AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus
93Single-core88.7
99Multi-core81.6
85.2Gamingspec-based64.4
12 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9950X7 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X wins this desktop processor face-off, 93.7 to 79.4, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+17) and single-core (+4). 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 9950X
- Stronger single-core score: 93 vs 89
- Stronger multi-core score: 99 vs 82
- 167% higher Performance cores: 16 vs 6
- 113% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 30 MB
- 78% higher threads: 32 vs 18
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus
- 88% higher L2 cache: 30 MB vs 16 MB
- 33% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 192 GB
- 26% lower Base TDP: 125 W vs 170 W
- 25% lower process: 3 nm vs 4 nm
- 13% higher cores: 18 vs 16
- Lower launch price: $219 vs $649
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2026 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1851 |
| Process | 4 nm | 3 nm+25% |
| Base TDP | 170 W | 125 W+26% |
| Max turbo power | 230 W+45% | 159 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16 | 18+13% |
| Performance cores | 16+167% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 12 |
| Threads | 32+78% | 18 |
| Base clock | 4.3 GHz+2% | 4.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.7 GHz+8% | 5.3 GHz |
| L2 cache | 16 MB | 30 MB+88% |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+113% | 30 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | 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 9950X | 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 9950X | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5 | 5 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+17% | 24 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,400+7%Top 2% | 3,182Top 10% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 23,000+11%Top 2% | 20,692Top 9% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,280+1%Top 4% | 2,261Top 7% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 42,000+36%Top 5% | 30,867Top 15% |
| PassMark | 66,500+29%Top 4% | 51,560Top 16% |
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