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 235HX

2025

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 280W, a 225W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2114 with DDR5 support instead of sWRX8 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Graphics (48EU), while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

2020

Why buy it

✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅433.3% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (39,929 vs 40,122).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,149 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 235HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌409.1% higher power demand at 280W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on sWRX8 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 235HX moves to FCBGA2114 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 235HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core Ultra 5 235HX

2025

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 280W, a 225W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2114 with DDR5 support instead of sWRX8 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Graphics (48EU), while Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 24.
✅433.3% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (39,929 vs 40,122).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,149 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 235HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌409.1% higher power demand at 280W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on sWRX8 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 235HX moves to FCBGA2114 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core Ultra 5 235HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 5 235HX better than Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 5 235HX is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 5 235HX is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 1.4% more average FPS across 2 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 235HX is the better fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 14 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core Ultra 5 235HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core Ultra 5 235HX is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,149 MSRP, and it gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (34.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 5 235HX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA2114 and DDR5 instead of sWRX8, and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 14 threads instead of 16/32. 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.

Core Ultra 5 235HX Benchmark Check

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core Ultra 5 235HX	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX
1080p
low	264 FPS	210 FPS
medium	252 FPS	170 FPS
high	213 FPS	142 FPS
ultra	181 FPS	104 FPS
1440p
low	222 FPS	186 FPS
medium	189 FPS	147 FPS
high	154 FPS	118 FPS
ultra	134 FPS	88 FPS
4K
low	150 FPS	88 FPS
medium	127 FPS	74 FPS
high	99 FPS	58 FPS
ultra	87 FPS	47 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 235HX Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core Ultra 5 235HX	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX
1080p
low	656 FPS	557 FPS
medium	557 FPS	486 FPS
high	465 FPS	395 FPS
ultra	421 FPS	351 FPS
1440p
low	572 FPS	479 FPS
medium	503 FPS	424 FPS
high	421 FPS	356 FPS
ultra	360 FPS	296 FPS
4K
low	338 FPS	299 FPS
medium	303 FPS	268 FPS
high	287 FPS	243 FPS
ultra	251 FPS	217 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 235HX Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core Ultra 5 235HX	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX
1080p
low	839 FPS	773 FPS
medium	685 FPS	638 FPS
high	610 FPS	569 FPS
ultra	522 FPS	494 FPS
1440p
low	727 FPS	600 FPS
medium	596 FPS	495 FPS
high	519 FPS	437 FPS
ultra	441 FPS	376 FPS
4K
low	504 FPS	431 FPS
medium	425 FPS	344 FPS
high	382 FPS	303 FPS
ultra	323 FPS	243 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 235HX Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core Ultra 5 235HX	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX
1080p
low	1001 FPS	998 FPS
medium	906 FPS	970 FPS
high	786 FPS	823 FPS
ultra	714 FPS	725 FPS
1440p
low	820 FPS	847 FPS
medium	729 FPS	745 FPS
high	631 FPS	630 FPS
ultra	560 FPS	540 FPS
4K
low	559 FPS	594 FPS
medium	505 FPS	540 FPS
high	452 FPS	468 FPS
ultra	399 FPS	405 FPS

Open Core Ultra 5 235HX Open Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core Ultra 5 235HX and Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Core Ultra 5 235HX

The Core Ultra 5 235HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 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: FCBGA2114. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 40,122 points. Launch price was $499.

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 14 July 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Castle Peak (2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: sWRX8. Thermal design power (TDP): 280 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 39,929 points. Launch price was $1,149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 235HX packs 14 cores / 14 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 235HX versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX — a 17% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 235HX (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 235HX uses the Arrow Lake-HX (2025) architecture (3 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX uses Castle Peak (2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 235HX scores 40,122 against the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX's 39,929 — a 0.5% lead for the Core Ultra 5 235HX. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 235HX vs 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 235HX	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX
Cores / Threads	14 / 14	16 / 32+14%
Boost Clock	5.1 GHz+19%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.9 GHz+34%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)	64 MB+167%
L2 Cache	3 MB (per core)+500%	512 kB (per core)
Process	3 nm-57%	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Arrow Lake-HX (2025)	Castle Peak (2020)
PassMark	40,122	39,929
Cinebench R23 Multi	21,677	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,600	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	14,000	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 235HX uses the FCBGA2114 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX uses sWRX8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 5 235HX versus 3200 on the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX supports up to 2048 of RAM compared to 192 GB — 165.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core Ultra 5 235HX) vs 8 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX). PCIe lanes: 24 (Core Ultra 5 235HX) vs 128 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM870,WM880 (Core Ultra 5 235HX) and WRX80 (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX).

Feature	Core Ultra 5 235HX	Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX
Socket	FCBGA2114	sWRX8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-6400	3200+63900%
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+9830300%	2048
RAM Channels	2	8+300%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24	128+433%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 5 235HX) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX). The Core Ultra 5 235HX includes integrated graphics (Intel Graphics (48EU)), while the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 5 235HX targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX rivals Xeon Silver 4314.