AMD Ryzen 9 7900X vs Intel Core 7 253PQE Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data splits these two desktop processors into distinct roles. The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X is the clear multithreaded workload champion, winning 9 of the 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons. The Intel Core 7 253PQE, however, takes the single-thread crown with decisive margins, winning 6 tests including a 119.7% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core. For users prioritizing maximum throughput in heavily threaded tasks such as rendering, compression, or encryption, the Ryzen 9 7900X is the data-backed choice. For those whose workloads hinge on rapid single-core responses, the Core 7 253PQE delivers results that are simply in another class.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this split. The Intel chip records an average score of 55919 across all tests, placing it 4.9% above the AMD part’s 53288. Yet the AMD chip’s wins come in larger individual workloads, particularly in data compression (632505 vs 487335) and encryption (37263 vs 25515). Conversely, Intel’s single-core Cinebench R23 score of 4431 versus AMD’s 2016.5 is a gap so large that it defines the product’s identity.

For content creators who batch-render or compress, the Ryzen 9 7900X leads in nearly every heavy parallel task. For users running applications that demand fast serial computation, the Core 7 253PQE is the stronger pick. The data does not show a universal winner; it shows two tools for different jobs.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The Intel Core 7 253PQE uses the Bartlett Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel itself. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X uses the Zen 4 architecture on a 5 nm process node built by TSMC, with 12 cores and 24 threads. The AMD chip’s transistor count is listed at 13,140 million, and its die size is 2x 71 mm², while the Intel chip has no transistor or die size data recorded.

Cache designs differ notably. The Intel chip provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a much larger 64 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen’s larger L3 pool may contribute to its strong data compression results.

Memory support also differs. The Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the Intel’s memory bandwidth is 89.6 GB/s versus the AMD’s 83.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory. For PCIe, the Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD offers Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: Intel uses UHD Graphics 770, AMD uses Radeon Graphics.

The AMD has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel does not. Both are active production parts. The Intel’s release date is recorded as 2026-03-08, while the AMD’s is 2022-09-26.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE scores 4431 in Cinebench R23 single core, which is 119.7% higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X’s 2016.5.

Q: Which CPU wins in data encryption?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X wins data encryption with a score of 37263, compared to the Intel’s 25515, a 31.5% lead.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE has an average benchmark score of 55919, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X has an average of 53288. The Intel leads by about 4.9%.

Q: How many cores and threads does each CPU have?

A: The Intel has 10 cores and 20 threads. The AMD has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which CPU has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel has a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the AMD has 83.2 GB/s, making the Intel slightly higher.

Q: Does either CPU support DDR4 memory?

A: The Intel Core 7 253PQE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X supports DDR5 only.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core 7 253PQE | AMD Ryzen 9 7900X |

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

| Cores | 10 | 12 |

| Threads | 20 | 24 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.70 GHz | 5.60 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 170 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Architecture | Bartlett Lake | Zen 4 |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 5 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 13,140 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 2x 71 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 33 MB (shared) | 64 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 83.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 24 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | Radeon Graphics |

| Release Date | 2026-03-08 | 2022-09-26 |

| Launch MSRP | $409 | $549 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

The AMD has 12 cores and 24 threads compared to Intel’s 10 cores and 20 threads. The AMD’s base clock is higher at 4.70 GHz vs 3.50 GHz, but the Intel’s boost clock is higher at 5.70 GHz vs 5.60 GHz. The AMD is a 170W part, while the Intel is 125W. The Intel is built on Intel’s 10nm process, the AMD on TSMC’s 5nm. The AMD has 64 MB of shared L3, double the Intel’s 33 MB. The Intel’s memory bandwidth is higher, but the AMD offers more PCIe lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic single result in the entire comparison is Cinebench R23 single core. The Intel Core 7 253PQE scores 4431, while the Ryzen 9 7900X scores 2016.5. That is a 119.7% lead for Intel, meaning the Intel chip delivers more than double the score. Cinebench R15 single core also favors Intel, with 446 vs 323, a 38.1% advantage. PassMark single thread tests show Intel ahead by a smaller 3.6%, with scores of 4389 vs 4238. PassMark floating point math goes to Intel, but narrowly: 105279 vs 103952, or 1.3% ahead.

The AMD’s wins are heavier in multithreaded tasks. Cinebench R15 multicore is a clear AMD victory: 4820.5 vs 3163, a 34.4% lead. PassMark multithread shows AMD ahead at 51406 vs 41656, a 19% difference. Data compression is heavily AMD-favored: 632505 vs 487335, a 23% lead. Data encryption goes to AMD by 31.5% (37263 vs 25515). Extended instructions favor AMD by 32% (47619 vs 32390). Integer math shows AMD ahead by 18.6% (169273 vs 137795). Random string sorting is AMD’s by 27.4% (74658 vs 54222). Prime number finding is AMD’s at 388 vs 206, a 46.9% gap. Physics is close, AMD wins 3060 vs 2970, a 2.9% margin.

Cinebench R23 multicore, however, goes to Intel. The Intel scores 31390 versus the AMD’s 29300, a 7.1% lead. This is notable because it contradicts the trend of the AMD winning most multicore tests. The Intel also wins Cinebench R20 multicore with 13183, but the AMD has no recorded R20 score in this set.

Overall, the AMD wins 9 of the 15 tests, but the Intel wins the two most prominent single-core tests and the Cinebench R23 multicore test. The data shows the Intel chip excels at lower-thread-count and latency-sensitive workloads, while the AMD chip dominates heavily threaded data processing.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core 7 253PQE is the pick for single-core-sensitive applications. Its Cinebench R23 single core score is more than double the AMD’s, and its Cinebench R15 single core lead is 38.1%. PassMark single thread confirms the advantage, albeit at a modest 3.6%. For software that relies on one or two fast threads, such as legacy games, general desktop responsiveness, or lightly threaded productivity, the Intel chip delivers the higher peak performance. Its floating-point math score, 105279 vs 103952, also edges out the AMD, making it a slightly better choice for floating point-heavy single-threaded code.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7900X is the winner for parallel throughput. The data shows it leads in data compression by 23%, encryption by 31.5%, and integer math by 18.6%. Its 34.4% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore and 19% lead in PassMark multithread confirm its strength in heavy multi-threaded rendering, video encoding, and scientific computing. The AMD also leads in random string sorting (27.4%) and prime number finding (46.9%), which are common in cryptography and data processing. With 12 cores and 24 threads vs 10 cores and 20 threads, the AMD has more parallel resources, and the benchmarks reflect that advantage in most (but not all) multi-core tasks.

One notable exception is Cinebench R23 multicore, where the Intel wins by 7.1%. This indicates that the Intel’s architecture does have high multi-threaded capability in some workloads, but the broader trend across the test suite places the AMD ahead in most parallel tasks. The AMD also has a higher base clock (4.70 vs 3.50 GHz) and more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16), which can matter for multi-GPU or high-bandwidth storage setups.

The launch MSRP for the Intel is $409, while the AMD is $549. The AMD is also older, released in 2022, while the Intel’s release date is 2026. The Intel’s memory bandwidth is higher, but the AMD’s larger L3 cache may help in cache-sensitive workloads. For users whose primary benchmark results are single-core, the Intel is the verdict. For users with fully threaded workloads, the AMD’s wins in compression, encryption, and integer math make it the stronger choice.