AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs Intel Core i5-14490F Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between these two processors. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX dominates the multi-threaded and compute-heavy workloads, while the Intel Core i5-14490F takes the single-core crown. Across the 15 recorded head-to-head comparisons, AMD wins 13, Intel wins 2, and one test ends in a statistical tie.

The most decisive AMD victory comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Ryzen 9 8940HX scores 5355 against the Intel chip's 2318, a 131% advantage. That is more than double the output. Cinebench R23 multi-core tells a similar story, though with a smaller margin: 32521 versus 23000, a 41.4% lead for AMD. The Ryzen 9 8940HX also delivers massive wins in PassMark's extended instructions test, scoring 47802 against 21731, a 120% difference. Data encryption shows a 115.7% advantage (39318 versus 18225), and integer math follows at 115.4% (189221 versus 87844). Random string sorting lands at 111.7% in AMD's favor (75381 versus 35608). Prime number finding shows a 105.7% gap (251 versus 122). Data compression results in a 91.5% lead (650984 versus 340026). Multi-thread performance in PassMark favors AMD by 73.5%, with scores of 49731 and 28662. Floating point math delivers a 71.2% edge (113921 versus 66558). Even the physics test, which should be a close call, goes to AMD by a hair: 2104 versus 2093, a 0.5% difference.

Intel's two wins are both in single-core scenarios. Cinebench R15 single-core shows the Core i5-14490F ahead at 327 versus 292, a 10.7% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core shows an even larger gap: 3247 versus 1917, a 41% lead for Intel. However, PassMark's single-thread test tells a different story, as the two chips land within one point of each other: 3874 for AMD, 3873 for Intel, a 0% delta. The recorded data lists AMD as the winner on that tie, but effectively the single-thread performance in PassMark is identical.

The overall average benchmark score reinforces the split. The Ryzen 9 8940HX posts an average of 81103, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. The Core i5-14490F averages 38149, sitting in the 86th percentile. The nearest rivals for AMD include the Intel Xeon w5-3535X at 81115 (0% delta) and the Intel Core i9-14900KS at 81127 (0% delta), meaning the Ryzen 9 8940HX sits in the same performance tier as those top-tier desktop parts. For Intel, the nearest rival is the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T at 38194, a -0.1% delta, and the Intel Core i5-13600KF at 38103, a 0.1% delta.

The Verdict

The data indicates two very different usage profiles. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is the clear choice for heavily parallel workloads: rendering, video encoding, data compression, encryption, and any task that can use its 16 cores and 32 threads. Its multi-core margins over the Intel chip range from 41.4% to 131%, which is a decisive gap in any production environment. The 95th percentile overall ranking places it among the fastest processors in the database, comparable to the Intel Core i9-14900KS and the Xeon w5-3535X.

The Intel Core i5-14490F, by contrast, wins in legacy single-core Cinebench tests. Its 41% lead in R23 single-core suggests an advantage in lightly threaded applications that rely on raw clock speed and per-core efficiency. However, the PassMark single-thread result contradicts that, showing a near-exact tie at 3874 versus 3873. The Intel chip also carries a 65 TDP versus AMD's 55 TDP, yet it delivers far less multi-threaded throughput. For users running single-threaded legacy software, the Intel part may be adequate, but the database shows no consistent single-thread superiority outside of Cinebench.

The overall average benchmark score is decisive: 81103 for AMD versus 38149 for Intel, a 112.6% difference in aggregate performance. The Ryzen 9 8940HX also holds a higher percentile rank (95 versus 86), meaning it outperforms a larger fraction of all recorded CPUs. For any workload that can utilize more than a few threads, the AMD processor is the superior choice. The Intel part only makes sense for users who prioritize the specific Cinebench single-core metric over all other measured performance.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins decisively. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 32521 against Intel's 23000, a 41.4% lead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the margin grows to 131% (5355 versus 2318). PassMark multi-thread also favors AMD at 49731 versus 28662, a 73.5% gap.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-14490F have any advantages?

A: Yes, in single-core Cinebench tests. The Intel chip leads in Cinebench R15 single-core by 10.7% (327 versus 292) and in Cinebench R23 single-core by 41% (3247 versus 1917). However, PassMark single-thread shows a tie: 3874 for AMD, 3873 for Intel.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX averages 81103, matching the Intel Xeon w5-3535X (81115) and Intel Core i9-14900KS (81127) within 0% delta. The Intel Core i5-14490F averages 38149, sitting between the Core Ultra 5 245T (38194, -0.1%) and Core i5-13600KF (38103, 0.1%).

Q: What is the difference in overall performance percentiles?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX ranks in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core i5-14490F ranks in the 86th percentile. The average benchmark scores are 81103 and 38149 respectively.

Q: Which chip has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads. This core count difference explains the large multi-core performance gap.

Q: Are there any benchmark results where the two are nearly identical?

A: Yes, the PassMark physics test shows a 0.5% difference (2104 for AMD versus 2093 for Intel). The PassMark single-thread tests also show a 0% delta, with scores of 3874 and 3873.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every physical specification. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX uses 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14490F uses 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are close: 2.40 GHz for AMD, 2.50 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks favor AMD at 5.30 GHz versus Intel's 5.00 GHz. TDP differs, with AMD at 55 watts and Intel at 65 watts.

The sockets are incompatible: AMD uses AMD Socket FL1, Intel uses Intel Socket 1700. The AMD chip is a mobile part, while the Intel chip is a desktop part. AMD includes integrated graphics in the form of Radeon 610M; Intel has no integrated graphics (N/A). The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel processor is locked.

Memory support differs in scope. AMD supports only DDR5, while Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s; Intel does not list a bandwidth figure. PCIe support also differs: AMD provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

The production status for both is listed as Active. The release dates differ, with AMD listed as 2025-04-22 and Intel as 2023-12-31. Neither processor has a launch MSRP recorded in the database.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is built on Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename, part of the 8000 series. It uses a 5 nm process node fabricated by TSMC. The transistor count is 13,140 million across a die size of 2x 71 mm². Cache is organized as 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The architecture is designed for high-core-count mobile workloads, as evidenced by its 16-core, 32-thread configuration and 55 watt TDP.

The Intel Core i5-14490F uses Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, part of the Core 14th Gen series. It is built on a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 215 mm². No transistor count is recorded. Cache is organized as 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. This is a desktop part with a 65 watt TDP and a locked multiplier.

The architectural differences directly explain the benchmark outcomes. AMD's Zen 4 on a 5 nm node delivers higher multi-threaded throughput per watt, as shown by the 41.4% to 131% multi-core margins despite a lower TDP. Intel's Raptor Lake on a 10 nm node uses more power and still cannot match the core count or multi-core output. The larger L3 cache on AMD (64 MB versus 24 MB) likely contributes to the substantial leads in data compression, encryption, and random string sorting. The Intel chip compensates with higher per-core L1 and L2 caches, which may explain its Cinebench single-core wins, though PassMark single-thread shows no advantage. The process node difference (5 nm versus 10 nm) is the most fundamental architectural gap, and the recorded data shows it manifests across nearly every multi-threaded benchmark.