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AMD Ryzen 5 9600X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X vs Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF: the l2 cache difference
On l2 cache the spread is 77%, AMD Ryzen 5 9600X 6 MB against Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF 26 MB, so Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF takes it. Add l3 cache to that, 32 MB on the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X versus 24 MB on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF, and the pattern holds.
Which should you buy, AMD Ryzen 5 9600X or Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF?
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. Buy the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF for desktop gaming and everyday productivity, though it is the wrong buy for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (8/10): 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. Our rating of the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF (8.5/10): the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF is a flagship unlocked desktop Arrow Lake-S processor, a solid pick for overclocking enthusiasts.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: performance cores, socket status, form factor, release year and market segment are identical here. They match on 8 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 5 9600X or Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF?
They cost within a few percent of each other, $279 versus $294 when we last looked.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X and Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 6 on the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X versus 14 on the Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF.
Is the Unlocked Multiplier the same on the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X and Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Desktop
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- Desktop
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Granite Ridge
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- Arrow Lake-S
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 2024
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 2024
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 65 W
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 125 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- None
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Desktop
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Zen 5, Ryzen 9000 Series
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- Arrow Lake-S
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- AM5
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- FCLGA1851
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Current
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- Current
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 4 nm
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 3 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 6
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 14Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 6
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 6
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 0
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 8Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 12
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 14Best
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 3.9 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 4.2 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 5.4 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 5.2 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 6 MB-77%
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 26 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 32 MBBest
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 24 MB-25%
3D Stacked Cache
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- No
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 65 W
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 88 W
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 159 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- DDR5-5600
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- DDR5
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 5600 MT/s
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 6400 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 2
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 256 GB
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 256 GB
ECC Support
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- No
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- No
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- 24
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- 24
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- $279
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- $294
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF
- Boxed Retail
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 245KF if you want the higher L2 cache (26 MB vs 6 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 5 9600X | Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $279.00 View on Amazon | $294.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
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 245KF
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 5 245KF is a flagship unlocked desktop Arrow Lake-S processor, a solid pick for overclocking enthusiasts.