Core Ultra 9 288V vs Ryzen 5 5500X3D

Core Ultra 9 288V vs Ryzen 5 5500X3D Performance Spectrum

Core Ultra 9 288V

8 / 8

20,280

+0.2%

20,231

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 9 288V vs Ryzen 5 5500X3D 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 9 288V vs Ryzen 5 5500X3D: 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 9 288V

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +33.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 30W instead of 105W, a 75W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc 140V, while Ryzen 5 5500X3D needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 96 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 33.8 vs 109.4 PassMark/$ ($600 MSRP vs $185 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 5500X3D

2025

Why buy it

✅+700% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $415 less on MSRP ($185 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).
✅Delivers 223.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 109.4 vs 33.8 PassMark/$ ($185 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 9 288V across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (20,231 vs 20,280).
❌250% higher power demand at 105W vs 30W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 9 288V moves to FCBGA2833 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 9 288V can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 9 288V better than Ryzen 5 5500X3D?

Yes. Core Ultra 9 288V is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 33.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 9 288V is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 33.6% 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, Core Ultra 9 288V is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core Ultra 9 288V is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5500X3D is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core Ultra 9 288V comes in 224.3% more expensive on MSRP at $600 MSRP versus $185 MSRP, and it still gives you a 33.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5500X3D is also 223.5% better value on MSRP (109.4 vs 33.8 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core Ultra 9 288V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with FCBGA2833 and DDR5 instead of AM4 and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 9 288V vs Ryzen 5 5500X3D Technical Specifications

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

Core Ultra 9 288V

The Core Ultra 9 288V 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 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 30 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 20,280 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 5 5500X3D

The Ryzen 5 5500X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 June 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 20,231 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 9 288V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5500X3D offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core Ultra 9 288V has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 288V versus 4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5500X3D — a 24.2% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 9 288V (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core Ultra 9 288V uses the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5500X3D uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 9 288V scores 20,280 against the Ryzen 5 5500X3D's 20,231 — a 0.2% lead for the Core Ultra 9 288V. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 9 288V vs 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5500X3D.

Feature	Core Ultra 9 288V	Ryzen 5 5500X3D
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+27%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+10%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	96 MB (total)+700%
L2 Cache	2.5 MB (per core)+400%	512 kB (per core)
Process	3 nm-57%	7 nm
Architecture	Lunar Lake (2024)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	20,280	20,231
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,300	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,800	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	10,000	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 9 288V uses the FCBGA2833 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 5 5500X3D uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core Ultra 9 288V	Ryzen 5 5500X3D
Socket	FCBGA2833	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5X-8533	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	8	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core Ultra 9 288V) / not specified (Ryzen 5 5500X3D). The Core Ultra 9 288V includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc 140V), while the Ryzen 5 5500X3D requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core Ultra 9 288V	Ryzen 5 5500X3D
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel Arc 140V	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 9 288V was priced at $600, while the Ryzen 5 5500X3D came in at $185. On launch pricing ($600 vs $185), Ryzen 5 5500X3D was $415 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 9 288V delivers 33.8 pts/$ vs 109.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5500X3D — making the Ryzen 5 5500X3D the 105.6% better value option.

Feature	Core Ultra 9 288V	Ryzen 5 5500X3D
MSRP	$600	$185-69%
Performance per Dollar	33.8	109.4+224%
Release Date	2024	2025

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