AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows 17 benchmark comparisons between the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285. The AMD part wins 12 of those tests, while the Intel processor takes 5. The margins vary widely by workload, and neither chip dominates every category.

In Cinebench testing, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX holds a consistent advantage across every version and workload type. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD scores 5996 against 4933 for Intel, a 21.5% lead. The single-core R15 result shows 846 versus 696, a 21.6% edge. That same 21.6% delta repeats in Cinebench R20 single-core (3527 vs 2901), R20 multi-core (24987 vs 20556), R23 single-core (8399 vs 6909), and R23 multi-core (59494 vs 48945). The uniformity of that margin suggests a fundamental per-thread throughput advantage rather than a scaling effect from extra cores.

The PassMark suite reveals a more nuanced picture. The AMD chip wins decisively in integer math, scoring 236120 against 164869, a 43.2% advantage. Data compression shows an even larger gap: 920954 for AMD versus 602121 for Intel, a 53% swing. Extended instructions favor AMD by 68.4% (76363 vs 45357). Random string sorting goes to AMD by 35.5% (99813 vs 73651), and multi-threaded workloads show an 18.4% lead (67035 vs 56602). The physics test gives AMD a 15.5% win (4156 vs 3598).

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 wins the floating-point math test decisively, scoring 194988 against 156215, a 19.9% margin. It also takes the prime number finding test (459 vs 337, a 26.6% advantage) and data encryption (46949 vs 44389, a 5.5% edge). In single-thread PassMark tests, Intel leads with 4881 versus 4530, a 7.2% advantage. That single-thread PassMark result is notable because it contradicts the Cinebench single-core results, where AMD holds the lead. The divergence likely stems from different instruction mixes in the two suites.

The average benchmark scores place the AMD chip at 101041, while Intel sits at 75488. That puts the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX at the 97th percentile among all CPUs in the database, versus the 95th percentile for the Core Ultra 9 285. The AMD part's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7513 (102244 average, 1.2% ahead), the AMD EPYC 4585PX (99324, 1.7% behind), the AMD EPYC 8324P (103329, 2.2% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX (98504, 2.6% behind). The Intel part's nearest rivals are the AMD EPYC 8224P (75582, 0.1% ahead), the AMD EPYC 4545P (75373, 0.2% behind), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755X3D (75716, 0.3% ahead), and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755 (75738, 0.3% ahead). Both processors sit in crowded performance bands, but the AMD chip operates at a substantially higher absolute level.

The Verdict

The data points to two very different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX delivers superior multi-threaded throughput across most measured categories, with particularly strong results in integer math, compression, extended instructions, and the Cinebench suite. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 counters with wins in floating-point math, prime number finding, encryption, and the PassMark single-thread test.

For workloads dominated by integer operations, data compression, or rendering tasks that scale with Cinebench scores, the AMD part is the clear choice. The 21.6% Cinebench margins across the board indicate that the AMD chip extracts more work per clock in those scenarios. The 53% compression advantage and 43.2% integer math lead reinforce that pattern.

For floating-point-heavy scientific computing, prime number sieving, or encryption tasks, the Intel part holds an edge. The 19.9% floating-point win and 26.6% prime number advantage are significant for those specific workloads. The 7.2% single-thread PassMark lead also matters for lightly threaded applications that rely on a single core's peak performance.

The overall average benchmark score favors AMD by roughly 34% (101041 vs 75488). That aggregate figure reflects the weighted mix of tests in the database, but it does not erase the Intel wins in specific categories. Users should match the workload profile to the chip that wins the relevant tests.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Shimada Peak codename. It is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC with 16,630 million transistors across a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 uses the Arrow Lake architecture under the Arrow Lake-S codename. It is built on a 3 nm process at TSMC with 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. Both chips come from TSMC foundries, but the Intel part uses a newer process node.

The AMD chip has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel part has 24 cores and 24 threads. The Intel processor does not use hyper-threading, which explains the equal core and thread counts. The AMD part's 32 threads give it a scheduling advantage in heavily threaded workloads, even with fewer physical cores.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD chip provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel chip provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The AMD part's larger L3 pool helps with data-heavy workloads, while Intel's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches may benefit latency-sensitive single-thread tasks.

Memory architecture separates the two clearly. The AMD chip supports DDR5 across an eight-channel memory bus with 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel chip supports DDR5 across a dual-channel bus with 102.4 GB/s of bandwidth. That four-to-one bandwidth advantage for AMD is a major factor in the compression and integer math results.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The AMD chip provides Gen 5 with 128 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel chip provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU. That lane count difference positions the AMD part for multi-GPU or high-density storage configurations. The Intel chip includes integrated graphics (Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU), while the AMD chip has no integrated graphics.

The AMD chip uses the AMD Socket sTR5 and has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1851 and does not have an unlocked multiplier. The AMD part's release date is 2025-07-22, while the Intel part's release date is 2024-12-31.

Specification Differences

The core count differs: 16 cores for AMD versus 24 cores for Intel. Thread count also differs: 32 for AMD versus 24 for Intel. Base clock speeds are 4.50 GHz for AMD and 2.50 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz for AMD and 5.60 GHz for Intel. The Intel part has a higher boost clock but a much lower base clock.

Thermal design power differs dramatically: 350 watts for AMD versus 65 watts for Intel. That 285-watt gap reflects the AMD chip's workstation-oriented power envelope versus the Intel chip's mainstream desktop positioning.

Memory bandwidth is 409.6 GB/s for AMD versus 102.4 GB/s for Intel. The memory bus is eight-channel for AMD versus dual-channel for Intel. PCIe lanes are 128 for AMD versus 20 for Intel, both Gen 5.

The process node is 4 nm for AMD versus 3 nm for Intel. Transistor counts are 16,630 million for AMD versus 17,800 million for Intel. Die sizes are 2x 70.6 mm² for AMD versus 243 mm² for Intel.

Integrated graphics are absent on the AMD chip and present as Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU on the Intel chip. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. Part numbers are 100-000000725 for AMD and SRQD4 for Intel.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has 24 cores, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has 16 cores.

Q: Which processor has higher thread count?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has 24 threads.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD chip provides 409.6 GB/s over an eight-channel DDR5 bus, while the Intel chip provides 102.4 GB/s over a dual-channel DDR5 bus.

Q: Which processor won the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX scored 59494, beating the Intel Core Ultra 9 285's 48945 by 21.6%.

Q: Which processor has higher single-thread PassMark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 scored 4881, which is 7.2% higher than the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX's 4530.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has no integrated graphics.