AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a complete sweep in favor of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X across all 11 shared benchmark tests. The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T does not win a single contest, a result that reflects the fundamental positioning of these two desktop processors.

The largest margin appears in integer math, where the Threadripper scores 465,378 against the Ultra 5's 59,543, a delta of 681.6%. This is the most extreme gap between the two chips in any workload. Data compression tells a similar story: the AMD part records 1,757,998 versus 233,998, a 651.3% advantage. Random string sorting shows a 565.3% lead, with scores of 191,445 and 28,774 respectively. Extended instructions produce a 608.8% delta, at 142,342 versus 20,083.

The multithreaded PassMark score, a strong overall indicator of parallel throughput, gives the Threadripper 107,399 against 25,358 for the Ultra 5, a 323.5% lead. Floating point math follows at 274.3%, with 309,719 versus 82,751. Data encryption shows a 374.4% gap, at 86,765 versus 18,289. Physics simulation results indicate a 232.9% advantage, with 6,835 versus 2,053. Find prime numbers is the narrowest of the large gaps at 116.5%, with 615 versus 284.

The single-thread contest is far closer, which is notable given the architectural differences. The Threadripper 9970X scores 4,530 in PassMark single-thread, while the Ultra 5 225T records 4,348. The delta is just 4.2%. This is the only benchmark where the two processors are within the same performance class, and it suggests that per-core IPC is broadly comparable despite the massive core-count disparity. The AMD part's single-thread lead is real but modest in percentage terms, and it does not reflect the overwhelming margins seen in every multithreaded test.

Looking at the database's broader context, the Threadripper's average benchmark score is 279,778, placing it at the 99th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals are all server-class parts: the Intel Xeon 6780E at 280,438 (0.2% behind the Threadripper), the AMD EPYC 9565 at 285,471 (2% ahead), the Intel Xeon 696X at 286,102 (2.2% ahead), and the AMD EPYC 9555P at 287,066 (2.5% ahead). The Ultra 5 225T, by contrast, has an average score of 30,468 and sits at the 82nd percentile. Its nearest rivals are mobile and older desktop parts: the Intel Core i9-11980HK at 30,422 (0.2% behind), the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS at 30,390 (0.3% behind), the Intel Core i5-13600H at 30,548 (0.3% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen 7 7736U at 30,364 (0.3% behind). This puts the Ultra 5 in a completely different performance tier, roughly nine times lower in average score.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in single-thread performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X wins, scoring 4,530 versus 4,348 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T. The delta is 4.2%, the smallest margin in the comparison.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: Integer math shows the largest delta at 681.6%. The Threadripper scores 465,378, while the Ultra 5 scores 59,543. Data compression is close behind at 651.3%.

Q: How does the Threadripper compare to its own nearest rivals?

A: The Threadripper's average score of 279,778 places it 0.2% behind the Intel Xeon 6780E, 2% behind the AMD EPYC 9565, 2.2% behind the Intel Xeon 696X, and 2.5% behind the AMD EPYC 9555P.

Q: How does the Ultra 5 compare to its own nearest rivals?

A: The Ultra 5's average score of 30,468 is 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i9-11980HK, 0.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS, 0.3% behind the Intel Core i5-13600H, and 0.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 7736U.

Q: Does the Intel part have any integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X has no integrated graphics.

Q: What memory bandwidth do the two processors support?

A: The Threadripper supports 204.8 GB/s over a quad-channel DDR5 memory bus. The Ultra 5 supports 102.4 GB/s over a dual-channel DDR5 memory bus.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different architectural lineages. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X is built on the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Shimada Peak, and is part of the 9000 series. It uses a 4 nm process node from TSMC, with 33,260 million transistors spread across four dies, each measuring 70.6 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T is based on the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-S, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2. It uses a 3 nm process node, also from TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors on a single 243 mm² die.

The cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Threadripper has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and a large 128 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ultra 5 has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 3 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The Threadripper's L3 cache is 6.4 times larger, which contributes to its dominance in data-heavy workloads. The per-core L1 and L2 figures are higher on the Intel part, but the total cache pool is far smaller.

