AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D wins 10 of the 15 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins 5.

Q: How does the Intel chip perform in single-threaded Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus scores 2356 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 4.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D's 2259. It also leads in PassMark single-thread at 4951 versus 4737, a 4.5% advantage.

Q: What is the biggest margin of victory in the head-to-head results?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D leads by 40.3% in PassMark physics (5670 versus 3387). The next largest AMD wins are integer math at 32.2% and extended instructions at 29.8%.

Q: Where does the Intel processor show its largest advantage?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus leads by 26.3% in PassMark floating point math (201773 versus 159724). It also wins data encryption by 12.3% and Cinebench R23 single-core by 4.3%.

Q: What is the overall benchmark average for each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus has an average benchmark score of 79574, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D averages 75779. Both sit at the 95th percentile against all CPUs.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus and the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D are listed as Active in production status. Their release dates differ, with the AMD part appearing earlier.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is built on a 3 nm process at TSMC, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D uses a 4 nm process, also at TSMC. The Intel chip is a mobile part with the codename Arrow Lake-HX Refresh, belonging to the Core Ultra Series 2 generation. The AMD chip is a desktop part with the codename Granite Ridge, based on the Zen 5 architecture in the Ryzen 9 9000 series.

Core counts differ significantly. The Intel processor packs 24 cores and 24 threads, meaning it does not use simultaneous multithreading. The AMD processor has 16 cores and 32 threads, relying on SMT to double its thread count. Clock speeds also diverge: Intel's base clock is 2.70 GHz with a 5.50 GHz boost, while AMD's base is 4.30 GHz and boost reaches 5.70 GHz.

Cache layouts are quite different. The Intel chip provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a much larger 128 MB L3 cache. That 128 MB L3 is a defining feature for the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, giving it a substantial pool of fast memory for workloads that benefit from large caches.

Transistor counts and die sizes also separate these parts. The Intel processor contains 17,800 million transistors on a 243 mm² die. The AMD processor contains 16,630 million transistors spread across two 70.6 mm² dies. Memory bandwidth favors Intel at 102.4 GB/s versus 89.6 GB/s for AMD, though both support dual-channel DDR5 and ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs as well. Intel provides Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes, while AMD provides Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes. Integrated graphics are present on both: Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 EU, while AMD includes Radeon Graphics. The Intel part uses socket BGA 2114, typical for mobile, while AMD uses Socket AM5 for desktop. Both have unlocked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a split between multi-core and single-core performance. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D scores 6536 against Intel's 5981, an 8.5% lead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, AMD leads again with 42018 versus 39684, a 5.6% margin. However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel chip takes the win at 2356 versus 2259, which is 4.3% faster. Cinebench R15 single-core goes to AMD narrowly, 350 versus 340, a 2.9% gap.

PassMark results reveal clear specialization. The AMD processor dominates integer math with 243209 versus 164839, a 32.2% advantage. It also leads extended instructions at 73011 versus 51290, a 29.8% margin. Data compression heavily favors AMD: 908421 versus 658724, a 27.5% difference. Random string sorting goes to AMD by 15.8% (95423 versus 80327), and multithread goes to AMD by 15.4% (70255 versus 59439). Prime number finding favors AMD at 613 versus 519, a 15.3% edge.

The Intel processor has its own strongholds. Floating point math is a major win: 201773 versus 159724, a 26.3% lead. Data encryption favors Intel at 50008 versus 44536, a 12.3% margin. PassMark single-thread shows Intel ahead at 4951 versus 4737, a 4.5% difference. The physics test is the largest single margin in either direction, with AMD winning 5670 versus 3387, a 40.3% gap.

Interpreting these numbers, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D appears built for integer-heavy and cache-sensitive workloads, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus shows strength in floating point math and single-threaded tasks. The overall win count of 10 versus 5 reflects AMD's broader dominance across the tested suite, but Intel's wins are concentrated in areas that matter for specific applications.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. Core and thread counts: Intel has 24 cores and 24 threads, AMD has 16 cores and 32 threads. Base clocks stand at 2.70 GHz for Intel and 4.30 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks are 5.50 GHz for Intel and 5.70 GHz for AMD.

Thermal design power shows a large gap: Intel is rated at 55 W, while AMD is rated at 170 W. Socket types differ completely: Intel uses BGA 2114, AMD uses AM5. Process nodes differ: Intel is on 3 nm, AMD is on 4 nm. Transistor counts are 17,800 million for Intel and 16,630 million for AMD. Die size is 243 mm² for Intel versus two 70.6 mm² dies for AMD.

Cache specifications diverge sharply. Intel offers 192 KB L1 per core, 3 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. AMD offers 80 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 128 MB L3. Memory bandwidth is 102.4 GB/s for Intel and 89.6 GB/s for AMD. PCIe lanes are 20 for Intel and 24 for AMD, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics differ: Intel uses Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU, AMD uses Radeon Graphics. Market segments are mobile for Intel and desktop for AMD.

Release dates also differ, with the AMD part appearing earlier in the database. The AMD processor has a launch MSRP of $699. The Intel part has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The data points to different buyers for each processor. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D wins 10 of 15 head-to-head benchmarks and shows overwhelming leads in physics (40.3%), integer math (32.2%), extended instructions (29.8%), and data compression (27.5%). Its 128 MB L3 cache and 32 threads make it the stronger choice for multi-threaded compute workloads that rely on cache locality and integer operations.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins 5 benchmarks, including floating point math (26.3% ahead), data encryption (12.3% ahead), Cinebench R23 single-core (4.3% ahead), and PassMark single-thread (4.5% ahead). Its 55 W TDP and 24 cores without SMT suggest a more power-conscious design, though the mobile socket limits its applicability to desktop builds.

For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the clear data-driven choice. For those focused on single-thread performance or floating point math, the Intel part has measurable advantages. The overall average benchmark score favors Intel (79574 versus 75779), but that average includes a broader set of tests where Intel's floating point and single-thread wins counterbalance AMD's multi-thread dominance.

Where Each One Wins

AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D wins in: physics simulation, integer math, extended instruction sets, data compression, random string sorting, multithreaded workloads, prime number finding, and multi-core Cinebench tests. The 40.3% physics lead and 32.2% integer math lead make it the pick for engineering simulations, scientific computing, and any workload that stresses integer arithmetic or large cache access patterns.

Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus wins in: floating point math, data encryption, single-threaded Cinebench R23, and PassMark single-thread tests. The 26.3% floating point advantage suggests strength in financial modeling, certain scientific calculations, or graphics-related computations. The single-thread wins point to applications that rely on per-core speed rather than thread scaling.

The AMD processor also wins in PassMark multithread by 15.4%, which aligns with its 32 threads versus Intel's 24 threads. However, the Intel chip's 24 cores without SMT still deliver competitive multi-core results in Cinebench R23, trailing by only 5.6%. This suggests Intel's architecture extracts more efficiency per thread, even if AMD's SMT approach yields higher peak throughput.

For data compression, the AMD advantage of 27.5% is notable for archiving and database workloads. For encryption, the Intel advantage of 12.3% matters for security-focused applications. Both processors sit at the 95th percentile against all CPUs, confirming that either choice delivers top-tier performance, but the benchmark breakdown shows distinct strengths that should guide selection based on the specific workload mix.