AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus Comparison

AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus

The database pits two very different desktop processors against each other: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX, a 16-core, 32-thread workstation-class part on Socket sTR5, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus, an 18-core, 18-thread mainstream desktop chip on Socket 1851. Benchmark results show a decisive overall victory for the AMD processor, which wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head tests, with the Intel chip taking 4 wins, mostly in single-threaded and specialized workloads. The average benchmark score of 101041 for the AMD part versus 66159 for the Intel part places the former in the 97th percentile of all CPUs and the latter in the 93rd percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX dominates in heavily multithreaded and memory-intensive workloads. Its wins span every Cinebench iteration, including a 39.3% advantage in Cinebench R23 multicore, and it leads in PassMark multithread by 33.7%. The data shows a pattern of superiority in integer math, where it posts a 91.9% lead, and in extended instructions, where it is 78.1% ahead. Data compression favors the AMD part by 66.5%, and random string sorting by 48.5%. Physics performance also goes to the AMD chip, with a 30.6% margin.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus carves out a narrower set of wins. It takes PassMark single-thread by 3.6%, a meaningful edge for lightly threaded applications. It also wins floating-point math by 2.3% and find prime numbers by 25.4%. These three wins, plus a 7.5% margin for the AMD part in data encryption, represent the entirety of the Intel chip's competitive surface. The Intel processor's wins are concentrated in scenarios where raw per-core throughput or specific instruction patterns matter more than core count or memory bandwidth.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX uses the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Shimada Peak, built on a 4 nm TSMC process. The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh codename, built on a 3 nm TSMC process. Both are active production parts with no integrated graphics.

Core organization differs substantially. The AMD chip features 16 cores and 32 threads with a base clock of 4.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel chip has 18 cores and 18 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading, with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. Cache hierarchies also diverge: the AMD part allocates 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, with a 64 MB L3 cache, while the Intel part uses 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 per core, with a 30 MB shared L3 cache.

Memory subsystems are a major differentiator. The AMD processor supports DDR5 over an eight-channel memory bus with 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel processor also supports DDR5 but over a dual-channel bus, delivering 115.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity also splits sharply: the AMD part provides 128 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part provides 20 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). Transistor counts are close, with the AMD chip at 16,630 million and the Intel chip at 17,800 million, but die size differs, with the AMD part at 2x 70.6 mm² versus 243 mm² for Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX comes in PassMark integer math, where it scores 236120 against 123030, a 91.9% delta. This result aligns with the chip's 16 cores and 32 threads, which provide a substantial parallel throughput advantage. PassMark extended instructions shows a similar story: 76363 versus 42880, a 78.1% lead. Data compression follows at 920954 versus 553155, a 66.5% margin. Random string sorting delivers 99813 versus 67209, a 48.5% win.

The Cinebench results are consistent across every version. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD chip scores 5996 against 4305, a 39.3% margin. Single-core R15 shows 846 versus 607, also a 39.4% delta. R20 multicore gives 24987 versus 17941, a 39.3% lead, and R20 single-core gives 3527 versus 2532, a 39.3% margin. R23 multicore delivers 59494 versus 42718, a 39.3% win, with R23 single-core at 8399 versus 6030, again a 39.3% delta. PassMark multithread comes in at 67035 versus 50146, a 33.7% win, and physics at 4156 versus 3183, a 30.6% margin.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus takes its largest win in PassMark find prime numbers, scoring 452 against 337, a 25.4% advantage. This is a notable reversal, indicating an instruction-level efficiency that the AMD chip does not match in this specific workload. PassMark floating-point math goes to Intel at 159824 versus 156215, a narrow 2.3% margin. PassMark single-thread also favors Intel, at 4698 versus 4530, a 3.6% lead. Data encryption is the closest AMD win, at 44389 versus 41292, a 7.5% margin.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet shows clear separation in several fields. Core count and threading: the AMD chip uses 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel chip uses 18 cores and 18 threads. Base clocks are 4.50 GHz for AMD and 4.20 GHz for Intel, with boosts of 5.40 GHz and 5.30 GHz respectively. TDP ratings diverge heavily: 350 W for the AMD part versus 125 W for the Intel part.

Memory bandwidth is another stark difference: 409.6 GB/s for AMD versus 115.2 GB/s for Intel, driven by eight-channel versus dual-channel memory buses. PCIe lanes also differ, with 128 Gen 5 lanes for AMD versus 20 Gen 5 lanes for Intel. Process nodes are 4 nm for AMD and 3 nm for Intel. Die size is 2x 70.6 mm² for AMD versus 243 mm² for Intel. Transistor counts are 16,630 million for AMD and 17,800 million for Intel. The AMD part uses Socket sTR5, while the Intel part uses Socket 1851. Both have unlocked multipliers. The AMD release date is 2025-07-22, and the Intel release date is 2026-03-10. The AMD part's launch MSRP is $1649, and the Intel part's launch MSRP is $184.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins 4.

Q: How large is the AMD processor's lead in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD chip leads by 39.3% in Cinebench R23 multicore and by 33.7% in PassMark multithread, showing a consistent advantage across heavily parallel tasks.

Q: In which tests does the Intel processor outperform the AMD processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus wins PassMark single-thread by 3.6%, floating-point math by 2.3%, and find prime numbers by 25.4%.

Q: How do the memory subsystems compare?

A: The AMD chip uses an eight-channel DDR5 memory bus with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel chip uses a dual-channel bus with 115.2 GB/s bandwidth. Both support ECC memory.

Q: What is the core and thread configuration difference?

A: The AMD processor has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel processor has 18 cores and 18 threads, meaning the Intel chip lacks simultaneous multithreading.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has an average benchmark score of 101041, compared to 66159 for the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split by workload class. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX is the choice for multi-threaded rendering, data compression, integer math, and any task that can exploit its 32 threads and 409.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth. Its 39.3% lead across all Cinebench multicore tests and a 91.9% lead in integer math confirm this. The 97th percentile ranking and an average score of 101041 place it among the strongest desktop CPUs in the database.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus serves a different role. Its wins in single-thread, floating-point math, and find prime numbers indicate a chip that handles lightly threaded or specific compute patterns efficiently. The 3.6% single-thread lead and the 25.4% win in find prime numbers are real, but they do not offset the AMD chip's dominance in the broader benchmark suite. The Intel part's 93rd percentile ranking and average score of 66159 place it far behind in overall throughput.

Selection depends on the recorded performance profile. For users whose workloads are heavily parallel and memory-bound, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX delivers results that the Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus cannot match, with the data showing 39.3% to 91.9% margins in those areas. For users prioritizing single-threaded tasks or specific instruction patterns, the Intel part offers a measurable edge in those narrow tests. The benchmark record shows a 13 to 4 win split, with the AMD processor holding the decisive advantage in the majority of measured scenarios.