AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database records 15 head-to-head comparisons between the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. The AMD part wins 9 of those tests, while the Intel part wins 6. The overall average benchmark score tells a similar story: the Ryzen 9 9950X posts an average score of 74640, which places it at the 94th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus averages 66855 and sits at the 93rd percentile.

The largest margin in the entire comparison belongs to the AMD processor in Passmark integer math. The Ryzen 9 9950X scores 242097 against 125091 for the Intel part, a lead of 93.5%. That is a near doubling of throughput in an integer-heavy workload, and it reflects the fundamental difference in thread capacity between the two chips. The AMD processor fields 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel part fields 18 cores and 18 threads, meaning the Intel chip has no simultaneous multithreading at all.

Passmark extended instructions also heavily favors AMD. The Ryzen 9 9950X records 71564 versus 44565 for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, a 60.6% advantage. Data compression follows at 896544 versus 568721, a 57.6% lead. These three workloads, integer math, extended instructions, and data compression, are all strongly parallel and all reward the AMD processor's thread count.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 9 9950X scores 40924 while the Intel part scores 30867, a 32.6% gap. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows a similar pattern: 6335 versus 4640, a 36.5% difference. Passmark multithread also goes to AMD at 66030 versus 51596, a 28% lead. Random string sorting follows at 94368 versus 69090, a 36.6% margin. Data encryption is closer, with AMD ahead by 5.3% at 44366 versus 42144.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus takes its wins in more specialized or lightly threaded workloads. The largest Intel margin is in Passmark find prime numbers, where the Intel part scores 486 against 345 for AMD, a 29% advantage. Passmark physics goes to Intel by 6.2% at 3494 versus 3279. Floating point math is nearly even, with Intel ahead by 2.2% at 162692 versus 159063. Single-thread tests are extremely close: Passmark single thread gives Intel a 0.4% edge at 4757 versus 4737, and Cinebench R23 single-core gives Intel a 2.6% edge at 2261 versus 2202. The only single-core test AMD wins is Cinebench R15 single-core, where AMD leads 344 versus 328, a 4.9% margin.

The pattern is clear. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X dominates heavily threaded workloads, often by margins of 30% or more. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus counters in select single-thread and specialized math tasks, but those wins are generally smaller in magnitude and fewer in number.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge at the architectural level in several important ways. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename with a 3 nm process, also at TSMC. The AMD processor belongs to the 9000 series and the Ryzen 9 generation, while the Intel part belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 and the Ultra 5 generation.

Core counts differ significantly. The AMD part has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel part has 18 cores but only 18 threads. The AMD processor therefore supports simultaneous multithreading, while the Intel part does not. Clock speeds also differ: the AMD chip has a base clock of 4.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz, while the Intel chip has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The AMD part runs at a higher boost frequency by 0.40 GHz.

Cache structures are substantially different. The AMD processor uses 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel processor uses 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 30 MB of L3 cache shared. This means the Intel part has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches, but the AMD part has more than double the L3 cache. Transistor counts are similar in magnitude: 16,630 million for AMD versus 17,800 million for Intel. Die size differs notably, with AMD using a dual-die configuration of 2x 70.6 mm² versus a single 243 mm² die for Intel.

Memory support is DDR5 for both, and both use a dual-channel memory bus. However, memory bandwidth differs: the AMD part records 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel part records 115.2 GB/s, giving Intel a 28.6% higher theoretical memory bandwidth. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity also differs: AMD offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Both processors have integrated graphics: AMD uses Radeon Graphics, while Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

Both parts have an unlocked multiplier. The AMD processor was released on 2024-08-14, while the Intel processor was released on 2026-03-10. The AMD part has a launch MSRP of $649, while the Intel part has a launch MSRP of $199. Both are in active production and target the desktop market segment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. The AMD part has more threads due to simultaneous multithreading, while the Intel part has more physical cores but no multithreading.

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X wins all multi-core tests in the database. It leads by 36.5% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 32.6% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 28% in Passmark multithread. The largest margin is 93.5% in Passmark integer math.

