AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K
Get the Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K unless you're on a strict budget. The key difference? It boasts 24 cores and 24 threads, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X's 6 cores and 12 threads, making it a powerhouse for gaming and productivity in 2026. In real-world use, the 285K can boost up to 5.7 GHz, while the 5600X tops out at 4.6 GHz. If you're into heavy multitasking or gaming, that extra horsepower translates to smoother performance, especially when you need fast processing for demanding applications.
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AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K
Comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K
| Criterion | AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(29,668)Amazon | ★4.6(512)Amazon |
Architecture Gen | Zen 3 (Ryzen 5000 Series / Vermeer) | Core Ultra 200S Series (Arrow Lake-S) |
Socket Platform | Socket AM4 (PGA 1331) | Socket LGA1851 |
Cores Threads | 6 Cores / 12 Threads | 24 Cores (8P + 16E) / 24 Threads |
Base Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz Base / Up to 4.6 GHz Boost | P-Core: 3.7 / 5.5 GHz; E-Core: 3.2 / 4.6 GHz; Max Turbo: 5.7 GHz (TVB) |
Cache L2 L3 | 3 MB L2 + 32 MB L3 (35 MB Total) | 40 MB L2 + 36 MB L3 (76 MB Total) |
TDP Power | 65 W | 125 W (Processor Base Power) |
Max Turbo Power | 88 W (PPT) | 250 W (Maximum Turbo Power) |
Process Node | TSMC 7nm FinFET (Core Complex) / GlobalFoundries 12nm (I/O Die) | TSMC N3B (Compute Tile) / TSMC N6 (SoC/IO Tiles) |
Memory Support | DDR4-3200 MT/s (Official); Dual-Channel; Up to 128 GB; ECC Support: Yes (Unbuffered UDIMM; requires mobo support) | DDR5-6400 MT/s (Official); Dual-Channel; Up to 192 GB; ECC Support: Yes (W880 chipset required) |
Memory Bandwidth Max | N/A (Dependent on RAM config, theoretical max ~51.2 GB/s @ 3200 MT/s) | N/A (Dependent on RAM config, theoretical max ~102.4 GB/s @ 6400 MT/s) |
Pcie Version | PCIe 4.0 (Requires B550 or X570 chipset) | PCIe 5.0 (x20 lanes) + PCIe 4.0 (x4 lanes) |
Pcie Lanes | 24 Total (20 Usable: x16 Graphics, x4 NVMe) | 24 Total (20 Gen5 + 4 Gen4 Direct to CPU) |
Igpu | None (Discrete graphics card required) | Intel Graphics (4 Xe-cores, 300 – 2000 MHz, Xe-LPG Architecture) |
Instruction Features | AMD-V, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES-NI, SHA, SSE4.1/4.2 | Intel 64, AVX2, VNNI, AES-NI, VT-x, VT-d, SSE4.2; NPU: Intel AI Boost (13 TOPS) |
Cooler Included | Yes (Wraith Stealth) | No (360mm+ Liquid Cooler highly recommended) |
Max Temp | 95°C (203°F) TjMax | 105°C (221°F) TjMax |
Notes Limits | Excellent value for entry-level gaming builds. Uses the mature AM4 platform (no upgrade path to Ryzen 7000/9000). PCIe 4.0 support is motherboard dependent. | First flagship Intel desktop CPU to drop Hyper-Threading (24 threads total vs 32 on 14900K). Higher thermal limit (105°C) by design. Requires LGA1851 motherboard (Z890). |
Chipset Support | A520, B450, B550, X570, X470, X370, B350, A320 (BIOS update required for older chipsets) | Intel 800 Series (Z890, B860, H810, W880) |
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AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
✓ Pros:
- • Unbeatable price-to-performance ratio for budget gaming
- • Low power consumption (65W) and easy to cool
- • Mature ecosystem with affordable motherboards and DDR4 RAM
✗ Cons:
- • Dead-end platform (AM4) limits future CPU upgrade options
- • No integrated graphics
- • Included cooler is basic; can get noisy under heavy load
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Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K
✓ Pros:
- • Significantly improved power efficiency compared to 14th Gen
- • Lower operating temperatures in gaming workloads
- • Modern platform connectivity: Integrated Thunderbolt 4, WiFi 7, and more PCIe 5.0 lanes
✗ Cons:
- • Removal of Hyper-Threading reduces performance in some specific multi-threaded apps
- • Requires new LGA1851 motherboard (no backward compatibility)
- • Gaming performance is often similar to or slightly behind the i9-14900K
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Which one is better?
The Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K is the better buy for most people - its 24 cores crush the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X's 6 cores. That said, grab the Ryzen 5 5600X if you want to save money without sacrificing decent gaming performance.
Who should buy each?
Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X if: you need a budget-friendly gaming CPU, want low power consumption at 65W, or plan to build a system with affordable components.
Choose the Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K if: you need high core counts for multitasking, prioritize the latest connectivity with PCIe 5.0, or want superior performance for intensive applications.
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X excels if you value unbeatable price-to-performance ratio for budget gaming. Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285K is better if you prioritize significantly improved power efficiency compared to 14th gen. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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