AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX vs Intel Core i5-14490F Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and Intel Core i5-14490F occupy different corners of the processor market, one a mobile flagship and the other a desktop mid-range part. The recorded benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap, with the AMD processor winning all 17 head-to-head tests. The Ryzen 9 8945HX delivers 85.7% higher multi-core scores in Cinebench R23, while the Intel chip trails significantly in nearly every workload category. This analysis breaks down where each processor wins, the architectural reasons behind the results, and what the data indicates for potential system builders.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX wins every benchmark in the database, so the use-case split is defined by the degree of victory rather than by which processor takes specific tests. The largest margins appear in data encryption and extended instruction workloads, where the AMD chip scores 124.1% and 129.3% higher respectively. Integer math also shows a massive 122.2% advantage, and random string sorting trails closely at 121.2%. These results indicate workloads that scale with core count and memory bandwidth benefit strongly from the Ryzen 9 8945HX.

The Intel Core i5-14490F is not without a competitive position, but only in narrow circumstances. Its single-thread PassMark score of 3873 sits within 0.9% of the AMD processor's 3907, making this the closest test in the entire comparison. Similarly, PassMark physics shows a modest 3.6% gap, with scores of 2168 and 2093. For applications that rely primarily on single-core performance, such as legacy software or certain game engines, the Intel chip remains competitive, though the AMD part still leads. The data does not show a single test where the Intel processor takes the win, but the single-thread results suggest its strongest territory is in lightly threaded workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors diverge fundamentally in their design targets. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX uses 16 cores and 32 threads based on the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Dragon Range, built on a 5 nm TSMC process. The Intel Core i5-14490F uses 10 cores and 16 threads on the Raptor Lake architecture, codenamed Raptor Lake-R, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process. The AMD processor features a 64 MB L3 cache, while the Intel chip has 24 MB shared L3 cache. Per-core L1 and L2 allocations also differ, with AMD providing 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, while Intel provides 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core.

Memory support separates the two as well. The Ryzen 9 8945HX supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a recorded bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, but the database does not list a memory bandwidth figure. PCIe lane counts also differ, with AMD offering 28 Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, while Intel provides 16 Gen 5 lanes. The AMD processor includes integrated graphics as a Radeon 610M, while the Intel chip has no integrated graphics. The AMD part is an unlocked multiplier mobile processor on AMD Socket FL1, while the Intel chip is a locked desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700. The AMD processor uses a 55 W TDP, and the Intel chip uses 65 W TDP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How large is the cache difference between the two?

A: The AMD processor has 64 MB L3 cache, while the Intel processor has 24 MB shared L3 cache. Per-core L1 and L2 caches are 64 KB and 1 MB on AMD, versus 80 KB and 1.25 MB on Intel.

Q: What memory types does each support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel memory and 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i5-14490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode, but no bandwidth figure is recorded.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX includes a Radeon 610M integrated GPU. The Intel Core i5-14490F has no integrated graphics, listed as N/A.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-14490F boosts to 5.00 GHz. Both have a base clock of 2.50 GHz.

Q: How does the single-thread performance compare?

A: The AMD processor scores 3907 on PassMark single-thread, only 0.9% ahead of the Intel chip's 3873. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD chip scores 6030 versus 3247, an 85.7% advantage.

Specification Differences

The database records several key differences between the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX and Intel Core i5-14490F. The AMD part uses 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel part uses 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks match at 2.50 GHz, but boost clocks differ, with AMD at 5.40 GHz and Intel at 5.00 GHz. TDP ratings are 55 W for AMD and 65 W for Intel. Sockets are AMD Socket FL1 versus Intel Socket 1700. Process nodes are 5 nm (TSMC) for AMD and 10 nm (Intel foundry) for Intel.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD processor has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3. The Intel processor has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. Memory support shows AMD with DDR5 only and Intel with DDR4 and DDR5. Recorded memory bandwidth is 83.2 GB/s for AMD, with no figure for Intel. PCIe support is Gen 5 with 28 lanes for AMD and Gen 5 with 16 lanes for Intel. Integrated graphics are present on AMD as Radeon 610M and absent on Intel. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, while Intel is locked. Release dates also differ, with AMD released on 2025-04-22 and Intel on 2023-12-31, though no launch MSRP is recorded for either processor.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows consistent margins across all versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX scores 4305 against 2318 for the Intel chip, a delta of 85.7%. Single-core R15 shows 607 versus 327, also 85.6%. Cinebench R20 multi-core delivers 17939 against 9660, an 85.7% difference, and single-core shows 2532 versus 1363, an 85.8% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core records 42713 for AMD and 23000 for Intel, again 85.7% higher, while single-core shows 6030 versus 3247, matching the 85.7% delta. These results confirm that the AMD processor's advantage is consistent across rendering workloads that scale with both core count and clock speed.

PassMark tests reveal where the largest deltas occur. Data encryption shows the AMD processor at 40836 versus 18225, a 124.1% advantage, indicating strong throughput in cryptographic workloads. Extended instructions score 49823 versus 21731, a 129.3% gap, the largest in the entire comparison. Integer math delivers 195180 versus 87844, a 122.2% difference, and random string sorting records 78781 versus 35608, a 121.2% margin. Floating point math shows 117453 versus 66558, a 76.5% advantage. Find prime numbers scores 262 versus 122, a 114.8% gap. Data compression records 677755 versus 340026, a 99.3% difference. PassMark multi-thread shows 51405 versus 28662, a 79.3% margin.

The closest results appear in single-thread and physics tests. PassMark single-thread scores 3907 for AMD versus 3873 for Intel, a mere 0.9% difference, making this the only test within single-digit percentage points. PassMark physics shows 2168 versus 2093, a 3.6% gap. These two metrics indicate that the Intel processor remains close in lightly threaded and physics-based simulations, but the AMD chip still holds the advantage in every recorded test.

The Verdict

The benchmark data positions the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX as the stronger processor across all recorded workloads. Its 16-core, 32-thread configuration with 64 MB L3 cache and 83.2 GB/s memory bandwidth delivers between 76.5% and 129.3% higher scores in most PassMark tests, with Cinebench multi-core deltas consistently at 85.7%. The processor's 95th percentile ranking among all CPUs, compared to the Intel chip's 86th percentile, reflects its superior standing in the database. The average benchmark score of 76212 for AMD versus 38149 for Intel shows a 99.8% difference in overall performance.

The Intel Core i5-14490F remains viable only for workloads where single-thread performance dominates. Its PassMark single-thread score trails by 0.9%, and its physics score trails by 3.6%, which are negligible margins in practical use. The Intel chip's support for DDR4 memory could be relevant for systems reusing existing memory, but the database records no bandwidth figure to compare. For users prioritizing multi-threaded rendering, encryption, integer math, or data compression, the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is the only choice based on the recorded data. The Intel processor's 10-core, 16-thread design and 24 MB L3 cache cannot match the AMD chip's throughput in any measured category, making the verdict straightforward from the benchmark results.