AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285K Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has 24 cores, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX has 12 cores. Both processors support 24 threads.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX scores 6,822 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 65.2% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K's score of 2,377.

Q: Which chip has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX offers 409.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth through its eight-channel memory bus. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K has a dual-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s.

Q: How do the two compare in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K wins 12 of the 17 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, including PassMark multithread (67,260 vs 56,854, a 18.3% advantage). The AMD chip wins 5 comparisons, including Cinebench R23 multicore (48,325 vs 42,522, a 12% advantage).

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX support ECC memory.

Q: What is the process node difference?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is fabricated on a 3 nm process at TSMC, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX uses a 4 nm process, also from TSMC.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K belongs to the Core Ultra Series 2 family, built on the Arrow Lake architecture (codename Arrow Lake-S). It uses a 3 nm process node from TSMC and packs 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is a Zen 5 part with the codename Shimada Peak, manufactured on a 4 nm process with 16,630 million transistors spread across two 70.6 mm² dies.

Core counts tell a clear story. Intel's chip fields 24 cores with 24 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading. AMD's Threadripper PRO has just 12 physical cores but uses simultaneous multithreading to reach 24 threads. Clock speeds also differ: Intel's base clock is 3.70 GHz with a 5.70 GHz boost, while AMD starts at 4.70 GHz base and boosts to 5.40 GHz.

Cache hierarchies diverge sharply. Intel allocates 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 36 MB L3 cache. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a larger 64 MB L3 cache. The L3 difference matters in workloads with large working sets.

Memory channels and PCIe lanes are perhaps the largest architectural gap. Intel uses a dual-channel DDR5 memory bus with 102.4 GB/s bandwidth and 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU. AMD's Threadripper PRO uses eight-channel DDR5 with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth and 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. That is four times the memory bandwidth and over six times the PCIe lanes.

The Intel part includes integrated graphics: Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units. AMD's chip has no integrated graphics at all, which is typical for its server/workstation market segment. Both processors have unlocked multipliers and are currently in active production. Intel's launch MSRP was $589; AMD's launch MSRP is not recorded.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a split personality. Intel dominates the PassMark suite, while AMD takes several Cinebench wins, though with some inconsistencies across versions.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, Intel wins decisively with 6,494 versus AMD's 4,871, a 33.3% advantage. The single-core R15 result flips hard: AMD scores 687 against Intel's 359, a 47.7% lead for AMD. That R15 single-core gap is surprising given the R20 results, where Intel wins both single-core and multicore. In R20 multicore, Intel scores 24,003 versus 20,296, an 18.3% win. In R20 single-core, Intel again leads by 18.3%, scoring 3,388 against AMD's 2,865.

Cinebench R23 tells yet another story. AMD wins multicore with 48,325 versus 42,522, a 12% margin. The R23 single-core test is a blowout for AMD: 6,822 versus 2,377, a 65.2% advantage. This is the largest single-core delta in the entire comparison.

PassMark results mostly favor Intel. Data compression: Intel 790,052 versus AMD 671,963, a 17.6% win. Data encryption: Intel 57,745 versus AMD 36,540, a 58% margin. Extended instructions: Intel 62,277 versus AMD 54,406, a 14.5% win. Finding prime numbers: Intel 541 versus AMD 335, a 61.5% edge. Floating point math: Intel 224,324 versus AMD 111,566, more than double, a 101.1% advantage. Random string sorting: Intel 94,927 versus AMD 84,498, a 12.3% win. PassMark multithread: Intel 67,260 versus AMD 56,854, an 18.3% margin. PassMark single-thread: Intel 5,087 versus AMD 4,573, an 11.2% win.

AMD takes the remaining PassMark tests. Integer math: AMD 185,421 versus Intel 172,379, a 7% lead. Physics: AMD 6,118 versus Intel 3,938, a 35.6% advantage.

The overall benchmark tally stands at 12 wins for Intel and 5 for AMD.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core Ultra 9 285K | AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX |

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

| Cores | 24 | 12 |

| Threads | 24 | 24 |

| Base clock | 3.70 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.70 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 350 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1851 | AMD Socket sTR5 |

| Architecture | Arrow Lake | Zen 5 |

| Process node | 3 nm | 4 nm |

| Transistors | 17,800 million | 16,630 million |

| Die size | 243 mm² | 2x 70.6 mm² |

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

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

| L3 cache | 36 MB (shared) | 64 MB |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Eight-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 102.4 GB/s | 409.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 128 lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU | N/A |

| Market segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Launch MSRP | $589 | Not recorded |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K is the choice for computational throughput in mixed workloads. Its 24 physical cores and 3 nm process deliver strong results across the PassMark suite, particularly in floating-point math where it doubles AMD's score. Data encryption also favors Intel by a 58% margin. For users running compression, encryption, extended instruction sets, prime number calculations, or random string sorting, the Intel chip consistently outperforms. The 18.3% lead in PassMark multithread reinforces its all-around productivity credentials.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX wins in specific niches. Its Cinebench R23 multicore victory (12% ahead) suggests a strong showing in render workloads, despite losing R15 and R20 multicore. The massive 65.2% single-core lead in R23 is noteworthy, though the R15 single-core result shows a 47.7% win for AMD, making it the clear single-core champion in those tests. Integer math and physics workloads also favor AMD. The eight-channel memory bus with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth makes it the superior platform for memory-intensive applications, and the 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes allow far more expansion capacity for workstation builds.

The overall percentile rankings place Intel at 96th percentile versus AMD's 95th percentile among all CPUs. Intel's average benchmark score is 83,807, while AMD's is 76,513. The nearest rival data shows Intel sitting close to the AMD EPYC 4584PX (0.9% ahead) and EPYC 9135 (1% ahead), while AMD's closest competitor is the AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P with a 0% delta. The Intel chip's 12 head-to-head wins versus AMD's 5 indicate that for most measured workloads, the Core Ultra 9 285K provides higher performance. However, for workstation users needing massive memory bandwidth, extensive PCIe connectivity, and strong single-core Cinebench scores, the Threadripper PRO 9945WX offers distinct advantages.