AMD Ryzen 9 9900X vs Intel Core i9-14900F Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a fascinating split between these two desktop processors. The Intel Core i9-14900F wins 4 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X claims 13 victories. However, the magnitude of each win matters more than the raw count.

The most dramatic result is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Intel part scores 5,583 against the AMD's 2,253. That is a 147.8% advantage, the largest delta in the entire comparison. The Intel part also dominates Cinebench R15 single-core with a score of 562 versus 353, a 59.2% lead. These results indicate that the Intel Core i9-14900F holds a decisive edge in lightly threaded rendering workloads.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel part reverses the single-core narrative. It scores 39,551 versus the AMD's 32,172, a 22.9% advantage. This is surprising given the AMD part's higher core count in some respects, but the data is clear: the Intel processor is substantially faster in this multi-threaded rendering test. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test tells a different story entirely, with the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X winning 5,008 to 3,986, a 20.4% margin in the AMD's favor. The two Cinebench versions disagree on which processor is superior in multi-threaded workloads, which suggests the tests are stressing different aspects of the architectures.

The Geekbench results favor the AMD processor. In Geekbench multi-core, the AMD scores 22,174 against the Intel's 20,008, a 9.8% lead. The single-core Geekbench test shows the AMD at 3,010 versus 2,570, a 14.6% margin. These results indicate that the AMD architecture handles the Geekbench workload mix more efficiently, both in single-threaded and multi-threaded scenarios.

PassMark results are overwhelmingly in the AMD's favor. The largest win is in extended instructions, where the AMD scores 55,243 versus 31,084, a 43.7% advantage. The find prime numbers test shows the AMD at 436 versus 209, a 52.1% lead. Data compression goes to the AMD at 683,579 versus 564,207, a 17.5% margin. The AMD also wins PassMark multi-thread with 54,643 versus 46,532, a 14.8% lead, and PassMark physics with 3,381 versus 2,899, a 14.3% margin. Random string sorting goes to the AMD at 72,013 versus 63,728, an 11.5% lead. Floating point math is nearly a tie, with the AMD at 120,083 versus 119,550, just a 0.4% margin. Integer math is similarly close, with the AMD at 181,056 versus 177,066, a 2.2% lead. Even in single-thread PassMark, the AMD wins 4,672 versus 4,506, a 3.6% margin.

The Intel processor claims only one PassMark victory. Data encryption goes to the Intel at 34,644 versus 33,421, a 3.7% margin. This is a narrow win, but it is consistent with the Intel part's strong showing in single-core Cinebench tests.

Looking at the average benchmark scores, the Intel Core i9-14900F has an average of 60,008, which places it in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X averages 57,498, also in the 92nd percentile. The Intel part's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX at 60,099 (a 0.2% difference) and the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX3D at 59,641 (a 0.6% difference). The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X sits near the AMD EPYC 9015 at 57,555 (a 0.1% difference) and the Intel Core i9-14900 at 58,115 (a 1.1% difference). These percentile rankings show both processors are at the top of the desktop heap, but the Intel part holds a slight edge in overall average score.

The Verdict

The data indicates that the Intel Core i9-14900F is the better choice for users who prioritize Cinebench R23 multi-core rendering, where it leads by 22.9%. It is also the clear winner for single-core Cinebench workloads, with a 147.8% lead in R23 single-core. The Intel part also wins data encryption by 3.7%. Users running these specific workloads should favor the Intel processor.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X, however, wins the majority of the benchmark comparisons. It leads in Geekbench multi-core by 9.8% and Geekbench single-core by 14.6%. It dominates PassMark extended instructions by 43.7%, find prime numbers by 52.1%, data compression by 17.5%, multi-thread by 14.8%, physics by 14.3%, random string sorting by 11.5%, and single-thread by 3.6%. The AMD part also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 20.4%.

For general-purpose computing, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X offers a broader set of wins across the PassMark suite. Users who run a mix of compression, encryption, physics, and integer workloads will see better results with the AMD processor. The AMD part also has the advantage of a higher base clock at 4.40 GHz compared to the Intel's 2.00 GHz, though the Intel boost clock reaches 5.80 GHz versus the AMD's 5.60 GHz.

The Intel Core i9-14900F has the higher average benchmark score at 60,008 versus 57,498, a difference of about 4.4%. This suggests that, on average across all tested workloads, the Intel part is slightly ahead. However, the AMD part wins more individual tests, so the choice depends on the specific workload mix.

The Intel processor is locked, with the multiplier unlocked field set to false. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has an unlocked multiplier, which means it can be overclocked. The AMD part also includes integrated Radeon Graphics, while the Intel part has no integrated graphics. The AMD processor supports 24 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, while the Intel supports 16 lanes. The AMD part supports DDR5 memory with a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900F has an average benchmark score of 60,008, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X averages 57,498. Both are in the 92nd percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900F scores 39,551, which is 22.9% higher than the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X's 32,172.

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head tests. The Intel Core i9-14900F wins 4.

Q: What is the largest single-test margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Intel Core i9-14900F leads by 147.8%, scoring 5,583 versus the AMD's 2,253.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i9-14900F and the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X list ECC memory support as true.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X supports 24 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, while the Intel Core i9-14900F supports 16 lanes.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core i9-14900F has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel base clock is 2.00 GHz, and the AMD base clock is 4.40 GHz. The Intel boost clock reaches 5.80 GHz, while the AMD reaches 5.60 GHz. The Intel TDP is 65 watts, and the AMD TDP is 120 watts. The Intel uses Intel Socket 1700, while the AMD uses AMD Socket AM5.

Memory support differs: the Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD supports only DDR5. The AMD has a listed memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, while the Intel has no listed bandwidth. The AMD includes Radeon integrated graphics, while the Intel has no integrated graphics. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $524, and the AMD has a launch MSRP of $499.

The Intel multiplier is locked, while the AMD multiplier is unlocked. The Intel part number is SRN3W, and the AMD part number is 100-000000662. The Intel release date is 2024-01-07, and the AMD release date is 2024-08-14.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i9-14900F is built on the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-R, and uses a 10 nm process node manufactured by Intel. The die size is 257 mm². The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X uses the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Granite Ridge, on a 4 nm process node manufactured by TSMC. The AMD die size is 2x 70.6 mm², with 16,630 million transistors.

The Intel cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The AMD has a larger L3 cache by 28 MB. The Intel part has no listed transistor count. The AMD has a higher L2 cache per core at 1 MB, but the Intel has 2 MB per core.

Both processors are active in production and target the desktop market segment. The Intel uses a single-die design, while the AMD uses a dual-die design, as indicated by the 2x 70.6 mm² die size. The AMD's 4 nm process from TSMC contrasts with the Intel's 10 nm process from Intel's own foundry. The AMD's smaller process node likely contributes to its higher base clock of 4.40 GHz despite a higher TDP of 120 watts. The Intel's larger 257 mm² die and 65-watt TDP reflect a different design philosophy focused on efficiency within a lower power envelope.