AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235 Comparison

FAQ

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has 14 cores and 14 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D boosts to 5.50 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 boosts to 5.00 GHz.

Q: How does the L3 cache compare between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D has 128 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has 24 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two desktop processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D has a TDP of 120, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has a TDP of 65.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 does not support ECC memory.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 have an active production status.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D belongs to the 9000 series and uses the Granite Ridge codename with Zen 5 architecture. It is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm², containing 16,630 million transistors. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is part of the Core Ultra Series 2, uses the Arrow Lake-S codename with Arrow Lake architecture, and is fabricated on a 3 nm process at TSMC with a 243 mm² die size and 17,800 million transistors.

The cache hierarchies diverge substantially. The AMD part allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, with a large 128 MB L3 cache. The Intel part provides 192 KB of L1 cache per core and 3 MB of L2 cache per core, but only 24 MB of shared L3 cache. This gives the AMD processor a significant advantage in total cache capacity, particularly at the L3 level.

Both processors support DDR5 memory and dual-channel memory buses. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has a higher memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. The AMD processor includes Radeon Graphics as integrated graphics, while the Intel processor uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU. The AMD processor supports ECC memory, and the Intel processor does not.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The AMD processor provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel processor provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket AM5, and the Intel processor uses Intel Socket 1851. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, whereas the Intel multiplier is locked.

The production status for both processors is active. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D was released on 2025-10-06, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 was released on 2025-01-06.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data includes a full benchmark suite for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235, but no corresponding benchmark scores for the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D. As a result, a direct head-to-head comparison can only quantify the Intel processor's performance profile. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 achieves an average benchmark score of 46062 and sits at the 89th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

In Cinebench tests, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 scores 1488 in Cinebench R15 multicore and 210 in Cinebench R15 single-core. In Cinebench R20, it scores 6202 multicore and 875 single-core. In Cinebench R23, it scores 14769 multicore and 2085 single-core. These results indicate a balanced split between multi-threaded and single-threaded rendering workloads.

The PassMark suite shows a diverse set of strengths. The Intel processor scores 390711 in data compression and 29293 in data encryption. In extended instructions, it scores 32752. For prime number finding, it scores 371. Floating point math reaches 117951, and integer math reaches 87948. The multithread score is 37816, with a physics score of 2570. Random string sorting scores 48980, and single-thread performance scores 4516.

The nearest rivals in the database provide context for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235. The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has an average score of 46030, which is 0.1% lower. The Intel Core i9-13900HX has an average score of 46098, which is 0.1% higher. The AMD EPYC 4364P has an average score of 45970, which is 0.2% lower. The AMD EPYC 7303 has an average score of 45960, which is also 0.2% lower. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 therefore sits within a tight cluster of comparable processors, with all deltas within 0.2%.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D has no benchmark scores in the database and no nearest rivals listed. Its percentile versus all CPUs is recorded as 50, and its average benchmark score is 0. The absence of measured data means its competitive position cannot be quantified from the database.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D has 12 cores and 24 threads, whereas the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has 14 cores and 14 threads. The AMD base clock is 4.40 GHz, and the boost clock is 5.50 GHz. The Intel base clock is 3.40 GHz, and the boost clock is 5.00 GHz. The AMD TDP is 120, while the Intel TDP is 65.

The AMD processor uses AMD Socket AM5, and the Intel processor uses Intel Socket 1851. The AMD codename is Granite Ridge with Zen 5 architecture, while the Intel codename is Arrow Lake-S with Arrow Lake architecture. The process node is 4 nm for AMD and 3 nm for Intel. The transistor count is 16,630 million for AMD and 17,800 million for Intel. The die size is 2x 70.6 mm² for AMD and 243 mm² for Intel.

Cache configurations differ at every level. The AMD L1 cache is 80 KB per core, and the Intel L1 cache is 192 KB per core. The AMD L2 cache is 1 MB per core, and the Intel L2 cache is 3 MB per core. The AMD L3 cache is 128 MB, and the Intel L3 cache is 24 MB shared.

Memory bandwidth favors Intel at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for AMD. ECC memory support is present on AMD and absent on Intel. PCIe lanes total 24 for AMD and 20 for Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon Graphics on AMD and Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 24EU on Intel. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, and the Intel multiplier is locked.

The release dates differ, with Intel launching on 2025-01-06 and AMD launching on 2025-10-06. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has a launch MSRP of $257. The AMD part numbers are 100-000001368E for AMD and SRQAS for Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 demonstrates measurable strengths across multiple benchmark categories. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 14769 indicates a strong multi-threaded rendering capability. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2085 shows competitive per-thread performance. The PassMark data compression score of 390711 and floating point math score of 117951 are the highest recorded values in the Intel benchmark set.

The Intel processor also shows notable efficiency characteristics. Its TDP of 65 is lower than the AMD TDP of 120, and its memory bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s exceeds the AMD memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The 3 nm process node gives it a manufacturing advantage in transistor density.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D holds structural advantages based on its specifications, even though benchmark scores are not recorded in the database. Its 128 MB L3 cache is more than five times larger than the Intel L3 cache. Its 24 threads versus 14 threads gives it a 10-thread advantage for heavily threaded workloads. Its boost clock of 5.50 GHz is higher than the Intel boost clock of 5.00 GHz. Its ECC memory support and unlocked multiplier are features the Intel processor lacks.

The AMD processor's PCIe lane count of 24 also exceeds the Intel processor's 20 lanes. The AMD processor's release date of 2025-10-06 places it later in the product cycle, and its 4 nm process node, while larger than Intel's 3 nm node, still represents a modern manufacturing process.

The Verdict

The database contains a complete benchmark profile for the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 and no benchmark profile for the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D. The Intel processor records an average benchmark score of 46062 and ranks at the 89th percentile among all CPUs. Its nearest rivals, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, Intel Core i9-13900HX, AMD EPYC 4364P, and AMD EPYC 7303, all fall within a 0.2% delta of its average score. This places the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 in a well-established performance tier with strong measured results across Cinebench and PassMark workloads.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D has no measured benchmark scores, no nearest rivals, and an average benchmark score of 0 in the database. Its percentile of 50 is a placeholder rather than a measured result. Buyers seeking verified performance data can only rely on the Intel Core Ultra 5 235, which has 17 recorded benchmark results demonstrating solid multi-core and single-core capability.

For workloads that require large cache capacity, high thread counts, ECC memory, or an unlocked multiplier, the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D offers those specifications on paper. For workloads that require a lower TDP, higher memory bandwidth, and documented benchmark performance, the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 has the measured advantage. The Intel processor also has a confirmed launch MSRP of $257, while the AMD processor has no launch MSRP listed.

The choice between these two processors depends on whether verified benchmark data or specific feature support takes priority. The Intel Core Ultra 5 235 is the only one of the two with recorded performance results, and those results place it near the top of the database distribution. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9900X3D remains a specification-driven option whose actual benchmark performance is not yet represented in the database.