AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 235
90.1Single-core80.2
83.6Multi-core64.9
84.6Gamingspec-based57.2
13 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9900X7 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 5 235
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 85.8 to 67.5, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+19) and single-core (+10). 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 9 9900X
- Stronger single-core score: 90 vs 80
- Stronger multi-core score: 84 vs 65
- 167% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 24 MB
- 100% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 6
- 71% higher threads: 24 vs 14
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 5 235
- 117% higher L2 cache: 26 MB vs 12 MB
- 46% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 120 W
- 33% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 192 GB
- 25% lower process: 3 nm vs 4 nm
- 17% higher cores: 14 vs 12
- Lower launch price: $247 vs $499
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 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 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12 | 14+17% |
| Performance cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 8 |
| Threads | 24+71% | 14 |
| Base clock | 4.4 GHz+29% | 3.4 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.6 GHz+12% | 5 GHz |
| L2 cache | 12 MB | 26 MB+117% |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+167% | 24 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | 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 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-6400 |
| Max memory | 192 GB | 256 GB+33% |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5 | 5 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+17% | 24 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 5 235 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,300+11%Top 6% | 2,963Top 21% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 19,800+12%Top 15% | 17,645Top 22% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,230+8%Top 11% | 2,057Top 21% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 32,000+48%Top 14% | 21,677Top 28% |
| PassMark | 55,500+48%Top 13% | 37,396Top 31% |
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