AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core i5-14490F Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark database shows a decisive overall result: the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins 14 of the 15 shared tests, with only one victory for the Intel Core i5-14490F. The magnitude of the AMD advantage varies widely by workload, from a modest single-core gap to massive multi-threaded and specialized instruction deltas.

The largest single margin appears in PassMark find prime numbers, where the Ryzen 9 9900X scores 436 against 122 for the Intel part, a 257.4% advantage. This is a workload that scales heavily with core count and memory bandwidth, and the 12-core, 24-thread AMD processor leverages its configuration to overwhelming effect. Extended instructions also show a dramatic gap: 55,243 versus 21,731, a 154.2% difference, indicating the Zen 5 architecture's ability to execute complex instruction sequences with far greater throughput.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 9 9900X posts 5,008 versus 2,318, a 116% lead. The R23 multi-core test narrows the gap somewhat, with 32,172 versus 23,000, a 39.9% difference, but the AMD part remains firmly ahead. PassMark integer math shows a 106.1% advantage (181,056 versus 87,844), and random string sorting shows 102.2% (72,013 versus 35,608). Data compression follows a similar pattern: 683,579 versus 340,026, a 101% lead.

The Ryzen 9 9900X also wins in floating-point math by 80.4% (120,083 versus 66,558), data encryption by 83.4% (33,421 versus 18,225), and multi-thread overall by 90.6% (54,643 versus 28,662). PassMark physics shows a 61.5% advantage (3,381 versus 2,093). Even in single-thread PassMark, the AMD part leads by 20.6% (4,672 versus 3,873), and Cinebench R15 single-core shows an 8% advantage (353 versus 327).

The sole Intel win comes in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Core i5-14490F scores 3,247 against 2,253, a 30.6% advantage for the Intel chip. This is a notable result, as it indicates the Intel part's peak single-thread performance is substantially higher in this specific rendering test, despite losing the R15 single-core test. The data suggests the Intel architecture can reach higher clocks under single-threaded load in certain scenarios, though the overall single-thread picture remains mixed.

The average benchmark score for the Ryzen 9 9900X is 57,498, placing it at the 92nd percentile among all CPUs. The Core i5-14490F averages 38,149, at the 86th percentile. The nearest rivals to the AMD part include the AMD EPYC 9015 (57,555, a 0.1% difference) and Intel Core i9-14900 (58,115, a 1.1% difference), showing the Ryzen 9 9900X sits in a competitive server-class performance band. The Intel part's nearest rivals include the Core Ultra 5 245T (38,194, a 0.1% difference) and Core i5-13600KF (38,103, a 0.1% difference), placing it in a mainstream performance tier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X scores 32,172 versus 23,000 for the Intel Core i5-14490F, a 39.9% advantage for the AMD processor.

Q: Is the Intel Core i5-14490F faster in any benchmark?

A: Yes, in Cinebench R23 single-core the Intel part scores 3,247 against 2,253, a 30.6% advantage. This is the only test where Intel wins.

Q: What is the difference in data encryption performance?

A: The Ryzen 9 9900X scores 33,421 in PassMark data encryption, while the Intel Core i5-14490F scores 18,225, an 83.4% difference in favor of AMD.

Q: How do the two processors compare in integer math?

A: The AMD part scores 181,056 in PassMark integer math, versus 87,844 for Intel, a 106.1% lead.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Ryzen 9 9900X has an average benchmark score of 57,498, and the Core i5-14490F averages 38,149.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking?

A: The Ryzen 9 9900X sits at the 92nd percentile among all CPUs, while the Core i5-14490F sits at the 86th percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits the use cases clearly. The Ryzen 9 9900X dominates every multi-threaded and specialized workload recorded. For rendering, the Cinebench R15 multi-core result (5,008 versus 2,318) and R23 multi-core result (32,172 versus 23,000) indicate the AMD part is the stronger choice for CPU-based rendering tasks. The 90.6% lead in PassMark multi-thread (54,643 versus 28,662) confirms this across general parallel workloads.

For data-intensive tasks, the AMD processor shows overwhelming advantages. Data compression at 683,579 versus 340,026, a 101% difference, suggests the Ryzen 9 9900X handles archival and database workloads with roughly double the throughput. Data encryption at 83.4% ahead and integer math at 106.1% ahead further reinforce this. The 154.2% lead in extended instructions and 257.4% lead in prime number finding point to specialized scientific or cryptographic workloads where the AMD architecture's instruction handling provides a massive edge.

