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AMD Ryzen 7 9700X vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF: Comparison
What is the difference between AMD Ryzen 7 9700X and Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF?
L2 cache is where these two genuinely part company, AMD Ryzen 7 9700X 8 MB against Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF 36 MB, a 78% lead for Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF. Blender Cycles (CPU) backs the spec sheet up. Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF scores 475 to 309 over 67 runs, 35% clear.
Who each one is for
Take the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X for mainstream gaming desktop builds wanting genuine 8-core Zen 5 performance at a low, efficient power draw. It is not the one for buyers needing more than 8 cores for heavy rendering or encoding workloads, the 9900X offers meaningfully more. The Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF is the one to take for desktop gaming and everyday productivity, though it is the wrong buy for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (8.2/10): the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is a quick, cool-running 8-core chip that suits gaming and everyday work, though it trails X3D models in games. Our rating of the Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF (8.5/10): the Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF is a flagship unlocked desktop Arrow Lake-S processor, a solid pick for overclocking enthusiasts.
What AMD Ryzen 7 9700X and Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF have in common
Everything else lines up. Performance cores, socket status, form factor, release year and market segment read the same on both, so those are not worth weighing. They match on 8 further specifications as well.
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X vs Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF price
The Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF asks 6% more, $379 against $359 for the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X and Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 8 on the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X versus 20 on the Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF.
Is the Unlocked Multiplier the same on the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X and Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF?
It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 7 9700X or Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF?
The Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF asks 6% more, $379 against $359 for the AMD Ryzen 7 9700X.
Specs and benchmarks
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- Desktop
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Desktop
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- Granite Ridge
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Arrow Lake-S
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 2024
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 2024
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 65 W
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 125 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- None
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- Desktop
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- Zen 5, Ryzen 9000 Series
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Arrow Lake-S
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- AM5
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- FCLGA1851
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- Current
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Current
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 4 nm
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 3 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 8
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 20Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 8
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 0
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 12Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 16
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 20Best
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 3.8 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 3.9 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 5.5 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 5.4 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 8 MB-78%
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 36 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 32 MBBest
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 30 MB-6%
3D Stacked Cache
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- No
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 65 W
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 88 W
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 250 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- DDR5-5600
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- DDR5
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 5600 MT/s
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 6400 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 2
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 256 GB
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 256 GB
ECC Support
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- No
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- No
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 24
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 24
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- $359
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- $379
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Boxed Retail
Benchmarks
- 3D Rendering
Blender Cycles (CPU)
- AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- 309-35%
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- 475Best
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.
Which one should you pick?
Choose 9700X if you want the higher L3 cache (32 MB vs 30 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (24 vs 24).
Choose 265KF if you want the higher L2 cache (36 MB vs 8 MB) and the higher blender cycles (CPU) (475 vs 309).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X | Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $359.00 View on Amazon | $379.00 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 7 9700X
8.2 / 10 Expert Rating
The AMD Ryzen 7 9700X is a quick, cool-running 8-core chip that suits gaming and everyday work, though it trails X3D models in games.
Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF is a flagship unlocked desktop Arrow Lake-S processor, a solid pick for overclocking enthusiasts.