Ryzen 9 9955HX3D vs Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Ryzen 9 9955HX3D | Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinebench 2024 single-core | 130 | 136 | -4.4% |
| Cinebench 2024 multi-core | 2,160 | 2,195 | -1.6% |
| Cores | 16 | 24 (8P+16E) | — |
| TDP (base W) | 55 | 45 | — |
- Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is slower than Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus by 4.4% in single-core and slower by 1.6% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
- Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus draws less power (45W vs 55W base TDP).
Verdict: Ryzen 9 9955HX3D or Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus?
Ryzen 9 9955HX3D advantages
- No decisive advantage on the tracked metrics.
Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus advantages
- Single-core speed (+4%)
- Power efficiency (+18%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
Ryzen 9 9955HX3D vs Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus: which should you choose?
Ryzen 9 9955HX3D — 16-core AMD processor scoring 130 single-core and 2160 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 55 W TDP.
Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus — 24-core Intel processor (8P+16E) scoring 136 single-core and 2195 multi-core in Cinebench 2024, with a 45 W TDP.
Ryzen 9 9955HX3D vs Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus: Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus leads in multi-core performance. Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is slower than Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus by 4.4% in single-core and slower by 1.6% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024). Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus draws less power (45W vs 55W base TDP).
Gaming and single-threaded work
Games and everyday responsiveness lean on single-core speed. The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus leads there with a single-core score of 136 versus 130, so it is the marginally better pick for high-refresh gaming — though at typical resolutions the GPU usually decides frame rates.
Content creation and multitasking
For rendering, compilation, video export and other all-core workloads, the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is stronger, posting 2,195 multi-core against 2,160 in Cinebench 2024. Its 24 cores (8 performance + 16 efficiency) give it real headroom for heavy parallel jobs.
Power and platform
The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the more efficient chip at 45 W versus 55 W, which means less heat, quieter cooling and lower running costs under sustained load.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the processor comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D better than the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus?
Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus is the clearly stronger overall choice, winning most of the dimensions that matter. Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is slower than Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus by 4.4% in single-core and slower by 1.6% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024).
What is the main difference between the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus?
Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is slower than Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus by 4.4% in single-core and slower by 1.6% in multi-core (Cinebench 2024). Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus draws less power (45W vs 55W base TDP).
Which should I choose?
Choose the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus if you mainly game or want snappy everyday responsiveness.
Methodology
Processors are compared on Cinebench 2024 single-core and multi-core scores from published leaderboard results, alongside core configuration (performance + efficiency cores), base TDP, L3 cache, PassMark CPU Mark, 1080p gaming scores and street pricing where measured. Cinebench reflects rendering-style workloads; gaming performance depends heavily on the GPU and the specific title, so treat single-core standing as directional. Figures reflect the leaderboard snapshot on the page date.