Core Ultra 5 245HX vs Ryzen 9 3950X

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core Ultra 5 245HX

2025

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 105W, a 50W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2114 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics, while Ryzen 9 3950X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 64 MB).

Ryzen 9 3950X

2019

Why buy it

✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (38,519 vs 39,605).
❌Launch MSRP is still $749 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 245HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌90.9% higher power demand at 105W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 245HX moves to FCBGA2114 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 245HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 5 245HX

2025

Ryzen 9 3950X

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 105W, a 50W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2114 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics, while Ryzen 9 3950X needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 64 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (38,519 vs 39,605).
❌Launch MSRP is still $749 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 245HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌90.9% higher power demand at 105W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 245HX moves to FCBGA2114 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 245HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 245HX better than Ryzen 9 3950X?

Yes. Core Ultra 5 245HX is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 1.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 5 245HX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 1.6% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 245HX is the better fit. You are getting 2.8% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 14 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core Ultra 5 245HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 9 3950X makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core Ultra 5 245HX is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $749 MSRP, and it gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 9 3950X is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (51.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 5 245HX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019), a healthier platform with FCBGA2114 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 14 threads instead of 16/32. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core Ultra 5 245HX Benchmark Check

Ryzen 9 3950X Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core Ultra 5 245HX	Ryzen 9 3950X
1080p
low	264 FPS	207 FPS
medium	252 FPS	182 FPS
high	213 FPS	147 FPS
ultra	181 FPS	119 FPS
1440p
low	222 FPS	167 FPS
medium	189 FPS	138 FPS
high	154 FPS	109 FPS
ultra	134 FPS	91 FPS
4K
low	150 FPS	89 FPS
medium	127 FPS	79 FPS
high	99 FPS	62 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	50 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 245HX Open Ryzen 9 3950X

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core Ultra 5 245HX	Ryzen 9 3950X
1080p
low	663 FPS	701 FPS
medium	560 FPS	616 FPS
high	465 FPS	497 FPS
ultra	427 FPS	438 FPS
1440p
low	575 FPS	580 FPS
medium	505 FPS	519 FPS
high	423 FPS	439 FPS
ultra	367 FPS	360 FPS
4K
low	339 FPS	340 FPS
medium	304 FPS	306 FPS
high	289 FPS	283 FPS
ultra	255 FPS	252 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 245HX Open Ryzen 9 3950X

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core Ultra 5 245HX	Ryzen 9 3950X
1080p
low	839 FPS	871 FPS
medium	685 FPS	701 FPS
high	610 FPS	623 FPS
ultra	522 FPS	520 FPS
1440p
low	727 FPS	710 FPS
medium	596 FPS	572 FPS
high	519 FPS	498 FPS
ultra	441 FPS	422 FPS
4K
low	504 FPS	494 FPS
medium	425 FPS	412 FPS
high	382 FPS	365 FPS
ultra	323 FPS	307 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 245HX Open Ryzen 9 3950X

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core Ultra 5 245HX	Ryzen 9 3950X
1080p
low	990 FPS	963 FPS
medium	906 FPS	963 FPS
high	786 FPS	887 FPS
ultra	714 FPS	796 FPS
1440p
low	820 FPS	883 FPS
medium	729 FPS	772 FPS
high	631 FPS	678 FPS
ultra	560 FPS	597 FPS
4K
low	559 FPS	649 FPS
medium	505 FPS	577 FPS
high	452 FPS	513 FPS
ultra	399 FPS	437 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 245HX Open Ryzen 9 3950X

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 5 245HX and Ryzen 9 3950X

Core Ultra 5 245HX

The Core Ultra 5 245HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2114. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 39,605 points. Launch price was $499.

Ryzen 9 3950X

The Ryzen 9 3950X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 November 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 38,519 points. Launch price was $799.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 245HX packs 14 cores / 14 threads, while the Ryzen 9 3950X offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Ryzen 9 3950X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245HX versus 4.7 GHz on the Ryzen 9 3950X — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 245HX (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 245HX uses the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 9 3950X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 245HX scores 39,605 against the Ryzen 9 3950X's 38,519 — a 2.8% lead for the Core Ultra 5 245HX. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 245HX vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 3950X.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 245HX	Ryzen 9 3950X
Cores / Threads	14 / 14	16 / 32+14%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+9%	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.5 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	64 MB+167%
L2 Cache	3 MB (per core)+500%	512K (per core)
Process	3 nm-57%	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-HX (2025)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	39,605+3%	38,519

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 245HX uses the FCBGA2114 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 3950X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 6400 on the Core Ultra 5 245HX versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 3950X — the Core Ultra 5 245HX supports 199.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 5 245HX supports up to 256 of RAM compared to 128 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 24 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Arrow Lake-HX (Core Ultra 5 245HX) and X570,B550 (Ryzen 9 3950X).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 245HX	Ryzen 9 3950X
Socket	FCBGA2114	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	6400+159900%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	256	128 GB+52428700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	24	24

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 245HX) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 3950X). The Core Ultra 5 245HX includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics), while the Ryzen 9 3950X requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 245HX rivals Ryzen 7 8845HS.