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AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285: Comparison
What is the difference between AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and Intel Core Ultra 9 285?
The gap that matters here is l3 cache: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X 64 MB against Intel Core Ultra 9 285 36 MB, which puts AMD Ryzen 9 9900X 44% ahead. Geekbench 6 (Single-Core) backs the spec sheet up. AMD Ryzen 9 9900X scores 3,344 to 3,155, 6% clear. Intel Core Ultra 9 285 also leads on l2 cache, 12 MB on the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X versus 40 MB on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285.
Who each one is for
Take the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X for gaming and content-creation desktop builds wanting genuine 12-core Zen 5 throughput without the flagship 9950X's price. It is the wrong buy for buyers needing the absolute highest core count, the 16-core 9950X offers meaningfully more for heavy rendering workloads. Buy the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 for video editing, 3D rendering and code builds and small workstations that benefit from ECC memory support, though it is not built for overclockers, who should choose the unlocked Core Ultra 9 285K. It also earns its place with quiet or compact high-end PCs built around a 65 W chip. Avoid it for gaming-first builds, where a cheaper CPU and a better GPU go further.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: total threads, p-core boost clock, integrated graphics, form factor and market segment are identical here. They match on 6 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 9 9900X or Intel Core Ultra 9 285?
The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 asks 10% more, $549 against $499 for the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X.
Do the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and Intel Core Ultra 9 285 differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 12 on the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X versus 24 on the Intel Core Ultra 9 285.
Is the Memory Channels the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X and Intel Core Ultra 9 285?
It is. Both are listed at 2, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- AMD
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Intel
Product Line
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Ryzen 9
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Core Ultra 9
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Desktop
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 9900X
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 285
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Granite Ridge
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Arrow Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 2024
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 2025
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 120 W
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 65 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Intel Graphics
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Desktop
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Zen 5, Ryzen 9000 Series
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2)
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- AM5
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- FCLGA1851
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 4 nm
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 3 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 12
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 24Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 12Best
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 0
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 16Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 24
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 24
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- No
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 4.4 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 2.5 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 5.6 GHz
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 5.6 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- No
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 12 MB-70%
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 40 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 64 MBBest
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 36 MB-44%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 120 W
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 65 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 162 W
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 182 W
Max Operating Temp
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 95 C
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 105 C
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- DDR5-5600
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- DDR5 up to 6400 MT/s
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 5600 MT/s
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 6400 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 2
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 256 GB
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 256 GB
ECC Support
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Yes
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Yes
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Yes
iGPU Model
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Intel Graphics
iGPU Compute Units
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 2
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 4
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- No
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- PCIe 5.0 and 4.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 24
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 24
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- $499
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- $549
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- Boxed Retail
Benchmarks
- General CPU
Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
- 3,344Best
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285
- 3,155-6%
The same everyday tasks on one core. Tracks how responsive the PC feels.
Which one should you pick?
Choose AMD Ryzen 9 9900X if you want the higher L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (24 vs 24).
Choose Intel Core Ultra 9 285 if you want the higher L2 cache (40 MB vs 12 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | Intel Core Ultra 9 285 |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $499.00 View on Amazon | $549.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on Newegg | View on Newegg |
| Best Buy | View on Best Buy |
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 9 9900X
8.5 / 10 Expert Rating
The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X gives 12 fast Zen 5 cores for rendering and code builds at a lower price than the 16-core flagship.