Core Ultra 5 238V
Ryzen 5 3600X
Core Ultra 5 238V vs Ryzen 5 3600X Performance Spectrum
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Core Ultra 5 238V vs Ryzen 5 3600X FPS Benchmarks
Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.
Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core Ultra 5 238V vs Ryzen 5 3600X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
Core Ultra 5 238V
2024Why buy it
- ✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
- ✅Draws 17W instead of 95W, a 78W reduction.
- ✅Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with Arc Graphics 130V, while Ryzen 5 3600X needs a discrete GPU.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 32 MB).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 40.1 vs 72.8 PassMark/$ ($454 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).
Ryzen 5 3600X
2019Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +14.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅+300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
- ✅Costs $205 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $454 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 81.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 72.8 vs 40.1 PassMark/$ ($249 MSRP vs $454 MSRP).
- ✅200% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark (18,136 vs 18,219).
- ❌458.8% higher power demand at 95W vs 17W.
- ❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 238V moves to FCBGA2833 and DDR5.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 238V can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Quick Answers
So, is Core Ultra 5 238V better than Ryzen 5 3600X?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core Ultra 5 238V vs Ryzen 5 3600X Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
Core Ultra 5 238V
The Core Ultra 5 238V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 18,219 points. Launch price was $299.
Ryzen 5 3600X
The Ryzen 5 3600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 18,136 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
The Core Ultra 5 238V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600X offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 5 238V has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 238V versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600X — a 6.6% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 238V (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 238V uses the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600X uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 238V scores 18,219 against the Ryzen 5 3600X's 18,136 — a 0.5% lead for the Core Ultra 5 238V. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 238V vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600X.
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 238V | Ryzen 5 3600X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 8+33% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.7 GHz+7% | 4.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | 3.8 GHz+81% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 32 MB (total)+300% |
| L2 Cache | 2.5 MB (per core) | 512K (per core)+20380% |
| Process | 3 nm-57% | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Architecture | Lunar Lake (2024) | Matisse (2019−2020) |
| PassMark | 18,219 | 18,136 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 10,000 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,683 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 10,130 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core Ultra 5 238V uses the FCBGA2833 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 3600X uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5x-8533 on the Core Ultra 5 238V versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600X — the Core Ultra 5 238V supports 166.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 3600X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Core Ultra 5 238V) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 3600X) — the Ryzen 5 3600X offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core Ultra 5 238V) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series (Ryzen 5 3600X).
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 238V | Ryzen 5 3600X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA2833 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR5x-8533+167% | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 128 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | No | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 8 | 24+200% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 238V) / not specified (Ryzen 5 3600X). The Core Ultra 5 238V includes integrated graphics (Arc Graphics 130V), while the Ryzen 5 3600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 238V targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 238V rivals Ryzen 5 8640U.
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 238V | Ryzen 5 3600X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Arc Graphics 130V | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Productivity | — |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core Ultra 5 238V was priced at $454, while the Ryzen 5 3600X came in at $249. On launch pricing ($454 vs $249), Ryzen 5 3600X was $205 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 5 238V delivers 40.1 pts/$ vs 72.8 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600X — making the Ryzen 5 3600X the 57.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core Ultra 5 238V | Ryzen 5 3600X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $454 | $249-45% |
| Performance per Dollar | 40.1 | 72.8+82% |
| Release Date | 2024 | 2019 |
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