AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D vs Intel Core i7-14700 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in the recorded head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D wins all 19 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i7-14700. The Intel Core i7-14700 does not win a single test in the database.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap between these two CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D leads by 224% in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 6739 versus 2080. In PassMark single-thread, the gap is much smaller at 9.7%, with scores of 4646 and 4236 respectively.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700 has 20 cores and 28 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has 12 cores and 24 threads. Despite the core disadvantage, the AMD part leads in every recorded multicore benchmark.

Q: What are the power targets of these two CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has a TDP of 120 watts, while the Intel Core i7-14700 has a TDP of 65 watts. The AMD part consumes a higher rated power envelope but delivers substantially higher scores.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D and the Intel Core i7-14700 support ECC memory. The AMD part supports DDR5 memory, while the Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D has an unlocked multiplier, but the Intel Core i7-14700 does not. This is a notable difference for users who plan to tune their system.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D uses the Zen 5 architecture under the Granite Ridge codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It packs 16,630 million transistors across a dual-chiplet design with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core i7-14700 uses the Raptor Lake architecture under the Raptor Lake-R codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel, with a monolithic die size of 257 mm².

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. The AMD part offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a large 128 MB L3 cache. The Intel part also has 80 KB of L1 per core but doubles the L2 to 2 MB per core, while its L3 is 33 MB shared. The AMD processor's much larger L3 cache is a defining trait of the 3D V-Cache lineup and helps explain its strong performance in the recorded workloads.

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D supports DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus with a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-14700 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus, though no memory bandwidth figure is recorded in the database. Both processors support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The AMD part provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel part provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Both have integrated graphics: the AMD side uses Radeon Graphics, while the Intel side uses UHD Graphics 770.

The AMD processor is an unlocked part with a base clock of 4.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.50 GHz. The Intel processor is locked, with a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The AMD chip belongs to the Ryzen 9 generation, specifically the Zen 5 Granite Ridge family, while the Intel chip belongs to Core 14th Gen Raptor Lake Refresh family.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D dominates the recorded benchmark suite, and the margin of victory varies dramatically by workload type. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD part scores 47737 against Intel's 28398, a lead of 68.1%. Cinebench R20 multicore shows a similar pattern: 20049 and 14388, again a 39.3% advantage for AMD.

Single-core results are even more lopsided in some tests. Cinebench R23 single-core gives the AMD part a 224% lead with 6739 versus 2080. Cinebench R15 single-core records 679 against 299, a 127.1% gap. Geekbench single-core lands at 3041 against 2409, a 26.2% edge. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 2830 against 2031, another 39.3% margin.

Integer-heavy PassMark tests also favor AMD. PassMark integer math scores 179727 versus 154535, a 16.3% lead. PassMark find prime numbers records 544 against 164, a 231.7% advantage. PassMark extended instructions gives the AMD part a 95.2% edge with 55426 versus 28388. PassMark random string sorting records 71864 against 54340, a 32.2% win. PassMark data compression scores 685074 versus 498198, a 37.5% lead. PassMark data encryption gives 33282 against 29601, a 12.4% edge.

Floating-point work shows a narrower gap. PassMark floating point math records 119622 versus 106716, a 12.1% win for AMD. PassMark multithread scores 56154 against 40318, a 39.3% advantage. PassMark physics records 5340 against 2226, a 139.9% lead. PassMark single-thread and single-thread tests record 4646 against 4236, a 9.7% difference.

Cinebench R15 multicore records 4811 against 4061, an 18.5% lead. Geekbench multicore scores 22884 against 17087, a 33.9% edge. Across the entire head-to-head set, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D records a clean sweep of 19 wins with zero losses.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across several key specification fields. The AMD Ryzen 12-core, 24-thread configuration has a base clock of 4.4 GHz and boost clock of 5.5 GHz, with a TDP of 120 watts. The Intel 20-core, 28-thread part has a base clock of 2.1 GHz and boost clock of 5.4 GHz, with a TDP of 65 watts. AMD Socket AM5 hosts the AMD part, while Intel Socket 1700 hosts the Intel part.

The AMD processor is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC, while Intel uses a 10 nm process at Intel. AMD's L3 cache totals 128 MB, Intel's shared L3 totals 33 MB. AMD supports DDR5 memory with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 with no recorded bandwidth figure. AMD provides Gen 5 PCIe with 24 lanes, Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes. AMD lists a launch MSRP of $599, Intel lists a launch MSRP of $384. AMD has an unlocked multiplier, Intel is locked. Die size differs significantly: AMD is 2x 70.6 mm², Intel is 257 mm².

The AMD processor has a part number of 100-000001368 and a production status of Active. The Intel processor has a part number SRN40 and a production status of Active. The AMD processor uses Radeon Graphics, Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. Both processors support ECC memory.

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows a straightforward hierarchy: the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the stronger performer in every recorded test. The 224% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core and the 68.1% win in Cinebench R23 multicore confirm that AMD's architecture extracts far more performance per clock in both single-threaded and heavily threaded workloads. The Intel Core i7-14700 only keeps within single-digit margins in PassMark single-thread and integer math, where it trails by 9.7% and 16.3% respectively.

The Intel core count of 20 cores against 28 threads looks like a mismatch on paper, yet it cannot overcome AMD's efficiency advantage. The AMD part's 128 MB L3 cache and higher 120-watt TDP deliver results that the Intel part's 65-watt TDP cannot match. The Intel part does offer DDR4 and DDR5 support as a memory flexibility point, and it has a lower TDP rating, but those are not performance advantages in the recorded data.

For users who prioritize the highest recorded scores, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the clear choice from these measurements. The Intel Core i7-14700 may still be relevant for builders who specifically need DDR4 compatibility or a locked multiplier with lower rated power, but the benchmark results in the database do not show a single workload category where it wins.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D wins every category measured in the head-to-head set. That includes single-core and multicore Cinebench tests, Geekbench, and all recorded PassMark workloads. The largest AMD advantages appear in prime number finding, 231.7%, and Cinebench R23 single-core, 224%, suggesting that its Zen 5 architecture and large L3 cache produce exceptional results in integer and single-threaded workloads. The smaller margins, 9.7% in PassMark single-thread and 12.1% in floating point math, still favor AMD.

The Intel Core i7-14700 has no recorded wins in this comparison. It does present a lower TDP of 65 watts versus 120 watts, which may be relevant for certain builds. It also supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD part only supports DDR5. For users who are locked into a DDR4 platform or who must minimize rated power draw, the Intel part has a practical role. For anyone measuring performance purely through the database scores, the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D is the only winner. The data does not indicate any benchmark category where the Intel part takes the lead.