AMD EPYC 8124P vs Intel Core i9-14900T Comparison

The AMD EPYC 8124P and Intel Core i9-14900T represent two fundamentally different approaches to computing, yet their benchmark scores show a surprisingly competitive overlap in many workloads. The EPYC 8124P is a server-focused processor with 16 Zen 4c cores, while the i9-14900T is a low-power desktop part with 24 cores (8 performance and 16 efficiency). The data reveals a clear split: the Intel chip dominates single-threaded and raw math throughput, while the AMD chip excels in specialized server tasks like encryption and physics calculations. Both processors achieve near-identical average benchmark scores, with the EPYC 8124P posting 52,121 and the i9-14900T at 51,015, a difference of roughly 2.2%. Their percentile rankings against all CPUs are similarly close, at 91 for the AMD part and 90 for the Intel part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive victory in the entire comparison belongs to the Intel Core i9-14900T in single-threaded performance. In the Passmark single-thread test, the i9-14900T scores 4,016 against the EPYC 8124P’s 2,271, a massive 43.5% advantage. This gap is consistent across Cinebench single-core tests, where the Intel chip leads by 0.6% to 0.7% in R15, R20, and R23. The difference is stark: the i9-14900T’s 5.50 GHz boost clock versus the EPYC’s 3.00 GHz boost clock explains this chasm in latency-sensitive work.

However, the AMD EPYC 8124P fights back hard in several specialized workloads. The largest single delta in the Intel chip’s favor comes in Passmark physics, where the EPYC scores 3,356 versus the i9-14900T’s 2,245, a 49.5% win for AMD. This is a surprising result given the Intel part’s higher core count. Similarly, the EPYC 8124P wins Passmark find prime numbers by 35.4% (222 vs. 164), random string sorting by 29.5% (64,067 vs. 49,484), and extended instructions by 25.4% (29,666 vs. 23,660).

In multi-threaded Cinebench tests, the two processors are nearly inseparable. The Intel i9-14900T edges out the EPYC 8124P in R15, R20, and R23 multicore by 0.6% each time, with scores like 30,803 versus 30,611 in R23. This is remarkable because the Intel chip has 24 cores to the AMD’s 16, yet the EPYC’s Zen 4c architecture keeps it within striking distance. The Passmark multithread test shows a similar pattern, with Intel winning by just 0.6% (36,239 vs. 36,014).

For integer and floating-point math, the Intel processor takes commanding leads. The i9-14900T scores 138,149 in Passmark integer math, beating the EPYC’s 123,513 by 10.6%. In floating-point math, the gap widens to 21.9%, with Intel at 92,699 and AMD at 72,395. The EPYC 8124P counters in data compression (468,411 vs. 436,066, a 7.4% win) and data encryption (30,743 vs. 27,062, a 13.6% win). Overall, the Intel chip wins 11 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, while the AMD chip takes 6.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge completely in their underlying design philosophy. The AMD EPYC 8124P uses the Zen 4c architecture on a 5 nm TSMC process with a codename of Siena, part of the EPYC 8004 series. It packs 16 cores and 32 threads with a base clock of 2.45 GHz and boost clock of 3.00 GHz. The chip has 64 MB of shared L3 cache, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 KB of L1 per core. It is built on a 2x 73 mm² die with 17,750 million transistors. The EPYC 8124P supports DDR5 memory over a six-channel bus with 230.4 GB/s of bandwidth and offers 96 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. It has no integrated graphics and targets the Server/Workstation market segment.

The Intel Core i9-14900T uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm Intel process, codenamed Raptor Lake-R. It features 24 cores and 32 threads with a base clock of 1.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The cache hierarchy is different: 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The die size is 257 mm², and it supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus. The i9-14900T includes integrated UHD Graphics 770 and provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. It is a desktop part with a 35 W TDP, compared to the EPYC’s 125 W TDP.

The memory bandwidth difference is substantial. The EPYC 8124P’s six-channel DDR5 setup delivers 230.4 GB/s, while the i9-14900T’s dual-channel configuration has no listed bandwidth figure in the data. The PCIe lane count also favors the AMD chip massively, with 96 lanes versus 16 on the Intel part. Both support ECC memory, but the EPYC 8124P is built for server density while the i9-14900T is designed for low-power desktop use.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear recommendation based on workload type. For single-threaded performance and general desktop tasks, the Intel Core i9-14900T is the obvious choice. Its 43.5% lead in Passmark single-thread and consistent wins across all Cinebench single-core tests make it superior for applications that rely on high clock speeds. The Intel chip also wins in integer and floating-point math, making it better for scientific computing and general number crunching.

