AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a complete sweep for the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D across all 15 shared benchmark tests, with zero wins recorded for the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H. The margin of victory varies substantially by workload type, ranging from a modest single-thread advantage to overwhelming multi-thread and data-processing leads.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD part scores 42,018 against Intel's 16,331, a delta of 157.3%. The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows an even larger relative gap: 6,536 versus 2,504, which translates to a 161% advantage. Single-core results are far closer. Cinebench R23 single-core gives AMD a 2,259 score against Intel's 2,044, a 10.5% lead, while Cinebench R15 single-core shows 350 versus 305, a 14.8% edge. PassMark single-thread follows the same pattern: 4,737 against 4,180, a 13.3% delta.

The widest gaps appear in integer and data-heavy workloads. PassMark integer math delivers 243,209 for AMD versus 64,934 for Intel, a 274.5% difference, the largest margin in the entire comparison. Data compression shows 908,421 against 276,539, a 228.5% lead. Extended instructions score 73,011 versus 23,906, a 205.4% gap. Random string sorting records 95,423 against 34,082, a 180% advantage. Data encryption produces 44,536 versus 21,367, a 108.4% delta.

Floating-point math, prime number finding, and physics simulation all favor AMD by substantial margins. Floating-point math scores 159,724 versus 84,067, a 90% lead. Prime number finding records 613 versus 304, a 101.6% advantage. Physics simulation shows 5,670 versus 2,697, a 110.2% delta. PassMark multi-thread, which aggregates overall threaded performance, gives AMD 70,255 against Intel's 28,717, a 144.6% lead.

The average benchmark score across all recorded tests reinforces the hierarchy. AMD's average is 75,779, placing it at the 95th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Intel's average is 33,989, at the 84th percentile. The AMD part sits closest to the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755 (75,738, delta 0.1%), while Intel's nearest rival is the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H (34,083, delta -0.3%).

Architecture Differences

The two processors occupy different market segments entirely, and their architectural blueprints reflect that split. AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X3D is a desktop part built on the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename, fabricated on TSMC's 4 nm process. Intel's Core Ultra 5 338H is a mobile processor using the Panther Lake architecture and codename, built on Intel's own 3 nm node.

Core and thread counts diverge sharply. AMD provides 16 cores and 32 threads, while Intel provides 12 cores and 12 threads. The Intel part has no hyperthreading, which explains why its thread count equals its core count. AMD's base clock is 4.30 GHz with a boost of 5.70 GHz; Intel's base is 1.90 GHz with a boost of 4.70 GHz. The thermal design power differs by an order of magnitude: AMD's TDP is 170 watts, Intel's is 25 watts.

Cache structures follow different design philosophies. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a large 128 MB L3 cache. Intel assigns 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 18 MB L3. The L3 difference is especially notable: 128 MB versus 18 MB represents a 7.1x capacity advantage for AMD, a key factor in the data-processing benchmark results.

Memory support also differs. AMD uses dual-channel DDR5 with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. Intel uses dual-channel LPDDR5X with 136.5 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. Interestingly, Intel's memory bandwidth is higher despite its lower overall performance tier. PCIe connectivity shows AMD with Gen 5 and 24 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides Gen 5 with only 4 lanes.

Integrated graphics differ as well. AMD includes Radeon Graphics, while Intel ships Arc B370. Intel's part is socketed as BGA 2540 with a locked multiplier, while AMD uses Socket AM5 with an unlocked multiplier. AMD's transistor count is listed at 16,630 million across a dual-die design of 2x 70.6 mm²; Intel's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data provides a clear use-case split, though it is heavily one-sided. AMD wins every recorded test, so the question is not which workloads favor AMD, but rather which workloads show the smallest or largest gaps.

AMD's smallest advantages appear in single-threaded tests. PassMark single-thread (13.3% lead), Cinebench R23 single-core (10.5%), and Cinebench R15 single-core (14.8%) all show AMD ahead, but by margins that would not feel overwhelming in everyday use. For applications that rely primarily on one or two threads, the Intel part remains competitive despite its lower clocks and smaller cache.

