AMD Ryzen 7 260 vs Intel Core i9-14901KE Comparison

FAQ

Q: What are the core and thread counts of the AMD Ryzen 7 260 and the Intel Core i9-14901KE?

A: Both processors feature 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the process node for each CPU?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC, while the Intel Core i9-14901KE uses a 10 nm process at Intel.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two chips?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 boosts up to 5.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i9-14901KE boosts up to 5.80 GHz.

Q: Do these CPUs support different memory types?

A: Yes. The AMD chip supports only DDR5 memory, whereas the Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 260 has a TDP of 45 watts, while the Intel Core i9-14901KE has a TDP of 125 watts.

Q: Which processor has a higher L3 cache capacity?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901KE has 36 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 16 MB on the AMD Ryzen 7 260.

The Verdict

The recorded data positions these two processors for entirely different use cases. The AMD Ryzen 7 260, a mobile segment part on AMD Socket FP8, shows a percentile ranking of 88 against all CPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score of 43,717 places it in the upper tier of processors. The Intel Core i9-14901KE, a desktop chip on Intel Socket 1700, holds a percentile ranking of 50 and has no recorded average benchmark score or rival data in the database. For workloads where measured performance data exists, the AMD Ryzen 7 260 is the only chip with verifiable results.

The data suggests the Ryzen 7 260 is suited for mobile computing environments where its 45-watt TDP and integrated Radeon 780M graphics provide a complete package. The Intel Core i9-14901KE, with its 125-watt TDP, unlocked multiplier, and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, targets desktop builders who require flexibility in platform configuration. The Intel chip also includes ECC memory support, a feature absent from the AMD part, which may factor into workstation-oriented decisions.

Benchmark results available only for the AMD processor show strong multi-threaded performance: a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 17,211.5 and a single-core score of 1,770.5. The Intel chip lacks any analogous measurements in the database, so direct performance comparison is not possible. The choice between these two processors hinges on platform requirements rather than comparative speed, given the absence of head-to-head benchmark data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains no head-to-head benchmark entries for the AMD Ryzen 7 260 versus the Intel Core i9-14901KE. The wins counter for each side is zero, and the headToHeadBenchmarks array is empty. This means no direct measurement pits these two chips against each other in controlled testing.

However, the AMD Ryzen 7 260 has a substantial set of standalone benchmark scores. In Cinebench R15, it records 2,747.5 points in multi-core and 276.5 points in single-core. Its Cinebench R23 results show 17,211.5 multi-core and 1,770.5 single-core. PassMark tests further detail its performance profile: data compression scores 351,517, data encryption 20,267, extended instructions 26,544, and prime number finding 77. Floating point math reaches 59,462, integer math 96,737, and multithreaded performance 28,078. Physics testing yields 1,218, random string sorting 42,383, and single-thread performance 3,736.

These results indicate a processor that excels in integer and floating-point workloads, with particularly strong data compression throughput. The single-thread score of 3,736 in PassMark, combined with the Cinebench R23 single-core result, suggests capable responsiveness for lightly threaded tasks. The Intel Core i9-14901KE has no recorded benchmark scores in the database, so any comparative analysis must rely on the AMD chip's standalone measurements alone.

The nearest rivals for the AMD Ryzen 7 260, based on average benchmark scores, include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7745 at 43,704 (0% delta), the AMD Ryzen 7 170 at 43,689 (0.1% delta), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 at 43,431 (0.7% delta), and the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 385 at 43,326 (0.9% delta). These small deltas show the Ryzen 7 260 sits in a tightly contested performance band among AMD's own lineup, with less than 1% separating it from the nearest competitor.

Specification Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 260 and Intel Core i9-14901KE differ across nearly every major specification field. The AMD chip uses a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The Intel chip matches the 3.80 GHz base clock but boosts higher to 5.80 GHz. The TDP figures diverge sharply: 45 watts for AMD versus 125 watts for Intel.

Socket compatibility separates them entirely. The AMD part fits AMD Socket FP8, while the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700. Memory support shows the AMD chip limited to DDR5, whereas the Intel chip accepts both DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth for the AMD chip is listed at 89.6 GB/s; the Intel chip has no recorded memory bandwidth figure. ECC memory support appears only on the Intel processor.

PCIe capabilities differ as well. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core i9-14901KE offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics units are distinct: Radeon 780M on the AMD chip versus UHD Graphics 770 on the Intel chip. The market segment designation places AMD in Mobile and Intel in Desktop.

The multiplier is locked on the AMD processor and unlocked on the Intel processor, indicating overclocking potential for the latter. Release dates show the AMD chip arriving on 2025-01-05, while the Intel chip was released on 2024-06-30. Die size also differs: 178 mm² for AMD versus 257 mm² for Intel, though the Intel transistor count is not recorded.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split between these two processors is fundamental. The AMD Ryzen 7 260 uses Zen 4 architecture under the codename Hawk Point, belonging to the Ryzen 7 generation. The Intel Core i9-14901KE employs Raptor Lake architecture under the codename Raptor Lake-R, part of the Core 14th Gen series with a Raptor Lake Refresh generation label.

Process technology distinguishes them clearly. AMD builds on a 4 nm node at TSMC, while Intel uses a 10 nm node at its own foundry. Transistor count for the AMD chip is 25,000 million, with a die size of 178 mm². The Intel chip has no transistor count recorded but shows a larger die size of 257 mm².

Cache hierarchies reveal different design philosophies. The AMD processor allocates 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, with 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel processor provides 80 KB of L1 per core and 2 MB of L2 per core, with a larger 36 MB shared L3 cache. Neither chip includes 3D V-Cache.

The AMD chip integrates Radeon 780M graphics, which pairs with its mobile positioning. The Intel chip integrates UHD Graphics 770 and supports ECC memory, aligning with desktop workstation use. The Intel part also carries an unlocked multiplier, allowing frequency adjustment, while the AMD part does not. These architectural differences explain the divergent market segments and platform requirements, with the AMD chip emphasizing efficiency and the Intel chip prioritizing flexibility and higher boost frequencies.