Q: Which processor wins in single-thread benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins most single-thread tests, but by small margins. It leads by 0.4% in Passmark single thread and by 2.6% in Cinebench R23 single-core. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 4.9%.

Q: How do the cache configurations compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB L3 shared. Intel has larger per-core caches, but AMD has more than double the L3 capacity.

Q: What are the process nodes and foundries for each processor?

A: Both processors are manufactured by TSMC. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X uses a 4 nm process, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses a 3 nm process. The Intel part uses a smaller process node.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has higher memory bandwidth at 115.2 GB/s, compared to 89.6 GB/s for the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X. Both use DDR5 memory with a dual-channel bus.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in the following recorded specifications:

• Cores: AMD has 16, Intel has 18.
• Threads: AMD has 32, Intel has 18.
• Base clock: AMD at 4.30 GHz, Intel at 4.20 GHz.
• Boost clock: AMD at 5.70 GHz, Intel at 5.30 GHz.
• TDP: AMD at 170, Intel at 125.
• Socket: AMD Socket AM5 versus Intel Socket 1851.
• Architecture: Zen 5 for AMD, no architecture listed for Intel.
• Codename: Granite Ridge for AMD, Arrow Lake Refresh for Intel.
• Process node: 4 nm for AMD, 3 nm for Intel.
• Transistors: 16,630 million for AMD, 17,800 million for Intel.
• Die size: 2x 70.6 mm² for AMD, 243 mm² for Intel.
• L1 cache: 80 KB per core for AMD, 192 KB per core for Intel.
• L2 cache: 1 MB per core for AMD, 3 MB per core for Intel.
• L3 cache: 64 MB for AMD, 30 MB shared for Intel.
• Memory bandwidth: 89.6 GB/s for AMD, 115.2 GB/s for Intel.
• PCIe lanes: 24 for AMD, 20 for Intel.
• Integrated graphics: Radeon Graphics for AMD, Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU for Intel.
• Release date: 2024-08-14 for AMD, 2026-03-10 for Intel.
• Launch MSRP: $649 for AMD, $199 for Intel.
• Part number: 100-000001277 for AMD, SA4UZ for Intel.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows two processors with very different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is built around a high thread count with 32 threads, a higher boost clock of 5.70 GHz, and a large 64 MB L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses more physical cores at 18, but no multithreading, a lower boost clock of 5.30 GHz, and a smaller 30 MB L3 cache. The AMD part also has a higher TDP at 170 versus 125, which aligns with its higher multi-core performance.

In multi-core workloads, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is the clear winner. The database shows margins of 32.6% to 93.5% across Cinebench and Passmark multi-threaded tests. For any workload that scales across threads, the AMD processor delivers substantially higher throughput. The Intel part offers a higher memory bandwidth at 115.2 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s and wins in a few specialized tests like find prime numbers and physics, but those wins are isolated and smaller in magnitude.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is the more efficient design on paper, with a lower TDP of 125 and a smaller 3 nm process node. It also has a lower launch MSRP of $199 compared to $649 for the AMD part. However, the benchmark data does not show the Intel part winning in any heavily threaded workload. Its wins are confined to single-thread and niche math tasks, with the largest Intel margin at 29% in find prime numbers versus the AMD part's largest margin at 93.5% in integer math.

The average benchmark scores reflect the overall performance gap: 74640 for the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X versus 66855 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, a difference that places the AMD part at the 94th percentile and the Intel part at the 93rd percentile. The nearest rivals for the AMD part include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9745 at -0.2%, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475 at +0.2%, the AMD EPYC 4545P at -1%, and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 at -1.1%. The nearest rivals for the Intel part include the AMD EPYC 4465P at -0.1%, the Intel Xeon 6515P at -0.2%, the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX at -0.9%, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus at +1.1%.

For users running highly parallel workloads, the data points clearly to the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X. Its multi-core scores are consistently and significantly higher. For users who prioritize single-thread performance and memory bandwidth, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus offers a closer contest, though its single-thread wins are narrow. The choice depends on whether the workload is heavily threaded or lightly threaded, and the benchmark record shows the AMD processor as the dominant performer in the former category.