AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus Comparison
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
Core Ultra 5 250K Plus
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus
The Verdict
The data presents a clear functional split between these two desktop processors. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is a 24-core, 48-thread workstation-class part built on the Zen 5 architecture, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus is an 18-core, 18-thread mainstream processor. The Threadripper 9960X targets high-throughput workloads with massive parallel capability, while the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, with its 93rd percentile ranking among all CPUs, delivers strong single-thread and moderate multi-thread performance for a much lower launch MSRP of $199. The Intel part is the only one with recorded benchmark scores in the database, showing an average benchmark score of 66,855. The Threadripper 9960X has no recorded benchmarks, so its performance must be inferred from its architectural specifications: 24 cores, 48 threads, and 128 MB of L3 cache.
Architecture Differences
The two processors diverge fundamentally in their architectural design. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X uses the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Shimada Peak, belonging to the Ryzen Threadripper generation. It is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC with 33,260 million transistors spread across 4x 70.6 mm² dies. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename from the Core Ultra Series 2 generation, built on a smaller 3 nm process at the same foundry, TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die.
Cache configurations differ substantially. The Threadripper 9960X provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and a massive 128 MB of L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus provides 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and only 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The Threadripper's 128 MB L3 cache is more than four times larger, which supports its workstation-oriented data-heavy workloads.
Memory architecture also separates the two. The Threadripper 9960X supports quad-channel DDR5 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports dual-channel DDR5 with a theoretical bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, but the Threadripper's quad-channel configuration provides nearly double the memory bandwidth. PCIe connectivity further distinguishes them: the Threadripper offers 80 Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, while the Core Ultra 5 offers 20 Gen 5 lanes. The Intel part includes integrated graphics in the form of Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU, while the Threadripper has no integrated graphics. Both have unlocked multipliers, and both are currently in active production.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The database contains benchmark scores only for the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has no recorded benchmark results, making direct head-to-head comparisons impossible from the measured data. The Intel part's recorded scores provide a baseline for understanding its performance profile, but without the Threadripper's scores, no delta values or win counts can be calculated.
The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus shows strong multi-threaded performance in Cinebench tests. It scores 30,867 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, 18,442 in Cinebench R20 multi-core, and 4,640 in Cinebench R15 multi-core. Single-core scores are 2,261 in Cinebench R23, 2,603 in Cinebench R20, and 328 in Cinebench R15. These numbers indicate a capable mainstream processor with balanced single-thread and multi-thread capabilities.
In PassMark tests, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus achieves a multi-thread score of 51,596 and a single-thread score of 4,757. Its floating-point math score is 162,692, integer math is 125,091, and extended instructions score is 44,565. Data compression scores 568,721, data encryption scores 42,144, and random string sorting scores 69,090. The physics score is 3,494, and the find prime numbers score is 486. These results place the processor at the 93rd percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 66,855.
The nearest rivals for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus provide context for its positioning. The AMD EPYC 4465P scores 66,925, a mere 0.1% difference from the Intel part. The Intel Xeon 6515P scores 67,006, also 0.2% different. The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX scores 67,469, which is 0.9% higher. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 66,159, which is 1.1% lower. These tight margins show the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus sits in a crowded performance band where small differences separate competitors.
FAQ
Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?
A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has 24 cores and 48 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads, meaning it does not support simultaneous multithreading.
Q: What is the clock speed difference between the two processors?
A: Both processors share identical base and boost clock speeds. The base clock is 4.20 GHz for both, and the boost clock is 5.30 GHz for both.
Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?
A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has 128 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The Threadripper's L3 cache is over four times larger.
Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?
A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus support ECC memory.
Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?
A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X supports quad-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus supports dual-channel DDR5 with a bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s.
Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?
A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has no integrated graphics.
Where Each One Wins
The data indicates the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has a clear recorded performance profile, sitting at the 93rd percentile among all CPUs. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2,261 and multi-core score of 30,867, along with its PassMark single-thread score of 4,757, show a well-rounded mainstream processor. Its nearest rivals all fall within a 1.1% performance band, confirming it delivers competitive results in its segment. The processor's 18 cores and 18 threads, combined with its 3 nm process node and 30 MB of L3 cache, make it suitable for general desktop workloads, content creation, and light multi-threaded tasks. Its integrated Arc graphics provide a display output capability that the Threadripper lacks entirely.
The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X, while lacking recorded benchmarks, presents a compelling case for workloads that demand extreme parallel throughput. Its 24 cores and 48 threads double the thread count of the Intel part. The quad-channel memory interface with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth nearly doubles the Intel part's 115.2 GB/s. The 128 MB L3 cache dwarfs the Intel's 30 MB. The 80 Gen 5 PCIe lanes provide four times the connectivity of the Intel's 20 lanes. These specifications point toward a processor designed for heavy compute tasks, large dataset manipulation, and multi-GPU configurations, though the absence of benchmark scores means no measured confirmation exists.
The Threadripper 9960X also has a significantly higher TDP of 350 watts compared to the Intel's 125 watts, indicating a much higher power draw for its workstation-class capabilities. Its launch MSRP of $1,499 places it in a professional workstation tier, while the Intel part's launch MSRP of $199 targets the mainstream desktop market.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Shimada Peak codename, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename. The Threadripper is built on a 4 nm process with 33,260 million transistors across 4x 70.6 mm² dies, while the Intel part uses a 3 nm process with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die.
Core and thread counts differ: 24 cores and 48 threads for the Threadripper, versus 18 cores and 18 threads for the Core Ultra 5. Both share identical base clocks of 4.20 GHz and boost clocks of 5.30 GHz. The Threadripper has a 350 watt TDP, while the Intel part has a 125 watt TDP. The Threadripper uses AMD Socket sTR5, while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1851.
Cache hierarchies differ completely. The Threadripper has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 128 MB of L3. The Core Ultra 5 has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. Memory support differs in channel count: quad-channel for the Threadripper with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, dual-channel for the Core Ultra 5 with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory.
PCIe connectivity differs significantly: 80 Gen 5 lanes for the Threadripper, 20 Gen 5 lanes for the Core Ultra 5. The Intel part includes integrated Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU, while the Threadripper has no integrated graphics. Both have unlocked multipliers and are in active production. Release dates differ, with the Threadripper released in 2025-07-29 and the Core Ultra 5 released in 2026-03-10. The launch MSRP differs substantially: $1,499 for the Threadripper and $199 for the Core Ultra 5.