AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235
86.9Single-core80.2
65.6Multi-core64.9
94.4Gamingspec-based57.2
11 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D5 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 5 235
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins this desktop processor face-off, 79.2 to 67.5, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+7) and multi-core (+1). Intel Core Ultra 5 235 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 7 9850X3D
- Stronger single-core score: 87 vs 80
- 300% higher L3 cache: 96 MB vs 24 MB
- 38% higher Base clock: 4.7 GHz vs 3.4 GHz
- 34% higher Max turbo power: 162 W vs 121 W
- 33% higher Performance cores: 8 vs 6
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 5 235
- 225% higher L2 cache: 26 MB vs 8 MB
- 75% higher cores: 14 vs 8
- 46% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 120 W
- 25% lower process: 3 nm vs 4 nm
- Lower launch price: $247 vs $499
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026 | 2025 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1851 |
| Process | 4 nm | 3 nm+25% |
| Base TDP | 120 W | 65 W+46% |
| Max turbo power | 162 W+34% | 121 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | — |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8 | 14+75% |
| Performance cores | 8+33% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 8 |
| Threads | 16+14% | 14 |
| Base clock | 4.7 GHz+38% | 3.4 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.6 GHz+12% | 5 GHz |
| L2 cache | 8 MB | 26 MB+225% |
| L3 cache | 96 MB+300% | 24 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | 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 7 9850X3D | 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 7 9850X3D | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5 | 5 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24 | 24 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | — | 2,963Top 21% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | — | 17,645Top 22% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,221+8%Top 12% | 2,057Top 21% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 23,204+7%Top 25% | 21,677Top 28% |
| PassMark | 41,305+10%Top 24% | 37,396Top 31% |
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