multi-core at 20049 versus 12820, a 56.4% gap, and Cinebench R20 single-core at 2830 versus 1809, also 56.4%. PassMark find prime numbers is 544 versus 341, a 59.5% gap. Cinebench R15 multi-core is 4811 versus 3223, a 49.3% gap, while Cinebench R15 single-core is 679 versus 303.5, a 123.7% gap. PassMark data encryption is 33282 versus 27150, a 22.6% gap.

The closest results are PassMark single-thread at 4646 versus 4218, a 10.1% gap, and the separate singlethread entry with the same scores and margin. PassMark floating point math is nearly as tight: 119622 versus 108527, a 10.2% gap. Even in its narrowest wins, the AMD part remains ahead.

In the broader database context, the AMD part has an average benchmark score of 54762 and sits in the 91st percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest recorded rival is Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF with an average score of 55093, a 0.6% delta. The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H has an average score of 43210 and sits in the 88th percentile. Its nearest recorded rival is AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 with an average score of 43326, a 0.3% delta. The next closest recorded rivals for the AMD part are Intel Core Ultra 5 245K at 54053, Intel Xeon 6505P at 53701, and Intel Core i7-14700F at 53620. For the Intel part, the next closest recorded rivals are AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 at 43431, Intel Core i9-12900 at 42906, and Intel Core i9-12900KF at 42830.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design points. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is built around Zen 5 (Granite Ridge) on TSMC's 4 nm process. The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H is built around Panther Lake (Panther Lake-H) on Intel's 3 nm process. The AMD uses Socket AM5 and a 120 W TDP; the Intel uses BGA 2540 and a 25 W TDP. The AMD is a 9000-series desktop part, while the Intel is a Core Ultra Series 3 mobile part.

Core and thread counts differ. The AMD has 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Intel has 16 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Intel part has more physical cores, but the AMD part has more threads and higher clock speeds.

Cache organization is different. The AMD uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 128 MB of L3. The Intel uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3. The Intel part has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, while the AMD part has a much larger L3.

Memory and I/O features diverge. The AMD supports DDR5 over a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Intel supports DDR5 and LPDDR5X over a dual-channel bus with 115.2 GB/s. The AMD has 24 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel has 12. The AMD supports ECC memory; the Intel does not. The AMD includes Radeon Graphics, while the Intel includes Intel Xe3 Graphics. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier; the Intel does not.

Release timing also differs. The AMD was released on 2025-01-05, and the Intel on 2026-01-04. The AMD has 16,630 million transistors and a die size of 2x 70.6 mm², while the Intel's transistor count and die size are not listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H has more cores at 16 versus 12, but the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has more threads at 24 versus 16.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has 128 MB of L3, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H has 18 MB of shared L3.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D scores 47737, which is 132.3% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H's 20547.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has an average score of 54762, placing it in the 91st percentile, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H has an average score of 43210, placing it in the 88th percentile.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 386H has a higher recorded memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, compared with 89.6 GB/s for the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D.

Q: What is the recorded head-to-head result?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D wins all 17 comparisons, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H records no wins.

Specification Differences

The differing specification fields are:

| Field | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H |

|---|---|---|

| Manufacturer | AMD | Intel |

| Series | 9000 series | Core Ultra Series 3 |

| Generation | Ryzen 9 (Zen 5 (Granite Ridge)) | Ultra 9 (Panther Lake-H) |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Granite Ridge | Panther Lake |

| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 16,630 million | Not disclosed |

| Die size | 2x 70.6 mm² | Not disclosed |

| Cores | 12 | 16 |

| Threads | 24 | 16 |

| Base clock | 4.40 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.50 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 2540 |

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

| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 128 MB | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 24 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2025-01-05 | 2026-01-04 |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $599 | Not disclosed |

| Part number | 100-000001368 | SA4R5Q9EH |

The Verdict

The recorded data gives the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D a clean sweep in the head-to-head benchmarks. It wins all 17 comparisons, and its average benchmark score of 54762 sits above the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H's 43210. The AMD part also ranks in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, compared with the Intel part's 88th percentile. The AMD part is a desktop AM5 processor with a 120 W TDP and an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is a mobile BGA 2540 processor with a 25 W TDP and a locked multiplier. The Intel part does offer more physical cores, higher memory bandwidth, and a smaller process node, but the recorded benchmark results show the AMD part ahead in every measured workload. For desktop systems, the data supports the AMD part. For mobile systems, the Intel part is the one designed for that socket and power class.