Ryzen 7 7800X3D vs Core Ultra 7 265K: Which Is Better?

I. Introduction

It is well known that the overall performance of the Core Ultra 200S series processors has noticeably decreased compared to the 14th generation Core processors. In this context, if performance is a key concern, the entry-level model Core Ultra 5 245K is not worth considering. The model that deserves the most attention is the Core Ultra 7 265K, which is positioned similarly to the previous generation’s Core i7-14700K.

This article will compare the gaming performance of the Core Ultra 7 265K with the popular “gaming god” Ryzen 7 7800X3D, providing a reference for interested readers.

Of course, the outcome of this comparison is not in doubt; the Core Ultra 7 265K will certainly not outperform the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. The critical question, and the most valuable aspect for research, is how significant the performance gap is between the two in gaming. This article will reveal the answer.

II. Parameter Comparison

The Core Ultra 7 265K was released on October 24, 2024, using TSMC’s 3nm process. It features 8 large cores and 12 small cores, totaling 20 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock speed of 3.9GHz and a maximum clock speed of 5.5GHz. It has 30MB of L2 cache, 36MB of smart cache, a standard power consumption of 125W, and an official suggested retail price of $394.

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D was released on January 4, 2023, using TSMC’s 5nm process. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, with 512KB of L1 cache, 8MB of L2 cache, and 96MB of L3 cache. Its base clock speed is 4.2GHz, with a maximum clock speed of 5.0GHz, and a power consumption of 105W. It also includes two display cores running at 2200MHz, with a suggested retail price of $449.

III. Test Platform Configuration

The main configuration is as follows:

The Core Ultra 7 265K is paired with the MSI MAG Z890 TOMAHAWK motherboard, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is paired with the MSI MPG X670E CARBON motherboard. The remaining components are identical. The memory is 32GB DDR5 6000MHz, the graphics card is a GeForce RTX 4090, the storage consists of two 1TB Samsung 970 EVO SSDs, and the operating system is Windows 11.

IV. Game Tests between Core Ultra 7 265K and Ryzen 7 7800X3D

The following tests were conducted on seven games, all using 1080P quality settings. In the images below, the left side represents the Core Ultra 7 265K platform, while the right side represents the Ryzen 7 7800X3D platform.

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The first game is Ghostwire: Tokyo.

• Core Ultra 7 265K: Average FPS: 155, Minimum FPS: 102, Frame time: 6.3ms, CPU usage: 21%, Power: 61W, Temperature: 46°C, Memory usage: 9.9GB, GPU usage: 84%, VRAM usage: 5.9GB, GPU Power: 231W, GPU Temperature: 42°C.
• Ryzen 7 7800X3D: Average FPS: 170, Minimum FPS: 125, Frame time: 6.2ms, CPU usage: 23%, Power: 56W, Temperature: 53°C, Memory usage: 10.9GB, GPU usage: 88%, VRAM usage: 5.8GB, GPU Power: 246W, GPU Temperature: 48°C.

In this game, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has a CPU usage 2% higher, 1GB more memory usage, and 4% higher GPU usage, with VRAM usage nearly equal. The average FPS is 15 FPS higher, minimum FPS is 23 FPS higher, frame time is similar, with overall slightly better performance, 5W lower power consumption, but 7°C higher temperature.

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The second game is Cyberpunk 2077.

• Core Ultra 7 265K: Average FPS: 108, Minimum FPS: 66, Frame time: 8.8ms, CPU usage: 69%, Power: 110W, Temperature: 55°C, Memory usage: 10.2GB, GPU usage: 68%, VRAM usage: 8.5GB, GPU Power: 192W, GPU Temperature: 39°C.
• Ryzen 7 7800X3D: Average FPS: 124, Minimum FPS: 79, Frame time: 9.5ms, CPU usage: 76%, Power: 81W, Temperature: 63°C, Memory usage: 10.9GB, GPU usage: 76%, VRAM usage: 8.1GB, GPU Power: 211W, GPU Temperature: 47°C.

In this game, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has a CPU usage 7% higher, 0.7GB more memory usage, and 8% higher GPU usage, with 0.4GB less VRAM usage. The average FPS is 16 FPS higher, minimum FPS is 13 FPS higher, frame time is similar, with overall slightly better performance, 29W lower power consumption, but 8°C higher temperature.

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The third game is Red Dead Redemption 2.

• Core Ultra 7 265K: Average FPS: 164, Minimum FPS: 98, Frame time: 6.3ms, CPU usage: 62%, Power: 96W, Temperature: 53°C, Memory usage: 12.4GB, GPU usage: 79%, VRAM usage: 5.4GB, GPU Power: 265W, GPU Temperature: 45°C.
• Ryzen 7 7800X3D: Average FPS: 200, Minimum FPS: 131, Frame time: 5.0ms, CPU usage: 56%, Power: 71W, Temperature: 56°C, Memory usage: 12.7GB, GPU usage: 91%, VRAM usage: 5.3GB, GPU Power: 314W, GPU Temperature: 44°C.

