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Core Ultra 7 265 — 20C/20T · 5.2 GHz · 65 W · PassMark #262
Intel

Core Ultra 7 265

20C/20T · 5.2 GHz · 65 W · PassMark #262

28
/ 100
From $326
VS
Ryzen 5 9600X wins by 60
Ryzen 5 9600X — Zen 5 · 6C/12T · 5.4 GHz · $279
AMD

Ryzen 5 9600X

Zen 5 · 6C/12T · 5.4 GHz · $279

88
/ 100
From $279
Specdex verdict

Ryzen 5 9600X takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Core Ultra 7 265 lands at 28 and Ryzen 5 9600X at 88. That puts Ryzen 5 9600X ahead by 60 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Core Ultra 7 265 if…

  • ✓PassMark CPU Mark of 49,724 — solid multi-thread numbers
  • ✓Intel's latest architecture with on-chip NPU
  • ✓Current PassMark-tracked street price around $326

Pick Ryzen 5 9600X if…

  • ✓Excellent gaming for the price
  • ✓Low 65W TDP
  • ✓AM5 upgrade path
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Value for money

Ryzen 5 9600X

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Ryzen 5 9600X more score per dollar ($279 vs $326).

Core Ultra 7 265 28
vs
88 Ryzen 5 9600X

Score breakdown

Core Ultra 7 265
28
cpu 28
passmark 49724
single 0
multi 0
gaming 0
efficiency 0
Ryzen 5 9600X
88
cpu 0
passmark 0
single 92
multi 80
gaming 92
efficiency 94

Specs side-by-side

Core Ultra 7 265 versus Ryzen 5 9600X — full spec comparison
Spec Core Ultra 7 265 Ryzen 5 9600X
Cores
▲ 20 (8P + 12E)
6
Threads
▲ 20
12
Base clock
2.4 GHz
3.9 GHz
Boost clock
5.2 GHz
5.4 GHz
L3 cache
30 MB
▲ 32 MB
TDP
65 W base / 182 W turbo
65 W
Socket
LGA 1851
AM5
Class
Desktop
—
PassMark rank
#262 of 5,901
—
PassMark CPU Mark
49,724
—

Core Ultra 7 265

Pros
  • +PassMark CPU Mark of 49,724 — solid multi-thread numbers
  • +Intel's latest architecture with on-chip NPU
  • +Current PassMark-tracked street price around $326
Cons
  • −Requires recent-generation motherboard and DDR5 memory
  • −Newer-generation parts pull ahead in current rankings

Ryzen 5 9600X

Pros
  • +Excellent gaming for the price
  • +Low 65W TDP
  • +AM5 upgrade path
Cons
  • −Only 6 cores for productivity
  • −X3D siblings stronger in gaming
  • −DDR5 required

FAQ: Core Ultra 7 265 vs Ryzen 5 9600X

Which is better, Core Ultra 7 265 or Ryzen 5 9600X? +

Ryzen 5 9600X scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 60. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Core Ultra 7 265 worth the price? +

At $326, Core Ultra 7 265 delivers a Specdex score of 28 — strongest in passmark.

Is Ryzen 5 9600X worth the price? +

At $279, Ryzen 5 9600X delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in efficiency.

Does Core Ultra 7 265 or Ryzen 5 9600X last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is the better value, Core Ultra 7 265 or Ryzen 5 9600X? +

Ryzen 5 9600X — more score per dollar ($279 vs $326). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.