AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a stark asymmetry between these two desktop processors. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus claims only 2 wins. The Threadripper delivers an average benchmark score of 321753, placing it in the 99th percentile of all CPUs, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus averages 66159, sitting in the 93rd percentile. The Threadripper’s nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX (0.3% higher average score), Intel Xeon 6781P (2% lower), AMD EPYC 9575F (3.2% lower), and AMD EPYC 9734 (3.6% lower). The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus sits within 1.1% of the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, Intel Core 9 273PQE, and AMD EPYC 4465P. The data indicates that the Threadripper 9980X is built for heavy multi-threaded workloads, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus occupies a different performance class entirely, with its only wins being marginal single-thread results.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge fundamentally in their design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X belongs to the 9000 series, uses the Zen 5 architecture with the codename Shimada Peak, and is fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It integrates 66,520 million transistors across eight chiplets, each measuring 70.6 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus comes from Core Ultra Series 2, uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename, and is built on a more advanced 3 nm TSMC process. It contains 17,800 million transistors on a single 243 mm² die.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The Threadripper provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 256 MB of L3 cache. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3. The Threadripper’s L3 cache is more than eight times larger in aggregate, a direct consequence of its 64-core layout versus the Intel chip’s 18 cores.

Memory architecture also separates the two. The Threadripper uses a quad-channel DDR5 memory bus with a theoretical bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses a dual-channel DDR5 bus with 115.2 GB/s of bandwidth. Both support ECC memory and both lack integrated graphics. The Threadripper exposes 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel part provides 20 Gen 5 lanes. Both have unlocked multipliers, and both are marked as Active in production status. The Threadripper uses AMD Socket sTR5, while the Intel chip uses Socket 1851.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Threadripper dominates every Cinebench test by a consistent margin. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 13157 against 4305, a 205.6% advantage. The R15 single-core test shows 1857 versus 607, also a 205.9% lead. Cinebench R20 multicore repeats the pattern: 54822 against 17941, a 205.6% delta. R20 single-core records 7739 versus 2532, again 205.6%. Cinebench R23 multicore delivers 130529 versus 42718, and R23 single-core delivers 18427 versus 6030, both with a 205.6% delta. This consistency across all Cinebench versions indicates a stable architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

PassMark tests show even wider gaps in several categories. The largest margin appears in integer math, where the Threadripper scores 872071 against 123030, a 608.8% difference. Data compression shows 2974534 versus 553155, a 437.7% lead. Extended instructions record 228959 versus 42880, a 434% difference. Random string sorting delivers 292083 versus 67209, a 334.6% gap. Data encryption shows 157137 versus 41292, a 280.6% margin. Floating point math scores 559003 versus 159824, a 249.8% lead. Multithread performance records 141641 versus 50146, a 182.5% difference. Physics tests show 8001 versus 3183, a 151.4% lead. Find prime numbers delivers 769 versus 452, a 70.1% margin.

The only Intel wins come in PassMark single-thread tests. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus scores 4698 against the Threadripper’s 4537, a 3.4% advantage. This appears in both passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread records. The Intel chip’s higher base clock of 4.20 GHz versus 3.20 GHz and its 3 nm process likely contribute to this narrow single-thread edge, though the recorded data does not specify the cause.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across every major specification field. The Threadripper provides 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus provides 18 cores and 18 threads. The Threadripper runs at a base clock of 3.20 GHz with a boost of 5.40 GHz, while the Intel chip runs at 4.20 GHz base and 5.30 GHz boost. Thermal design power differs drastically: 350 W for the Threadripper versus 125 W for the Intel part.

The Threadripper uses 8x 70.6 mm² dies versus the Intel chip’s single 243 mm² die. Transistor counts are 66,520 million versus 17,800 million. Cache totals show 256 MB L3 for the Threadripper versus 30 MB shared L3 for the Intel chip. Memory bandwidth is 204.8 GB/s versus 115.2 GB/s. PCIe lanes are 80 versus 20, both Gen 5. The Threadripper launched on 2025-07-29 with a launch MSRP of $4999, while the Intel chip launched on 2026-03-10 with a launch MSRP of $184. Part numbers are 100-000001593 for AMD and SA4V3 for Intel.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus has 18 cores and 18 threads.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Threadripper leads by 182.5% in PassMark multithread, 205.6% in Cinebench R23 multicore, and 608.8% in PassMark integer math. These deltas reflect the core count and cache advantages.

Q: Does the Intel processor win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins PassMark single-thread tests with a score of 4698 versus 4537, a 3.4% advantage over the Threadripper.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth differences?

A: The Threadripper supports quad-channel DDR5 with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus supports dual-channel DDR5 with 115.2 GB/s.

Q: How do the processors compare in cache size?

A: The Threadripper has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 256 MB L3. The Intel chip has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3.

Q: What is the process node for each?

A: The Threadripper uses TSMC 4 nm. The Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses TSMC 3 nm.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the clear choice for any workload that scales with core count and memory bandwidth. Its 64 cores and 128 threads produce a 205.6% lead across every Cinebench version, from R15 through R23, in both single and multi-core tests. The PassMark results show even broader dominance in integer math at 608.8%, data compression at 437.7%, extended instructions at 434%, and random string sorting at 334.6%. Data encryption at 280.6% and floating point math at 249.8% reinforce the pattern. The quad-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and 256 MB of L3 cache provide the substrate for these results. The 99th percentile ranking among all CPUs places it among workstation and server-class parts, with its nearest rivals being other high-core-count processors like the Threadripper PRO 9985WX and Xeon 6781P.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins only in PassMark single-thread tests. Its score of 4698 versus 4537 represents a 3.4% edge, the sole recorded benchmark where it leads. The chip’s 18 cores and 18 threads, dual-channel memory, and 30 MB shared L3 place it in a different performance tier. Its 93rd percentile ranking and nearest rivals, including the Ryzen 9 7950X3D and Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, all sit within 1.1% of its average score. The Intel part draws far less power at 125 W versus 350 W, and its physical package is a single 243 mm² die rather than eight chiplets. For workloads that depend on single-thread speed, the data shows a narrow but real Intel advantage. For everything else recorded in the benchmark set, the Threadripper delivers margins ranging from 70.1% to 608.8%. The two processors do not compete in the same class; the data positions the Threadripper as a multi-threaded compute powerhouse and the Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus as a mainstream desktop part with a slight single-thread edge.