AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded database contains benchmark results for the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X currently has no recorded benchmark scores. This creates an asymmetric comparison: the Intel part has 17 benchmark entries spanning Cinebench and Passmark suites, whereas the AMD part has zero recorded measurements. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus achieves an average benchmark score of 79,574 across all tests, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X holds a 50th percentile ranking with an average score of 0, reflecting its lack of recorded data rather than actual performance characteristics.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus delivers strong multi-threaded results. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 39,684 points. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 21,198 points, and Cinebench R15 multi-core reaches 5,981 points. Single-core results are equally substantial: Cinebench R23 single-core scores 2,356, Cinebench R20 single-core scores 2,992, and Cinebench R15 single-core scores 340. The Passmark suite reinforces this picture with a multithread score of 59,439 and a single-thread score of 4,951.

The Intel part shows particular strength in integer-heavy workloads. Passmark integer math scores 164,839, while floating point math reaches 201,773. Extended instructions score 51,290, and data encryption hits 50,008. Data compression performance is notable at 658,724, while random string sorting scores 80,327. Find prime numbers produces 519, and physics calculations reach 3,387.

Because the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has no recorded benchmarks in the database, head-to-head comparisons must rely entirely on the Intel part's results and its position relative to other CPUs. The nearest rivals for the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus include the Intel Core i9-14900KF with an average score of 79,371, a delta of 0.3 percent. The AMD EPYC 7413 scores 80,041, a delta of negative 0.6 percent. The Intel Core i9-14900K scores 79,097, a delta of 0.6 percent, and the Intel Xeon w5-2565X scores 80,671, a delta of negative 1.4 percent. These deltas indicate the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus sits essentially level with the i9-14900KF and i9-14900K, while trailing the EPYC 7413 and Xeon w5-2565X by less than 1.5 percent.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus demonstrates clear wins in every benchmark category where data exists. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39,684 indicates strong rendering capability for CPU-bound tasks. The Passmark multithread score of 59,439 confirms this pattern. Single-thread performance, measured at 4,951 in Passmark and 2,356 in Cinebench R23, shows competitive per-core execution.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X cannot be assigned wins in any category due to missing benchmark data. However, its specifications suggest different strengths. The AMD part runs at a 4.40 GHz base clock and 5.60 GHz boost clock, compared to the Intel part's 2.70 GHz base and 5.50 GHz boost. The AMD processor carries 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel processor has 24 cores and 24 threads. The AMD chip includes 64 MB of L3 cache versus the Intel chip's 36 MB shared L3 cache. These figures indicate the AMD part may favor workloads with high clock sensitivity and large cache footprints, while the Intel part leans on core count and thread parallelism.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus shows a 95th percentile ranking across all CPUs, placing it among the top performers in the database. Its nearest rival deltas, all within 1.4 percent, suggest consistent performance near the top of the desktop and workstation segments. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X, with a 50th percentile ranking and no scores, remains an unknown quantity until benchmark data is recorded.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X belongs to the 9000 series and uses the Granite Ridge codename, built on the Zen 5 architecture. It is manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The chip contains 16,630 million transistors across a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². Cache organization includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The processor supports DDR5 memory through a dual-channel bus with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory support is present. PCIe connectivity uses Gen 5 with 24 CPU-only lanes. Integrated graphics are provided by Radeon Graphics. The socket is AMD Socket AM5, and the multiplier is unlocked. The production status is Active, with a release date of 2025-10-06. The part number is 100-000000662E.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 and uses the Arrow Lake-HX Refresh codename, built on the Arrow Lake-HX architecture. It is manufactured on a 3 nm process at TSMC. The chip contains 17,800 million transistors across a die size of 243 mm². Cache organization includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The processor supports DDR5 memory through a dual-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory support is present. PCIe connectivity uses Gen 5 with 20 CPU-only lanes. Integrated graphics are provided by Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The socket is Intel BGA 2114, and the multiplier is unlocked. The production status is Active, with a release date of 2026-03-16. The part number is SADSS.

The process node difference favors Intel at 3 nm versus AMD's 4 nm. Transistor counts are close, with Intel at 17,800 million and AMD at 16,630 million. Die size differs substantially, with Intel at 243 mm² versus AMD's dual-chip design of 2x 70.6 mm². Thread counts are identical at 24, but core counts differ: Intel has 24 physical cores, while AMD has 12 cores with simultaneous multithreading. The Intel part uses a monolithic 243 mm² die, while the AMD part uses a chiplet design with two 70.6 mm² dies.

