AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do these two processors rank against all CPUs in the database?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX sits at the 92nd percentile, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is at the 91st percentile. Their average benchmark scores are 56,555 and 54,053 respectively, placing them within 4.4% of each other overall.

Q: Which processor wins more individual benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K wins 9 head-to-head tests, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX wins 8. The split is nearly even, but the AMD wins by larger margins on its strongest tests.

Q: What is the biggest single benchmark margin between them?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX scores 4,818 versus 2,132 for the Intel, a 126% advantage. This is the largest delta in either direction across all recorded tests.

Q: Does the Intel chip have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX has no integrated graphics listed, meaning it requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: Which processor offers more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX provides Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The AMD platform supports far more expansion devices.

Q: How do their memory systems differ?

A: The AMD uses DDR4 with an eight-channel bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel uses DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and 102.4 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data reveals a clear split: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX dominates in workloads that scale with core count and memory bandwidth, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K excels in single-threaded and floating-point tasks.

The AMD wins 8 tests, including Cinebench R23 multi-core (34,131 vs 25,066, a 36.2% lead), PassMark integer math (132,456 vs 98,524, a 34.4% lead), data compression (601,738 vs 458,817, a 31.1% lead), and data encryption (38,058 vs 33,286, a 14.3% lead). It also wins extended instructions, random string sorting, and both Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core tests.

The Intel wins 9 tests, but its margins are more concentrated. It takes PassMark floating-point math (130,678 vs 77,979, a 40.3% lead), PassMark single-thread (4,714 vs 2,679, a 43.2% lead), and PassMark prime number finding (414 vs 198, a 52.2% lead). It also wins Cinebench R15 and R20 multi-core, Cinebench R20 single-core, PassMark multi-thread, and PassMark physics.

For users running heavily parallel workloads like video encoding, scientific simulation, or database compression, the AMD is the stronger choice. For interactive applications, physics simulation, and floating-point-heavy code, the Intel pulls ahead.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX uses the Zen 2 architecture with the codename Castle Peak, built on a 7 nm process by TSMC. It packs 7,600 million transistors across a die size of 2x 74 mm². This is a dual-die design, which explains its eight-channel memory bus and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K uses the Arrow Lake architecture (Arrow Lake-S), built on a 3 nm process also by TSMC. It contains 17,800 million transistors on a single 243 mm² die. This newer, denser process allows for higher clock speeds and better single-thread performance.

The AMD has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel has 14 cores and 14 threads. The Intel does not support Hyper-Threading, so its thread count equals its core count. The AMD's simultaneous multithreading doubles its thread count, which contributes heavily to its multi-core wins.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. The Intel has 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The Intel's larger per-core caches help its single-thread performance, while the AMD's larger total L3 benefits multi-threaded workloads.

The AMD's 280 W TDP reflects its workstation heritage, while the Intel's 125 W TDP is more modest. The AMD also has a locked multiplier, while the Intel has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The AMD uses Socket WRX8, while the Intel uses Socket 1851.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX | Intel Core Ultra 5 245K |

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

| Cores | 16 | 14 |

| Threads | 32 | 14 |

| Base Clock | 3.90 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 280 W | 125 W |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 3 nm |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Eight-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 128 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Release Date | 2020-07-13 | 2024-10-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $1149 | $319 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

The Intel is newer by over four years, and this shows in its higher clocks (4.20 GHz base, 5.20 GHz boost) versus the AMD's (3.90 GHz base, 4.30 GHz boost). The Intel also has a smaller process node (3 nm vs 7 nm), which allows for more transistors in a larger die.

The AMD compensates with twice the cores, more than double the threads, and triple the L3 cache. Its eight-channel memory bus delivers 204.8 GB/s, exactly double the Intel's 102.4 GB/s from its dual-channel bus. The AMD also offers 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes versus the Intel's 20 Gen 5 lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows the most dramatic divergence. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD scores 34,131 versus the Intel's 25,066, a 36.2% lead. Yet in Cinebench R20 multi-core, the Intel wins 15,368 versus 14,335, a 6.7% margin. This reversal suggests the AMD's advantage grows with longer, more demanding workloads.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD wins 485 versus 322, a 50.6% margin. But in Cinebench R20 single-core, the Intel wins 2,169 versus 2,023, a 6.7% margin. And in Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD wins 4,818 versus 2,132, an extraordinary 126% lead. These inconsistent single-core results are unusual and may reflect different thermal or power behavior between the two chips under various test conditions.

PassMark tests reveal complementary strengths. The AMD leads in integer math (132,456 vs 98,524, a 34.4% margin), data compression (601,738 vs 458,817, a 31.1% margin), and random string sorting (63,758 vs 55,098, a 15.7% margin). The Intel leads in floating-point math (130,678 vs 77,979, a 40.3% margin), prime number finding (414 vs 198, a 52.2% margin), and physics (3,081 vs 2,460, a 20.2% margin).

The single-thread PassMark test shows the Intel at 4,714 versus 2,679 for the AMD, a 43.2% lead. Yet the AMD's multi-thread PassMark score is 40,155 versus 43,047 for the Intel, a 6.7% Intel lead despite the AMD having 32 threads. This suggests the AMD's per-thread performance is lower, but its thread count helps it remain competitive in multi-threaded PassMark tests.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture: choose the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX for massively parallel, memory-bandwidth-hungry workloads. Its 32 threads, 64 MB L3 cache, and 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth produce decisive wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core (36.2% ahead), integer math (34.4% ahead), and data compression (31.1% ahead). Its 92nd percentile ranking and average benchmark score of 56,555 also place it slightly above the Intel's 54,053.

Choose the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K for single-threaded responsiveness, floating-point math, and lower power consumption. Its 5.20 GHz boost clock and 3 nm process deliver a 43.2% lead in PassMark single-thread, a 40.3% lead in floating-point math, and a 52.2% lead in prime number finding. It also wins 9 of 17 head-to-head tests, making it the more balanced choice for mixed desktop use.

The AMD's 8 wins tend to be larger in magnitude, while the Intel's 9 wins are tighter in some cases but overwhelming in others. The AMD is the workstation processor, built for sustained multi-core throughput with its 280 W TDP and eight-channel DDR4. The Intel is the desktop processor, offering integrated graphics, unlocked multiplier, and DDR5 support with a 125 W TDP.

For users who render frames, compress large datasets, or run simulations that use every available thread, the AMD is the data-backed choice. For users who prioritize fast single-thread responses, run float-heavy physics engines, or want the flexibility of an overclockable chip with integrated graphics, the Intel wins. The database shows two very different philosophies: massive parallelism versus high clock efficiency.