Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285K – which processor comes out on top?

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The Ryzen 7 9800X3D has now launched, and it is everything that we had hoped for. While the Ryzen 9000 series as a whole didn’t do so well on launch, the 9800X3D has excellent gaming performance and generational improvement, as we saw during our in-house testing for our Ryzen 7 9800X3D review.

That said, we’ve seen the Core Ultra 9 285K’s gaming performance, and it isn’t anything special, as the Ryzen 7 7800X3D was able to beat it. However, many, including us, are still wondering how much of a performance gap there is between the 9800X3D and Intel’s new flagship processor. We’ll compare these two processor and their different aspect to paint a clear picture of their differences and explain which CPU is best for which scenario so you can make an informed decision.

AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D

Cores

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Threads

Boost clock speed

5.2GHz

Base clock speed

4.7GHz

L3 cache

96MB

TDP

120W

Platform

AM5

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Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

Cores

Threads

Boost clock speed

5.7GHz

Base clock speed

3.7GHz P-cores/3.2GHz E-cores

L3 Cache

36MB

TDP

125W base/250W max

Platform

LGA 1851 (Arrow Lake)

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Spec comparison

To see the hardware difference between the two processors, we’ve listed their specifications below.

CPU	Ryzen 7 9800X3D	Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
Architecture	Zen 5	Arrow Lake
Socket	AM5	LGA 1851
Process	TSMC 4nm FinFET	TSMC N3B
Cores	8	24
Threads	16	24
Base clock speed	4.7 GHz	E-core: 3.2 GHz, P-core: 3.7GHz
Boost clock speed	5.2 GHz	5.7 GHz
L3 cache	96 MB	36MB
TDP	120W	125W / 250W
Integrated graphics	AMD Radeon Graphics	Intel Graphics

It shouldn’t be surprising that these processors are massively different from each other. Produced by two different companies, almost everything is different: the architecture, socket, CPU processes, TDP, and so on. We’ll dive deep into the major aspects of these processors to see how they vary and what they mean in terms of performance.

Architecture, socket, and CPU processes

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is based on the Zen 5 architecture, while the Core Ultra 9 285K is based on the Arrow Lake architecture. This means that they require different sockets to operate. The 9800X3D requires an AM5 motherboard, while the 285K requires a new LGA 1851 motherboard, like the MSI MAG Z890 Tomahawk WiFi.

So, both of these processors are expensive to upgrade to, but the Ryzen 7 9800X3D has more options for motherboards as there are high-end, mid-range, and budget boards to work with. On the other hand, the 285K only launched with high-end Z890 boards that can cost anywhere from $299 to $999.99.

The 9800X3D and 285K also have different CPU process technologies, as the former uses 4nm while the latter uses 3nm CPU processes. This means that the 285K can fit more transistors on the CPU die than the 9800X3D, and it also has more cores, meaning it should have better multi-threaded performance.

Clock speeds

The clock speeds for these processors are also different as Intel uses the big.little architecture, meaning its cores are divided into Performance and Efficient cores. These cores have different base and boost clock speeds, while AMD doesn’t have that, and their processors have a single base and boost clock speed.

The 9800X3D has a maximum frequency of 5.2 GHz, while the 285K has a 0.5GHz faster boost clock speed of 5.7 GHz. This means that all cores can execute 0.5 billion more instructions per second with each core, greatly improving its overall performance.

As for the base clock speed, 285K’s E—and P-cores are around 3.2 GHz and 3.7 GHz, respectively, while the 9800X3D has a 4.7 GHz base clock speed. This means that the 9800X3D is operating at a faster frequency than 285K, but the latter has more cores working for it, so at a base level, it might not make much of a difference.

TDP

Intel focused on energy efficiency with its Arrow Lake processors, hence the reduced threads and a lower maximum power draw of 250W. However, the 9800X3D has a 120W TDP, meaning even at its max, it consumes less power, and even if you overclock it, it shouldn’t reach anywhere near 250W. So, if gaming performance and energy efficiency are what you’re looking for in a processor, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the perfect option.

Cache

The Core Ultra 9 285K has a 36MB L3 cache shared by all the cores, which increases performance and efficiency as the data is readily available. The 9800X3D has a 96MB L3 cache stored vertically beneath the CCD, which results in faster calculations and improved performance. This is great for gaming, as games use a larger cache, which is why we see better in-game performance with the X3D CPUs.

Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Intel Core Ultra 9 285K price difference

According to Intel, the Core Ultra 9 285K has a $589 – $599 MSRP, while the Ryzen 7 9800X3D has a $479 MSRP. So, neither of these processors is a budget option and costs a good amount.

Which CPU should you get?

Both of these processors serve different purposes. The 9800X3D is the best gaming processor, and the 285K clearly can’t compete with it in that domain. However, if multi-core performance is what you want, the Core Ultra 285K outperforms even the 9950X.

A factor that could impact your buying decision is the budget. Investing in the 285K is the most costly option as it costs more and doesn’t have budget or mid-range motherboard options to choose from. This ramps up the overall price of the upgrade, but since it is on the new platform, it’ll last a couple of years and keep receiving new processors and support.

The Ryzen 7 9800X3D comparatively costs less to upgrade to as there are budget, mid-range, and high-end motherboards to choose from, meaning you can decide how much you want to spend. Also, the AM5 platform is supported till 2027, meaning you get plenty of support and new processors to upgrade to. Seeing how AMD is still supporting the AM4 platform, I wouldn’t be surprised if the AM5 platform was supported well beyond 2027.