Memory architecture also diverges. The Threadripper uses a quad-channel DDR5 memory bus with a theoretical bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s, and it supports ECC memory. The Ultra 5 uses a dual-channel DDR5 bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth and does not support ECC. The PCIe connectivity shows a similar gap: the Threadripper provides Gen 5 with 80 lanes from the CPU, while the Ultra 5 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes.

The physical sockets are incompatible. The Threadripper uses AMD Socket sTR5, while the Ultra 5 uses Intel Socket 1851. The Threadripper has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, whereas the Ultra 5 has a locked multiplier. The Threadripper's release date is 2025-07-29, while the Ultra 5's is 2024-12-31. Both are listed as active production parts.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts present the most immediate contrast. The Threadripper 9970X has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Ultra 5 225T has 10 cores and 10 threads. The Threadripper has no hyperthreading equivalent disabled; it uses simultaneous multithreading to double its thread count. The Ultra 5 does not support hyperthreading, so its thread count equals its core count.

Clock speeds differ as well. The Threadripper has a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Ultra 5 has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.90 GHz. The Threadripper's base clock is 60% higher, though its boost advantage is smaller at about 10%. The thermal design power reflects this: the Threadripper is rated at 350 watts, while the Ultra 5 is rated at 65 watts. This is a 5.4 times difference in power envelope.

The process node differs, with the Threadripper on 4 nm and the Ultra 5 on 3 nm. Transistor counts are 33,260 million versus 17,800 million. The die size is 4x 70.6 mm² for the Threadripper versus 243 mm² for the Ultra 5. The Threadripper's launch MSRP is $2499; the Ultra 5 has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

The memory support is the same generation, DDR5, but the bus width and bandwidth differ. The Threadripper runs quad-channel with 204.8 GB/s, the Ultra 5 runs dual-channel with 102.4 GB/s. ECC memory is supported only on the Threadripper. The PCIe configuration gives the Threadripper 80 Gen 5 lanes versus 20 Gen 5 lanes for the Ultra 5. Integrated graphics are absent on the Threadripper, while the Ultra 5 includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9970X wins every single benchmark test in this comparison, so the use-case split is not about whether one is faster, but about how disproportionate the margins are. The Threadripper is designed for heavily parallel, memory-hungry workloads. Its 64 threads, 128 MB of L3 cache, and quad-channel memory bandwidth make it a clear choice for rendering, scientific computing, data compression, and any task that can scale across many cores. The benchmark data confirms this: the largest wins come in integer math, data compression, extended instructions, and random string sorting, all of which benefit from massive core counts and large caches. The multithreaded score of 107,399 versus 25,358 is the headline indicator of this strength.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T does not win any benchmark, but its role is different. It is a lower-power desktop part, with a 65 watt TDP compared to the Threadripper's 350 watts. It has integrated graphics, which the Threadripper lacks, so it can handle display output and basic graphics tasks without a discrete GPU. Its single-thread score of 4,348 is only 4.2% behind the Threadripper's 4,530, which means that for lightly threaded, latency-sensitive tasks, the practical gap is small. The Ultra 5 also uses a dual-channel memory bus, which is simpler to populate in a mainstream desktop build. Its 82nd percentile standing among all CPUs places it in the upper tier of consumer processors, but far below the Threadripper's 99th percentile.

Where the Ultra 5 genuinely fits is in compact or power-constrained desktop systems where the Threadripper's socket, power requirements, and cooling needs are not feasible. The Threadripper demands a server-style platform with its sTR5 socket, 80 PCIe lanes, and 350 watt envelope. The Ultra 5 uses Intel Socket 1851, a standard desktop platform, with 20 PCIe lanes and a much lower power draw. For workloads that do not scale beyond a handful of threads, the Ultra 5's performance is competitive, as the single-thread delta shows. For any workload that uses more than a few cores, the Threadripper's advantage becomes overwhelming, with deltas ranging from 116.5% to 681.6% depending on the test.