AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX vs Intel Core i7-14700K Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX and Intel Core i7-14700K represent two very different approaches to high-end computing: one is a 55W mobile powerhouse, the other a 125W desktop flagship. Benchmark data shows a clear performance hierarchy, but the 8840HX’s efficiency and unique strengths make it a compelling option in its own right. This analysis breaks down the numbers to determine where each processor excels.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-14700K dominates the head-to-head testing, winning 12 of the 13 benchmark comparisons. Its most decisive victory comes in floating-point math, where it scores 134222 against the AMD’s 86747, a 35.4% advantage. This indicates a significant edge in workloads like scientific computing, financial modeling, and any task that relies heavily on FPU throughput. The Intel chip also leads by over 30% in data compression (695234 vs 496427, a 28.6% gap) and 25.4% in data encryption (40091 vs 29919), making it the faster choice for file archiving, database workloads, and secure communications.

In multi-threaded applications, the Core i7-14700K continues its lead. It scores 33440.5 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 24.4% higher than the Ryzen 7 8840HX’s 25265. The PassMark multi-thread test shows a similar story: 52392 for Intel versus 41732 for AMD, a 20.3% difference. This translates directly to faster rendering times in 3D software and quicker video exports. The Intel chip’s advantage extends to single-threaded performance as well, though the margin is smaller. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 2160 against AMD’s 1857 (a 14% lead), and in PassMark single-thread, it wins 4472 to 3958 (11.5% ahead). This means the 14700K is snappier in everyday applications and games that rely on a few fast cores.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX wins only one benchmark, but it is a notable one: PassMark’s find prime numbers test. Here, AMD scores 304, a 43.4% improvement over Intel’s 212. This result is a strong indicator of integer performance in specific algorithmic tasks, suggesting the Zen 4 architecture is exceptionally efficient at certain types of mathematical operations. The AMD chip also narrows the gap in extended instructions (36527 vs 40632, only a 10.1% difference), showing it is not entirely outclassed in specialized workloads. However, these two bright spots do little to offset the overall trend. In integer math, Intel wins 182876 to 146506 (19.9% ahead), and in physics simulation, Intel scores 2964 versus 2185, a 26.3% advantage.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different platforms. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX uses the Zen 4 architecture on TSMC’s 5 nm process node, codenamed Dragon Range. This is a mobile-focused design, soldered into AMD Socket FL1. The Intel Core i7-14700K, in contrast, is a desktop part based on the Raptor Lake Refresh architecture, manufactured on Intel’s 10 nm process. It uses the Intel Socket 1700. The manufacturing process difference is stark: AMD’s 5 nm node allows for a smaller die footprint of 2x 71 mm², while Intel’s 10 nm process results in a monolithic 257 mm² die.

Core layouts also differ significantly. The AMD chip is a homogeneous design with 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel chip is heterogeneous, featuring 20 cores and 28 threads, which combines performance cores with efficiency cores. This gives Intel a raw core and thread count advantage. Cache configurations reflect different philosophies. AMD uses 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a large 64 MB shared L3 cache. Intel uses larger per-core L1 and L2 caches (80 KB and 2 MB, respectively) but has a smaller 33 MB shared L3 cache. The larger L3 cache on the AMD chip can help in data-heavy workloads, but the Intel chip’s higher thread count appears to be more impactful in the benchmarks.

Other platform features diverge as well. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD chip supports only DDR5. Intel’s part includes ECC memory support, a feature absent on the AMD chip. For connectivity, the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX offers more PCIe lanes: 28 lanes of Gen 5 versus Intel’s 16 lanes of Gen 5. This makes the AMD chip more expandable for storage and accelerators. Both chips feature integrated graphics, with AMD offering the Radeon 610M and Intel the UHD Graphics 770. The AMD chip is unlocked for overclocking, as is the Intel K-series part. The AMD chip was released later, in April 2025, compared to Intel’s October 2023 debut.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700K is faster, scoring 33440.5 versus the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX’s 25265, a 24.4% advantage.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX win any benchmarks?

