AMD Ryzen 5 9600X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235
84.7Single-core80.2
52.5Multi-core64.9
66.6Gamingspec-based57.2
6 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 9600X9 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 5 235
InnoReviews verdict
Intel Core Ultra 5 235 wins this desktop processor face-off, 67.5 to 65.7, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+12). AMD Ryzen 5 9600X still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Stronger single-core score: 85 vs 80
- 33% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 24 MB
- 17% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 28 vs 24
- 15% higher Base clock: 3.9 GHz vs 3.4 GHz
- Has Unlocked multiplier — the other doesn't
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 5 235
- Stronger multi-core score: 65 vs 53
- 333% higher L2 cache: 26 MB vs 6 MB
- 133% higher cores: 14 vs 6
- 38% higher Max turbo power: 121 W vs 88 W
- 26% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 21,677 vs 17,176
- Lower launch price: $247 vs $279
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2025 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1851 |
| Process | 4 nm | 3 nm+25% |
| Base TDP | 65 W | 65 W |
| Max turbo power | 88 W | 121 W+38% |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | — |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 6 | 14+133% |
| Performance cores | 6 | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 8 |
| Threads | 12 | 14+17% |
| Base clock | 3.9 GHz+15% | 3.4 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.4 GHz+8% | 5 GHz |
| L2 cache | 6 MB | 26 MB+333% |
| L3 cache | 32 MB+33% | 24 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel Graphics |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | 2,000 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5 | 5 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+17% | 24 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | — | 2,963Top 21% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | — | 17,645Top 22% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,180+6%Top 13% | 2,057Top 21% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 17,176Top 35% | 21,677+26%Top 28% |
| PassMark | 30,047Top 40% | 37,396+24%Top 31% |
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