For server-specific workloads, the AMD EPYC 8124P is the stronger option. It wins decisively in physics calculations (49.5% ahead), find prime numbers (35.4% ahead), and random string sorting (29.5% ahead). Its 13.6% advantage in data encryption and 7.4% lead in data compression indicate that it handles security and data movement tasks more efficiently. The EPYC 8124P’s 96 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and six-channel memory bandwidth make it far better suited for I/O-heavy server environments.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, with the EPYC at 52,121 and the i9-14900T at 51,015. The EPYC 8124P sits in the 91st percentile of all CPUs, while the i9-14900T is in the 90th. Neither chip has a meaningful overall advantage. The selection comes down to whether the workload favors the EPYC’s server optimizations or the Intel chip’s raw clock speed and core count.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification field. The EPYC 8124P has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the i9-14900T has 24 cores and 32 threads. Base clocks are dramatically different: 2.45 GHz for AMD versus 1.10 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks also diverge, with the EPYC at 3.00 GHz and the i9-14900T at 5.50 GHz. The TDP is 125 W for the EPYC and 35 W for the Intel part. The sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket SP6 versus Intel Socket 1700.

The cache configurations differ. The EPYC 8124P has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. The i9-14900T has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3. Memory support favors the EPYC with DDR5 only and six-channel bus, while the Intel part supports DDR4 and DDR5 over dual-channel. The EPYC offers 230.4 GB/s memory bandwidth; the i9-14900T has no listed figure. PCIe lanes are 96 for AMD versus 16 for Intel. The EPYC has no integrated graphics, while the i9-14900T includes UHD Graphics 770. Manufacturing differs: 5 nm TSMC for AMD versus 10 nm Intel for the Intel chip. The release dates are 2023-09-17 for the EPYC and 2024-01-07 for the i9-14900T.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900T wins all single-core benchmarks. It leads by 43.5% in Passmark single-thread (4,016 vs. 2,271) and by 0.6-0.7% across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-threaded Cinebench R23 performance?

A: The Intel i9-14900T scores 30,803 versus the AMD EPYC 8124P’s 30,611 in Cinebench R23 multicore, a 0.6% advantage for Intel. The Passmark multithread test shows a similar 0.6% lead for Intel (36,239 vs. 36,014).

Q: Which chip is better for encryption workloads?

A: The AMD EPYC 8124P wins Passmark data encryption with a score of 30,743 versus 27,062 for the Intel i9-14900T, a 13.6% advantage. It also leads in data compression by 7.4% (468,411 vs. 436,066).

Q: What is the core and thread count difference?

A: The EPYC 8124P has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the i9-14900T has 24 cores and 32 threads. Despite fewer cores, the EPYC matches the Intel chip within 0.6% in multi-threaded Cinebench tests.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD EPYC 8124P offers 96 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core i9-14900T provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). This is a 6x difference in connectivity.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD EPYC 8124P and the Intel Core i9-14900T support ECC memory. However, the EPYC supports DDR5 only with six-channel memory, while the Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 over dual-channel.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 8124P wins in six benchmark categories, all related to server or specialized tasks. It dominates Passmark physics with a 49.5% lead (3,356 vs. 2,245), making it ideal for simulation and modeling workloads. It also wins find prime numbers by 35.4%, random string sorting by 29.5%, and extended instructions by 25.4%. Data encryption (13.6% lead) and data compression (7.4% lead) further cement its position for security and data management applications. The EPYC’s 6-channel memory and 96 PCIe Gen 5 lanes support these strengths in real-world server deployments.

The Intel Core i9-14900T wins 11 benchmarks, spanning both single-threaded and multi-threaded tests. Its 43.5% lead in Passmark single-thread makes it the clear winner for responsive desktop applications and legacy software. It wins all Cinebench single-core tests by narrow margins (0.6-0.7%). In math-heavy workloads, it leads by 21.9% in floating-point and 10.6% in integer math. The Intel chip also wins multithread scores by 0.6% and every Cinebench multicore test by 0.6%. The i9-14900T is the better choice for general-purpose computing, gaming, and applications that benefit from high clock speeds. Its 35 W TDP makes it particularly suitable for power-constrained environments, though the EPYC’s 125 W TDP is modest for a server chip.