AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 5 336H Comparison

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and Intel Core Ultra 5 336H serve completely different segments, and the recorded data shows a clear split. The AMD part is a desktop processor with a 120 TDP, 8 cores, and 16 threads, built on TSMC's 4 nm process. The Intel part is a mobile processor with a 25 TDP, 16 cores, and 16 threads, built on Intel's 3 nm process. These are not direct competitors in the traditional sense, but the benchmark results reveal distinct strengths.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins 12 of the 15 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. Its average benchmark score of 58386 places it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H wins 3 comparisons, with an average benchmark score of 34485, placing it in the 84th percentile. The data shows that the AMD part is the stronger overall performer for desktop workloads, particularly those that stress integer math, compression, and multithreaded tasks. The Intel part, however, shows a surprising single-core advantage in Cinebench R23, which is a notable outlier in the data.

For a desktop builder, the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is the obvious choice based on the benchmarks. It dominates in most multi-threaded and single-threaded PassMark tests, and its nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon Platinum 8260M and Intel Core i9-14900, both of which are within 0.5% of its average score. For a mobile user, the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H is the only option here, but its performance profile is respectable, sitting near the Intel Core i7-13700HX and AMD Ryzen 7 3700X in average score. The data does not support recommending the Intel part for desktop use, nor the AMD part for mobile use. The verdict is simple: the AMD part is the performance leader, and the Intel part is a capable mobile processor with a specific single-core strength.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename, part of the 9000 series. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H uses the Panther Lake architecture with the Panther Lake-H codename, part of the Core Ultra Series 3.

The process nodes differ significantly. AMD uses TSMC's 4 nm process with a die size of 70.6 mm² and 8,315 million transistors. Intel uses its own 3 nm process, though the database does not list a die size or transistor count for the Intel part. The AMD part is built on a smaller physical die, but the Intel part uses a smaller process node.

Core configurations differ sharply. The AMD part has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel part has 16 cores and 16 threads. This means the Intel part has no hyperthreading or equivalent, while the AMD part doubles its threads per core. The Intel part compensates with more physical cores, but the thread count is identical at 16 threads each.

Cache layouts are also different. The AMD part has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 96 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has 192 KB of L1 cache per core, 2.5 MB of L2 cache per core, and only 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part's massive L3 cache is its defining feature, while the Intel part has a much smaller L3 pool but larger per-core L1 and L2 caches.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD part supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, plus ECC memory support. The Intel part supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X with dual-channel memory and a higher bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s, but no ECC memory support. The Intel part also offers fewer PCIe lanes: 12 CPU-only Gen 5 lanes versus the AMD part's 24 CPU-only Gen 5 lanes.

The integrated graphics differ: the AMD part uses Radeon Graphics, while the Intel part uses Intel Xe3 Graphics. The AMD part is a desktop processor with an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is a mobile processor with a locked multiplier. The sockets are entirely different: AMD Socket AM5 versus Intel BGA 2540. The release dates are close, with the Intel part releasing on 2026-01-04 and the AMD part on 2026-01-28. The AMD part has a launch MSRP of $499; the Intel part has no listed launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head data shows a clear split in workloads. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins in data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, integer math, multithreaded performance, physics, random string sorting, and single-threaded PassMark tests. It also wins Cinebench R15 in both multi-core and single-core.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core, Cinebench R23 single-core, and floating-point math. The Cinebench R23 single-core win is substantial at 34.2% ahead of the AMD part. This is the largest single victory for the Intel part. The Cinebench R23 multi-core win is smaller at 4.9% ahead. The floating-point math win is marginal at 0.5% ahead.

The AMD part's biggest wins include integer math at 98.4% ahead, data compression at 69.3% ahead, and extended instructions at 60% ahead. The AMD part also shows a 46.9% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and a 55.5% lead in physics. These are large margins that point to the AMD part's strength in general compute, compression, and simulation-type workloads.

