AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX vs Intel Core i9-14900K Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900K has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. Both processors provide the same thread count, but Intel achieves it with more physical cores.

Q: What is the difference in boost clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900K boosts up to 6.00 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX reaches 5.40 GHz. Intel holds a 0.60 GHz advantage in maximum clock speed.

Q: Which chip has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX has 64 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to 36 MB on the Intel Core i9-14900K. AMD's cache advantage is 28 MB.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900K has an average benchmark score of 79097, while the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX scores 76212. Intel leads by roughly 3.8% in overall average score.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900K has a TDP of 125 W, while the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX has a TDP of 55 W. AMD's mobile chip draws significantly less power.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i9-14900K supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX supports DDR5 only.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-14900K dominates the head-to-head comparison with 12 wins out of 17 benchmark categories. Its biggest advantages appear in heavily multithreaded desktop workloads: Cinebench R15 multicore (41.8% ahead), PassMark physics (44.8% ahead), and PassMark floating point math (30.2% ahead). The Intel chip also wins in data compression, encryption, integer math, multithread, random string sorting, and single-thread PassMark tests.

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX takes 5 wins, concentrated in specific areas. Its largest margin is in Cinebench R15 singlecore, where it leads by 46.5%. AMD also wins Cinebench R23 multicore (7.8% ahead), Cinebench R23 singlecore (62.5% ahead), extended instructions (9.4% ahead), and prime number finding (11.8% ahead).

The use-case split is clear: Intel wins most throughput-oriented workloads, while AMD excels in certain rendering and instruction-heavy tasks. The Cinebench R23 multicore result is notable, as the AMD chip leads despite having fewer cores, suggesting strong scaling in that specific renderer. Users running Cinebench R23 workloads should favor AMD, while those in PassMark-heavy tasks should favor Intel.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i9-14900K is built on Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, using Intel's 10 nm process node. It is a desktop part with 24 cores (8 performance and 16 efficiency cores), 32 threads, and a 257 mm² die size. The chip features 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, includes ECC memory support, and has an integrated UHD Graphics 770 GPU. The processor uses the Intel Socket 1700 platform and provides Gen 5 PCIe with 16 CPU lanes.

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is built on Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Dragon Range, using TSMC's 5 nm process node. It is a mobile part with 16 cores, 32 threads, and a dual-die design measuring 2x 71 mm². The chip packs 13,140 million transistors. Cache configuration includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. It supports DDR5 only, with a dual-channel memory bus and 83.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The integrated GPU is the Radeon 610M, and it uses AMD Socket FL1. PCIe support is Gen 5 with 28 CPU lanes, and ECC memory is not supported.

The architectural split is fundamental: Intel uses a hybrid core design on a mature 10 nm node, while AMD uses a monolithic-per-CCX Zen 4 design on TSMC's 5 nm node. AMD's smaller process node and larger L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB) help it win specific workloads despite lower clock speeds. Intel's higher boost clock (6.00 GHz vs 5.40 GHz) and higher TDP (125 W vs 55 W) enable its multithreaded throughput advantages.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The Intel Core i9-14900K has 24 cores versus 16 on AMD, though both have 32 threads. Base clocks differ: 3.20 GHz on Intel versus 2.50 GHz on AMD. Boost clocks differ: 6.00 GHz versus 5.40 GHz. TDP differs dramatically: 125 W versus 55 W.

Process node: Intel uses 10 nm, AMD uses 5 nm. The foundries differ: Intel fabricates its own chip, while TSMC fabricates AMD's. Die size: 257 mm² for Intel, 2x 71 mm² for AMD. Transistor count is listed only for AMD at 13,140 million.

Cache differs across all levels: L1 is 80 KB per core on Intel versus 64 KB per core on AMD; L2 is 2 MB per core on Intel versus 1 MB per core on AMD; L3 is 36 MB shared on Intel versus 64 MB on AMD.

Memory support: Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, AMD supports DDR5 only. Memory bandwidth: only AMD lists a figure at 83.2 GB/s. ECC memory: Intel supports it, AMD does not. PCIe lanes: 16 on Intel, 28 on AMD. Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 770 versus Radeon 610M. Socket: Intel Socket 1700 versus AMD Socket FL1. Release dates: Intel launched on 2023-10-16, AMD on 2025-04-22. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $589; AMD has no listed launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multicore test shows the largest Intel victory. Intel scores 6103 against AMD's 4305, a 41.8% lead. This result reflects Intel's core count and clock advantage in an older renderer. In Cinebench R20 multicore, Intel wins again with 20793 versus 17939, a 15.9% margin.

The Cinebench R23 results flip the narrative. AMD wins multicore with 42713 versus 39399.5, a 7.8% lead. The singlecore result is even more decisive: AMD scores 6030 versus 2262.5, a 62.5% lead. The R15 singlecore test also goes to AMD at 607 versus 324.5, a 46.5% margin. These singlecore results are unusual; the AMD chip appears to scale differently across Cinebench versions.

In PassMark tests, Intel wins most categories. PassMark physics: 3140 versus 2168, a 44.8% lead. PassMark floating point math: 152975 versus 117453, a 30.2% lead. PassMark single thread: 4697 versus 3907, a 20.2% lead. PassMark data compression: 792694 versus 677755, a 17% lead. PassMark data encryption: 46813 versus 40836, a 14.6% lead. PassMark multithread: 58674 versus 51405, a 14.1% lead. PassMark random string sorting: 86971 versus 78781, a 10.4% lead. PassMark integer math: 210622 versus 195180, a 7.9% lead.

AMD wins the remaining PassMark categories. PassMark extended instructions: 49823 versus 45154, a 9.4% lead. PassMark find prime numbers: 262 versus 231, an 11.8% lead.

The data shows a split personality. Intel wins the older Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore tests plus most PassMark workloads. AMD wins both R23 tests and the instruction-heavy PassMark categories. The overall average benchmark score favors Intel: 79097 versus 76212.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i9-14900K is the stronger all-around performer. It wins 12 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, holds a higher average benchmark score (79097 versus 76212), and leads in most PassMark categories. The 125 W TDP, 6.00 GHz boost clock, and 24-core design deliver broad multithreaded superiority. Buyers should choose Intel for general desktop workloads, especially those involving PassMark-style math, compression, encryption, and physics simulations.

The AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX is the better choice for specific rendering workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore win (42713 versus 39399.5) and massive singlecore wins (62.5% ahead in R23, 46.5% ahead in R15) indicate strong performance in modern Cinebench applications. The 64 MB L3 cache and 5 nm process likely contribute to these wins. Buyers running Cinebench R23 as their primary benchmark should favor AMD.

The AMD chip also suits power-constrained environments. Its 55 W TDP versus Intel's 125 W TDP makes it an efficient mobile option, while Intel targets desktop sockets. The AMD part offers more PCIe lanes (28 versus 16) and higher memory bandwidth (83.2 GB/s), which may matter for certain workstation tasks.

Neither chip dominates absolutely. Intel leads in average score and most workloads, while AMD wins the modern rendering tests and efficiency comparison. The choice depends on workload mix: Intel for general throughput, AMD for Cinebench R23 and power-sensitive mobile systems.