AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs Intel Core i9-14900KS Comparison

The Intel Core i9-14900KS and AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX are remarkably close in overall average benchmark score, with the Intel part scoring 81,127 and the AMD part scoring 81,103, a difference of only 0.03%. However, this aggregate parity masks a stark divergence in workload performance. The data shows the Intel Core i9-14900KS wins 12 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins 3. The Intel chip is the clear choice for single-threaded and heavily threaded compute tasks, while the AMD chip demonstrates specific advantages in extended instruction handling and prime number computation, making it a niche but viable alternative.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-14900KS dominates the performance landscape across nearly every benchmark category. Its most significant victories are in single-core performance, where it leads the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX by a massive 275.5% in Cinebench R23 single-core (7,199 vs 1,917) and by 148.3% in Cinebench R15 single-core (725 vs 292). This indicates a decisive advantage in lightly-threaded applications like legacy software, basic productivity tasks, and games that rely on a single primary thread. The Intel processor also wins in multi-core Cinebench R23 by 56.8% (50,995 vs 32,521), demonstrating superior performance in rendering and video encoding workloads that scale across all cores. In PassMark's multithread test, Intel leads by 20.7% (60,012 vs 49,731), and in physics simulation, it wins by 60.7% (3,381 vs 2,104), indicating strength in scientific computing and physics-based game engines.

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX, despite its overall loss, claims victory in three specific areas. It wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 4% (5,355 vs 5,140), which is a notable reversal given Intel's dominance in the newer Cinebench R23 multi-core test. The AMD chip also wins PassMark extended instructions by 4.8% (47,802 vs 45,524), suggesting better optimization for AVX-512 or similar extended instruction sets. Its third win is in PassMark find prime numbers by 2.8% (251 vs 244), a niche test that measures pure integer calculation efficiency in a specific algorithm. These wins indicate that the AMD processor is not universally slower; it has specific architectural strengths that shine in certain computational patterns.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i9-14900KS is a desktop part built on Intel's 10 nm process with the Raptor Lake architecture (Raptor Lake-R codename). It features 24 cores and 32 threads, combining performance and efficiency cores. Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 36 MB shared L3 cache. The chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, has ECC memory support, and offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. Its integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770. The base clock is 3.20 GHz with a boost clock of 6.20 GHz, and the TDP is 150 watts.

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX is a mobile processor built on TSMC's 5 nm process using the Zen 4 architecture (Dragon Range codename). It has 16 cores and 32 threads, all of which are full performance cores. Its cache design differs significantly: 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and a larger 64 MB shared L3 cache. The chip supports only DDR5 memory, lacks ECC memory support, and offers PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes. Its integrated graphics are Radeon 610M. The base clock is 2.40 GHz with a boost clock of 5.30 GHz, and the TDP is just 55 watts. The AMD chip has 13,140 million transistors across a 2x 71 mm² die size, while the Intel chip has a 257 mm² die size.

These architectural differences directly explain the benchmark results. Intel's higher boost clock (6.20 GHz vs 5.30 GHz) and larger L2 cache per core (2 MB vs 1 MB) contribute to its massive single-core lead. AMD's larger L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB) helps in certain data-heavy workloads, but the Intel chip's higher core count (24 vs 16) and higher TDP (150W vs 55W) give it the multi-core edge in most tests. The AMD chip's 5 nm process allows for better power efficiency, evident in its 55W TDP, but this comes at the cost of raw performance in heavily threaded scenarios.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows Intel's biggest multi-threaded advantage, with a 56.8% lead (50,995 vs 32,521). This is a stark contrast to Cinebench R15 multi-core, where AMD actually wins by 4% (5,355 vs 5,140). The discrepancy suggests that the newer Cinebench R23 workload favors Intel's hybrid core architecture, while the older R15 test may be better optimized for AMD's homogeneous Zen 4 core design. In single-core tests, Intel's dominance is absolute: Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 275.5% lead (7,199 vs 1,917), and Cinebench R15 single-core shows a 148.3% lead (725 vs 292). This is the largest performance gap in any benchmark category, highlighting the extreme single-thread capability of the Intel chip's boost clock.

