AMD Ryzen 9 9950X vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265
93Single-core88.4
98.6Multi-core78.2
85.2Gamingspec-based64.4
10 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 9950X8 spec wins — Intel Core Ultra 7 265
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X wins this desktop processor face-off, 93.6 to 77.8, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+20) and single-core (+5). 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 9950X
- Stronger single-core score: 93 vs 88
- Stronger multi-core score: 99 vs 78
- 113% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 30 MB
- 100% higher Performance cores: 16 vs 8
- 79% higher Base clock: 4.3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz
Reasons to pick the Intel Core Ultra 7 265
- 125% higher L2 cache: 36 MB vs 16 MB
- 62% lower Base TDP: 65 W vs 170 W
- 33% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 192 GB
- 25% lower process: 3 nm vs 4 nm
- 25% higher cores: 20 vs 16
- Lower launch price: $384 vs $649
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core Ultra 7 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2025 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA1851 |
| Process | 4 nm | 3 nm+25% |
| Base TDP | 170 W | 65 W+62% |
| Max turbo power | 230 W+26% | 182 W |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | No |
| Cooler included | No | Yes |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core Ultra 7 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16 | 20+25% |
| Performance cores | 16+100% | 8 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 12 |
| Threads | 32+60% | 20 |
| Base clock | 4.3 GHz+79% | 2.4 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.7 GHz+8% | 5.3 GHz |
| L2 cache | 16 MB | 36 MB+125% |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+113% | 30 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | 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 9950X | 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 9950X | Intel Core Ultra 7 265 |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5 | 5 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 28+17% | 24 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X | Intel Core Ultra 7 265 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 3,400Top 2% | — |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 23,000Top 4% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,280Top 4% | — |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 42,000Top 7% | — |
| PassMark | 65,706+32%Top 4% | 49,685Top 14% |
| PassMark (single thread) | 4,727+1%Top 5% | 4,697Top 8% |
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