In this game, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has a CPU usage 6% lower, 0.3GB more memory usage, and 12% higher GPU usage, with VRAM usage nearly equal. The average FPS is 36 FPS higher, minimum FPS is 33 FPS higher, frame time is about 1ms lower, with overall significantly better performance, 25W lower power consumption, but 3°C higher temperature.

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The fourth game is Call of Duty: Black Ops.

• Core Ultra 7 265K: Average FPS: 240, Minimum FPS: 141, Frame time: 4.0ms, CPU usage: 42%, Power: 83W, Temperature: 48°C, Memory usage: 10.5GB, GPU usage: 90%, VRAM usage: 18.9GB, GPU Power: 232W, GPU Temperature: 39°C.
• Ryzen 7 7800X3D: Average FPS: 237, Minimum FPS: 138, Frame time: 3.5ms, CPU usage: 56%, Power: 74W, Temperature: 66°C, Memory usage: 10.9GB, GPU usage: 91%, VRAM usage: 18.9GB, GPU Power: 230W, GPU Temperature: 38°C.

In this game, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has a CPU usage 14% higher, 0.4GB more memory usage, and similar GPU and VRAM usage. The average FPS is 3 FPS lower, minimum FPS is also 3 FPS lower, with frame time similar. Due to the small difference, it’s essentially a tie, with 9W lower power consumption but 16°C higher temperature.

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The fifth game is Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

• Core Ultra 7 265K: Average FPS: 134, Minimum FPS: 104, Frame time: 7.4ms, CPU usage: 47%, Power: 89W, Temperature: 52°C, Memory usage: 14.3GB, GPU usage: 80%, VRAM usage: 11.5GB, GPU Power: 246W, GPU Temperature: 44°C.
• Ryzen 7 7800X3D: Average FPS: 153, Minimum FPS: 104, Frame time: 6.4ms, CPU usage: 71%, Power: 82W, Temperature: 64°C, Memory usage: 14.7GB, GPU usage: 87%, VRAM usage: 11.5GB, GPU Power: 276W, GPU Temperature: 43°C.

In this game, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has a CPU usage 24% higher, 0.4GB more memory usage, and 7% higher GPU usage, with VRAM usage equal. The average FPS is 19 FPS higher, minimum FPS is equal, frame time is about 1ms lower, with overall slightly better performance, 7W lower power consumption, but 12°C higher temperature.

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The sixth game is Hogwarts Legacy.

• Core Ultra 7 265K: Average FPS: 76, Minimum FPS: 64, Frame time: 13.2ms, CPU usage: 27%, Power: 52W, Temperature: 44°C, Memory usage: 19.5GB, GPU usage: 63%, VRAM usage: 10.3GB, GPU Power: 210W, GPU Temperature: 40°C.
• Ryzen 7 7800X3D: Average FPS: 86, Minimum FPS: 72, Frame time: 11.2ms, CPU usage: 29%, Power: 57W, Temperature: 60°C, Memory usage: 20.7GB, GPU usage: 61%, VRAM usage: 10.4GB, GPU Power: 220W, GPU Temperature: 46°C.

In this game, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has a CPU usage 2% higher, 1.2GB more memory usage, and 2% lower GPU usage, with VRAM usage nearly equal. The average FPS is 10 FPS higher, minimum FPS is 8 FPS higher, frame time is about 2ms lower, with slightly better performance, 5W higher power consumption, but 16°C higher temperature.

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The seventh game is Starfield.

• Core Ultra 7 265K: Average FPS: 135, Minimum FPS: 97, Frame time: 7.5ms, CPU usage: 78%, Power: 113W, Temperature: 54°C, Memory usage: 12.3GB, GPU usage: 78%, VRAM usage: 6.2GB, GPU Power: 184W, GPU Temperature: 39°C.
• Ryzen 7 7800X3D: Average FPS: 146, Minimum FPS: 92, Frame time: 6.3ms, CPU usage: 81%, Power: 84W, Temperature: 69°C, Memory usage: 12.3GB, GPU usage: 84%, VRAM usage: 6.4GB, GPU Power: 247W, GPU Temperature: 42°C.

In this game, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D has a CPU usage 3% higher, with equal memory usage, 6% higher GPU usage, and 0.2GB higher VRAM usage. The average FPS is 11 FPS higher, minimum FPS is 5 FPS lower, frame time is about 1ms lower, with slightly better performance, 29W lower power consumption, but 15°C higher temperature.

V. Comparison Conclusion

The comparison results are very clear: the CPU usage of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D platform is generally higher than that of the Core Ultra 7 265K platform, which allows it to unleash greater GPU performance. The hardware resources of the entire platform are utilized more effectively, resulting in superior gaming performance, with the differences being very obvious.

The final conclusion is: for gamers, the Core Ultra 7 265K is not worth considering; the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is indeed much stronger and more appealing, leaving no room for hesitation.

On the other hand, if the Core Ultra 7 265K can’t compete with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, it will certainly struggle against the upcoming Ryzen 7 9800X3D. It must be said that Intel is under significant pressure with this generation of products.

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5. Who Wins? Core Ultra 5 245K vs Ryzen 5 9600X Gaming Test
6. ARC B580 vs RTX 4060: Performance Comparison
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