AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data leaves no ambiguity: the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X wins all 15 head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H. The largest margin appears in PassMark integer math, where the Ryzen scores 242,097 against 64,934, a delta of 272.8%. Data compression is nearly as lopsided: 896,544 versus 276,539, a 224.2% advantage. These two workloads reflect raw compute throughput, and the Ryzen’s 16 cores with 32 threads simply overwhelm the Ultra 5’s 12 cores with 12 threads.

Multi-core rendering shows a similar pattern. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen posts 40,924 versus 16,331, a 150.6% lead. Cinebench R15 multi-core repeats the story: 6,335 against 2,504, a 153% difference. The PassMark multithread score lands at 66,030 for the Ryzen and 28,717 for the Ultra 5, a 129.9% gap. Every one of these results points to a processor designed for sustained parallel workloads, while the Ultra 5 appears built for efficiency in a mobile envelope.

Single-threaded performance is closer, but the Ryzen still leads. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2,202 versus 2,044, a 7.7% edge. PassMark single-thread records 4,737 against 4,180, a 13.3% delta. Cinebench R15 single-core gives 344 versus 305, a 12.8% lead. The Ryzen’s 5.70 GHz boost clock helps here, but the Intel part’s 4.70 GHz boost keeps it within striking distance in lightly threaded tasks.

Math-heavy workloads favor the Ryzen by wide margins. Floating-point math scores 159,063 versus 84,067, an 89.2% advantage. Extended instructions (AVX-style workloads) show 71,564 against 23,906, a 199.4% delta. Prime number finding is the narrowest win on the board: 345 versus 304, just 13.5%. Random string sorting lands at 94,368 versus 34,082, a 176.9% gap.

Encryption and physics round out the sweep. Data encryption delivers 44,366 versus 21,367, a 107.6% lead. PassMark physics records 3,279 against 2,697, a 21.6% edge. The Ryzen also wins the single-thread and singlethread PassMark entries identically at 4,737 to 4,180, confirming consistency across duplicate naming in the database.

The 3DMark results are only available for the Ryzen, so no direct comparison exists there. The Ryzen’s 16-thread score of 16,263 and max-thread score of 16,780 suggest strong scaling, but the Ultra 5 lacks recorded entries for those tests in this dataset.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It is a desktop part, socketed in AMD Socket AM5, and carries 16 cores with 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H uses the Panther Lake architecture, also codenamed Panther Lake, on a 3 nm process at Intel’s own foundry. It is a mobile part, soldered to Intel BGA 2540, with 12 cores and 12 threads, meaning no Hyper-Threading-style duplication.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The Ryzen offers 80 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a 64 MB L3 cache. The Intel part has 192 KB of L1 per core and 2.5 MB of L2 per core, but only 18 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen’s larger L3 pool helps in workloads that reuse data across cores, while the Intel design leans on faster per-core L1 and L2.

Process node and foundry also distinguish them. Intel’s 3 nm node is denser on paper, but the Ryzen compensates with a higher transistor count: 16,630 million transistors across a dual-die design measuring 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel part’s transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database. The Ryzen’s two-chiplet layout likely explains its large L3 and high core count, while the Ultra 5’s monolithic mobile design targets lower power.

Memory support diverges as well. The Ryzen uses DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, yielding 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth, and supports ECC memory. The Intel part uses LPDDR5X, also dual-channel, but with a higher recorded bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s, and does not support ECC. The mobile chip’s higher bandwidth reflects its integrated memory controller tuned for low-power RAM, while the desktop chip’s lower bandwidth still supports a much wider compute throughput.

PCIe connectivity differs sharply. The Ryzen provides Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes, suitable for multiple GPUs or NVMe drives. The Intel Ultra 5 offers Gen 5 with only 4 CPU lanes, typical for a thin-and-light mobile platform. Integrated graphics also differ: the Ryzen includes Radeon Graphics, while the Intel part features Arc B370, a newer GPU architecture.

The Ryzen’s multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the Intel part is locked. Production status is Active for both, but the release dates are far apart: the Ryzen arrived in August 2024, the Intel part in January 2026. The Ryzen carries a launch MSRP of $649; no launch MSRP is recorded for the Intel chip.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X wins every recorded multi-core test. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 40,924 versus 16,331, a 150.6% lead, and PassMark multithread records 66,030 versus 28,717, a 129.9% advantage.

Q: How close is single-threaded performance?

A: The Ryzen leads in all single-thread tests, but the margins are smaller. PassMark single-thread shows 4,737 versus 4,180, a 13.3% delta, while Cinebench R23 single-core is 2,202 versus 2,044, a 7.7% edge.

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

A: The biggest delta is PassMark integer math at 272.8%, with the Ryzen scoring 242,097 against the Ultra 5’s 64,934. Data compression is second at 224.2%.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H beat the Ryzen in any benchmark?

A: No. Across all 15 head-to-head benchmarks in the database, the Ryzen 9 9950X wins every one. The Intel part’s nearest rivals in overall score are other mobile or older desktop chips, not the Ryzen.

Q: Which chip has more memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H records 136.5 GB/s with LPDDR5X, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X records 89.6 GB/s with DDR5. Despite lower bandwidth, the Ryzen wins all compute benchmarks.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: Yes, both are marked Active. The Ryzen 9 9950X launched in August 2024, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H launched in January 2026.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core Ultra 5 338H |

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

| Cores | 16 | 12 |

| Threads | 32 | 12 |

| Base clock | 4.30 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.70 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 170 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Panther Lake |

| Process node | 4 nm (TSMC) | 3 nm (Intel) |

| Transistors | 16,630 million | Not recorded |

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

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

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

| L3 cache | 64 MB | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 136.5 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 24 lanes | Gen 5, 4 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Graphics | Arc B370 |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2024-08-14 | 2026-01-04 |

| Launch MSRP | $649 | Not recorded |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part number | 100-000001277 | SA4REQ9EW |

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a straightforward conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is the far stronger processor in every measured workload. Its 16 cores and 32 threads, combined with a 5.70 GHz boost clock and 64 MB of L3 cache, deliver a 150.6% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 272.8% lead in integer math. For desktop users running rendering, compilation, or heavy data processing, the Ryzen’s scores leave no doubt about its capability. Its 94th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 74,640, places it near the top of the database, just 1.1% behind the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 and 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 475.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H targets a different role. Its 25 W TDP, mobile BGA 2540 socket, and 4 PCIe Gen 5 lanes mark it as a low-power mobile part. Its 84th percentile ranking and average score of 33,989 place it near the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H (delta -0.3%) and Intel Core i7-12800HX (delta 0.3%). The data shows it is competitive within its mobile class, but it cannot reach the Ryzen’s performance tier. Its higher memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s does not translate into compute wins, likely because the Ryzen’s core count and clock speeds dominate.

Choose the Ryzen 9 9950X for desktop workloads where raw throughput matters: multi-core rendering, encryption, compression, and math-heavy simulations all favor it by margins from 89.2% to 272.8%. Choose the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H for a mobile platform where a 25 W TDP and integrated Arc B370 graphics fit a slim chassis, accepting that single-thread performance trails by 7.7% to 13.3% and multi-thread performance trails by over 150%. The database records no scenario where the Intel part wins a head-to-head test.