Core Ultra 9 288V vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Intel

Core Ultra 9 288V

8 Cores8 Thrd30 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2024
VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019

Core Ultra 9 288V vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 9 288V vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 7 3700X: 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

  • βœ…Draws 30W instead of 65W, a 35W reduction.
  • βœ…Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc 140V, while Ryzen 7 3700X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (20,280 vs 22,430).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 33.8 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($600 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +10.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
  • βœ…Costs $271 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 101.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 33.8 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $600 MSRP).
  • βœ…200% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌116.7% higher power demand at 65W 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 Ryzen 7 3700X better than Core Ultra 9 288V?
Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 10.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.5% 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 7 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 10.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 3700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in $271 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $600 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 101.7% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 33.8 PassMark/$), 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 9 288V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2019) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2833 and DDR5 instead of AM4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 9 288V vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019βˆ’2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 9 288V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the Ryzen 7 3700X's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 288V versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X β€” a 14.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 9 288V (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core Ultra 9 288V uses the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019βˆ’2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 9 288V scores 20,280 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 β€” a 10.1% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 9 288V vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureCore Ultra 9 288VRyzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads
8 / 8
8 / 16
Boost Clock
5.1 GHz+16%
4.4 GHz
Base Clock
3.3 GHz
3.6 GHz+9%
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
32 MB+167%
L2 Cache
2.5 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+20380%
Process
3 nm-57%
7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture
Lunar Lake (2024)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019βˆ’2020)
PassMark
20,280
22,430+11%
Cinebench R23 Multi
9,300
β€”
Geekbench 6 Single
2,800
β€”
Geekbench 6 Multi
10,000
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 9 288V uses the FCBGA2833 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5X-8533 on the Core Ultra 9 288V versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X β€” the Core Ultra 9 288V supports 166.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 7 3700X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB β€” 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Core Ultra 9 288V) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) β€” the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core Ultra 9 288V) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

FeatureCore Ultra 9 288VRyzen 7 3700X
Socket
FCBGA2833
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
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%
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core Ultra 9 288V) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). The Core Ultra 9 288V includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc 140V), while the Ryzen 7 3700X requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureCore Ultra 9 288VRyzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel Arc 140V
β€”
AVX-512
No
β€”
Virtualization
true
β€”
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 9 288V was priced at $600, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($600 vs $329), Ryzen 7 3700X was $271 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 9 288V delivers 33.8 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X β€” making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 67.4% better value option.

FeatureCore Ultra 9 288VRyzen 7 3700X
MSRP
$600
$329-45%
Performance per Dollar
33.8
68.2+102%
Release Date
2024
2019

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