Core Ultra 5 245 vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Intel

Core Ultra 5 245

14 Cores14 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2025

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core Ultra 5 245

2025

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +17.7% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $10 less on MSRP ($319 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • Delivers 84.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 125.9 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($319 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA1851 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics, while Ryzen 7 3700X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 5 245 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (22,430 vs 40,165).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 68.2 vs 125.9 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $319 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 245 moves to LGA1851 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 245 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 245 better than Ryzen 7 3700X?
Yes. Core Ultra 5 245 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 17.7% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 79.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 5 245 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 17.7% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 245 is the better fit. You are getting 79.1% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 14 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core Ultra 5 245 is the smarter buy today. Core Ultra 5 245 is $10 cheaper on MSRP at $319 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it gives you a 17.7% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 84.7% better value on MSRP (125.9 vs 68.2 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 7 3700X can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core Ultra 5 245 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1851 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 14 threads instead of 8/16. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore Ultra 5 245Ryzen 7 3700X
1080p
low278 FPS200 FPS
medium263 FPS163 FPS
high222 FPS137 FPS
ultra189 FPS110 FPS
1440p
low230 FPS156 FPS
medium194 FPS121 FPS
high158 FPS100 FPS
ultra138 FPS80 FPS
4K
low153 FPS84 FPS
medium128 FPS71 FPS
high100 FPS56 FPS
ultra88 FPS44 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore Ultra 5 245Ryzen 7 3700X
1080p
low668 FPS561 FPS
medium564 FPS525 FPS
high469 FPS428 FPS
ultra429 FPS383 FPS
1440p
low579 FPS545 FPS
medium509 FPS471 FPS
high426 FPS394 FPS
ultra369 FPS337 FPS
4K
low342 FPS350 FPS
medium306 FPS304 FPS
high291 FPS274 FPS
ultra256 FPS242 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore Ultra 5 245Ryzen 7 3700X
1080p
low845 FPS561 FPS
medium689 FPS561 FPS
high613 FPS561 FPS
ultra525 FPS561 FPS
1440p
low730 FPS561 FPS
medium598 FPS561 FPS
high519 FPS538 FPS
ultra441 FPS470 FPS
4K
low505 FPS499 FPS
medium425 FPS394 FPS
high383 FPS343 FPS
ultra324 FPS275 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore Ultra 5 245Ryzen 7 3700X
1080p
low1004 FPS561 FPS
medium956 FPS561 FPS
high834 FPS561 FPS
ultra758 FPS561 FPS
1440p
low865 FPS561 FPS
medium764 FPS561 FPS
high663 FPS561 FPS
ultra589 FPS555 FPS
4K
low585 FPS561 FPS
medium525 FPS501 FPS
high472 FPS447 FPS
ultra417 FPS396 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 5 245 and Ryzen 7 3700X

Intel

Core Ultra 5 245

The Core Ultra 5 245 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 40,165 points. Launch price was $270.

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 245 packs 14 cores / 14 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core Ultra 5 245 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 245 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 14.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 245 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 245 uses the Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 245 scores 40,165 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 56.7% lead for the Core Ultra 5 245. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 245 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 245Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads
14 / 14+75%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
5.1 GHz+16%
4.4 GHz
Base Clock
3.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+3%
L3 Cache
24 MB (total)
32 MB+33%
L2 Cache
3 MB (per core)+500%
512K (per core)
Process
3 nm-57%
7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture
Arrow Lake-S (2024−2025)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
40,165+79%
22,430
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 245 uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 6400 on the Core Ultra 5 245 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the Core Ultra 5 245 supports 199.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core Ultra 5 245 supports up to 256 of RAM compared to 128 GB 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core Ultra 5 245) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z890,B860 (Core Ultra 5 245) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

FeatureCore Ultra 5 245Ryzen 7 3700X
Socket
LGA1851
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
6400+159900%
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
256
128 GB+52428700%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 245) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). The Core Ultra 5 245 includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics), while the Ryzen 7 3700X requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 5 245 rivals Ryzen 5 9600X.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 245Ryzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel Arc Xe-LPG Graphics
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

The Core Ultra 5 245 launched at $319 MSRP, while the Ryzen 7 3700X debuted at $329. On MSRP ($319 vs $329), the Core Ultra 5 245 is $10 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 5 245 delivers 125.9 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Core Ultra 5 245 the 59.5% better value option.

FeatureCore Ultra 5 245Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP
$319-3%
$329
Performance per Dollar
125.9+85%
68.2
Release Date
2025
2019