AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX vs Intel Core Ultra 5 338H Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data presents a starkly one-sided picture. Across all 17 recorded head-to-head tests, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX wins every single comparison, with the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H recording zero victories. This is not a close contest by any measure, and the margin of victory varies dramatically depending on the workload type.

The AMD processor shows its strongest advantages in heavily parallel workloads. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it delivers a score of 59494 against the Intel's 16331, a 264.3% difference. Similarly, PassMark integer math shows 236120 versus 64934, a 263.6% gap. Data compression favors AMD by 233%, and extended instructions by 219.4%. These are workloads that scale with core count, thread count, and memory bandwidth, all areas where the Threadripper PRO is fundamentally built to excel.

The Intel chip's closest performance comes in single-threaded PassMark tests. The AMD scores 4530 against Intel's 4180, a modest 8.4% lead. This is the only test where the gap falls below double digits. The two processors are also relatively close in finding prime numbers, with AMD ahead by just 10.9%. These results suggest that in lightly threaded, latency-sensitive tasks, the Intel mobile processor is not completely outclassed, though it still trails.

For the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H, its role becomes clear: it is a mobile processor designed for efficiency and portability, not for raw compute supremacy. Its wins are zero, but its purpose appears to be delivering adequate performance within a constrained power envelope, rather than competing with a workstation-class desktop part. The data shows that the AMD part dominates in every recorded metric, making the use-case split a question of what the user values: extreme multi-threaded throughput versus a compact, low-power mobile solution.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and market segments. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX is a desktop workstation part built on the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Shimada Peak, using a 4 nm process from TSMC. It belongs to the 9000 series and the Ryzen Threadripper generation, with its roots in the Zen 4 (Storm Peak) lineage. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H, by contrast, is a mobile processor based on the Panther Lake architecture, using Intel's 3 nm process, and belongs to the Core Ultra Series 3 generation.

Core configuration differs substantially. The AMD chip has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel chip has 12 cores and 12 threads. The Threadripper PRO thus offers both more physical cores and hyperthreading, doubling its thread count over its core count. The Intel part offers no hyperthreading benefit, with threads equal to cores. This alone explains much of the multi-threaded performance gap.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The AMD processor allocates 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a large 64 MB L3 cache. The Intel chip has 192 KB L1 per core and 2.5 MB L2 per core, but only 18 MB of shared L3. The total cache capacity heavily favors AMD, which supports its multi-threaded workloads.

Memory architecture is another major differentiator. The AMD chip supports DDR5 memory across an eight-channel bus, delivering 409.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Intel part uses LPDDR5X on a dual-channel bus, with 136.5 GB/s. The three-fold difference in memory bandwidth directly impacts data-intensive tasks such as compression and encryption. AMD also supports ECC memory, while Intel does not.

The platform sockets are unrelated: AMD uses Socket sTR5, while Intel uses BGA 2540, meaning the Intel chip is soldered and not upgradeable in the traditional sense. PCIe lanes differ enormously, with AMD offering Gen 5 with 128 lanes (CPU only) versus Intel's Gen 5 with 4 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part has no integrated graphics, while the Intel chip includes Arc B370 graphics. The Intel processor has a much lower 25 W TDP versus AMD's 350 W, reflecting its mobile orientation. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, the Intel does not.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows the most extreme margins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, AMD scores 5996 against Intel's 2504, a 139.5% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows 846 versus 305, a 177.4% lead. The R20 multicore test displays 24987 versus 10213, a 144.7% gap, while R20 single-core shows 3527 versus 1441, a 144.8% difference. The R23 multicore test is the single largest delta in the entire dataset, with AMD at 59494 and Intel at 16331, a 264.3% difference. Even more striking, the R23 single-core test shows AMD at 8399 versus Intel's 2044, a 310.9% gap. This is the largest percentage difference recorded in any test.

PassMark tests reveal a similar pattern, though with varying intensity. Data compression shows AMD at 920954 versus 276539, a 233% lead. Data encryption shows 44389 versus 21367, a 107.7% difference. Extended instructions display 76363 versus 23906, a 219.4% gap. Integer math shows 236120 versus 64934, a 263.6% difference. Floating point math shows 156215 versus 84067, an 85.8% gap. The multithread test shows 67035 versus 28717, a 133.4% lead. Random string sorting shows 99813 versus 34082, a 192.9% difference. Physics shows 4156 versus 2697, a 54.1% gap. Find prime numbers shows 337 versus 304, a 10.9% difference. Single-thread tests show 4530 versus 4180, an 8.4% gap.

The data confirms that the AMD processor's advantage scales with thread count and cache/memory resources. The narrowest margins appear in single-threaded and simple integer tasks, suggesting that Intel's architecture is competitive on a per-core basis in certain operations, but the overall resource disparity overwhelms it in anything more complex.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H has 12 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD processor delivers 409.6 GB/s over an eight-channel DDR5 bus, while the Intel chip provides 136.5 GB/s over a dual-channel LPDDR5X bus.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H does not.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H includes Arc B370 integrated graphics, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has no integrated graphics.

Q: How do the processors compare in Cinebench R23 single-core?

A: The AMD processor scores 8399, which is 310.9% higher than the Intel's 2044, the largest single-core margin in the dataset.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD processor has a 350 W TDP, while the Intel processor has a 25 W TDP.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX | Intel Core Ultra 5 338H |

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

| Series | 9000 series | Core Ultra Series 3 |

| Manufacturer | AMD | Intel |

| Cores | 16 | 12 |

| Threads | 32 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 4.50 GHz | 1.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 350 W | 25 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket sTR5 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Shimada Peak | Panther Lake |

| Generation | Ryzen Threadripper (Zen 4) | Ultra 5 (Panther Lake-H) |

| Process Node | 4 nm (TSMC) | 3 nm (Intel) |

| Transistors | 16,630 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 2x 70.6 mm² | Not specified |

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

| L2 Cache | 1 MB per core | 2.5 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | LPDDR5X |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 409.6 GB/s | 136.5 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

| Integrated Graphics | N/A | Arc B370 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2025-07-22 | 2026-01-04 |

| Launch MSRP | $1649 | Not specified |

| Unlocked Multiplier | Yes | No |

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX is the dominant performer in every recorded benchmark. Its 17 wins out of 17 tests, with margins ranging from 8.4% to 310.9%, establish it as a superior compute solution for any workload measured. The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H cannot match it in any metric recorded in the database.

The AMD processor's advantages stem from its 16 cores, 32 threads, 64 MB L3 cache, eight-channel memory with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, and 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. These resources make it suitable for heavy multi-threaded tasks such as rendering, data compression, encryption, and scientific computing. Its 97th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 101041, places it among the highest-performing processors in the database.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 338H, with its 84th percentile ranking and average score of 33989, serves a different purpose. Its 25 W TDP, mobile BGA socket, and integrated Arc B370 graphics indicate a design optimized for laptops and compact systems where power efficiency and portability matter more than raw throughput. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H and Intel Core i7-12800HX, both mobile processors, confirming its class.

For users requiring maximum multi-threaded performance, workstation-class memory bandwidth, and ECC support, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX is the clear choice. For users prioritizing a low-power mobile platform with integrated graphics, the Intel Core Ultra 5 338H offers a compact alternative, but the data shows it cannot compete on raw performance. The choice depends entirely on the use case: extreme compute versus mobile efficiency.