Comparing 9800X3D and Ultra 7 265K
Comparing 9800X3D and Ultra 7 265K
Hello everyone,
As mentioned in the title, I’m weighing my options between upgrading to the 9800X3D or opting for the Ultra 7 265K.
My current setup is being completely replaced, with a GPU upgrade planned later—likely a 5080 this year:
CPU: Intel Core i7-8700K
Motherboard: ASUS Strix Z390-F
Memory: 2x8GB Corsair 3600MHz CL18
GPU: Gigabyte RTX 2080 Gaming OC 8GB
I mostly run games at the highest settings, native 1440p, only reducing them when necessary for better performance. I also understand that a CPU upgrade alone won’t match the impact of a GPU upgrade on my game frame rates.
The Ultra 7 265K hasn’t impressed much in benchmarks, and in some cases even lagged behind its 14th-gen CPU counterparts. Still, I’m evaluating it because of Intel’s strong performance in productivity and creative tasks. I’ve also searched for recent benchmarks on the 265k, but it seems Intel has made improvements; however, nothing concrete came up.
My main activities include gaming, software development, video editing, and 3D modeling. In my free time, I split my efforts between game development and playing games—about 40% to gaming and 60% to development. My current games are mainly CS2 and the latest AAA titles.
My question is clear:
Which platform offers the better overall value for my needs?
I know AMD’s 3D V-Cache excels in gaming, but I’m curious about the 9800X3D’s performance in productivity tasks. Would Intel still be a solid choice overall, or does AMD’s gaming and productivity capabilities suit my workloads well?
Since I haven’t upgraded in a long time, longevity isn’t my main concern—just making the best choice without regrets. Upgrading my CPU later could also be a plus.
I’ve swapped many components for modern equivalents to gauge costs (especially in Australia). Cooling isn’t a priority right now; I’m leaning toward Corsair Titan 280 RX or 360 RX, which fit both options well.
AMD Build:
CPU: Ryzen 7 9800X3D – $889
Motherboard: ASUS Strix X870-F WiFi – $819
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 2x16GB 6000MHz CL30 EXPO – $199
Intel Build:
CPU: Core Ultra 7 265K – $599
Motherboard: ASUS Strix Z890-F WiFi – $599
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 2x16GB 6000MHz CL30 – $199
As you can see, the Intel system here in Australia is at least $500 cheaper. I might even consider a lower-end motherboard like TUF Z890 Plus or B850 Plus/B850-F for AMD.
After thorough research, I remain somewhat undecided. My biggest worry is how much value the 9800X3D will bring at 1440p with my planned 5080 upgrade compared to the 265K—especially outside of gaming. Will the 265K justify the higher FPS gain for the bigger productivity benefits? Or is the 9800X3D worth it even if I don’t play games at 1080p low like most benchmarks suggest?
In short, based on what I’ve shared, what seems to be the better overall path? I’m also not keen on other CPUs except possibly the 7800X3D, as benchmarks didn’t show a huge difference.
Thanks for your help. Based on your advice, I expect one or the other to be decided within the month. Your reasoning would really help with my final choice.
The primary scenarios involve gaming, software creation, video editing, and 3D modeling.
Consider listing the app names you'd like to tax the system with to help determine which platform offers better returns.
The most suitable option appears to be AMD; however, we should also consider the challenges you might face that could influence your decision toward an alternative like Intel.
If you intend to reuse your PSU from your existing setup, provide the model, year, and age of your PSU. Also, share the make and model of your case.
This Intel CPU offers 20 cores/20 threads while the 9800x3d provides 8 cores/16 threads. Clearly, the 265k excels in productivity tasks. However, the x3d outperforms Intel’s chips significantly in gaming and overall efficiency. This conclusion comes from a recent comparison article.
265K suits multithreaded tasks, making it ideal for projects needing parallel processing
9800X3D offers a stronger alternative, performing comparably in light threads and excelling in gaming performance
Z890 provides superior platform connectivity compared to AMD options (X670 supports up to two PCIe 5.0 x4 slots, though this isn't seen as a major advantage)
If lasting platform support matters, AMD is the preferable option since Zen 6 will likely align with AM5
Intel platforms generally consume less idle power than X870/X670, with B850/B650 matching due to dual-chip architecture, which can be a plus
If choosing Intel, consider DDR5-7200 CL34—offers better cost efficiency and higher bandwidth with reduced latency
Main applications include Unity for 3D creation, Blender, DaVinci Resolve, Visual Studio, and Photoshop. For gaming, I favor titles with strong reviews, especially CS2 and Arma Reforger. I haven’t mentioned it yet, but I’m considering buying a new PSU—my current one is a Corsair RM750x, and the upgraded model is the RM1000x. My setup currently uses the Corsair 500D SE.