AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus Comparison
AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX
Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus
The Verdict
The recorded data splits these two processors along clear lines. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX wins 6 of 15 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins 9. The Intel part takes the single-core crown decisively, with a Cinebench R23 single-core score of 6030 versus 2174, a 63.9% advantage. That gap repeats in Cinebench R15 single-core, where Intel leads 607 to 336, a 44.6% margin. The AMD part answers with heavy multi-threaded wins in integer math, where it scores 212598 against 123030, a 72.8% lead, and in data compression, 731998 versus 553155, a 32.3% edge. The Intel chip counters with the higher Cinebench R23 multi-core result, 42718 versus 37159, a 13% margin. The AMD processor sits at the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part sits at the 93rd. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX is the choice for integer-heavy throughput and compression work. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus is the choice for single-thread responsiveness and floating-point loads. Neither part dominates the other across the full test suite, but the split is sharp enough to guide selection by workload.
Architecture Differences
The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Fire Range codename, built on TSMC's 4 nm process. It packs 16 cores and 32 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename in the Core Ultra Series 2, built on TSMC's 3 nm process. It offers 18 cores but only 18 threads, with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The Intel part has no simultaneous multi-threading, which explains the equal core and thread counts. The AMD part uses 16,630 million transistors across a 2x 70.6 mm² die configuration. The Intel part uses 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. Cache layouts differ substantially. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. Intel allocates 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The AMD processor integrates a Radeon 610M GPU, while the Intel part has no integrated graphics. Both support DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus, but the memory bandwidth differs: AMD records 89.6 GB/s, Intel records 115.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. AMD exposes PCIe Gen 5 with 28 CPU lanes, Intel exposes PCIe Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes. The AMD part uses AMD Socket FL1 and targets the mobile segment, while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1851 and targets the desktop segment. Both have unlocked multipliers. The AMD part released on 2025-01-05, the Intel part on 2026-03-10.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The largest single-win margin belongs to AMD in PassMark integer math. The Ryzen 9 9955HX scores 212598, the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 123030, a 72.8% advantage. That result reflects the AMD part's 32 threads doing heavy parallel integer work. The second-largest AMD win is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 5905 versus 4305, a 37.2% lead. AMD also takes PassMark extended instructions, 57946 versus 42880, a 35.1% margin. In data compression, AMD wins 731998 versus 553155, a 32.3% edge. PassMark multi-thread goes to AMD, 56171 versus 50146, a 12% margin. Random string sorting also favors AMD, 77890 versus 67209, a 15.9% lead.
Intel's biggest win is Cinebench R23 single-core, 6030 versus 2174, a 63.9% margin. That is a massive single-thread gap, driven by the Intel part's 4.20 GHz base clock and higher per-core efficiency. Cinebench R15 single-core follows the same pattern, 607 versus 336, a 44.6% lead. PassMark find prime numbers favors Intel, 452 versus 287, a 36.5% margin. Floating-point math goes to Intel, 159824 versus 136682, a 14.5% edge, matching the physics test where Intel scores 3183 versus 2720, also a 14.5% margin. Data encryption favors Intel, 41292 versus 37330, a 9.6% lead. PassMark single-thread goes to Intel, 4698 versus 4393, a 6.5% margin. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result is Intel's only multi-core win in the Cinebench family, 42718 versus 37159, a 13% margin. That result is notable because AMD wins the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test but loses the newer R23 multi-core test, suggesting the Intel part scales better in that specific rendering workload despite having fewer threads.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. Intel has more physical cores but no multi-threading, so AMD has 14 more threads.
Q: Which processor is better for single-threaded workloads?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus leads in every single-thread benchmark in the database. It wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 63.9%, Cinebench R15 single-core by 44.6%, PassMark single-thread by 6.5%, and PassMark find prime numbers by 36.5%.
Q: Which processor wins in multi-core rendering?
A: Results depend on the test version. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 5905 versus 4305, a 37.2% lead. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with 42718 versus 37159, a 13% lead. PassMark multi-thread goes to AMD, 56171 versus 50146, a 12% margin.
Q: How do their memory bandwidth figures compare?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus records 115.2 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX records 89.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel DDR5 and both support ECC memory.
Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?
A: No. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX integrates a Radeon 610M GPU. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has no integrated graphics (listed as N/A).
Q: Which processor has the higher percentile rating?
A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX sits at the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus sits at the 93rd percentile.
Where Each One Wins
The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX wins in workloads that scale with thread count and integer throughput. Its 32 threads drive a 72.8% lead in integer math, the largest margin in the entire comparison. Data compression favors AMD by 32.3%, extended instruction workloads by 35.1%, and random string sorting by 15.9%. The PassMark multi-thread result confirms the pattern, with AMD ahead by 12%. The older Cinebench R15 multi-core test also favors AMD by 37.2%. The AMD part is the stronger option for database-style integer processing, compression pipelines, and broadly parallel non-rendering workloads. Its 96th percentile standing among all CPUs reinforces that position.
The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins in single-thread performance and floating-point math. The Cinebench R23 single-core margin of 63.9% is the clearest signal in the dataset. The R15 single-core lead of 44.6% and the PassMark single-thread lead of 6.5% both point the same direction. Floating-point math, physics simulation, and data encryption all favor Intel, with margins of 14.5%, 14.5%, and 9.6% respectively. The prime number test also goes to Intel by 36.5%. The Intel part wins the more modern Cinebench R23 multi-core test by 13%, which matters for rendering workloads that use that benchmark's scaling model. The Intel part occupies the 93rd percentile, slightly below AMD, but its single-thread dominance is unambiguous. Users should select the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus for latency-sensitive single-thread tasks, physics calculations, and floating-point heavy code. Users should select the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX for integer throughput, compression, and high-thread-count parallel workloads.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX uses 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses 18 cores and 18 threads. AMD clocks run at 2.50 GHz base and 5.40 GHz boost; Intel runs at 4.20 GHz base and 5.30 GHz boost. TDP differs sharply, with AMD at 55 watts and Intel at 125 watts. The AMD part uses AMD Socket FL1, the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1851. AMD architecture is Zen 5 with the Fire Range codename; Intel architecture is listed as null, with the Arrow Lake Refresh codename. AMD generation is Ryzen 9 (Zen 5 (Fire Range)); Intel generation is Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake). Process nodes differ, with AMD on 4 nm and Intel on 3 nm, both from TSMC. Transistor counts are close, 16,630 million for AMD and 17,800 million for Intel. Die size differs significantly, with AMD at 2x 70.6 mm² and Intel at 243 mm². Cache per core favors Intel, with 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 versus AMD's 80 KB L1 and 1 MB L2. Shared L3 favors AMD, 64 MB versus 30 MB. Memory bandwidth favors Intel, 115.2 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s. PCIe lanes favor AMD, 28 versus 20, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics exist only on AMD, with the Radeon 610M. Market segments differ, with AMD mobile and Intel desktop. Release dates differ, with AMD on 2025-01-05 and Intel on 2026-03-10. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $184, listed once here. Both support ECC memory and both have unlocked multipliers.