AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235 Comparison

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread configuration of the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X versus the Intel Core Ultra 5 235?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has 14 cores and 14 threads. This means the AMD part uses simultaneous multithreading, whereas the Intel part does not.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X boosts to 5.60 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 235's boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The AMD base clock is also higher at 4.40 GHz versus 3.40 GHz for Intel.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache capacity?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has a 64 MB L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has a 24 MB shared L3 cache. The AMD processor has over twice the L3 cache.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 does not support ECC memory.

Q: What are the release dates for these two processors?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 was released on January 6, 2025. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X was released later, on October 6, 2025.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 rank among all CPUs in the database?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 sits in the 89th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has a 50th percentile ranking, indicating a significant performance gap based on recorded data.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X is part of the 9000 series, codenamed Granite Ridge, and belongs to the Ryzen Embedded generation based on Zen 5. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is from the Core Ultra Series 2, codenamed Arrow Lake-S, and belongs to the Ultra 5 generation based on Arrow Lake.

Manufacturing processes differ. AMD uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while Intel uses a 3 nm process from TSMC. The transistor counts are close: AMD has 16,630 million transistors spread across a dual-die design of 2x 70.6 mm², whereas Intel packs 17,800 million transistors into a single 243 mm² die.

Cache hierarchy shows distinct approaches. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, with a large 64 MB L3 cache. Intel uses 192 KB of L1 per core and 3 MB of L2 per core, but only 24 MB of shared L3. This gives AMD a substantial L3 advantage, while Intel has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches.

Memory support is similar in type: both use DDR5 with dual-channel memory buses. However, memory bandwidth differs: AMD lists 89.6 GB/s, while Intel lists 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory is supported only by AMD. PCIe connectivity also differs, with AMD providing Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only) versus Intel's Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics differ as well. AMD includes Radeon Graphics, while Intel includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24EU. The Intel part has a locked multiplier, while the AMD part has an unlocked multiplier. The production status for both is listed as Active.

Where Each One Wins

The data available for the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X includes no benchmark scores. All recorded benchmark results belong to the Intel Core Ultra 5 235. Therefore, the analysis of wins must be based solely on the Intel benchmark data, which covers a range of workloads.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 demonstrates strong multi-threaded performance in synthetic rendering tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 14,769 points, while in Cinebench R20 multicore it scores 6,202, and in Cinebench R15 multicore it scores 1,488. Single-core scores are 2,085 in R23, 875 in R20, and 210 in R15.

For general processing tasks, the Intel part shows notable results in PassMark tests. It scores 87,948 in integer math and 117,951 in floating point math. Data compression yields 390,711, while data encryption produces 29,293. Extended instructions score 32,752, and the find prime numbers test scores 371. Random string sorting achieves 48,980.

The recorded PassMark multithread score is 37,816, and the single-thread score is 4,516. Physics processing scores 2,570. Since the AMD part has no scores, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 wins all comparable benchmark categories by default. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has zero wins in the head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel part has zero wins as well, but that count reflects the lack of direct comparison data.

Specification Differences

The core counts differ: AMD has 12 cores and 24 threads, while Intel has 14 cores and 14 threads. Clock speeds diverge, with AMD at 4.40 GHz base and 5.60 GHz boost versus Intel at 3.40 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost. Thermal design power also differs: AMD is rated at 120 W, while Intel is rated at 65 W.

Sockets are incompatible: AMD uses AMD Socket AM5, while Intel uses Intel Socket 1851. The process nodes differ (4 nm for AMD, 3 nm for Intel). Transistor counts are close but distinct: 16,630 million for AMD, 17,800 million for Intel. Die sizes are vastly different: AMD uses 2x 70.6 mm², Intel uses a single 243 mm².

Cache configurations are not directly comparable per core: AMD has 80 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core with 64 MB L3, while Intel has 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 per core with 24 MB shared L3. Memory bandwidth is higher on Intel at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for AMD. ECC memory is present only on AMD.

PCIe lane counts differ: AMD provides 24 Gen 5 lanes, Intel provides 20 Gen 5 lanes. Integrated graphics are different models. The multiplier is unlocked on AMD, locked on Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $257; the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP. Release dates differ by nine months, with Intel launching earlier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark results for these two processors. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has no benchmark entries, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has a full suite of results. The wins counters for both processors are zero, indicating that no comparative scoring exists between them.

However, the available Intel data can be interpreted against the AMD part's absence of scores. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 delivers a Cinebench R23 multicore score of 14,769, which represents its strongest rendering result. In single-core R23, it reaches 2,085. The PassMark multithread score of 37,816 and single-thread score of 4,516 provide additional context.

The Intel part's nearest rivals in the database show its competitive position. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has an average score of 46,030, which is 0.1% below the Intel's average of 46,062. The Intel Core i9-13900HX scores 46,098, which is 0.1% above. The AMD EPYC 4364P scores 45,970, which is 0.2% below, and the AMD EPYC 7303 scores 45,960, also 0.2% below.

These delta percentages place the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 in a tight cluster with those four rivals. The difference between the lowest and highest average scores among these five parts is less than 0.3%. This suggests that the Intel processor performs in line with established high-end chips, despite having no direct comparison to the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X.

The Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has all the recorded benchmark data, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has none. This makes a direct performance verdict impossible from the database. The Intel part's 89th percentile ranking versus the AMD's 50th percentile indicates that the Intel processor is positioned far higher among all CPUs.

For users considering these two specific parts, the data favors Intel for any workload where benchmark scores matter. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 delivers measurable results in rendering, math processing, compression, and encryption. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X offers architectural advantages such as ECC memory support, a larger L3 cache, and an unlocked multiplier, but no performance numbers support its selection.

The Intel part also has a lower TDP of 65 W versus AMD's 120 W, which may be relevant for system design. The AMD part's higher boost clock of 5.60 GHz does not translate into recorded performance. The choice depends on whether the user prioritizes verified benchmark performance or specific features that only the AMD processor provides, such as ECC memory and 24 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.

Given the database's lack of AMD scores, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is the only part that can be recommended based on measured outcomes. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X remains a viable candidate only if its feature set, including ECC support and a larger L3 cache, outweighs the absence of benchmark evidence. The data does not support a claim that the AMD part outperforms the Intel part in any tested scenario.