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

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX and Intel Core i7-14700KF occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum, yet both land in the 94th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel part is a desktop heavyweight built for maximum throughput, while the AMD chip is a mobile processor designed for efficiency. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the Intel i7-14700KF dominates nearly every performance metric, but the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX secures a single, notable victory that highlights a fundamental architectural strength.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-14700KF is the overwhelming winner in the direct comparison, taking 12 of the 13 head-to-head benchmarks. The most dramatic difference is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where Intel scores 44,167 against AMD’s 25,265, a delta of -42.8% for the AMD part. This means the Intel chip is roughly 75% faster in this heavily threaded rendering workload. The single-core Cinebench R23 result is even more lopsided in relative terms; Intel’s 6,235 score dwarfs AMD’s 1,857, a -70.2% delta. This is a massive gap that suggests the Intel architecture has a significant clock-speed and IPC advantage in this specific test.

The Intel chip also wins decisively in all the PassMark suite tests except one. In integer math, Intel scores 183,056 versus AMD’s 146,506, a 20% advantage. Floating-point math shows an even larger gap, with Intel at 134,393 and AMD at 86,747, a 35.5% difference. Data compression favors Intel (694,963 vs. 496,427, a 28.6% delta), as does data encryption (40,046 vs. 29,919, a 25.3% delta). The multi-threaded PassMark score is also Intel’s, at 52,425 versus 41,732, a 20.4% delta. Even in single-threaded PassMark, Intel holds an 11.7% edge (4,480 vs. 3,958).

The sole win for the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX comes in the PassMark "find prime numbers" test. AMD scores 304, while Intel scores 212, giving AMD a 43.4% advantage. This is a striking result because it is the only test where the mobile chip not only wins but wins by a large margin. It suggests that AMD’s Zen 4 architecture handles this specific type of integer workload with far greater efficiency, likely due to a different instruction execution pathway.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX is a mobile chip using the Zen 4 architecture on a 5 nm process from TSMC. It is part of the "Dragon Range" codename family and uses the AMD Socket FL1. The Intel Core i7-14700KF is a desktop chip using the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, on Intel’s 10 nm process. It uses the Intel Socket 1700. These process and design choices explain the power and thermal profiles, with Intel’s TDP at 125 W and AMD’s at 55 W.

The core configurations are also starkly different. AMD provides 12 cores and 24 threads, while Intel provides 20 cores and 28 threads. Intel’s higher core count is a primary driver of its multi-threaded wins. The cache hierarchy shows a different approach: AMD gives each core 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2, but shares a large 64 MB L3 cache. Intel gives each core 80 KB of L1 and 2 MB of L2, but its shared L3 is only 33 MB. This suggests AMD’s design leans on a large pool of shared cache, while Intel’s design gives each core more private resources.

Memory support also differs significantly. AMD supports only DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and a specified bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is not specified in the data. Intel’s support for DDR4 is a practical advantage for system builders with existing memory. The PCIe configurations diverge as well: AMD offers Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). This gives AMD more potential expansion bandwidth on paper.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the data, the Intel Core i7-14700KF is the clear choice for any workload that scales with core count and raw throughput. Its wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core, floating-point math, and data compression make it ideal for video rendering, scientific simulations, and file archiving. The 20% lead in integer math and 22.4% lead in random string sorting also point to strong performance in code compilation and database operations. For a desktop user who wants maximum performance in content creation or heavy multitasking, the Intel part is the superior option.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX’s single win in the "find prime numbers" test is its only statistical justification for a use-case victory. This specific benchmark often reflects efficiency in tight loops and branch prediction. While a 43.4% win in one test is notable, it does not outweigh the Intel chip’s dominance elsewhere. However, the AMD chip’s entire design is for mobile use, with a 55 W TDP versus Intel’s 125 W. The data does not include battery life or thermal tests, but the power draw alone suggests the AMD chip is better suited for laptops where heat and battery life are critical. The AMD chip also includes integrated Radeon 610M graphics, whereas Intel’s 14700KF has no integrated graphics, forcing a discrete GPU purchase.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every fundamental specification field. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX has 12 cores and 24 threads; the Intel Core i7-14700KF has 20 cores and 28 threads. AMD’s base clock is 2.90 GHz with a boost of 5.10 GHz; Intel’s base is 3.40 GHz with a boost of 5.60 GHz. The TDP is a major differentiator: 55 W for AMD versus 125 W for Intel. The process nodes are 5 nm (TSMC) for AMD and 10 nm (Intel) for Intel. The AMD chip has a 64 MB shared L3 cache, while Intel has 33 MB. AMD supports only DDR5, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. AMD offers 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes; Intel offers 16. AMD has integrated Radeon 610M graphics; Intel has none. The AMD chip supports non-ECC memory, while Intel supports ECC memory. The release dates also differ: AMD’s is 2025-04-22, while Intel’s is 2023-10-16. The Intel launch MSRP is $384.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-14700KF is significantly faster, scoring 44,167 versus the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX’s 25,265, a 42.8% difference.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX beats the Intel Core i7-14700KF?

A: Yes, in the PassMark "find prime numbers" test, the AMD chip scores 304 versus Intel’s 212, a 43.4% advantage.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each?

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

Q: Which CPU supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-14700KF supports DDR4, in addition to DDR5. The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX supports only DDR5.

Q: Does either CPU have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX includes Radeon 610M integrated graphics. The Intel Core i7-14700KF does not have integrated graphics.

Q: What is the difference in TDP between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX has a TDP of 55 W, while the Intel Core i7-14700KF has a TDP of 125 W.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear verdict for performance: the Intel Core i7-14700KF is the superior processor for almost any benchmark you can run. It wins 12 of 13 head-to-head tests, with its biggest lead in Cinebench R23 single-core (70.2% ahead) and a massive 42.8% lead in multi-core. Its higher core count, higher clock speeds, and larger per-core cache make it the obvious choice for a desktop workstation where raw power is the only metric that matters. The Intel chip’s support for DDR4 and ECC memory also provides flexibility that the AMD chip lacks.

The AMD Ryzen 7 8840HX, however, is not without a place. Its 55 W TDP is less than half of Intel’s 125 W, making it suitable for mobile systems where thermal and power constraints are paramount. Its integrated Radeon 610M graphics means it can function without a discrete GPU, which is impossible for the Intel part. While its single benchmark win in "find prime numbers" is a curiosity, it is not a practical recommendation for a specific workload. For a laptop user who needs a capable processor with integrated graphics and low power draw, the AMD chip is the data-backed choice. For anyone building a desktop where performance is the priority, the Intel Core i7-14700KF is the definitive winner.