AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X vs Intel Core Ultra 9 288V Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X and Intel Core Ultra 9 288V occupy different performance tiers, with the data showing a substantial gap in throughput-oriented workloads. The AMD part carries 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel chip uses 8 cores and 8 threads. That difference alone explains most of the multicore results, though single-core performance also favors the AMD design.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V has recorded benchmark scores across Cinebench and Passmark suites. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 1583 points. The single-core result is 301.5 points. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore score reaches 7069, while single-core lands at 997. In Cinebench R23, the multicore score is 10178, with single-core at 1950. These numbers place the Intel chip at the 76th percentile among all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 23219.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, so direct head-to-head comparisons rely on architectural specifications and the Intel part's absolute results. The Intel chip's nearest rivals provide context: the Intel Core i9-11900F scores 23254, which is 0.2% lower than the 288V's average. The AMD EPYC 4124P scores 23167, 0.2% higher. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800H scores 23277, 0.2% lower, and the Intel Core Ultra 7 266V scores 23297, 0.3% lower. The 288V sits essentially at parity with these chips, all within a narrow band of roughly 0.5%.

Given the 288V's 8-core design, its multicore scores of 1583 in R15, 7069 in R20, and 10178 in R23 indicate a strong showing for a mobile-class processor. The AMD 9950X, with 16 cores and 32 threads, would be expected to deliver roughly double the multicore throughput based on core count alone, though no direct measurements exist in the database to confirm that.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V shows a clear specialization in single-threaded and lightly threaded tasks. Its Passmark single-thread score of 4274 demonstrates strong per-core efficiency, which suits applications that cannot utilize many cores simultaneously. The data also shows solid integer math performance at 44019 and floating-point math at 59536 in Passmark tests. The chip achieves a data compression score of 186521 and data encryption at 14141, with extended instructions scoring 15613.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X wins on raw core count and thread count. With 16 cores and 32 threads, it offers double the parallelism of the Intel part. Its base clock of 4.30 GHz and boost clock of 5.70 GHz exceed the Intel chip's 3.30 GHz base and 5.10 GHz boost. For workloads that scale with thread count, such as rendering, compilation, or server-side processing, the AMD part's architecture provides a fundamental advantage.

The Intel chip's TDP of 30 watts versus the AMD chip's 170 watts indicates a stark efficiency difference. The 288V achieves its scores within a much lower power envelope, making it suitable for mobile or power-constrained environments. The AMD part, with its 170-watt TDP, targets desktop and embedded deployments where power draw is less constrained.

In terms of market positioning, the Intel part is classified as mobile, while the AMD part is desktop. The AMD chip uses a socketed AM5 design, whereas the Intel chip is BGA 2833, meaning it is soldered and not upgradeable.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing generations and process nodes. The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X uses the Granite Ridge codename, based on Zen 5 architecture, and is fabricated on a 4 nm process by TSMC. The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V uses the Lunar Lake codename, based on Lunar Lake architecture, and is fabricated on a 3 nm process, also by TSMC.

The transistor counts differ dramatically. The AMD chip integrates 16,630 million transistors across a dual-die design with each die measuring 70.6 mm². The Intel chip has no listed transistor count or die size in the database.

Cache hierarchies diverge significantly. The AMD part allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip's larger L3 pool, at 64 MB versus 12 MB, provides a substantial advantage for data-heavy workloads that benefit from large on-die storage.

Memory support also differs. The AMD chip uses DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, achieving 89.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel chip uses LPDDR5X in dual-channel, achieving 136.5 GB/s. Despite having fewer cores, the Intel part delivers higher memory bandwidth, which can benefit memory-bound tasks.

ECC memory support is present on the AMD chip but absent on the Intel chip. The AMD part also offers PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel chip offers PCIe Gen 5 with only 4 lanes (CPU only). This makes the AMD processor far more capable for expansion and high-bandwidth peripherals.

Integrated graphics differ: the AMD chip includes Radeon Graphics, while the Intel chip includes Arc 140V. The Intel part has a locked multiplier, while the AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V has 8 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How do the boost clocks compare?

A: The AMD chip boosts to 5.70 GHz, while the Intel chip boosts to 5.10 GHz. The AMD base clock is 4.30 GHz, and the Intel base clock is 3.30 GHz.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The AMD chip has a TDP of 170 watts. The Intel chip has a TDP of 30 watts.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X supports ECC memory. The Intel Core Ultra 9 288V does not.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth figures?

A: The AMD chip achieves 89.6 GB/s with DDR5 memory. The Intel chip achieves 136.5 GB/s with LPDDR5X memory.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does each provide?

A: The AMD chip provides 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). The Intel chip provides 4 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only).

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Embedded 9950X | Intel Core Ultra 9 288V |

|---------------|---------------------------|--------------------------|

| Series | 9000 series | Core Ultra Series 2 |

| Cores | 16 | 8 |

| Threads | 32 | 8 |

| Base clock | 4.30 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.70 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| TDP | 170 W | 30 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 2833 |

| Codename | Granite Ridge | Lunar Lake |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Lunar Lake |

| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Transistors | 16,630 million | Not listed |

| Die size | 2x 70.6 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2.5 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 64 MB | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

| Memory bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 136.5 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe lanes | Gen 5, 28 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Radeon Graphics | Arc 140V |

| Market segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release date | 2025-10-06 | 2024-09-23 |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part number | 100-000001277E | SRPMSSRPMWQ5JTQ5JUQ5KW |

| Percentile vs all CPUs | 50 | 76 |

| Average benchmark score | 0 | 23219 |