AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 225T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a decisive sweep: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins all 17 head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T. The margin is not uniform, however, and the distribution of those deltas reveals where each processor's underlying design asserts itself most strongly.

The largest single gap appears in PassMark integer math, where the Threadripper scores 872071 against 59543 for the Ultra 5, a delta of 1364.6%. Data compression shows a similar chasm: 2974534 versus 233998, a 1171.2% advantage. Extended instructions follow at 1040.1% (228959 to 20083), and random string sorting at 915.1% (292083 to 28774). These are workloads that scale with core count and memory bandwidth, and the Threadripper's 64 cores and 128 threads simply overwhelm the Ultra 5's 10 cores and 10 threads.

The Cinebench suite paints a consistent picture across all three versions. In R15 multicore, the Threadripper scores 13157 against 2214, a 494.3% lead. R20 multicore shows 54822 versus 9227, a 494.1% delta. R23 multicore records 130529 against 21971, again 494.1%. The single-core Cinebench results are nearly identical in proportional terms: R15 single-core shows 1857 versus 312 (495.2%), R20 single-core 7739 versus 1302 (494.4%), and R23 single-core 18427 versus 3101 (494.2%). The consistency of these percentages across different Cinebench versions indicates a stable performance ratio that is not sensitive to the specific rendering workload.

The narrowest margin in the entire comparison is PassMark single-thread, where the Threadripper scores 4537 and the Ultra 5 scores 4348, a 4.3% difference. This is the only test where the two processors are in the same performance class. It confirms that the Threadripper's Zen 5 cores are not merely numerous but also individually competitive. The Ultra 5's Arrow Lake cores do not close the gap even in a workload that favors per-core efficiency over raw throughput.

Other PassMark subtests show intermediate deltas. Floating point math records 559003 versus 82751, a 575.5% lead. Data encryption shows 157137 against 18289, a 759.2% margin. Find prime numbers yields 769 versus 284, a 170.8% advantage, the second-smallest delta after single-thread. Physics tests show 8001 versus 2053, a 289.7% lead. PassMark multithread records 141641 versus 25358, a 458.6% delta.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design tiers. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses Zen 5 architecture under the codename Shimada Peak, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC with 66,520 million transistors spread across 8 dies, each measuring 70.6 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T uses Arrow Lake architecture, codename Arrow Lake-S, on a 3 nm process also at TSMC, with 17,800 million transistors on a single 243 mm² die.

The Threadripper implements 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Ultra 5 provides 10 cores and 10 threads with no simultaneous multithreading. Cache structures differ substantially. The Threadripper allocates 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a 256 MB L3 pool. The Ultra 5 uses 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3. The Threadripper's larger L3 is a direct consequence of its multi-die layout and server-oriented design.

Memory support also diverges. Both accept DDR5, but the Threadripper runs quad-channel with a recorded bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s and supports ECC memory. The Ultra 5 runs dual-channel with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the Threadripper provides Gen 5 with 80 lanes from the CPU, while the Ultra 5 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The Threadripper has no integrated graphics; the Ultra 5 includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units.

Clock behavior also reflects their different roles. The Threadripper has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost of 5.40 GHz. The Ultra 5 operates at 2.50 GHz base and 4.90 GHz boost. The Threadripper is multiplier-unlocked, while the Ultra 5's multiplier is locked. The Threadripper carries a TDP of 350 watts against 65 watts for the Ultra 5. Sockets are incompatible: the Threadripper uses AMD Socket sTR5, the Ultra 5 uses Intel Socket 1851.

The release timeline places the Ultra 5 earlier, with a release date of 2024-12-31, while the Threadripper arrived on 2025-07-29. The Threadripper has a launch MSRP of $4999; the Ultra 5 has no recorded launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data leaves no ambiguity about workload allocation. The Threadripper wins every recorded test, so the question is not which processor wins a given task but how decisive the margin is and what that implies for use cases.

