Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245K: Comparison
What is the difference between AMD Ryzen 5 9600X and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K?
On l2 cache the spread is 77%, AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 6 MB against Intel Core Ultra 5 245K 26 MB, so Intel Core Ultra 5 245K takes it. Blender Cycles (CPU) backs the spec sheet up. Intel Core Ultra 5 245K scores 318 to 263 over 25 runs, 17% clear. L3 cache runs the same way, 32 MB on the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X versus 24 MB on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K, another win for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X.
Which should you buy, AMD Ryzen 5 9600X or Intel Core Ultra 5 245K?
Take the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X for mainstream gaming and everyday desktop builds wanting an accessible entry point into AMD's AM5 Zen 5 platform. It is not the one for buyers needing strong multi-threaded performance for content creation, the 8-core 9700X offers meaningfully more. Take the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K for buyers wanting an accessible entry point into Intel's newest Arrow Lake platform with genuine efficiency gains over 14th Gen. It is the wrong buy for buyers upgrading from an existing LGA 1700 system without other reasons to switch, the platform change requires a new motherboard and likely new memory.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, performance cores, integrated graphics, socket status, form factor and release year included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 10 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 5 9600X or Intel Core Ultra 5 245K?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K asks 11% more, $309 against $279 for the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 6 on the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X versus 14 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245K.
Is the Market Segment the same on the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X and Intel Core Ultra 5 245K?
It is. Both are listed at Desktop, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 5 9600X or Intel Core Ultra 5 245K?
The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K asks 11% more, $309 against $279 for the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- AMD
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- Intel
Product Line
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Ryzen 5
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- Core Ultra 5
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Desktop
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 9600X
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 245K
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Granite Ridge
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- Arrow Lake-S
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 2024
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 2024
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 65 W
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 125 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- Intel Graphics
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Desktop
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Zen 5, Ryzen 9000 Series
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- Arrow Lake, Core Ultra 200 Series
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- AM5
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- FCLGA1851
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Current
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- Current
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 4 nm
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 3 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 6
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 14Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 6
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 6
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 0
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 8Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 12
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 14Best
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 3.9 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 4.2 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 5.4 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 5.2 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 6 MB-77%
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 26 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 32 MBBest
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 24 MB-25%
3D Stacked Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- No
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 65 W
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 88 W
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 159 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- DDR5-5600
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- DDR5-6400
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 5600 MT/s
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 6400 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 2
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 256 GB
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 256 GB
ECC Support
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- Yes
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- Yes
iGPU Model
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- Intel Graphics
iGPU Compute Units
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 2
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 4
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 24
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 24
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- $279
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- $309
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- Boxed Retail
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 263-17%
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 318Best
Blender 4.5, Blender Open Data (CC0). Median of monster + junkshop + classroom, combined samples/min.
Renders a 3D scene using every core. Shows speed for 3D and rendering work, not gaming.
- General CPU
Cinebench 2024 (Single-Core)
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 134-1%
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 136Best
Renders a 3D scene on one core. Shows how quick the CPU feels in everyday apps and games.
Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core)
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 17,609-30%
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 25,127Best
Renders a 3D scene on every core. Shows speed in rendering and other heavy work.
Cinebench R23 (Single-Core)
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 2,195Best
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
- 2,154-2%
Renders a 3D scene on one core. Shows how quick the CPU feels in everyday apps and games.
Which one should you pick?
Choose 9600X if you want the higher L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (24 vs 24).
Choose 245K if you want the higher L2 cache (26 MB vs 6 MB), the higher blender cycles (CPU) (318 vs 263) and the higher cinebench 2024 (Single-Core) (136 vs 134).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core Ultra 5 245K |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $279.00 View on Amazon | $309.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| Micro Center | View on Micro Center |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
8 / 10 Expert Rating
The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X is a strong 6-core entry point to AM5, with excellent single-core speed for gaming builds on a budget.
Intel Core Ultra 5 245K
7.9 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 5 245K is an efficient midrange desktop chip for everyday work, though rivals match it in games for less.