AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D vs Intel Core i9-14901E Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data splits these two processors into clearly different roles. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D wins 11 of the 15 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i9-14901E takes 4. The AMD part dominates in heavily threaded workloads and specialized instruction tests. The Intel part wins in single-core Cinebench tests and one floating-point math test.

The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D shows its strength in PassMark multi-thread scoring, delivering 40009 against 30298 for the Intel, a 32.1% advantage. The gap widens further in data compression, where AMD scores 468017 versus 288777, a 62.1% lead. Extended instructions show the largest margin: AMD scores 38808 against 17249, which is 125% higher. Prime number finding also favors AMD heavily, with 423 versus 189, a 123.8% difference.

The Intel Core i9-14901E counters in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 25753 versus 23230, a 9.8% lead. The single-core Cinebench R23 result is dramatic: Intel scores 3635 against 2080, a 42.8% advantage. Cinebench R15 single-core also goes to Intel, 366 versus 328, a 10.4% margin. Floating-point math is close, with Intel ahead by only 2% (81089 versus 79456).

The use-case split is evident. For workloads that stress many threads, data compression, encryption, or extended instruction sets, the AMD processor is the stronger choice. For lightly threaded Cinebench rendering and certain floating-point operations, the Intel processor leads. The AMD part also wins the overall average benchmark score, 39768 versus 37911, placing it at the 87th percentile of all CPUs compared to the Intel part's 86th.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design schools. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i9-14901E uses Raptor Lake, specifically Raptor Lake-R, on Intel's 10 nm process. The die sizes differ substantially: AMD measures 70.6 mm², while Intel measures 257 mm². Transistor counts are recorded only for the AMD part, at 8,315 million.

Both parts have 8 cores and 16 threads. Cache organization differs. The L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core. The L2 cache differs: AMD provides 1 MB per core, Intel provides 2 MB per core. The L3 cache is a major differentiator. AMD has 96 MB shared, while Intel has 36 MB shared. That 60 MB difference likely explains the AMD part's dominance in data-heavy workloads.

Clock speeds also diverge. The AMD base clock is 4.70 GHz with a boost of 5.20 GHz. The Intel base clock is much lower at 2.80 GHz, but the boost reaches 5.60 GHz. The Intel part therefore relies on a wide boost range, while the AMD part runs at a higher floor. Thermal design power reflects this: AMD is rated at 120 W, Intel at 65 W. The Intel part's lower TDP and lower base clock suggest a more power-conscious design.

Memory support differs. AMD uses DDR5 only, with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but no bandwidth figure is recorded for it. Both support ECC memory. PCIe lanes differ: AMD provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU, Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes.

Integrated graphics also differ. AMD includes Radeon Graphics, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 770. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, the Intel multiplier is locked. Sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket AM5 versus Intel Socket 1700.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice based on workload type. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the stronger all-around processor in the recorded benchmarks. It wins the majority of tests, has a higher average benchmark score, and leads in multi-thread throughput, data compression, encryption, extended instructions, prime number calculations, integer math, physics, and random string sorting. Its 96 MB L3 cache and 4 nm process give it advantages that show up across many test categories.

The Intel Core i9-14901E is the better choice for single-core Cinebench performance. The 42.8% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core is substantial. It also wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 9.8%, despite losing the PassMark multi-thread test by 32.1%. This suggests the Intel part performs well specifically in Cinebench's rendering workload, perhaps due to its higher boost clock of 5.60 GHz. Floating-point math also favors Intel, though by a slim 2%.

The percentile rankings are nearly identical, 87 for AMD and 86 for Intel. The average benchmark scores are close in relative terms, with AMD ahead by about 4.9% (39768 versus 37911). Neither processor is far from its nearest rivals. The AMD part's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS, just 0.4% behind, and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 is 0.7% ahead of it. The Intel part's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, with a 0% delta, meaning essentially tied.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded productivity, data processing, or encryption workloads, the AMD part is the clear winner. For users who need maximum single-core Cinebench scores or prefer a lower TDP with a higher boost clock, the Intel part has merits. The 65 W TDP of the Intel chip is notable compared to the 120 W of the AMD chip, though the AMD part delivers more performance in most tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D has 96 MB shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i9-14901E has 36 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-thread performance?

A: The AMD part wins PassMark single-thread by 1.7% (4430 versus 4354). The Intel part wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 10.4% (366 versus 328) and Cinebench R23 single-core by 42.8% (3635 versus 2080).

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D averages 39768, while the Intel Core i9-14901E averages 37911. The AMD part scores about 4.9% higher on average.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-14901E has a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, compared to 5.20 GHz for the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and the Intel Core i9-14901E list ECC memory support as true.

Q: Which processor wins in data compression benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D wins decisively, scoring 468017 versus 288777 for the Intel part, a 62.1% lead.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win belongs to the AMD part in extended instructions. The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D scores 38808, while the Intel Core i9-14901E scores 17249. That is a 125% difference, meaning AMD more than doubles Intel's result. Prime number finding is nearly as lopsided: AMD scores 423 versus 189, a 123.8% lead.

Data compression shows a 62.1% advantage for AMD, with scores of 468017 and 288777. This result aligns with the L3 cache difference, as compression workloads often benefit from larger caches. Physics simulation also favors AMD, 4083 versus 3041, a 34.3% margin. PassMark multi-thread gives AMD a 32.1% lead (40009 versus 30298). Random string sorting goes to AMD by 24% (48526 versus 39138). Data encryption favors AMD by 19.3% (22158 versus 18571). Integer math is closer, with AMD ahead by 3.5% (116709 versus 112736). PassMark single-thread is nearly even, AMD ahead by 1.7% (4430 versus 4354).

The Intel wins are concentrated in Cinebench. The most striking is Cinebench R23 single-core, where Intel scores 3635 against AMD's 2080, a 42.8% lead. Cinebench R15 single-core also goes to Intel, 366 versus 328, a 10.4% margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core goes to Intel by 9.8%, with scores of 25753 and 23230. Floating-point math is the closest Intel win, 81089 versus 79456, a 2% difference.

The pattern is consistent. AMD wins every PassMark test except floating-point math. Intel wins every Cinebench test except Cinebench R15 multi-core, which AMD takes by 40.5% (3647 versus 2595). The Cinebench R15 multi-core result is notable because it contradicts the Cinebench R23 multi-core result, where Intel wins. This suggests workload scaling differs between the two Cinebench versions.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are identical: 8 cores and 16 threads for both. The base clocks differ significantly: AMD at 4.70 GHz, Intel at 2.80 GHz. Boost clocks also differ, with Intel higher at 5.60 GHz versus AMD's 5.20 GHz. TDP differs: AMD at 120 W, Intel at 65 W.

Process nodes differ: AMD uses 4 nm at TSMC, Intel uses 10 nm at Intel. Die size differs: AMD at 70.6 mm², Intel at 257 mm². Transistor count is recorded only for AMD at 8,315 million. L1 cache is the same at 80 KB per core. L2 cache differs: AMD at 1 MB per core, Intel at 2 MB per core. L3 cache differs: AMD at 96 MB shared, Intel at 36 MB shared.

Memory support differs: AMD supports DDR5 only, Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5. Memory bandwidth is recorded only for AMD at 89.6 GB/s. PCIe lanes differ: AMD has Gen 5 with 24 lanes, Intel has Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Integrated graphics differ: AMD uses Radeon Graphics, Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. The multiplier is unlocked on AMD, locked on Intel. Sockets differ: AMD Socket AM5 versus Intel Socket 1700. The AMD part has a recorded launch MSRP of $479; no launch MSRP is recorded for the Intel part.