AMD Ryzen 5 9600X vs Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against desktop processors at a similar price

The Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus scores 6.5/10 overall, ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X at 6.4/10.

The AMD Ryzen 5 9600X leads on single-core performance, efficiency and platform.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus leads on multi-core performance and integrated graphics.

The biggest difference is multi-core performance, where the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus scores 9/10 to the AMD Ryzen 5 9600X's 5/10.

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X

6.4/10verdict: good, not the best

The Ryzen 5 9600X is for builders who want a six-core AM5 desktop processor with a 65W default TDP. It suits general development, light virtualisation and a workstation or small server where cooling matters. It is less suited to anyone who needs many cores or media transcoding from the integrated graphics.

Typically about £164.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

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Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus

6.5/10verdict: buy

The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is for builders who want many cores for compiling, VMs and rendering on a desktop budget. It also suits media server owners who value HEVC hardware encoding from the integrated graphics. It is a poorer fit for always-on machines where idle power matters, or for gaming-first builds.

Typically about £273.59 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK

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Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	AMD Ryzen 5 9600X	Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus
Multi-core performance	25%	5/10	9/10
Single-core performance	20%	8/10	7/10
Efficiency	20%	7/10	3/10
Platform	20%	7/10	6/10
Integrated graphics	15%	5/10	7/10
Overall		6.4/10	6.5/10

Specifications

Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 9600X	Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus
Cores / threads	6 cores, 12 threads	24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores), 24 threads
Base / boost clock	Base 3.9 GHz, max boost up to 5.4 GHz	P-core base 3.7 GHz, E-core base 3.2 GHz; max turbo 5.5 GHz (P-core 5.4 GHz, E-core 4.7 GHz)
Socket	AM5	LGA 1851
TDP	65W default	Processor Base Power 125 W; Maximum Turbo Power 250 W
Cache	L1 480 KB, L2 6 MB, L3 32 MB	36 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3); 40 MB total L2
Integrated graphics	AMD Radeon Graphics, 2 cores, 2200 MHz	Intel Graphics, 4 Xe-cores, max dynamic frequency 2 GHz; HEVC hardware encode/decode; AV1 hardware encode not confirmed
Memory support	DDR5, 2 channels, UDIMM, max DDR5-5600 with 2 DIMMs or DDR5-3600 with 4 DIMMs, max capacity 256 GB on AMD product page, ECC yes with motherboard support	Max 256 GB; up to DDR5 7200 MT/s; 2 memory channels; ECC supported

Strengths and weaknesses

AMD Ryzen 5 9600X

+ Boost clock up to 5.4 GHz
+ 65W default TDP and easy cooling
+ AM5 with PCIe 5.0 and ECC support
− Only 6 cores and 12 threads
− Basic integrated graphics with no listed encoding
− Owners criticise the launch price

Skip it if:

Buyers who need 8 or more cores for compiling, rendering or many VMs
Plex or Jellyfin users who want to transcode on the integrated graphics
Builders who need verified low idle power draw for a server

Read the full AMD Ryzen 5 9600X review ›

Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus

+ 24 cores and 24 threads for compiling and VMs
+ Reviewers praised its price-to-performance
+ ECC support listed, plus HEVC hardware encode and decode
− Highest idle power in Tom's Hardware's test pool
− Reviewers report heat and high power draw
− Gaming trails AMD X3D chips, per reviewers

Skip it if:

Homelabbers building a low-power, always-on server
Gamers who want the fastest gaming chip, such as an AMD X3D part
Anyone who needs confirmed AV1 hardware encoding

Read the full Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus review ›

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