CPU vs CPU
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus vs Ryzen 7 9800X3D
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is 25% faster in games for 4% more money for the whole platform (processor, board, 32GB of memory and a cooler if needed), so it's the better buy for gaming.
Key facts· updated
- The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus scores 77.5 and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D scores 97 for 1080p gaming in the Tom's Hardware CPU hierarchy, Oct 2026 (RTX 5090, fastest chip = 100).
- The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is 25% faster in games than the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus (Tom's Hardware CPU hierarchy, Oct 2026).
- The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus costs $330 and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D costs $444 (PC Atlas price check, Nov 2, 2026; catalog estimates, not live store prices).
- With the cheapest compatible board and 32GB of memory, it's $984 for the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus platform vs $1,024 for the Ryzen 7 9800X3D platform (PC Atlas price check, Nov 2, 2026; catalog estimates, not live store prices).
- The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus uses LGA1851 and the Ryzen 7 9800X3D uses AM5, so they need different motherboards.
| Spec | Core Ultra 7 270K Plus | Ryzen 7 9800X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score (1080p) | 77.5 | 97 |
| Price today | $330Sample | $444Sample |
| Platform cost today | $984Sample | $1,024Sample |
| Cores | 24 | 8 |
| Gaming power (approx.) | ~250 W | ~120 W |
| Socket | LGA1851 | AM5 |
| Memory | DDR5 | DDR5 |
| Cooler in the box | No | No |
| Built-in graphics | Yes | Yes |
Gaming score: Tom's Hardware CPU hierarchy, “Gaming CPU Benchmarks Rankings 2026” (Oct 2026; 1080p, mix of High and Ultra settings, geometric mean of 17 games, relative to the Ryzen 7 9850X3D (= 100); NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition). Specs from maker pages (checked 2026-10-29). Platform cost = processor + cheapest compatible board + cheapest 32GB kit + cheapest cooler rated for the chip when none is in the box. Highlighted = better. Prices last checked ; Sample = PC Atlas catalog estimate, not a live store price.
Good to know
- Core Ultra 7 270K Plus on the MSI B860M Gaming Plus WiFi (mATX): May need a BIOS update (Build a PC shows the fix).
- Ryzen 7 9800X3D on the ASRock A620M-HDV/M.2+ (mATX): May need a BIOS update (Build a PC shows the fix).
Questions
Is the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus better than the Ryzen 7 9800X3D for gaming?
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is 25% faster in games for 4% more money for the whole platform (processor, board, 32GB of memory and a cooler if needed), so it's the better buy for gaming.
How much faster is the Ryzen 7 9800X3D in games?
25% in the Tom's Hardware CPU hierarchy (Oct 2026): a 1080p gaming score of 97 vs 77.5, tested with an RTX 5090 so the processor is the limit. At 1440p and 4K with a mid-range card the gap shrinks, often to nothing.
What does each one cost with a motherboard and memory?
Core Ultra 7 270K Plus: about $984 with the MSI B860M Gaming Plus WiFi (mATX) and G.Skill Flare X5 32GB (2x16) DDR5-6000 CL30 plus the Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V3 ARGB White. Ryzen 7 9800X3D: about $1,024 with the ASRock A620M-HDV/M.2+ (mATX) and G.Skill Flare X5 32GB (2x16) DDR5-6000 CL30 plus the Thermalright Assassin X 120 R SE.
Can I upgrade the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus or Ryzen 7 9800X3D later?
LGA1851: Core Ultra 200S Plus is the newest chip for it; Intel hasn't announced more. AM5: AMD has said it will support the socket through at least 2027, so a later Ryzen can drop into the same board.