AMD Ryzen 7 170 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Comparison

The benchmark database places the AMD Ryzen 7 170 and Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus in different performance tiers. The Intel processor wins all 11 recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons, often by substantial margins. The AMD processor is a mobile-focused design with lower power characteristics, while the Intel chip is a desktop part aimed at maximum throughput. The data shows a clear performance hierarchy, but the choice between them depends on the intended usage environment.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 170 does not record a single benchmark win in the head-to-head comparisons. Its strongest relative performance appears in the single-threaded tests, where the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus leads by 38.3% (3128 vs 5068). This is the closest margin across all tests, indicating that the AMD chip's per-core efficiency is its least disadvantaged area.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus dominates every measured workload. Its largest advantages appear in compute-heavy and parallel workloads. The most extreme gap is in the prime number finding test, where the Intel chip scores 615 versus 49 for the AMD part, a 92% deficit for the Ryzen 7 170. Floating point math shows an 80.4% gap (229491 vs 44979), while physics simulation shows a 78.1% gap (4064 vs 890). The Intel processor also leads in data encryption by 72.8% (59097 vs 16078) and extended instructions by 71.5% (63506 vs 18107).

The use-case split is therefore simple: the AMD Ryzen 7 170 is suited for scenarios where its 35 TDP and mobile socket are priorities, not for winning performance comparisons. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is the clear choice for any workload where benchmark scores matter, particularly multithreaded tasks, encryption, and floating-point calculations.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 7 170 uses the Zen 3+ architecture on a 6 nm TSMC process, with a die size of 210 mm². It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.75 GHz. Its TDP is 35 watts, reflecting its mobile market segment and AMD Socket FP7.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus uses the Arrow Lake Refresh architecture on a 3 nm TSMC process, with a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors. It offers 24 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. Its TDP is 125 watts, and it uses Intel Socket 1851. The Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the AMD part does not.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD processor has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor has 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip also supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, while the AMD part uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes.

Memory bandwidth favors Intel significantly: 115.2 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for AMD, both on dual-channel DDR5. Both support ECC memory. Integrated graphics differ: the AMD chip uses Radeon 680M, while Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The AMD processor released on 2025-09-30, while the Intel chip released on 2026-03-10.

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers an unambiguous conclusion. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus outperforms the AMD Ryzen 7 170 in every recorded test, with an average benchmark score of 93785 compared to 43689 for the AMD part. The Intel chip sits in the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD chip sits in the 88th percentile.

Users requiring maximum compute performance should choose the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus. It delivers 68574 in multithreaded tests versus 20760 for AMD, and its single-thread score of 5068 exceeds the AMD's 3128 by a clear margin. The Intel chip also offers a launch MSRP of $299, which the database records for reference.

The AMD Ryzen 7 170 serves a different purpose. Its 35 TDP, mobile socket, and Radeon 680M graphics indicate a design for portable systems where power efficiency matters more than peak performance. Its 8 cores and 16 threads provide adequate throughput for less demanding tasks, and its 88th percentile ranking shows it remains competitive among all CPUs, but it does not compete with the Intel desktop part in raw capability.

For desktop workloads involving heavy parallel processing, encryption, or floating-point math, the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is the only rational choice from this data. The AMD processor makes sense only in mobile platforms where its power profile and integrated graphics are the primary considerations.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multithreaded benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 68574 in the PassMark multithread test, while the AMD Ryzen 7 170 scores 20760, a 69.7% advantage for Intel.

Q: How do the single-thread scores compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 5068 in the PassMark single-thread test, versus 3128 for the AMD Ryzen 7 170, giving Intel a 38.3% lead.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has a TDP of 125 watts.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 7 170 and the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has 36 MB of shared L3 cache and 3 MB of L2 per core, while the AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 16 MB of shared L3 cache and 512 KB of L2 per core.

Q: What are the core counts?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus records the largest win in the prime number finding test, scoring 615 against the AMD Ryzen 7 170's 49, a 92% gap. This test heavily favors the Intel chip's higher core count and clock speeds.

Floating point math shows an 80.4% Intel advantage (229491 vs 44979), indicating a major difference in compute throughput for scientific and engineering workloads. The physics simulation test follows with a 78.1% gap (4064 vs 890), reinforcing the Intel chip's dominance in multi-core intensive simulations.

Data encryption shows a 72.8% Intel lead (59097 vs 16078), a significant margin for security-related workloads. Extended instructions record a 71.5% gap (63506 vs 18107), and random string sorting shows a 71.3% gap (96945 vs 27804). Data compression reveals a 66.9% advantage (804322 vs 265920), and integer math shows a 54.7% gap (175986 vs 79738).

The multithread test shows a 69.7% Intel lead (68574 vs 20760), confirming that parallel workloads scale far better on the Intel processor. The smallest margin appears in single-thread performance, where Intel leads by 38.3% (5068 vs 3128). Even in its best relative area, the AMD Ryzen 7 170 trails by more than a third.

The data shows no workload category where the AMD processor comes close to matching the Intel chip. Every recorded benchmark, from compression to encryption to math operations, favors the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus by margins ranging from 38.3% to 92%.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ markedly: the AMD Ryzen 7 170 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus has 24 cores and 24 threads. Clock speeds also favor Intel, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and boost of 5.50 GHz versus 3.20 GHz and 4.75 GHz for AMD.

The process node differs, with AMD using 6 nm and Intel using 3 nm, both from TSMC. Die size is 210 mm² for AMD and 243 mm² for Intel. The Intel chip contains 17,800 million transistors, while the database records no transistor count for the AMD part.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. AMD allocates 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, with 16 MB shared L3. Intel provides 192 KB L1 and 3 MB L2 per core, with 36 MB shared L3. Memory bandwidth favors Intel at 115.2 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for AMD, both on dual-channel DDR5.

PCIe support shows a generation gap: Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes, while AMD offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The TDP difference is significant, with AMD at 35 watts and Intel at 125 watts. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP7 and targets the mobile segment, while Intel uses Intel Socket 1851 and targets desktop systems.

Integrated graphics differ, with AMD using Radeon 680M and Intel using Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The AMD processor has a locked multiplier, while the Intel chip is unlocked. Release dates show AMD launching on 2025-09-30 and Intel on 2026-03-10. The Intel part has a recorded launch MSRP of $299, while the AMD part has no recorded MSRP.