The Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads with 96MB of L3 cache, built for gaming. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and threads and was found strong in threaded applications. They use different platforms, and their reviews were run separately.
| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D | Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Zen 5 with 3D V-Cache / AM5 | Intel Core Ultra Processors (Series 2), Arrow Lake |
| Cores / threads | 8 / 16 | 18 total: 6 Performance-cores + 12 Efficient-cores / 18 threads |
| Maximum boost | 4.7GHz / up to 5.2GHz | Up to 5.3GHz |
| Cache | 96MB | 30MB Intel Smart Cache; 30MB total L2 cache |
| Power rating | 120W | 125W / 159W |
| Memory | DDR5; two memory channels; up to DDR5-5600 with 1 or 2 DIMMs per channel | DDR5 up to 7200 MT/s (Intel specification) |
What the specifications show
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads with 96MB of L3 cache, a design aimed at latency-sensitive gaming. The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores and threads, split between 6 Performance-cores and 12 Efficient-cores, with 30MB of Intel Smart Cache.
AMD’s default TDP and Intel’s base and maximum turbo power are defined differently, so the power rows are not a like-for-like measurement of consumption.
What independent reviews add
TechSpot’s November 2024 review ran 45 games at 1080p with a GeForce RTX 4090 and found the 9800X3D 8% faster on average than the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. It did not cover productivity or power consumption. Tom’s Hardware’s March 2026 review found the 250K Plus competitive in gaming and notably strong in threaded application tests within its own comparison set.
The two reviews used different hardware, games and comparison chips, so they are not a head-to-head. Neither TWW nor these reviewers published a direct 9800X3D versus 250K Plus result in this library.
How to decide
Check socket and BIOS compatibility first, since the two chips need different platforms. Then weigh your mix of gaming and multi-threaded work, the cooler you will add, and the total platform cost in your market, including the motherboard and memory.
Frequently asked questions
Which has more cores, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D or the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus?
The Core Ultra 5 250K Plus has 18 cores (6 Performance and 12 Efficient). The Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads.
How much L3 cache does the 9800X3D have?
AMD lists 96MB of L3 cache for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. Intel lists 30MB of Smart Cache for the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus.
Do I need a cooler for either chip?
AMD lists no cooler with the 9800X3D and recommends a liquid cooler for optimal performance. Check Intel’s box contents and your cooler’s compatibility for the 250K Plus.
Is this a TWW benchmark?
No. The page uses manufacturer specifications and attributed findings from TechSpot and Tom’s Hardware. TWW has not tested either processor.
This comparison uses manufacturer specifications and attributed outside review findings. TWW has not tested either processor.
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D specifications and sources →