Memory bandwidth favors Intel at 102.4 GB/s versus AMD's 89.6 GB/s. L3 cache favors AMD at 64 MB versus Intel's 36 MB. PCIe lanes favor AMD at 24 lanes versus Intel's 20 lanes. The Intel part has more L1 cache per core at 192 KB versus AMD's 80 KB, and more L2 cache per core at 3 MB versus AMD's 1 MB.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a clear choice for users who need confirmed performance. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 17 benchmark scores, a 95th percentile ranking, and an average score of 79,574. It sits within 1.4 percent of four established rivals: the Intel Core i9-14900KF, AMD EPYC 7413, Intel Core i9-14900K, and Intel Xeon w5-2565X. This places the Intel part firmly in high-end desktop and workstation territory based on measured results.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has no benchmark scores in the database. Its 50th percentile ranking and average score of 0 reflect missing data, not demonstrated capability. The specifications suggest potential, but the database contains no measurements to confirm it. The Intel part delivers proven multi-threaded performance with a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 39,684 and Passmark multithread score of 59,439. Single-thread performance is also strong at 4,951 in Passmark.

For users requiring immediate, verified performance data, the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the only option with recorded results. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X may offer competitive specifications, including a higher boost clock of 5.60 GHz versus 5.50 GHz and more L3 cache at 64 MB versus 36 MB, but these advantages remain unverified in the database. The Intel part's 95th percentile ranking against all CPUs provides confidence in its performance class. The AMD part's 50th percentile ranking offers no such assurance.

The socket difference matters for system integration. The Intel part uses Intel BGA 2114, a mobile socket, while the AMD part uses AMD Socket AM5, a desktop socket. The Intel market segment is Mobile, while the AMD segment is Desktop. The Intel TDP is 55 watts, while the AMD TDP is 120 watts. These figures indicate different thermal envelopes and platform requirements. The Intel part fits mobile or compact systems, while the AMD part targets desktop builds.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has an average benchmark score of 79,574 and sits in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has an average benchmark score of 0 and sits in the 50th percentile.

Q: Which CPU has higher clock speeds?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X has a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus compare to its nearest rivals?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus scores 0.3 percent higher than the Intel Core i9-14900KF, 0.6 percent higher than the Intel Core i9-14900K, 0.6 percent lower than the AMD EPYC 7413, and 1.4 percent lower than the Intel Xeon w5-2565X.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth specifications?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus supports 102.4 GB/s memory bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X supports 89.6 GB/s memory bandwidth. Both support DDR5 and dual-channel memory buses, and both support ECC memory.

Q: What is the production status and release date for each CPU?

A: Both processors are Active in production. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X was released on 2025-10-06. The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus was released on 2026-03-16.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several specification fields. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X uses 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus uses 24 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks differ: AMD runs at 4.40 GHz, Intel at 2.70 GHz. Boost clocks are close: AMD at 5.60 GHz, Intel at 5.50 GHz. TDP differs substantially: AMD at 120 watts, Intel at 55 watts.

Socket types differ: AMD uses Socket AM5, Intel uses BGA 2114. Process nodes differ: AMD uses 4 nm, Intel uses 3 nm. Transistor counts are 16,630 million for AMD and 17,800 million for Intel. Die sizes are 2x 70.6 mm² for AMD and 243 mm² for Intel. Cache configurations differ: AMD has 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3; Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3.

Memory bandwidth differs: AMD at 89.6 GB/s, Intel at 102.4 GB/s. PCIe lanes differ: AMD has Gen 5 with 24 CPU-only lanes, Intel has Gen 5 with 20 CPU-only lanes. Integrated graphics differ: AMD uses Radeon Graphics, Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. Market segments differ: AMD targets Desktop, Intel targets Mobile. Release dates differ: AMD on 2025-10-06, Intel on 2026-03-16. Part numbers differ: AMD uses 100-000000662E, Intel uses SADSS.

Codename and generation differ: AMD uses Granite Ridge with Ryzen Embedded Zen 5, Intel uses Arrow Lake-HX Refresh with Ultra 9 Arrow Lake-HX. Series differ: AMD is in the 9000 series, Intel is in the Core Ultra Series 2. Both processors have unlocked multipliers, support DDR5 memory, and support ECC memory. Both are manufactured by TSMC, with AMD on a 4 nm process and Intel on a 3 nm process.