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

FAQ

Q: How do the core and thread counts differ between the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A has 14 cores and 14 threads. The AMD part uses simultaneous multithreading to double its thread count, while the Intel part runs one thread per core.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X boosts to 5.60 GHz, which is 0.60 GHz higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A's boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The AMD part also has a higher base clock at 4.40 GHz compared to 3.40 GHz for the Intel part.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference between the two CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has a TDP of 120 W, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A has a TDP of 65 W. The Intel processor is rated for substantially lower power draw.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A does not. Both support DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: What are the process node and foundry details for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A uses a 3 nm process, also from TSMC. The Intel part has a smaller process node.

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

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A sits at the 90th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 48201. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380, scores 48171, a difference of only 0.1 percent.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X belongs to the Ryzen Embedded generation built on the Zen 5 (Granite Ridge) microarchitecture. It is manufactured on TSMC's 4 nm process and contains 16,630 million transistors across a dual-chiplet design with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation, uses the Arrow Lake architecture (codename Arrow Lake-S), and is built on a 3 nm process from TSMC. The Intel die contains 17,800 million transistors on a single 243 mm² die.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The AMD processor provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. Total L2 capacity favors Intel substantially: 14 cores multiplied by 3 MB equals 42 MB of L2, versus 12 MB for the AMD part. Total L3 favors AMD at 64 MB versus 24 MB for Intel.

Memory bandwidth also differs. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A supports 102.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X supports 89.6 GB/s. Both use dual-channel DDR5. ECC memory support is present only on the AMD side.

PCIe lane counts differ as well. The AMD processor offers 24 CPU-only PCIe Gen 5 lanes, while the Intel processor offers 20 CPU-only PCIe Gen 5 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: AMD includes Radeon Graphics, while Intel includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 24 execution units.

The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket AM5, and the Intel processor uses Intel Socket 1851. The AMD part was released on 2025-10-06, and the Intel part on 2025-07-28. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A has a launch MSRP of $269.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark table in the database contains no direct comparison entries, so the analysis relies on the recorded benchmark suite for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A and the architectural data for the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X. The Intel processor's benchmark results provide a concrete performance profile across Cinebench and Passmark tests.

In Cinebench R23, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A scores 32633 in multi-core and 4607 in single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 13705 multi-core and 1934 single-core. In Cinebench R15, it scores 3289 multi-core and 464 single-core. These results place the Intel processor at the 90th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 48201.

Passmark results for the Intel part show 38392 in multithread, 4557 in single-thread, and 4557 in single-thread (the database records the single-thread score twice under slightly different test names). The data compression test yields 393800, data encryption yields 30136, and extended instructions yield 31625. Floating point math scores 118778, integer math scores 88626, find prime numbers scores 392, random string sorting scores 49489, and physics scores 2437.

The nearest rivals for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A indicate how tightly grouped the competition is. The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 scores 48171, which is 0.1 percent lower than the Intel part's 48201. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX scores 48287, which is 0.2 percent higher. The AMD EPYC 4345P scores 48470, which is 0.6 percent higher. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 scores 47918, which is 0.6 percent lower. The Intel part sits in a very narrow band where the closest rival is within a fraction of a percent.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, so its performance cannot be directly compared numerically. Its percentile rank is 50 among all CPUs, and its average benchmark score is recorded as 0, meaning the database contains no valid measurements for it. In contrast, the Intel part has a complete benchmark suite and a 90th percentile rank.

Given the Intel part's position among rivals, the data indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A performs at a level comparable to the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX. The differences among the top four rivals are small: 0.1 percent, 0.2 percent, and 0.6 percent. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 trails by 0.6 percent, which is the largest gap among the nearest rivals.

For the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X, the architectural specifications suggest a processor with 12 cores and 24 threads, a 5.60 GHz boost clock, and 64 MB of L3 cache. Without benchmark scores, any performance projection would require assumptions beyond the recorded data. The database records only the specifications and the percentile ranking of 50.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear choice for users who need measured performance: the Intel Core Ultra 5 235A has a complete benchmark suite, a 90th percentile ranking among all CPUs, and an average benchmark score of 48201. Its nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380, is only 0.1 percent behind, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245HX is 0.2 percent ahead. The Intel part sits in a tightly contested performance band where no nearby rival separates itself by more than 0.6 percent.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has no recorded benchmark scores, so the database cannot validate its performance. Its 50th percentile ranking and average benchmark score of 0 indicate that no measurements are available. Users who require benchmark-verified performance data should rely on the Intel part's recorded results.

The AMD part does offer features that the Intel part lacks. ECC memory support is present on the AMD processor but absent on the Intel processor. The AMD part also has an unlocked multiplier, 24 PCIe Gen 5 lanes versus 20, and a larger L3 cache at 64 MB versus 24 MB. The Intel part counters with a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s, a smaller 3 nm process node versus 4 nm, and more total L2 cache at 42 MB versus 12 MB.

The Intel part also has a lower TDP at 65 W versus 120 W for the AMD part. For systems where power draw is a constraint, the recorded specifications favor Intel. For systems where ECC memory is required, the recorded specifications favor AMD.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235A was released earlier, on 2025-07-28, compared to the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X on 2025-10-06. The Intel part carries a launch MSRP of $269. The AMD part has no launch MSRP recorded.

The data supports the Intel part for users who need measured multi-threaded and single-threaded performance, lower power draw, and a smaller process node. The data supports the AMD part for users who need ECC memory, an unlocked multiplier, more PCIe lanes, and a larger L3 cache. Without benchmark scores for the AMD part, the database cannot confirm whether its higher boost clock of 5.60 GHz translates into a performance advantage over the Intel part's 5.00 GHz boost clock.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Cores: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has 12 cores; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A has 14 cores.
• Threads: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has 24 threads; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A has 14 threads.
• Base clock: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X runs at 4.40 GHz; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A runs at 3.40 GHz.
• Boost clock: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X boosts to 5.60 GHz; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A boosts to 5.00 GHz.
• TDP: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X is rated at 120 W; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A is rated at 65 W.
• Socket: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X uses AMD Socket AM5; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A uses Intel Socket 1851.
• Codename: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X uses Granite Ridge; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A uses Arrow Lake-S.
• Generation: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X is Ryzen Embedded (Zen 5 (Granite Ridge)); Intel Core Ultra 5 235A is Ultra 5 (Arrow Lake).
• Process node: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X uses 4 nm; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A uses 3 nm.
• Transistors: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has 16,630 million; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A has 17,800 million.
• Die size: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X is 2x 70.6 mm²; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A is 243 mm².
• L1 cache: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has 80 KB per core; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A has 192 KB per core.
• L2 cache: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has 1 MB per core; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A has 3 MB per core.
• L3 cache: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has 64 MB; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A has 24 MB (shared).
• Memory bandwidth: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X supports 89.6 GB/s; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A supports 102.4 GB/s.
• ECC memory: Supported on AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X; not supported on Intel Core Ultra 5 235A.
• PCIe lanes: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has 24 lanes (Gen 5, CPU only); Intel Core Ultra 5 235A has 20 lanes (Gen 5, CPU only).
• Integrated graphics: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X includes Radeon Graphics; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU.
• Release date: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X released 2025-10-06; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A released 2025-07-28.
• Launch MSRP: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has none recorded; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A has $269.
• Multiplier unlocked: Yes for AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X; no for Intel Core Ultra 5 235A.
• Part number: AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X is 100-000000662E; Intel Core Ultra 5 235A is SRWPN.