Core Ultra 7 155H vs Ryzen 9 5900X

Intel

Core Ultra 7 155H

16 Cores22 Thrd0 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2023
Core Ultra family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 9 5900X

12 Cores24 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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Core Ultra 7 155H vs Ryzen 9 5900X 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 7 155H vs Ryzen 9 5900X 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.

Core Ultra 7 155H vs Ryzen 9 5900X: 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 7 155H

2023

Why buy it

  • Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • 16.7% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores), while Ryzen 9 5900X needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Laptop Integrated), unlike Ryzen 9 5900X.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (17,650 vs 21,000).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 64 MB).

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +13.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $549 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 155H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 155H moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 7 155H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core Ultra 7 155H.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than Core Ultra 7 155H?
Yes. Ryzen 9 5900X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 19% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 57.7% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 5900X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 5900X is the stronger fit. You are getting 19% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 9 5900X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 9 5900X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $549 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (71.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core Ultra 7 155H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 7 155H vs Ryzen 9 5900X Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core Ultra 7 155H

The Core Ultra 7 155H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 22 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 24 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,705 points. Launch price was $503.

AMD

Ryzen 9 5900X

The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 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: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 7 155H packs 16 cores / 22 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core Ultra 7 155H has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 155H versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 155H uses the Meteor Lake-H (2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 155H scores 24,705 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 44.8% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 17,650 vs 21,000 (17.3% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,384 vs 2,174, a 9.2% lead for the Core Ultra 7 155H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 12,433 vs 11,888 (4.5% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 155H). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 155H vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.

FeatureCore Ultra 7 155HRyzen 9 5900X
Cores / Threads
16 / 22+33%
12 / 24
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz
4.8 GHz
Base Clock
3.8 GHz+3%
3.7 GHz
L3 Cache
24 MB (total)
64 MB+167%
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+25500%
Process
7 nm
7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture
Meteor Lake-H (2023)
Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)
PassMark
24,705
38,955+58%
Cinebench R23 Multi
17,650
21,000+19%
Geekbench 6 Single
2,384+10%
2,174
Geekbench 6 Multi
12,433+5%
11,888
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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 7 155H uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600 on the Core Ultra 7 155H versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900X — the Core Ultra 7 155H supports 133.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 5900X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 28 (Core Ultra 7 155H) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) — the Core Ultra 7 155H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Meteor Lake SoC (Core Ultra 7 155H) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).

FeatureCore Ultra 7 155HRyzen 9 5900X
Socket
FCBGA2049
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
LPDDR5x-7467, DDR5-5600+133%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
96 GB
128 GB+33%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
28+17%
24
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 5900X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core Ultra 7 155H) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). The Core Ultra 7 155H includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores)), while the Ryzen 9 5900X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 155H targets Thin-and-light Performance / AI, Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 155H rivals Ryzen 7 8840HS; Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

FeatureCore Ultra 7 155HRyzen 9 5900X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel Arc Graphics (8 Xe-cores)
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
Thin-and-light Performance / AI
Workstation