The Threadripper's largest advantages appear in integer math, data compression, and extended instruction workloads. These are characteristic of compilation, scientific computing, database processing, and heavy content production pipelines. The 1364.6% integer math delta and the 1171.2% data compression delta suggest workloads that can spread across many cores will see massive throughput gains. The 1040.1% extended instructions margin further reinforces this, as that test exercises SIMD and other vector operations that benefit from both core count and memory bandwidth.

The Cinebench results, all hovering near 494% across every version and both single and multi-core tests, indicate consistent rendering performance. The Threadripper's lead in rendering is not sensitive to the specific Cinebench version, which speaks to a stable architectural advantage. The physics test delta of 289.7% is comparatively modest, and the find prime numbers delta of 170.8% is the smallest after single-thread. These are workloads that may be more latency-bound or less parallelizable, yet the Threadripper still holds a strong edge.

The Ultra 5's only competitive position is PassMark single-thread, where it trails by 4.3%. This means for lightly threaded, short-duration tasks, the two processors are nearly interchangeable. The Ultra 5's 4.90 GHz boost clock and per-core L1 of 192 KB help it remain relevant in this narrow band. However, even in single-thread performance, the Threadripper wins. The Ultra 5 does not hold a single benchmark victory anywhere in the recorded data.

FAQ

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Threadripper scores 130529 against 21971 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T, a 494.1% advantage.

Q: What is the smallest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The smallest gap is in PassMark single-thread, where the Threadripper scores 4537 and the Ultra 5 scores 4348, a 4.3% difference.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the Threadripper scores 872071 against 59543, a 1364.6% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 225T support ECC memory?

A: No. The Ultra 5 has no ECC support, while the Threadripper supports ECC memory.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does each processor provide?

A: The Threadripper provides Gen 5 with 80 lanes from the CPU. The Ultra 5 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Threadripper has no integrated graphics. The Ultra 5 includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 16 execution units.

The Verdict

The recorded data supports a straightforward selection. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the correct choice for workloads that demand maximum parallel throughput. Its 64 cores and 128 threads, 256 MB of L3 cache, quad-channel memory at 204.8 GB/s, and 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes position it for high-end desktop computing where rendering, compilation, scientific simulation, and data processing are primary tasks. The 99th percentile ranking against all CPUs, an average benchmark score of 321753, and a nearest rival (the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX) only 0.3% behind confirm it sits at the top of the performance hierarchy.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 225T occupies a different position entirely. Its 82nd percentile ranking and average benchmark score of 30468 place it among mobile-class and mid-range desktop parts. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-11980HK (0.2% ahead) and the AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS (0.3% behind), which indicates it competes in a completely different performance tier. The Ultra 5's 65 watt TDP, dual-channel memory, and 20 PCIe lanes make it suitable for systems where power and space constraints dominate, but the benchmark record shows no workload where it outperforms the Threadripper.

The Threadripper's 17 wins out of 17 tests, its 99th percentile standing, and its launch MSRP of $4999 all point to a flagship part. The Ultra 5's lack of a recorded launch MSRP, its locked multiplier, and its 82nd percentile ranking indicate a mainstream desktop processor. The data does not support any scenario where the Ultra 5 is the stronger choice in a head-to-head comparison. The only recorded metric where the gap narrows to near parity is single-thread performance, and even there the Threadripper leads.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X | Intel Core Ultra 5 225T |

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

| Cores | 64 | 10 |

| Threads | 128 | 10 |

| Base clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.40 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 350 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket sTR5 | Intel Socket 1851 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Arrow Lake |

| Codename | Shimada Peak | Arrow Lake-S |

| Process node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Transistors | 66,520 million | 17,800 million |

| Die size | 8x 70.6 mm² | 243 mm² |

| L1 cache | 64 KB per core | 192 KB per core |

| L2 cache | 1 MB per core | 3 MB per core |

| L3 cache | 256 MB | 20 MB shared |

| Memory bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC support | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 80 lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 20 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | N/A | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 16EU |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $4999 | None recorded |

| Release date | 2025-07-29 | 2024-12-31 |

| Part number | 100-000001593 | Unknown |

| Average benchmark score | 321753 | 30468 |

| Percentile vs all CPUs | 99 | 82 |