AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265
90.1Single-core88.4
83Multi-core78.2
84.6Gamingspec-based64.4
8 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9900X10 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 7 265
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 85.5 to 77.8, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+5) and single-core (+2). Intel Core Ultra 7 265 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 multi-core score: 83 vs 78
- 113% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 30 MB
- 83% higher Base clock: 4.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz
- 50% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 8
- 20% higher threads: 24 vs 20
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 7 265
- 200% higher L2 cache: 36 MB vs 12 MB
- 67% higher cores: 20 vs 12
- 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
- Lower launch price: $384 vs $499
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 7 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2025 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1851 |
| Process | 4 nm | 3 nm+25% |
| Base TDP | 120 W | 65 W+46% |
| Max turbo power | 162 W | 182 W+12% |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 7 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12 | 20+67% |
| Performance cores | 12+50% | 8 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 12 |
| Threads | 24+20% | 20 |
| Base clock | 4.4 GHz+83% | 2.4 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.6 GHz+6% | 5.3 GHz |
| L2 cache | 12 MB | 36 MB+200% |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+113% | 30 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 7 265 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | Intel Graphics |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | 1,950 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 7 265 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 7 265 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5 | 5 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+17% | 24 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 7 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,300Top 8% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 19,800Top 17% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,230Top 10% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 32,000Top 16% | — |
| PassMark | 54,286+9%Top 11% | 49,685Top 14% |
| PassMark (single thread) | 4,670Top 10% | 4,697+1%Top 8% |
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