AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H

The database comparison between the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X and the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H reveals two processors designed for entirely different operational envelopes. The AMD part, a 16-core desktop-class chip with a 170 TDP, targets sustained high-throughput workloads, while the Intel part, a 12-thread mobile chip with a 25 TDP, prioritizes efficiency and single-thread responsiveness. The recorded data shows the Intel Ultra 5 338H holding a significant advantage in benchmark availability and percentile ranking, though the AMD chip's specifications indicate a clear capability for multi-threaded tasks that the Intel part cannot match.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H wins decisively in the database's measured benchmarks, holding a percentile rank of 84 compared to the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X's 50th percentile. This means the Intel part performs better than 84% of all CPUs in the database, while the AMD chip sits exactly at the median. The Intel part also has an average benchmark score of 33989, with its nearest rival, the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H, scoring 34083, a mere 0.3% difference. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X has no recorded benchmark scores or rival data, placing it at a percentile of 50 with an average score of 0.

The AMD chip wins on raw specification headroom for multi-threaded workloads. It offers 16 cores and 32 threads, double the thread count of the Intel part's 12 cores and 12 threads. The AMD chip's boost clock of 5.70 GHz exceeds the Intel part's 4.70 GHz, and its 64 MB of L3 cache dwarfs the Intel part's 18 MB shared L3. These specifications suggest that in a hypothetical multi-core rendering or compilation scenario, the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X would outperform the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H, despite the Intel part's superior recorded benchmark results.

The Intel part wins in memory bandwidth, with a recorded 136.5 GB/s versus the AMD chip's 89.6 GB/s. This gives the Intel Ultra 5 338H an edge in memory-intensive tasks that rely on rapid data movement. The Intel part also features a more advanced process node at 3 nm versus the AMD chip's 4 nm, indicating better transistor density and potential power efficiency per operation.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher benchmark percentile ranking?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H ranks in the 84th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X ranks in the 50th percentile.

Q: What is the thread count difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X has 32 threads across 16 cores, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 threads across 12 cores.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H does not.

Q: What is the difference in TDP between the two chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X has a TDP of 170, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has a TDP of 25.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X boosts to 5.70 GHz, compared to the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H's boost of 4.70 GHz.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X has 64 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no direct head-to-head benchmark comparisons between the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X and the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H. The AMD chip has zero recorded benchmark entries, while the Intel chip has a full suite of results. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H scores 16331 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 2044 in single-core. In PassMark tests, it scores 28717 in multithread and 4180 in single-thread. These figures place the Intel chip in a competitive position against its nearest rivals, such as the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H, which averages 34083, only 0.3% higher.

Without AMD benchmark scores, a direct numerical comparison is impossible. The recorded data only allows for specification-based analysis. The AMD chip's 32 threads versus the Intel chip's 12 threads suggests a significant multi-threaded advantage for the AMD part, but no measured result confirms this. Conversely, the Intel chip's measured single-thread score of 4180 in PassMark indicates strong per-core performance, a trait that aligns with its higher memory bandwidth of 136.5 GB/s.

The Intel part's nearest rival data provides context for its performance tier. The Intel Core Ultra 7 165H scores 34083, a 0.3% difference from the Ultra 5 338H's 33989. The Intel Core i7-12800HX scores 33875, a 0.3% difference, and the AMD EPYC 4244P scores 34220, a 0.7% difference. These tight margins show the Intel Ultra 5 338H sits squarely in a performance band where small variations in workload can shift rankings.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ fundamentally in core count, with the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X offering 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H offers 12 cores and 12 threads. The base clocks differ substantially: the AMD chip runs at 4.30 GHz, while the Intel chip runs at 1.90 GHz. Boost clocks also differ, with the AMD chip reaching 5.70 GHz and the Intel chip reaching 4.70 GHz.

The TDP figures highlight distinct design goals. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X draws 170, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H draws 25, a seven-fold difference. The sockets are incompatible: the AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 2540. The AMD chip is a desktop segment part with an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel chip is a mobile segment part with a locked multiplier.

Memory support differs, with the AMD chip using DDR5 and the Intel chip using LPDDR5X. The AMD chip supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not. PCIe lane counts also differ, with the AMD chip offering 28 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only) versus the Intel chip's 4 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ as well: the AMD chip uses Radeon Graphics, while the Intel chip uses Arc B370.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X uses the Granite Ridge codename and belongs to the Ryzen Embedded generation, built on Zen 5 architecture. It is manufactured on a 4 nm process by TSMC, with 16,630 million transistors and a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. Its release date is recorded as 2025-10-06.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H uses the Panther Lake codename and belongs to the Ultra 5 generation, built on Panther Lake-H architecture. It is manufactured on a 3 nm process by Intel, with no recorded transistor count or die size. The cache layout includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 18 MB of shared L3 cache. Its release date is recorded as 2026-01-04, making it a later release than the AMD chip.

The AMD chip's Zen 5 architecture with a 4 nm TSMC process and 64 MB L3 cache targets high-core-count workloads with substantial cache residency. The Intel chip's Panther Lake architecture with a 3 nm Intel process and smaller 18 MB shared L3 cache targets power-constrained mobile environments with faster memory access. The AMD chip's dual-die design (2x 70.6 mm²) contrasts with the Intel chip's unspecified die layout, suggesting different manufacturing strategies for their respective markets.

The Verdict

The data dictates a split decision based on workload type and power constraints. For users prioritizing measured benchmark performance, the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is the clear choice. Its 84th percentile ranking and average score of 33989 place it well above the AMD chip's 50th percentile and zero recorded score. The Intel chip's nearest rivals, including the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H at 34083 and the AMD EPYC 4244P at 34220, show it competes effectively in the mobile and compact server space.

For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded capability and memory integrity, the AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X offers specifications that the Intel chip cannot match. The AMD chip's 32 threads, 5.70 GHz boost clock, 64 MB L3 cache, and ECC memory support make it suitable for server-grade workloads where data correctness and parallel throughput matter more than power efficiency. Its 170 TDP and desktop socket indicate a system designed for sustained high-performance operation.

The Intel chip's 136.5 GB/s memory bandwidth versus the AMD chip's 89.6 GB/s gives it a clear advantage in data streaming tasks. The Intel chip's 3 nm process node also suggests better power efficiency per unit of work, a critical factor for mobile deployments. The AMD chip's 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes versus the Intel chip's 4 lanes further separates their use cases: the AMD chip can drive multiple expansion devices, while the Intel chip is limited to integrated functionality.

Benchmark results indicate the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H is the better choice for general-purpose computing and efficiency-focused applications. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X is the better choice for multi-threaded compute-intensive tasks where ECC memory and high core counts are non-negotiable. The database shows no overlap in their recorded performance data, so the selection hinges entirely on whether the workload matches the Intel chip's measured results or the AMD chip's unmeasured but specification-backed capabilities.