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Core Ultra 9 285K vs Ryzen 9 9950X3D: Which is Better?

Oct 2024 Arrow Lake vs Mar 2025 Ryzen 9000

The verdict

Ryzen 9 9950X3D wins

Ryzen 9 9950X3D comes out ahead of Core Ultra 9 285K on productivity, while the rest of the picture is more nuanced. Ryzen 9 9950X3D is 6.8% faster than Core Ultra 9 285K in multi-core productivity workloads. Core Ultra 9 285K runs 5.5% more efficient under the same productivity load than Ryzen 9 9950X3D. Core Ultra 9 285K undercuts the other on launch MSRP, which tilts the value calculation in its favor for most price-sensitive builds.

Dimension-by-dimension

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Specifications

Spec Core Ultra 9 285K Ryzen 9 9950X3D
Cores 24 16
Threads 24 32
Boost clock 5.7 GHz 5.7 GHz
Base clock 3.7 GHz 4.3 GHz
TDP 125 W 170 W
L2 cache 40 MB 16 MB
L3 cache 36 MB 128 MB
MSRP $589 $699
Process node TSMC N3B TSMC N4P
Socket LGA1851 AM5
Memory DDR5-6400 DDR5-5600
Launched Oct 2024 Mar 2025

Benchmarks

BenchmarkCore Ultra 9 285KRyzen 9 9950X3D
  • Multi-coreCinebench 2024· Cinebench 2024 nT
    +5.1%
    Core Ultra 9 285K
    2,425
    Ryzen 9 9950X3D
    2,308
  • Single-coreCinebench 2024· Cinebench 2024 1T
    +2.1%
    Core Ultra 9 285K
    145
    Ryzen 9 9950X3D
    142
  • Multi-coreGeekbench 6
    −12.8%
    Core Ultra 9 285K
    21,783
    Ryzen 9 9950X3D
    24,987
  • Single-coreGeekbench 6
    −1.8%
    Core Ultra 9 285K
    3,419
    Ryzen 9 9950X3D
    3,482

Bars are normalized to the highest score in our catalog for each metric. Hover any row for the source attribution.

Price analysis

Core Ultra 9 285K MSRP
$589
Difference
−$110

Ryzen 9 9950X3D costs more.

Ryzen 9 9950X3D MSRP
$699

Frequently asked

Is the Core Ultra 9 285K better than the Ryzen 9 9950X3D?
Ryzen 9 9950X3D comes out ahead in our weighted scoring under default priorities (50% gaming, 50% productivity, 25% value, 25% efficiency). Use the comparison tool to weight by your own workload mix.
Which is better for gaming, the Core Ultra 9 285K or the Ryzen 9 9950X3D?
Gaming performance is essentially tied between Core Ultra 9 285K and Ryzen 9 9950X3D.
Which is faster for productivity, the Core Ultra 9 285K or the Ryzen 9 9950X3D?
Ryzen 9 9950X3D is 6.8% faster than Core Ultra 9 285K in multi-core productivity workloads.
What is the price difference between the Core Ultra 9 285K and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D?
The Ryzen 9 9950X3D launched at $699, $110 more than the Core Ultra 9 285K at $589.

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