AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P vs Intel Core i9-14900KS Comparison

The Intel Core i9-14900KS and the AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P occupy different corners of the processor market, yet they share the same core count. The database shows 24 cores for both, which makes their divergent benchmark results particularly instructive. The Intel part is a desktop flagship aimed at maximum single-thread aggression, while the AMD chip is a dense server processor built for throughput in constrained environments. Their head-to-head results reveal a clear pattern: Intel dominates most workloads, but AMD holds specific advantages in a few surprising areas.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The single-core gap is the most dramatic finding in the recorded data. In the PassMark single-thread test, the Intel Core i9-14900KS scores 4815 against the EPYC Embedded 8224P’s 2357, a difference of 104.3%. This is not a marginal edge; it is a doubling of performance. The Cinebench results reinforce the same story, though with a smaller margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 7199 versus AMD’s 5864, a 22.8% lead. The same delta of 22.8% appears across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core tests, suggesting a consistent architectural advantage in that benchmark suite.

Multi-core results follow the same trajectory. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel part scores 50995, while the EPYC Embedded 8224P manages 41542, again a 22.8% difference. The PassMark multi-thread test shows Intel ahead with 60012 versus 48873, a 22.8% lead as well. The floating-point math test is even more lopsided: Intel scores 153975, AMD scores 120066, giving Intel a 28.2% advantage. Integer math is closer but still favors Intel, with 212644 versus 193256, a 10% gap. Data compression favors Intel by 17.8%, with scores of 803368 and 681754 respectively. Data encryption shows a narrower 9.4% lead for Intel, 47717 to 43619. Random string sorting is nearly even, with Intel ahead by only 5%, scoring 89789 against 85505.

The AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P wins three tests, and each tells a different story. The extended instructions test is essentially a tie: AMD scores 46091, Intel scores 45524, a 1.2% margin for AMD. The find prime numbers test shows AMD ahead by 14.7%, with 286 versus 244. The physics test is AMD’s largest win, with 4110 against Intel’s 3381, a 17.7% advantage. These three wins, while few, indicate that the EPYC part has strengths in specific computational patterns, likely related to its thread count and cache design.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different designs. The Intel Core i9-14900KS uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel’s own foundry. The die size is 257 mm². The AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P uses Zen 4c architecture, codenamed Siena, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. Its die configuration is two CCDs at 73 mm² each, for a combined 146 mm², and it packs 17,750 million transistors.

Core layout differs significantly. Intel has 24 cores and 32 threads, meaning it uses a hybrid arrangement with performance and efficiency cores. AMD also has 24 cores but 48 threads, which implies a symmetric design where every core supports two threads. The thread count difference is substantial: AMD offers 50% more threads, yet it loses in most multi-threaded benchmarks. This suggests Intel’s higher clock speeds outweigh the thread advantage.

Clock speeds are the clearest separator. Intel’s base clock is 3.20 GHz, and its boost clock reaches 6.20 GHz. AMD’s base clock is 2.55 GHz, and its boost clock is only 3.00 GHz. The boost difference of over 3 GHz explains the single-core dominance. Cache structures also differ. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. The EPYC part has nearly double the L3 cache, which likely contributes to its wins in prime number finding and physics simulations, both of which can benefit from larger working sets.

Memory support is another divergence. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, with a dual-channel memory bus. AMD supports only DDR5 but uses a six-channel memory bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 230.4 GB/s. Intel has no memory bandwidth figure in the database, so a direct comparison is not possible, but the channel count suggests AMD has a wider path to memory. Both support ECC memory, which is notable for a desktop part. Intel’s PCIe configuration is Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while AMD offers Gen 5 with 96 lanes from the CPU, a massive difference for expansion.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-14900KS wins 14 out of 17 head-to-head benchmarks. Its victories cover the full Cinebench suite, PassMark multi-thread, floating-point math, integer math, data compression, data encryption, random string sorting, and single-thread tests. This is the processor for workloads that depend on raw clock speed and per-core performance. The data shows a 22.8% lead across all Cinebench versions, which indicates consistent rendering performance. The 28.2% advantage in floating-point math makes it suitable for scientific computing and financial modeling. The 17.8% lead in data compression and 10% lead in integer math suggest strong general-purpose productivity.

The AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P wins in three specific areas. The physics test, with a 17.7% margin, points toward simulation workloads that use many threads and large caches. The find prime numbers test, with a 14.7% margin, indicates strength in number-theoretic calculations. The extended instructions test, though only 1.2% ahead, shows AMD’s architecture handles certain instruction sets slightly better. The EPYC part also has a 50% thread advantage, which does not translate into wins in the recorded benchmarks, but the six-channel memory bus and 96 PCIe lanes suggest it is built for server environments where I/O and memory capacity matter more than raw CPU speed.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS scores 4815 in the PassMark single-thread test, while the AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P scores 2357. Intel leads by 104.3%. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 7199 versus 5864, a 22.8% advantage.

Q: Does the AMD processor ever beat the Intel processor?

A: Yes, in three benchmarks. The EPYC Embedded 8224P wins the PassMark physics test with 4110 against 3381, a 17.7% margin. It also wins the find prime numbers test with 286 versus 244, a 14.7% margin, and the extended instructions test with 46091 versus 45524, a 1.2% margin.

Q: How many threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS has 24 cores and 32 threads. The AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P has 24 cores and 48 threads, giving it 16 additional threads.

Q: What is the maximum boost clock for each?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS boosts to 6.20 GHz. The AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P boosts to 3.00 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i9-14900KS and the AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P has 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core i9-14900KS has 36 MB of shared L3 cache.

Specification Differences

The processors differ in nearly every specification except core count and ECC support. Intel uses a 10 nm process, AMD uses 5 nm. Intel’s die is 257 mm², AMD’s is two dies of 73 mm² each. AMD lists 17,750 million transistors; Intel does not provide a transistor count. Intel’s base clock is 3.20 GHz, AMD’s is 2.55 GHz. Intel’s boost clock is 6.20 GHz, AMD’s is 3.00 GHz. Intel’s TDP is 150 watts, AMD’s is 160 watts. Intel uses Socket 1700, AMD uses Socket SP6. Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, AMD supports only DDR5. Intel has a dual-channel memory bus, AMD has a six-channel bus. AMD records a memory bandwidth of 230.4 GB/s; Intel has no recorded bandwidth. Intel provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, AMD provides 96 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. Intel has integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 770), AMD has none. Intel’s multiplier is unlocked, AMD’s is locked. Intel’s release date is March 2024, AMD’s is September 2023. Intel has a launch MSRP of $689; AMD has no recorded launch MSRP. Intel’s L1 cache is 80 KB per core, AMD’s is 64 KB per core. Intel’s L2 cache is 2 MB per core, AMD’s is 1 MB per core. Intel’s L3 cache is 36 MB shared, AMD’s is 64 MB shared.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice for most users. The Intel Core i9-14900KS is the faster processor in 14 of 17 benchmark comparisons, with leads ranging from 5% to 104.3%. Its single-thread performance is unmatched in this comparison, and it holds a 22.8% advantage across every Cinebench test. Anyone running rendering, compression, encryption, or math-intensive workloads should choose the Intel part based on the recorded scores. The unlocked multiplier and integrated graphics add flexibility for desktop systems. Its launch MSRP of $689 places it in the high-end desktop segment.

The AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P is the choice only for specific server workloads. Its three wins in physics, prime numbers, and extended instructions show capability in niche computation. The 48 threads, 64 MB of L3 cache, six-channel memory bus, and 96 PCIe lanes make it a platform for dense embedded systems, but the benchmark data shows it loses to Intel in most performance tests. The 160-watt TDP is slightly higher than Intel’s 150 watts, despite the much lower clock speeds. The 5 nm process and TSMC fabrication give it a modern manufacturing edge, but that does not translate into benchmark victories here.

The verdict is straightforward: the Intel Core i9-14900KS wins on raw performance across the board, while the AMD EPYC Embedded 8224P is a specialized server part with strengths in a narrow set of workloads. The 104.3% single-thread gap is the defining statistic of this comparison.