The mid-range gaps appear in floating-point math (90% lead) and prime number finding (101.6%). These workloads benefit from AMD's higher core count and thread count, but the per-core efficiency of the Zen 5 architecture also contributes. The Intel part's 12 cores without hyperthreading cannot match the parallel throughput of AMD's 32 threads.

AMD's largest wins concentrate in integer math (274.5%), data compression (228.5%), extended instructions (205.4%), and random string sorting (180%). These are exactly the workloads that scale with thread count and cache capacity. The 128 MB L3 cache on AMD versus 18 MB on Intel likely explains a substantial portion of the data-compression and string-sorting advantages, as those workloads repeatedly access the same working sets.

For mobile use, the Intel part's 25 watt TDP makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where sustained performance is limited by cooling and battery. The AMD desktop part's 170 watt TDP requires serious cooling and a power supply capable of feeding a high-end desktop platform. The data shows that the Intel part reaches the 84th percentile of all CPUs, which is respectable for a mobile chip, while AMD sits at the 95th percentile.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a straightforward selection based on platform and workload priorities. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the clear performance leader in every benchmark category measured, with an average score of 75,779 versus 33,989 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H. The 95th percentile placement versus 84th percentile confirms that AMD occupies a higher performance tier overall.

For desktop builders seeking maximum multi-threaded throughput, the AMD part delivers a 157.3% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 144.6% lead in PassMark multi-thread. The 16 cores and 32 threads, combined with 128 MB of L3 cache, make it particularly strong for content creation, data processing, and compilation workloads. The unlocked multiplier adds flexibility for overclocking, though the 170 watt TDP requires appropriate cooling.

For mobile users prioritizing battery life and portability, the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H offers a 25 watt TDP, a 3 nm process node, and integrated Arc B370 graphics. Its 84th percentile performance is competitive within the mobile segment, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H (34,083, delta -0.3%) and the Intel Core i7-12800HX (33,875, delta 0.3%). The 136.5 GB/s memory bandwidth on LPDDR5X exceeds AMD's 89.6 GB/s, which may help in memory-bound tasks despite the overall performance deficit.

The launch MSRP for the AMD part is $699. Intel's launch MSRP is not recorded. The production status for both is Active, and both were released in early January of consecutive years: AMD on 2025-01-05 and Intel on 2026-01-04.

The verdict from the data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D wins all 15 head-to-head benchmarks and offers the higher average score, higher percentile ranking, and larger cache. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins no benchmark but offers a far lower TDP, a mobile form factor, and higher memory bandwidth, making it the appropriate choice only where those platform attributes take priority over raw performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D leads in Cinebench R23 multi-core with 42,018 versus 16,331 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H, a 157.3% difference. PassMark multi-thread shows 70,255 versus 28,717, a 144.6% lead.

Q: How close are the two in single-threaded performance?

A: The gap is much smaller. PassMark single-thread gives AMD 4,737 against Intel's 4,180, a 13.3% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 2,259 versus 2,044, a 10.5% advantage.

Q: What explains AMD's massive lead in data compression and integer math?

A: AMD has 16 cores and 32 threads versus Intel's 12 cores and 12 threads, plus a 128 MB L3 cache against Intel's 18 MB. PassMark integer math shows a 274.5% lead (243,209 versus 64,934), and data compression shows a 228.5% lead (908,421 versus 276,539).

Q: Does the Intel part have any advantages in the recorded data?

A: Yes. Intel has higher memory bandwidth at 136.5 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s, a 3 nm process versus 4 nm, and a 25 watt TDP versus 170 watts. None of these translate into a benchmark win, but they matter for mobile platforms.

Q: What are the nearest rivals for each processor according to average score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755 at 75,738 (delta 0.1%). The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H's nearest rival is the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H at 34,083 (delta -0.3%).

Q: Which processor has the larger cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D has 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 18 MB of shared L3. AMD also provides 1 MB of L2 per core versus Intel's 2.5 MB per core, and 80 KB of L1 per core versus Intel's 192 KB per core.