The Intel part's wins are concentrated in newer Cinebench versions and floating-point math. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3387 versus the AMD part's 2228 is a notable outlier, given that the AMD part wins the PassMark single-thread test by 17.2%. This suggests the Intel part has a specific advantage in certain single-threaded rendering workloads, but not in the PassMark single-thread suite.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has an average benchmark score of 58386, which is higher than the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H's 34485. The AMD part sits in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part sits in the 84th percentile.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has 16 cores and 16 threads. Both parts have 16 threads total, but the AMD part achieves this with 8 cores and simultaneous multithreading, while the Intel part uses 16 physical cores without extra threads.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has 96 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has 18 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part has significantly more L3 cache, which contributes to its strong performance in data compression and extended instructions.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H support ECC memory?

A: No. The database lists ECC memory support as false for the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D supports ECC memory.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D has a TDP of 120. The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H has a TDP of 25. The Intel part is designed for mobile use with a much lower power envelope.

Q: Which processor wins Cinebench R23 single-core?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 3387, which is 34.2% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D's score of 2228. However, the AMD part wins the PassMark single-thread test by 17.2%.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is in PassMark integer math, where it scores 123140 against the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H's 62070, a 98.4% lead. This is nearly double the Intel part's score. The data indicates a massive advantage in integer-heavy compute.

Data compression also shows a huge gap. The AMD part scores 474501, while the Intel part scores 280340, a 69.3% lead. This aligns with the AMD part's large L3 cache. Extended instructions follow a similar pattern, with the AMD part scoring 39272 against 24542, a 60% lead.

Physics performance leans heavily toward the AMD part. The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D scores 4171, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H scores 2682, a 55.5% lead. Multithreaded performance in PassMark shows the AMD part at 41318 versus 28545, a 44.7% lead. Random string sorting also shows a 44.7% lead, with scores of 49764 and 34402 respectively.

Cinebench R15 multi-core shows the AMD part at 3551 against 2418, a 46.9% lead. Prime number finding shows the AMD part at 435 against 299, a 45.5% lead. Data encryption shows a smaller but still clear lead: 22856 versus 21291, a 7.4% lead. Single-threaded PassMark scores show the AMD part at 4704 versus 4013, a 17.2% lead, with identical results in both the single_thread and singlethread test listings.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 336H's biggest win is in Cinebench R23 single-core. The Intel part scores 3387, while the AMD part scores 2228, a 34.2% lead. This is the largest margin for the Intel part in any test. Cinebench R23 multi-core also goes to the Intel part, with a score of 23991 against 22807, a 4.9% lead. Floating-point math is nearly a tie: the Intel part scores 82415, while the AMD part scores 81998, a 0.5% lead.

The overall record is 12 wins for the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D and 3 wins for the Intel Core Ultra 5 336H. The AMD part's wins are often by large margins, while the Intel part's wins include one very large margin in Cinebench R23 single-core and two small margins in Cinebench R23 multi-core and floating-point math. The data shows that the AMD part is the dominant performer across the majority of workloads, with the Intel part holding a specific advantage in newer Cinebench single-core and a narrow edge in floating-point math.

Specification Differences

The following table summarizes the fields where the two processors differ:

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core Ultra 5 336H |

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

| Series | 9000 series | Core Ultra Series 3 |

| Cores | 8 | 16 |

| Threads | 16 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 4.70 | 1.90 |

| Boost Clock | 5.60 | 4.60 |

| TDP | 120 | 25 |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 2540 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Panther Lake |

| Codename | Granite Ridge | Panther Lake |

| Generation | Ryzen 7 (Zen 5 (Granite Ridge)) | Ultra 5 (Panther Lake-H) |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 3 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 8,315 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 70.6 mm² | Not listed |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

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

| L3 Cache | 96 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR5, LPDDR5X |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | 115.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | True | False |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 24 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics | Intel Xe3 Graphics |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2026-01-28 | 2026-01-04 |

| Launch MSRP | $499 | Not listed |

| Multiplier Unlocked | True | False |

| Part Number | 100-000001973 | SA4RD |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 92 | 84 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 58386 | 34485 |

The AMD part offers a higher base clock and boost clock, a larger L3 cache, more PCIe lanes, ECC support, and an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part offers more cores, a smaller process node, higher memory bandwidth, support for LPDDR5X, and a much lower TDP. The launch MSRP for the AMD part is $499, stated once here per the database record.