AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus
90.1Single-core88.7
83Multi-core81.6
84.6Gamingspec-based64.4
11 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9900X9 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 85.5 to 79.4, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+1) and single-core (+1). Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus 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
- 113% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 30 MB
- 100% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 6
- 33% higher threads: 24 vs 18
- 17% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 28 vs 24
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus
- 150% higher L2 cache: 30 MB vs 12 MB
- 50% higher cores: 18 vs 12
- 33% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 192 GB
- 25% lower process: 3 nm vs 4 nm
- Lower launch price: $219 vs $499
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2026 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1851 |
| Process | 4 nm | 3 nm+25% |
| Base TDP | 120 W+4% | 125 W |
| Max turbo power | 162 W+2% | 159 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12 | 18+50% |
| Performance cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 12 |
| Threads | 24+33% | 18 |
| Base clock | 4.4 GHz+5% | 4.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.6 GHz+6% | 5.3 GHz |
| L2 cache | 12 MB | 30 MB+150% |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+113% | 30 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel Graphics |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | 1,900 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR5-7200 |
| Max memory | 192 GB | 256 GB+33% |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5 | 5 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+17% | 24 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,300+4%Top 8% | 3,182Top 12% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 19,800Top 17% | 20,692+5%Top 12% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,230Top 10% | 2,261+1%Top 6% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 32,000+4%Top 16% | 30,867Top 17% |
| PassMark | 54,286+5%Top 11% | 51,560Top 12% |
| PassMark (single thread) | 4,670Top 10% | 4,764+2%Top 4% |
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