AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX vs Intel Core i5-14401E Comparison

AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX and Intel Core i5-14401E occupy different corners of the processor market, one as a high-core-count mobile part and the other as a mainstream desktop chip. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the AMD chip dominates multi-threaded workloads while the Intel chip takes the single-core crown. Their architectures, sockets, and feature sets have almost nothing in common, making the comparison more about workload fit than direct competition.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core scores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX scores 29400, which is 61.9% higher than the Intel Core i5-14401E's 18161.

Q: Which chip wins the single-threaded test?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E scores 2564 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 29.5% higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX's 1807.

Q: What process nodes do these processors use?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX uses a 5 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core i5-14401E uses a 10 nm process from Intel.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No, the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX supports DDR5 only, while the Intel Core i5-14401E supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: What is the market segment for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is a mobile processor, while the Intel Core i5-14401E is a desktop processor.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is built on the Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename, part of the Ryzen 9 generation. It uses a 5 nm process node fabricated by TSMC, with 13,140 million transistors spread across a die size of 2x 71 mm². The Intel Core i5-14401E is based on Raptor Lake, specifically the Raptor Lake Refresh generation, using a 10 nm process from Intel with a die size of 215 mm².

The cache configuration differs substantially. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD processor's larger L3 cache is a major factor in its multi-threaded performance advantage.

Both processors support PCIe Gen 5, but with different lane counts: the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX provides 28 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel Core i5-14401E provides 16 lanes. The AMD chip includes Radeon 610M integrated graphics, while the Intel chip uses UHD Graphics 730.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD processor is DDR5-only with dual-channel memory and a measured bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, but no memory bandwidth figure is recorded in the database. ECC memory is supported on the Intel chip but not on the AMD chip.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel Core i5-14401E is locked. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket FL1, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700. The AMD processor is a mobile part, and the Intel processor is a desktop part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records two direct benchmark comparisons between these processors, and each wins one. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX takes Cinebench R23 multi-core with a score of 29400 against the Intel Core i5-14401E's 18161, a delta of 61.9%. That margin is enormous and reflects the core and thread disparity: 16 cores and 32 threads versus 6 cores and 12 threads.

The Intel Core i5-14401E wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 2564 versus the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX's 1807, a delta of 29.5%. This is a substantial single-thread lead, driven by the Intel chip's higher base clock of 2.50 GHz and boost clock of 4.70 GHz, though the AMD chip boosts higher at 5.20 GHz. The Intel architecture appears to extract more performance per clock in lightly threaded workloads.

The wider benchmark database reinforces this split. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has an average benchmark score of 69875, placing it in the 94th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X (0.5% higher average score), the Intel Core i7-14700K (0.7% higher), and the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F (0.2% lower). The Intel Core i5-14401E has an average benchmark score of 5253, placing it in the 60th percentile, with rivals like the Intel Core i7-11700B (0.2% lower) and the Intel Core i9-10850K (0.2% lower).

The AMD chip's additional benchmark results show strength across many workloads: 53204 in PassMark multi-thread, 202883 in integer math, 121383 in floating point math, 693741 in data compression, and 51029 in extended instructions. The Intel chip has fewer recorded benchmarks, but its Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 scores show a consistent pattern: competitive single-core performance and weaker multi-core results.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification field. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are close, 2.40 GHz versus 2.50 GHz, but boost clocks differ by 0.50 GHz in favor of AMD (5.20 GHz versus 4.70 GHz). TDP is 55 watts for AMD and 65 watts for Intel.

The sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket FL1 versus Intel Socket 1700. The AMD processor uses a 5 nm TSMC process with 13,140 million transistors and a 2x 71 mm² die, while the Intel processor uses a 10 nm Intel process with no transistor count recorded and a 215 mm² die.

Cache layouts differ completely. AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3. Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3. The AMD chip has 83.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, while no figure is recorded for the Intel chip.

Memory support, PCIe lanes, ECC support, integrated graphics, market segment, release date, multiplier unlock status, and part numbers all differ. The AMD chip was released on 2024-01-16, and the Intel chip on 2024-06-30. Neither has a recorded launch MSRP in the database.

The Verdict

The data points to two very different use cases. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is a multi-threaded powerhouse, with 16 cores and 32 threads delivering a 61.9% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core over the Intel chip. Its 64 MB of L3 cache and 83.2 GB/s memory bandwidth serve heavily threaded workloads. The Intel Core i5-14401E is a single-core specialist, with a 29.5% advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core, backed by its higher base clock and per-core cache allocation.

The AMD chip's percentile ranking, 94th versus 60th, and its average benchmark score of 69875 versus 5253, show it belongs in a higher performance class overall. The Intel chip is a desktop part, though, which means it fits into Socket 1700 boards with DDR4 or DDR5 memory, while the AMD chip is mobile-only with DDR5 support.

For users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput, the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is the clear choice from the recorded data. For users who prioritize single-thread speed, the Intel Core i5-14401E offers a significant advantage. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory, which the AMD chip does not, and it uses a standard desktop socket.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX wins in multi-threaded benchmarks. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 29400 is 61.9% higher than the Intel chip's 18161. The 16-core, 32-thread configuration, combined with 64 MB of L3 cache, makes it suited for rendering, compiling, encoding, and any workload that scales with core count. Its average benchmark score of 69875 and 94th percentile ranking confirm its position among high-end processors.

The Intel Core i5-14401E wins in single-threaded benchmarks. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 2564 is 29.5% higher than the AMD chip's 1807. The 6-core, 12-thread configuration with higher per-core cache and a 2.50 GHz base clock delivers stronger lightly threaded performance. Its desktop socket and ECC memory support make it a fit for workstation builds where single-thread speed and memory reliability matter more than raw core counts.

In the recorded head-to-head results, each processor takes one win. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX dominates multi-core, and the Intel Core i5-14401E dominates single-core. The choice between them depends on which workload pattern matches the user's needs. The database shows no middle ground: these processors are optimized for different ends of the performance spectrum.