A: Yes. It wins the PassMark find prime numbers test, scoring 304 compared to Intel’s 212, which is a 43.4% higher score.

Q: What is the difference in memory support?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700K supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX supports only DDR5. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory, which the AMD chip does not.

Q: How do their core counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Core i7-14700K has 20 cores and 28 threads.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX has 28 lanes of PCIe Gen 5, while the Intel Core i7-14700K has 16 lanes of PCIe Gen 5.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Core i7-14700K?

A: The launch MSRP is $409.

Specification Differences

• Cores: AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX has 12; Intel Core i7-14700K has 20.
• Threads: AMD has 24; Intel has 28.
• Base Clock: AMD is 2.90 GHz; Intel is 3.40 GHz.
• Boost Clock: AMD is 5.10 GHz; Intel is 5.60 GHz.
• TDP: AMD is 55W; Intel is 125W.
• Process Node: AMD uses 5 nm (TSMC); Intel uses 10 nm (Intel).
• Die Size: AMD is 2x 71 mm²; Intel is 257 mm².
• L1 Cache: AMD has 64 KB per core; Intel has 80 KB per core.
• L2 Cache: AMD has 1 MB per core; Intel has 2 MB per core.
• L3 Cache: AMD has 64 MB shared; Intel has 33 MB shared.
• Memory Support: AMD supports DDR5 only; Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5.
• ECC Memory: Not supported on AMD; supported on Intel.
• PCIe: AMD has 28 lanes (Gen 5); Intel has 16 lanes (Gen 5).
• Socket: AMD uses Socket FL1; Intel uses Socket 1700.
• Market Segment: AMD is Mobile; Intel is Desktop.
• Release Date: AMD is April 2025; Intel is October 2023.
• Integrated Graphics: AMD has Radeon 610M; Intel has UHD Graphics 770.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-14700K is the clear winner for performance-centric desktop workloads. Its 24.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core makes it the superior choice for 3D rendering, video editing, and software compilation. The 35.4% advantage in floating-point math is critical for scientific simulations and complex data analysis. Its higher single-thread scores (14% in Cinebench R23, 11.5% in PassMark) also make it better for high-refresh-rate gaming and responsive general use. The 14700K is a top-tier desktop processor, sitting at the 94th percentile, and its benchmark profile indicates it is the better buy for anyone who needs maximum throughput in a desktop tower.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX wins in a specific niche. Its 43.4% victory in the find prime numbers test suggests it has an architectural edge in certain integer-heavy algorithms, which could be relevant for cryptography or advanced mathematical computing. More importantly, its 55W TDP (versus Intel’s 125W) makes it a much more power-efficient option for high-performance laptops. The data shows it can deliver 94th-percentile performance (average benchmark score of 71797) while consuming less than half the power. For a mobile workstation, this efficiency translates to better battery life and less heat, making it the winner for users who need desktop-class power in a portable chassis. Its 28 PCIe lanes also offer more I/O expandability than the Intel’s 16.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion: the Intel Core i7-14700K is the faster processor, winning 12 out of 13 benchmarks. It is the right choice for a desktop user who prioritizes raw performance in multi-threaded tasks, floating-point math, and single-core speed. The Intel chip’s 33% lead in multi-threaded benchmarks and 14% lead in single-threaded tests make it the superior CPU for gamers, video editors, and professionals running demanding desktop applications.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX is the specialist’s choice. It is not a desktop competitor; it is a mobile flagship. Its 55W TDP is the defining spec, enabling performance that rivals high-end desktop chips of the previous generation in a laptop form factor. The single benchmark win in prime number finding shows an area of architectural strength, but the main reason to choose the 8840HX is its efficiency. For users building a high-performance laptop or a compact system where power and heat are primary constraints, the AMD chip is the logical pick. It offers a 94th-percentile performance level with a fraction of the power draw. The Intel chip is the brute-force winner; the AMD chip is the efficiency champion. Your choice depends entirely on your platform: desktop versus mobile.