The Intel Core i5-14490F wins only in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 3,247 versus 2,253. This indicates a potential advantage in lightly threaded rendering tasks that rely on a single core's peak performance. However, the R15 single-core test favors AMD (353 versus 327), and PassMark single-thread also favors AMD (4,672 versus 3,873). The R23 single-core result may reflect a specific optimization or boost behavior in that particular test, but the broader single-thread data does not show a consistent Intel advantage.

The physical and power characteristics further separate the two. The Ryzen 9 9900X has a TDP of 120 watts, while the Intel part has a TDP of 65 watts. The AMD chip also supports ECC memory, while the Intel part does not. These differences make the Ryzen 9 9900X more suitable for uncompromising performance workloads, while the Intel part offers a lower-power alternative with a single-core rendering peak.

Specification Differences

The core configuration differs substantially. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X uses 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14490F uses 10 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 4.40 GHz for AMD and 2.50 GHz for Intel, and boost clocks are 5.60 GHz versus 5.00 GHz. The AMD part has a 120-watt TDP, the Intel part a 65-watt TDP.

The L3 cache is a major differentiator: the Ryzen 9 9900X has 64 MB, while the Core i5-14490F has 24 MB shared. L2 cache is 1 MB per core for AMD and 1.25 MB per core for Intel, and L1 is 80 KB per core for both. Memory support differs as well: the AMD part uses DDR5 exclusively with dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel bus and no recorded bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported on AMD, not on Intel.

PCIe lanes also differ: the AMD processor provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The AMD part includes integrated Radeon Graphics, while the Intel part has no integrated graphics. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while Intel's is locked. The socket and platform are different as well: AMD uses Socket AM5, Intel uses Socket 1700.

The process node and die size show distinct manufacturing approaches: AMD uses a 4 nm process from TSMC with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm², while Intel uses a 10 nm process from its own foundry with a 215 mm² die. The AMD part has 16,630 million transistors, while no transistor count is recorded for the Intel part.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divergence is fundamental. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X uses Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Granite Ridge, from the 9000 series. It is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i5-14490F uses Raptor Lake architecture, codenamed Raptor Lake-R, from the Core 14th Gen series, built on a 10 nm process at Intel.

The core designs reflect different philosophies. Zen 5 is a newer architecture with a focus on instruction-level parallelism and high throughput, as evidenced by the extended instructions and floating-point results. Raptor Lake is a refresh of a mature design, with a higher single-core clock potential in specific tests but lower overall thread scaling.

The cache hierarchy differs in structure: AMD uses 64 MB of L3 cache as a unified pool, while Intel uses 24 MB shared L3. The larger L3 on AMD likely contributes to the data compression and integer math advantages, as more data can be held closer to the cores.

The integrated graphics presence also differentiates the platforms. The AMD part includes Radeon Graphics, allowing display output without a discrete GPU. The Intel part has no integrated graphics, requiring a separate graphics card for any display output. This affects system build requirements despite not appearing directly in benchmark scores.

The socket difference (AM5 versus LGA 1700) implies different platform lifespans and upgrade paths, though the benchmark data does not directly measure this. The unlocked multiplier on AMD supports manual overclocking, while the locked Intel multiplier limits such adjustments.

The Verdict

The recorded data shows the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X as the clear performance leader across nearly every measured workload. With 14 wins out of 15 head-to-head tests, the only Intel victory being a single Cinebench R23 single-core result, the overall performance picture is unambiguous. The average benchmark score of 57,498 versus 38,149 confirms a significant performance tier separation.

The Ryzen 9 9900X delivers its advantages through a combination of more cores (12 versus 10), more threads (24 versus 16), higher base and boost clocks (4.40 GHz and 5.60 GHz versus 2.50 GHz and 5.00 GHz), and a substantially larger L3 cache (64 MB versus 24 MB). The 4 nm TSMC process and Zen 5 architecture provide the foundation for the observed instruction throughput advantages, particularly in extended instructions (154.2% ahead) and prime number finding (257.4% ahead).

The Intel Core i5-14490F offers a lower TDP (65 watts versus 120 watts), which may be preferable for power-constrained systems. Its sole benchmark win in Cinebench R23 single-core indicates a specific strength in that rendering test, but the broader single-thread data does not show a consistent pattern in its favor. The lack of ECC support and absence of integrated graphics on the Intel part also limit its applicability in certain professional or compact system scenarios.

For users prioritizing multi-threaded rendering, data compression, encryption, or any heavily parallel workload, the AMD processor is the clear choice from the data. The 39.9% advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core and the 90.6% lead in PassMark multi-thread show substantial real-world performance differences. For users with a strict power budget or a workload that specifically benefits from the Intel part's single-core boost in Cinebench R23, the Core i5-14490F remains an option, but the recorded benchmarks indicate a wide overall performance gap favoring AMD.