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

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX and the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF represent two very different philosophies in desktop computing. The Threadripper PRO is a 2020-era workstation-class processor built on AMD's Zen 2 architecture, while the Core Ultra 5 is a 2024 mainstream desktop chip built on Intel's Arrow Lake architecture. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the Intel chip wins the majority of head-to-head tests (12 wins versus 5 for AMD), but the AMD chip takes decisive victories in specific workloads where its platform advantages shine. The average benchmark score for the AMD part is 56,555, placing it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part scores 55,093 on average, landing in the 91st percentile. This near-identical overall standing masks significant per-application divergence, making the choice highly dependent on the user's workload profile rather than a simple "which is faster" answer.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF is the better all-around performer for general computing and single-threaded tasks. It leads the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX by 6.9% across every Cinebench test, including R15, R20, and R23, in both multi-core and single-core runs. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 36,647 against the AMD's 34,131, and in single-core it scores 5,173 versus 4,818. Its Passmark single-thread score of 4,715 is 43.2% higher than the AMD's 2,679. This makes the Core Ultra 5 the obvious choice for users prioritizing responsiveness in everyday applications, gaming, or lightly-threaded software.

However, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is the definitive winner in specific data-heavy and encryption workloads. It beats the Intel chip by 30.8% in Passmark data compression (601,738 versus 460,123), by 14% in data encryption (38,058 versus 33,381), and by 34% in integer math (132,456 versus 98,854). It also wins in extended instructions by 2.7% and random string sorting by 15.5%. These are the workloads that benefit from the AMD's massive 64 MB of L3 cache and eight-channel memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. Users dealing with large datasets, compression, or cryptographic operations should choose the Threadripper PRO despite its age.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 also dominates in floating-point math, scoring 131,546 against the AMD's 77,979, a 40.7% advantage. It wins Passmark find prime numbers by 52.4% (416 versus 198) and physics by 17.9% (2,998 versus 2,460). The Intel chip's unlocked multiplier and modern 3 nm process node give it a substantial edge in these compute-intensive tasks. For a desktop user who wants a fast, overclockable CPU for a wide range of tasks, the Core Ultra 5 is the data-backed recommendation. The Threadripper PRO is for niche professional workloads where its cache and memory subsystem advantages are decisive.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX has an average benchmark score of 56,555, which is higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF's average of 55,093. The AMD chip sits in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel chip is in the 91st percentile.

Q: How does the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF compare in multi-core rendering?

A: The Intel chip leads in all multi-core Cinebench tests by a 6.9% margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 36,647 versus the AMD's 34,131. It also wins Passmark multithread with a score of 43,110 against the AMD's 40,155.

Q: In which workloads does the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX have a significant advantage?

A: The AMD chip wins Passmark data compression by 30.8% (601,738 versus 460,123), data encryption by 14% (38,058 versus 33,381), integer math by 34% (132,456 versus 98,854), and random string sorting by 15.5% (63,758 versus 55,206).

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX supports eight-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF supports dual-channel DDR5 with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s. This gives the AMD chip exactly double the theoretical memory bandwidth.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF support overclocking?

A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX has a locked multiplier and does not support overclocking.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has 14 cores and 14 threads. The AMD chip therefore has more threads, but the Intel chip achieves higher multi-core scores in Cinebench despite having fewer threads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design eras and philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is built on the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Castle Peak, and fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm process node. It uses a chiplet design with a die size of 2x 74 mm² and contains 7,600 million transistors. In contrast, the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF uses the Arrow Lake architecture, codenamed Arrow Lake-S, fabricated on a 3 nm process node from TSMC, with a single 243 mm² die containing 17,800 million transistors. This newer process node gives Intel a significant manufacturing advantage, allowing for higher clock speeds and better efficiency.

