AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX vs Intel Core i7-14701E Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data splits cleanly along workload type. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX wins 9 of the 13 head-to-head comparisons, and those victories are concentrated in heavily threaded and data-intensive tasks. The Intel Core i7-14701E takes 4 wins, all in single-threaded or lightly threaded workloads.

The AMD part dominates multi-core rendering. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 29400 against 22195 for the Intel chip, a 32.5% margin. That pattern repeats across the PassMark suite: the AMD processor leads in integer math by 149.5%, floating-point math by 96.2%, data compression by 145.2%, data encryption by 182.4%, extended instructions by 175.4%, random string sorting by 180.5%, and prime number finding by 55.1%. The multithread aggregate score shows a 103.8% advantage.

The Intel Core i7-14701E counters in single-thread performance. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 3133 is 42.3% higher than the AMD chip's 1807. In PassMark single-thread testing, the Intel part scores 4305 versus 3942, an 8.4% edge. It also wins the PassMark physics test, 2399 to 2297, a 4.3% margin.

The workload split is decisive. Applications that scale across many threads will favor the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX by wide margins. Applications that depend on one or two fast cores will favor the Intel Core i7-14701E, though by a smaller degree in most cases.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX uses Zen 4 architecture on TSMC's 5 nm process, with a Dragon Range codename and 13,140 million transistors across a dual-chiplet layout with a die size of 2x 71 mm². The Intel Core i7-14701E uses Raptor Lake architecture (Raptor Lake Refresh) on Intel's 10 nm process, with a monolithic die of 257 mm².

Core counts differ substantially. The AMD chip provides 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel chip provides 8 cores and 16 threads. Clock speeds favor Intel in both base and boost: 2.60 GHz base and 5.40 GHz boost for the Intel part, versus 2.40 GHz base and 5.20 GHz boost for the AMD part.

Cache layouts also diverge. The AMD processor has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel processor has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip's larger total L3 (64 MB versus 33 MB) is a notable difference for workloads that benefit from large shared caches.

Memory support differs as well. The AMD part supports DDR5 only, on a dual-channel bus with a measured memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus, though the database records no memory bandwidth figure for it. ECC memory is supported on the Intel chip but not on the AMD chip.

PCIe connectivity favors AMD: Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only) versus Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only) for Intel. Both integrate graphics, with the AMD Radeon 610M on the Ryzen part and Intel UHD Graphics 770 on the Core i7.

Market positioning differs. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is a mobile processor on AMD Socket FL1, with an unlocked multiplier and a 55 W TDP. The Intel Core i7-14701E is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700, with a locked multiplier and a 65 W TDP. Release dates also differ: the AMD part entered production with an active status on January 16, 2024, while the Intel part followed on June 30, 2024.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin in the head-to-head data belongs to the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 41974 against 14862, a 182.4% advantage. Random string sorting shows a similar gap at 180.5%, with scores of 81775 and 29158. Extended instructions follow at 175.4%, scoring 51029 versus 18528.

Integer math favors AMD by 149.5%, with 202883 against 81325. Data compression shows a 145.2% margin, 693741 versus 282939. The multithread aggregate score gives AMD a 103.8% lead, 53204 to 26112. Floating-point math is closer but still lopsided: 121383 versus 61873, a 96.2% edge. Prime number finding rounds out the AMD wins at 55.1%, 273 to 176.

Cinebench R23 multicore delivers the most recognizable result: 29400 for AMD versus 22195 for Intel, a 32.5% win. This is the only non-PassMark test where the AMD chip leads.

The Intel wins are smaller in magnitude. The Cinebench R23 single-core result is the biggest Intel victory at 42.3%, with 3133 versus 1807. PassMark single-thread shows 4305 versus 3942, an 8.4% margin, duplicated in the passmark_singlethread entry. The physics test is close: 2399 versus 2297, a 4.3% edge for Intel.

The average benchmark score for the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is 69875, placing it at the 94th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 9700F at 69996 (0.2% higher), the Intel Core i7-14700KF at 70163 (0.4% higher), the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X at 69515 (0.5% lower), and the Intel Core i7-14700K at 69355 (0.7% lower). The Intel Core i7-14701E has an average benchmark score of 33206, at the 83rd percentile. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H at 33201 (0.0% difference), the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS at 33244 (0.1% higher), the AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX at 33091 (0.3% lower), and the Intel Core i7-13650HX at 33089 (0.4% lower).

The percentile gap is substantial: 94th versus 83rd. The average score gap is larger still, with the AMD part scoring more than double the Intel part on average.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core i7-14701E has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-14701E wins in single-thread tests. It leads by 42.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core (3133 versus 1807) and by 8.4% in PassMark single-thread (4305 versus 3942).

Q: Which processor wins in multi-threaded benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX wins decisively. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score is 29400 versus 22195, a 32.5% lead, and its PassMark multithread score is 53204 versus 26112, a 103.8% lead.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX supports DDR5 only. The Intel Core i7-14701E supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes for Intel, no for AMD. The Intel Core i7-14701E has ECC memory support. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-14701E has the higher boost clock at 5.40 GHz, compared to 5.20 GHz for the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX. Intel also has a higher base clock at 2.60 GHz versus 2.40 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX | Intel Core i7-14701E |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 16 | 8 |

| Threads | 32 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Dragon Range | Raptor Lake-R |

| Process Node | 5 nm (TSMC) | 10 nm (Intel) |

| Transistors | 13,140 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 2x 71 mm² | 257 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 33 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 610M | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | 100-000001486 | Q49FSRNJK |

| Release Date | 2024-01-16 | 2024-06-30 |

The Verdict

The data supports a clear division of use cases. The AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is the stronger choice for multi-threaded, data-heavy, and parallel workloads. Its wins include 32.5% in Cinebench R23 multicore, 149.5% in integer math, 96.2% in floating-point math, 145.2% in data compression, and 182.4% in data encryption. Its average benchmark score of 69875 places it at the 94th percentile, and its nearest rivals are high-end desktop parts like the Intel Core i7-14700KF and the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X.

The Intel Core i7-14701E is the better option when single-thread performance matters most. Its 42.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and 8.4% lead in PassMark single-thread show a clear advantage in lightly threaded tasks. However, its average benchmark score of 33206 places it at the 83rd percentile, and its nearest rivals are mobile and mid-range parts like the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 6950H and the AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS.

The 16-core, 32-thread AMD processor delivers more than double the average benchmark score of the 8-core, 16-thread Intel processor. The Intel chip compensates with higher clocks (5.40 GHz boost versus 5.20 GHz) and a higher base clock, plus a larger L1 and L2 per core. The AMD chip counters with a much larger L3 cache (64 MB versus 33 MB), more PCIe lanes (28 versus 16), and a smaller process node (5 nm versus 10 nm).

For workloads that scale across cores, the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HX is the measured winner by wide margins. For workloads that depend on single-thread speed, the Intel Core i7-14701E holds the advantage, but the gap is far narrower than the multi-thread gap in favor of AMD. The physics test, with its 4.3% Intel edge, shows that even in some intermediate workloads the Intel part can compete, but the overall pattern is one-sided. The AMD processor also offers an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. The Intel part supports ECC memory and both DDR4 and DDR5, which may matter for specific system requirements. The AMD part is mobile-class on Socket FL1, while the Intel part is desktop-class on Socket 1700, so platform choice will constrain which processor can be used.