In PassMark tests, Intel wins in data compression by 23.4% (803,368 vs 650,984), data encryption by 21.4% (47,717 vs 39,318), floating point math by 35.2% (153,975 vs 113,921), integer math by 12.4% (212,644 vs 189,221), multithread by 20.7% (60,012 vs 49,731), physics by 60.7% (3,381 vs 2,104), random string sorting by 19.1% (89,789 vs 75,381), and single thread by 24.3% (4,815 vs 3,874). AMD's wins in PassMark extended instructions (47,802 vs 45,524, a 4.8% lead) and find prime numbers (251 vs 244, a 2.8% lead) are narrow but consistent. These results show that while Intel generally outperforms AMD by margins ranging from 12% to 60%, AMD's architectural efficiency in specific instruction sets and algorithms allows it to compete effectively in those niches.

The Verdict

The data clearly indicates that the Intel Core i9-14900KS is the superior processor for virtually all demanding workloads. With 12 wins out of 15 head-to-head benchmarks, it is the choice for users who prioritize maximum performance in single-threaded applications, multi-threaded rendering, physics simulation, and general compute tasks. The 275.5% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core makes it the definitive option for legacy software compatibility and applications that cannot utilize multiple cores effectively. Its 56.8% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core also makes it the better option for video editing, 3D rendering, and software compilation.

The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX, despite its 3 wins, is not a recommended choice for most users based on this data. Its wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core, extended instructions, and prime numbers are narrow (4%, 4.8%, and 2.8% respectively) and do not compensate for its significant losses elsewhere. However, its 55W TDP compared to Intel's 150W TDP suggests it may be more suitable for power-constrained environments, though the benchmark data does not directly measure power efficiency. For users who specifically need AVX-512 or similar extended instruction performance, the AMD chip's 4.8% lead in that specific test could be relevant. Otherwise, the Intel Core i9-14900KS is the clear winner in performance per benchmark.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS wins all single-core benchmarks. It scores 7,199 in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is 275.5% higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX's 1,917. In PassMark single thread, Intel scores 4,815 versus AMD's 3,874, a 24.3% lead.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX wins 3 benchmarks: Cinebench R15 multi-core (5,355 vs 5,140, a 4% lead), PassMark extended instructions (47,802 vs 45,524, a 4.8% lead), and PassMark find prime numbers (251 vs 244, a 2.8% lead).

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

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS scores 50,995 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX scores 32,521. This gives Intel a 56.8% advantage in this test.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS has 80 KB L1 cache per core, 2 MB L2 cache per core, and 36 MB shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS has 24 cores and 32 threads. The AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900KS has an average benchmark score of 81,127, and the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has an average benchmark score of 81,103. They are nearly identical, with a delta of 0%.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Intel Core i9-14900KS has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel chip has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 6.20 GHz, while the AMD chip has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.30 GHz. The TDP is 150W for Intel and 55W for AMD. The Intel part uses the Intel Socket 1700 with Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process, while the AMD part uses the AMD Socket FL1 with Zen 4 architecture on a 5 nm process. The Intel chip has 36 MB shared L3 cache, while the AMD chip has 64 MB L3 cache. The Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD chip supports only DDR5. The Intel chip has ECC memory support, while the AMD chip does not. The Intel chip has PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes, while the AMD chip has PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770 for Intel and Radeon 610M for AMD. The Intel chip is a desktop part with a release date of 2024-03-13 and a launch MSRP of $689, while the AMD chip is a mobile part with a release date of 2025-04-22 and no launch MSRP listed. The Intel chip has a die size of 257 mm², while the AMD chip has a die size of 2x 71 mm².