The core layouts differ substantially. The AMD chip has 16 physical cores with simultaneous multithreading, providing 32 threads. Each core has 64 KB of L1 cache and 512 KB of L2 cache, with a shared 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel chip has 14 cores but only 14 threads, indicating no hyperthreading support. Each Intel core has a much larger 192 KB of L1 cache and 3 MB of L2 cache, but the shared L3 cache is only 24 MB. This cache configuration explains why the AMD chip excels in data compression and integer workloads—the larger L3 cache allows for more data to be held closer to the cores.

The platform differences are stark. The AMD processor uses the AMD Socket WRX8 and supports eight-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s, along with ECC memory support. It also provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU. The Intel processor uses Intel Socket 1851, supports dual-channel DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 102.4 GB/s, and does not support ECC memory. It provides 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The AMD chip is designed for maximum memory throughput and expansion, while the Intel chip is aimed at mainstream desktop users. The AMD chip also lacks integrated graphics, while the Intel chip lists "N/A" for integrated graphics, suggesting neither has an iGPU for display output.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The Intel chip has significantly higher clock speeds, which contributes to its single-thread performance advantage. The thermal design power also differs dramatically: the AMD chip has a TDP of 280 watts, while the Intel chip has a TDP of 125 watts. The Intel chip is more power-efficient per watt, though it is also a much smaller part.

Memory support is a major differentiator. The AMD chip supports DDR4 memory across an eight-channel bus, providing 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel chip supports DDR5 memory across a dual-channel bus, providing 102.4 GB/s. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not. This makes the Threadripper PRO suitable for error-sensitive workstation tasks. The PCIe support differs as well: the AMD chip offers 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the Intel chip offers 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. While Gen 5 is faster per lane, the AMD chip has vastly more lanes for expansion.

The cache hierarchy is also different. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has more L1 and L2 cache per core, while the AMD chip has significantly more L3 cache overall. The AMD chip's launch MSRP was $1149, while the Intel chip's launch MSRP was $294. The AMD chip is a 3000 series part released on 2020-07-13, while the Intel chip is a Core Ultra Series 2 part released on 2024-10-23.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results reveal a clear pattern: Intel wins every single Cinebench test, while AMD wins several Passmark tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 3,693 against the AMD's 3,440, a 6.9% advantage. The same 6.9% margin appears in Cinebench R15 single-core (521 versus 485), Cinebench R20 multi-core (15,391 versus 14,335), Cinebench R20 single-core (2,172 versus 2,023), Cinebench R23 multi-core (36,647 versus 34,131), and Cinebench R23 single-core (5,173 versus 4,818). This consistency suggests a fundamental architectural advantage for Intel in rendering workloads, likely due to the higher clock speeds and newer core design.

The Passmark results are where the AMD chip fights back. The biggest win for AMD is in data compression, where it scores 601,738 against the Intel's 460,123, a 30.8% advantage. This is likely due to the 64 MB of L3 cache, which allows more data to be processed in cache rather than memory. The AMD chip also wins integer math by a 34% margin (132,456 versus 98,854), data encryption by 14% (38,058 versus 33,381), random string sorting by 15.5% (63,758 versus 55,206), and extended instructions by 2.7% (38,952 versus 37,912). These wins are concentrated in workloads that benefit from high memory bandwidth and large caches.

The Intel chip dominates the remaining Passmark tests. It wins floating-point math by 40.7% (131,546 versus 77,979), find prime numbers by 52.4% (416 versus 198), physics by 17.9% (2,998 versus 2,460), and single-thread tests by 43.2% (4,715 versus 2,679). The single-thread score is particularly telling, as the Intel chip's boost clock of 5.20 GHz is significantly higher than the AMD's 4.30 GHz. The Intel chip also wins Passmark multithread by 6.9% (43,110 versus 40,155), showing that even in multi-threaded workloads, the Intel chip's higher clock speeds can overcome the AMD's thread count advantage of 32 threads versus 14. Overall, the Intel chip wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head tests, but the AMD chip wins the tests that matter most for data-centric professional workloads.