AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads. The AMD part uses simultaneous multithreading, whereas the Intel part does not.

Q: How do the two compare in overall benchmark standing?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D sits at the 96th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 97453. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus sits at the 93rd percentile, with an average score of 66855.

Q: Which chip wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 38161.5, which is 23.6% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus's score of 30867.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins five categories: Cinebench R23 single-core, PassMark data encryption, floating point math, single-thread, and single-thread (duplicate listing). The AMD chip wins ten categories.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth specifications?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 115.2 GB/s. Both support DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus, and both support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor uses a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is built on a 3 nm process, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D uses a 4 nm process. Both are fabricated by TSMC.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D belongs to the 9000 series, based on Zen 5 architecture with the codename Fire Range. It is a mobile-market part using AMD Socket FL1. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus belongs to Core Ultra Series 2, with the codename Arrow Lake Refresh, and targets the desktop market through Intel Socket 1851.

The two parts differ sharply in core organization. The AMD chip provides 16 cores and 32 threads, indicating simultaneous multithreading support. The Intel chip provides 18 cores and 18 threads, with no multithreading. This explains why the AMD part often leads heavily in multi-threaded workloads despite having fewer physical cores.

Cache hierarchies diverge substantially. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D uses 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a large 128 MB L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The AMD part's L3 advantage is a defining architectural trait, while the Intel part offers larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations.

Process technology differs, with the Intel chip using a 3 nm node and the AMD chip using 4 nm. Both are TSMC products. The AMD die is listed as 2x 70.6 mm² with 16,630 million transistors, while the Intel die is 243 mm² with 17,800 million transistors.

PCIe lane counts differ: the AMD processor provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), and the Intel processor provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). Both processors support DDR5 memory with dual-channel buses. The AMD chip includes integrated Radeon 610M graphics, while the Intel chip includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU.

The AMD part has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel part has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The TDP ratings are 55 for the AMD chip and 125 for the Intel chip. Both have unlocked multipliers.

Release dates differ: the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D was released on 2025-01-05, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus was released on 2026-03-10. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $199, while the AMD part has no listed launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split between mobile and desktop use cases. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D dominates overall average benchmark scores: 97453 versus 66855 for the Intel part, a gap of roughly 45.8%. The AMD chip also wins 10 of the 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons.

Users who prioritize heavily threaded workloads should choose the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D. It leads by 30.2% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 23.6% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 77.9% in PassMark integer math, and 34.1% in PassMark physics. The 128 MB L3 cache and 32 threads give it a decisive edge in rendering, simulation, and data-heavy tasks.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins in single-thread and light floating-point tasks. It leads by 4.5% in Cinebench R23 single-core, 5.2% in PassMark single-thread, 11.4% in floating point math, and 6.4% in data encryption. Its higher base clock of 4.20 GHz and larger per-core L1/L2 caches contribute to these wins.

The market segments reinforce the choice. The AMD part is a mobile processor with a 55 TDP, suited for high-end laptops. The Intel part is a desktop processor with a 125 TDP, suited for stationary builds. The Intel chip also carries a launch MSRP of $199, which is a factual data point but not a recommendation driver in this analysis.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |

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

| Cores | 16 | 18 |

| Threads | 32 | 18 |

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.30 GHz |

| TDP | 55 | 125 |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | null |

| Codename | Fire Range | Arrow Lake Refresh |

| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Transistors | 16,630 million | 17,800 million |

| Die size | 2x 70.6 mm² | 243 mm² |

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

| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 128 MB | 30 MB (shared) |

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

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon 610M | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release date | 2025-01-05 | 2026-03-10 |

| Launch MSRP | null | $199 |

| Part number | 100-000001030 | SA4UZ |

Both parts support DDR5 memory, dual-channel buses, ECC memory, and have unlocked multipliers. Both are active in production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins Cinebench R15 multi-core with 6042.5 against 4640, a margin of 30.2%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD part scores 38161.5 versus 30867, a 23.6% lead. The AMD chip also wins Cinebench R15 single-core narrowly: 332 versus 328, a 1.2% edge.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus takes Cinebench R23 single-core with 2261 against 2159.5, a 4.5% advantage. This is the only Cinebench win for the Intel part.

In PassMark workloads, the AMD chip wins data compression by 38.2% (785811 versus 568721), extended instructions by 40.9% (62813 versus 44565), find prime numbers by 8% (525 versus 486), integer math by 77.9% (222503 versus 125091), multithread by 21.5% (62674 versus 51596), physics by 34.1% (4687 versus 3494), and random string sorting by 20.9% (83497 versus 69090).

The Intel chip wins PassMark data encryption by 6.4% (42144 versus 39446), floating point math by 11.4% (162692 versus 144122), and single-thread by 5.2% (4757 versus 4511). The single-thread test appears twice in the list with identical scores and deltas, confirming the result.

The largest single delta is the 77.9% lead for the AMD chip in PassMark integer math. The smallest delta is the 1.2% lead for the AMD chip in Cinebench R15 single-core.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D wins in every multi-threaded category where thread count and L3 capacity matter. Cinebench R15 and R23 multi-core, PassMark multithread, physics, data compression, random string sorting, and integer math all favor the AMD part. The 32 threads and 128 MB L3 cache drive these results. The AMD chip also wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test, though by a slim 1.2% margin.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus wins in five categories: Cinebench R23 single-core, PassMark data encryption, PassMark floating point math, PassMark single-thread, and the duplicate PassMark single-thread listing. The higher base clock of 4.20 GHz and larger per-core L1 (192 KB) and L2 (3 MB) caches contribute to these single-thread and floating-point successes.

For rendering, simulation, physics calculations, compression, and sorting workloads, the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the stronger part based on recorded deltas of 20.9% to 77.9%. For encryption, floating-point math, and single-thread responsiveness, the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus holds the advantage with deltas of 4.5% to 11.4%.

The AMD chip's 96th percentile standing versus the Intel chip's 93rd percentile reinforces the overall hierarchy. The average benchmark scores place the AMD part 97453 against 66855, a gap that appears consistently across the multi-threaded tests. The Intel part's wins are real but concentrated in a narrower set of workloads.