AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 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 7 5800X at 5.4/10.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X leads on efficiency.

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

They score the same on single-core performance and platform.

The biggest difference is integrated graphics, where the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus scores 7/10 to the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X's 0/10.

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

5.4/10verdict: good, not the best

The Ryzen 7 5800X suits builders who want eight Zen 3 cores on the AM4 socket for compiling, VMs and general desktop work. It fits someone who already has or plans to buy a discrete graphics card. It is a poor match for a headless server or media box that needs built-in video output.

Typically about £199.99 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 7 5800X	Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus
Multi-core performance	25%	7/10	9/10
Single-core performance	20%	7/10	7/10
Efficiency	20%	5/10	3/10
Platform	20%	6/10	6/10
Integrated graphics	15%	0/10	7/10
Overall		5.4/10	6.5/10

Specifications

Spec	AMD Ryzen 7 5800X	Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 270K Plus
Cores / threads	8 cores / 16 threads	24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores), 24 threads
Base / boost clock	Base 3.8 GHz, boost up to 4.7 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	AM4	LGA 1851
TDP	105W	Processor Base Power 125 W; Maximum Turbo Power 250 W
Cache	L2 4 MB, L3 32 MB	36 MB Intel Smart Cache (L3); 40 MB total L2
Integrated graphics	None; discrete graphics card required	Intel Graphics, 4 Xe-cores, max dynamic frequency 2 GHz; HEVC hardware encode/decode; AV1 hardware encode not confirmed
Memory support	DDR4, up to 3200 MT/s	Max 256 GB; up to DDR5 7200 MT/s; 2 memory channels; ECC supported

Strengths and weaknesses

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

+ Eight cores and 16 threads on Zen 3
+ Boost clock up to 4.7 GHz
+ Works across X570, X470, B550, B450 and A520 boards
− No integrated graphics; discrete card required
− Owners report high temperatures at idle and under load
− 105W TDP

Skip it if:

Anyone building a headless server or media box without a graphics card
Buyers who need very quiet or cool always-on running
People needing 12 or more cores for heavy rendering or many VMs

Read the full AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 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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