AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX vs Intel Core i5-14501E Comparison

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14501E has 6 cores and 12 threads. The AMD part offers more than double the thread count of the Intel processor.

Q: How do the boost clocks compare?

A: Both processors reach a maximum boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The base clocks differ, however, with the Intel Core i5-14501E starting at 3.30 GHz and the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX at 2.40 GHz.

Q: What is the process node for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is fabricated on a 5 nm process by TSMC, while the Intel Core i5-14501E uses a 10 nm process from Intel. The die size for the AMD is listed as 2x 71 mm², and the Intel chip has a die size of 215 mm².

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Core i5-14501E supports ECC memory, whereas the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX does not. This is a notable differentiator for systems requiring error-correcting memory.

Q: What are the integrated graphics options?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX includes Radeon 610M graphics, while the Intel Core i5-14501E features UHD Graphics 770. Both are integrated solutions, but they are different implementations from each vendor.

Q: What is the market segment for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is classified as a Mobile processor, while the Intel Core i5-14501E is a Desktop processor. This reflects their intended deployment environments.

The Verdict

The benchmark database contains extensive measurements for the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX but no recorded benchmark scores for the Intel Core i5-14501E. This absence of data for the Intel processor means that all comparative analysis must rely on the specification sheet and the recorded performance of the AMD part relative to its nearest rivals.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX sits at the 94th percentile among all CPUs in the database. Its average benchmark score is 69,875, placing it within 0.2% below the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F, 0.4% below the Intel Core i7-14700KF, 0.5% above the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X, and 0.7% above the Intel Core i7-14700K. The Intel Core i5-14501E, by contrast, holds the 50th percentile with an average benchmark score of 0, indicating no measured performance data is available.

For users selecting between these two, the data strongly favors the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX. It delivers a 16-core, 32-thread configuration with a 64 MB L3 cache and a 5 nm process node. The Intel Core i5-14501E offers 6 cores, 12 threads, a 24 MB shared L3 cache, and a 10 nm process. The AMD part also has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel part is locked.

The Intel processor does offer certain advantages: a higher base clock, ECC memory support, DDR4 and DDR5 memory compatibility, and a desktop form factor. These features matter for specific workloads, particularly those requiring error correction or legacy memory support. However, the absence of any benchmark scores for the Intel chip prevents a quantitative comparison of its actual performance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark table between these two processors is empty, and the wins count for each side is zero. This means the database contains no direct comparative test results for the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX versus the Intel Core i5-14501E.

Instead, the available data comes from the AMD processor's individual benchmark scores. The recorded measurements show a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 29,400 and a single-core score of 1,807. The 3DMark results include 12,501 for 16 threads, 2,001 for 2 threads, 3,844 for 4 threads, 7,158 for 8 threads, 13,447 for max threads, and 1,027 for single thread.

PassMark results for the AMD chip cover a broad range of workloads. The multi-thread score is 53,204, and the single-thread score is 3,942. Integer math scores 202,883, floating-point math scores 121,383, and extended instructions score 51,029. Data compression scores 693,741, data encryption scores 41,974, and random string sorting scores 81,775. The find prime numbers test scores 273, and physics scores 2,297.

These numbers indicate the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX performs strongly across both integer and floating-point workloads, with particularly high throughput in data compression and integer math. The Intel Core i5-14501E has no comparable measurements in the database, so no direct head-to-head percentage differences can be calculated.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is a 16-core, 32-thread mobile processor, while the Intel Core i5-14501E is a 6-core, 12-thread desktop processor.

Clock speeds show a split: the AMD part has a 2.40 GHz base clock, while the Intel part has a 3.30 GHz base clock. Both share a 5.20 GHz boost clock. Thermal design power differs, with the AMD at 55 watts and the Intel at 65 watts.

The socket types are incompatible: the AMD uses AMD Socket FL1, while the Intel uses Intel Socket 1700. Memory support also differs. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX supports DDR5 only, while the Intel Core i5-14501E supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD chip has a listed memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, while the Intel chip has no memory bandwidth figure recorded.

ECC memory support goes to the Intel processor, which supports it, while the AMD does not. PCIe lane counts differ as well: the AMD has 28 CPU-only lanes, and the Intel has 16 CPU-only lanes. Both use PCIe Gen 5.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i5-14501E is locked. Release dates place the AMD chip earlier, on January 16, 2024, and the Intel chip later, on June 30, 2024. The AMD part number is 100-000001486, and the Intel part number is Q49HSRNJM.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX uses the Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename, part of the 7000 series. It is fabricated on a 5 nm process by TSMC with 13,140 million transistors and a die size of 2x 71 mm². The Intel Core i5-14501E uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, part of Core 14th Gen. It is fabricated on a 10 nm process by Intel with a die size of 215 mm² and no transistor count listed.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD processor has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel processor has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD L3 cache is more than double the Intel L3 cache in total capacity.

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX generation is listed as Ryzen 9 with Zen 4 (Dragon Range), while the Intel Core i5-14501E generation is Core i5 with Raptor Lake Refresh. The AMD processor belongs to the 7000 series and the Intel to Core 14th Gen, reflecting different product lineups and architectural generations.

The integrated graphics also differ, with the AMD using Radeon 610M and the Intel using UHD Graphics 770. The AMD chip has a production status of Active, as does the Intel chip, and both are currently in production.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX wins on raw multi-threaded capability based on its core and thread counts. With 16 cores and 32 threads, it offers substantially more parallel processing capacity than the Intel Core i5-14501E's 6 cores and 12 threads. The recorded benchmark scores, such as the Cinebench R23 multi-core result of 29,400 and the PassMark multi-thread score of 53,204, demonstrate strong performance in heavily threaded workloads. The 64 MB L3 cache also provides a large shared cache for data-intensive tasks.

The AMD processor also wins on process node efficiency, using a 5 nm process versus the Intel 10 nm process. This typically translates to lower power consumption for the same level of work, and the lower TDP of 55 watts versus 65 watts supports this expectation. The unlocked multiplier allows for overclocking, which the locked Intel processor does not permit.

The Intel Core i5-14501E wins on certain specification-based advantages. Its higher base clock of 3.30 GHz versus 2.40 GHz gives it a potential edge in lightly threaded tasks that rely on base frequency. ECC memory support makes it suitable for systems requiring error correction, a feature the AMD chip lacks. Support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory provides flexibility in memory selection, whereas the AMD chip only supports DDR5. The desktop form factor with Intel Socket 1700 may also be preferable for users building desktop systems rather than mobile platforms.

The Intel processor also has a larger L1 cache per core at 80 KB versus 64 KB, and a larger L2 cache per core at 1.25 MB versus 1 MB. This per-core cache advantage could benefit single-threaded workloads that exhibit high cache locality.

For users prioritizing maximum multi-threaded throughput, the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is the clear choice based on the recorded benchmark data. For users requiring ECC memory, DDR4 compatibility, or a desktop socket, the Intel Core i5-14501E offers those specific features, though its actual benchmark performance remains unmeasured in the database.