AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs Intel Core i5-14500 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database shows a decisive overall result: the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D wins 16 of the 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i5-14500. The most striking margin appears in the PassMark find prime numbers test, where the AMD processor scores 423 against Intel's 106, a delta of 299.1%. That is the single largest gap in the entire comparison, and it signals an extreme advantage in integer-heavy algorithmic workloads.

Cinebench R23 multicore results reinforce the pattern. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D scores 23230, while the Core i5-14500 manages 15012, putting AMD ahead by 54.7%. Cinebench R15 multicore shows a similar story at 3647 versus 2435, a 49.8% lead. These are not marginal differences; the AMD part is delivering roughly half again as much multi-threaded rendering throughput in these specific tests.

Single-core performance also favors AMD, though by a smaller amount. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D scores 2080 against 1917 for Intel, a lead of 8.5%. Geekbench single-core shows a larger gap: 2964 versus 2099, which translates to 41.2%. The Cinebench R15 single-core result is 328 versus 273, a 20.1% advantage. Across these three different single-threaded tests, the AMD processor consistently leads, but the size of the advantage varies considerably depending on the benchmark.

Geekbench multicore lands at 18696 for AMD and 13390 for Intel, a 39.6% difference. PassMark multithread shows 40009 against 30777, a 30% lead. PassMark integer math puts AMD at 116709 versus 108124, a narrower 7.9% win. PassMark data compression favors AMD with 468017 versus 371294, a 26.1% edge. The extended instructions test shows AMD at 38808 versus 22473, a 72.7% advantage, which points to strong SIMD or specialized instruction throughput.

The only Intel victory in the entire head-to-head set is PassMark floating point math, where the Core i5-14500 scores 79576 against AMD's 79456. That is a delta of -0.2%, effectively a statistical tie. The difference is only 120 points out of roughly 79,500, so this is not a meaningful win in practical terms. Still, it is the one test where Intel avoids a loss.

Other notable results include PassMark physics, where AMD scores 4083 against 1746, a 133.8% lead. PassMark random string sorting shows 48526 versus 40980, an 18.4% edge. PassMark data encryption is close at 22158 versus 21457, only 3.3% apart. The single-thread PassMark tests (both recorded as passmark_single_thread and passmark_singlethread) show identical scores of 4430 for AMD and 3952 for Intel, a 12.1% margin.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D dominates in essentially every category represented in the benchmark suite. Its largest wins come in prime number finding (299.1% delta), physics simulation (133.8%), and extended instructions (72.7%). These are compute-heavy workloads that benefit from strong per-core execution and large cache. The 96 MB shared L3 cache on the AMD part likely contributes to the prime number and physics results, since those workloads often reuse working sets that fit within cache.

The Intel Core i5-14500's single win in floating point math is negligible in magnitude. The gap is 0.2%, which falls within run-to-run variance for most benchmark suites. For practical purposes, users should treat floating point math as a tie between these two processors. The AMD part wins integer math by 7.9%, so even in the broader math category, AMD holds an edge.

For multi-threaded productivity workloads, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D leads by 30% to 54.7% depending on the test. Cinebench R23 multicore is the most commonly cited rendering benchmark, and the AMD processor's 54.7% lead there is substantial. For single-threaded responsiveness, the AMD part leads by 8.5% to 41.2% depending on the benchmark, with Geekbench single-core showing the largest gap.

The data compression test is worth noting: AMD leads by 26.1%, which matters for file archiving and database workloads. Data encryption is closer at 3.3%, so neither part has a clear advantage there. Random string sorting goes to AMD by 18.4%, which is relevant for sorting-heavy applications.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D scores 23230, while the Intel Core i5-14500 scores 15012. AMD leads by 54.7%.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Intel Core i5-14500 wins?

A: Yes, in PassMark floating point math, Intel scores 79576 against AMD's 79456. The delta is -0.2%, meaning the difference is effectively negligible.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: It varies by test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, AMD leads by 8.5% (2080 vs 1917). In Geekbench single-core, AMD leads by 41.2% (2964 vs 2099). PassMark single-thread shows a 12.1% lead (4430 vs 3952).

Q: What is the biggest performance difference between the two chips?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark find prime numbers, where AMD scores 423 and Intel scores 106, a difference of 299.1%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has an average benchmark score of 39768, while the Intel Core i5-14500 averages 38531. Both sit near the 86th to 87th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i5-14500 has 14 cores and 20 threads. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several fundamental specifications. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D uses 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14500 offers 14 cores and 20 threads. Despite having fewer cores, the AMD part achieves higher benchmark scores in nearly every test, indicating substantially higher per-core efficiency.

Base clock speeds differ significantly: AMD runs at 4.70 GHz, while Intel runs at 2.60 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with AMD at 5.20 GHz and Intel at 5.00 GHz. The AMD processor has a TDP of 120 W, while Intel's is 65 W.

Memory support differs as well. AMD supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel access and a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but the database has no bandwidth figure for it. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe lanes differ: AMD provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ: AMD has Radeon Graphics, while Intel has UHD Graphics 770.

The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while Intel's is locked. The launch MSRP for AMD is $479, and for Intel it is $232. The AMD part number is 100-000001084, and the Intel part number is SRN3T.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D belongs to the 9000 series and uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Granite Ridge codename. It is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC, with 8,315 million transistors on a 70.6 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-14500 is part of the Core 14th Gen series, using Raptor Lake architecture under the Raptor Lake-R codename. It is built on a 10 nm process at Intel, with a 215 mm² die size. The database does not list a transistor count for Intel.

Cache structures differ notably. Both have 80 KB of L1 per core. AMD has 1 MB of L2 per core, while Intel has 1.25 MB per core. The L3 cache is the major differentiator: AMD has 96 MB shared, while Intel has 24 MB shared. This 4x difference in L3 capacity is a defining architectural distinction between the two.

Socket compatibility also differs: AMD uses Socket AM5, while Intel uses Socket 1700. Release dates show AMD launched on November 6, 2024, while Intel launched earlier on January 7, 2024. Both are active production parts for the desktop market.

The AMD processor's 96 MB L3 cache is the standout architectural feature. The Intel part compensates with more physical cores and a higher per-core L2 allocation, but the benchmark data shows AMD's cache-heavy design delivers better results across the tested workloads.

The Verdict

The benchmark data makes the choice clear for most users. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D wins 16 of 17 head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 3.3% in data encryption to 299.1% in prime number finding. Its average benchmark score of 39768 sits at the 87th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core i5-14500 averages 38531 at the 86th percentile.

For multi-threaded rendering and productivity, the AMD part leads by 30% to 54.7% in the Cinebench tests. For single-threaded performance, it leads by 8.5% to 41.2% depending on the benchmark. The only Intel win, floating point math, is a 0.2% difference that carries no practical weight.

Users who prioritize raw multi-core throughput for video rendering, 3D simulation, or scientific computing should choose the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D. Its 96 MB L3 cache and Zen 5 architecture deliver consistently higher scores across the board. Users who need a lower-power, lower-cost desktop processor with more physical cores might consider the Intel Core i5-14500 for its 65 W TDP and 14-core configuration, but the benchmark evidence shows it trails in nearly every measurable workload.

The data does not support choosing Intel on performance grounds. The AMD part wins in physics, integer math, compression, encryption, extended instructions, and both single and multi-threaded tests. Unless a specific workload relies on the exact floating point math pattern where Intel ekes out a 0.2% lead, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the stronger processor in this comparison.