AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs Intel Core i5-14401E Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D scores 42,018, which is 131.4% higher than the Intel Core i5-14401E's 18,161.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-14401E wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 2,564, beating the AMD's 2,259 by 11.9%.

Q: What is the process node for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D uses a 4 nm process from TSMC, while the Intel Core i5-14401E uses a 10 nm process from Intel.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D supports DDR5 only, while the Intel Core i5-14401E supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D has an average benchmark score of 75,779, compared to the Intel Core i5-14401E's 5,253.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is built on the Zen 5 architecture with the Granite Ridge codename, part of the 9000 series. It uses a 4 nm process from TSMC with 16,630 million transistors across a dual-die design measuring 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core i5-14401E uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, part of Core 14th Gen, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 215 mm².

Cache configurations differ substantially. The AMD chip has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel chip also has 80 KB of L1 per core but 1.25 MB of L2 per core and only 20 MB of shared L3. The AMD's L3 cache is six times larger, which directly supports its multi-threaded workload dominance.

Memory architecture also separates the two. AMD supports DDR5 only with dual-channel memory and a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, plus ECC support. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory and ECC support, but no listed memory bandwidth figure. PCIe capabilities differ as well: AMD provides Gen 5 with 24 CPU lanes, while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes.

Integrated graphics differ in branding. AMD uses Radeon Graphics, while Intel uses UHD Graphics 730. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. The AMD chip carries a launch MSRP of $699. The Intel chip has no recorded launch MSRP.

The Verdict

The benchmark data shows a clear split between multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. For any task that scales across cores, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the dominant choice: it holds a 257.2% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and a 131.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Its 16 cores and 32 threads, combined with 128 MB of L3 cache, deliver results far beyond the 6-core, 12-thread Intel part.

For single-threaded tasks, the Intel Core i5-14401E takes the win in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 2,564 versus 2,259, a 11.9% advantage. This suggests the Intel architecture has a higher peak single-core clock capability in this specific test, despite its lower boost clock of 4.70 GHz versus the AMD's 5.70 GHz.

The percentile data reinforces the gap. The AMD chip sits at the 95th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel chip sits at the 60th percentile. The AMD's nearest rivals are close in average score, with the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755 at 75,738 (0.1% behind), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755X3D at 75,716 (0.1% behind), the AMD EPYC 8224P at 75,582 (0.3% behind), and the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 at 75,488 (0.4% behind). The Intel i5-14401E's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 at 5,259 (0.1% ahead), the Intel Core i7-11700B at 5,241 (0.2% behind), the Intel Core i9-10850K at 5,240 (0.2% behind), and the Intel Core i5-13400T at 5,210 (0.8% behind).

The data indicates that the AMD processor is positioned for high-end desktop workloads requiring heavy multi-threading, while the Intel processor is a lower-power, lower-core-count desktop part. The Intel part is not competitive in multi-core performance but offers a single-core edge in one recorded test.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Intel Core i5-14401E |

|----------------|----------------------|----------------------|

| Cores | 16 | 6 |

| Threads | 32 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 4.30 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.70 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 170 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Granite Ridge | Raptor Lake-R |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 2x 70.6 mm² | 215 mm² |

| Transistors | 16,630 million | Not listed |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 128 MB | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 89.6 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 24 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $699 | Not listed |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data covers four Cinebench tests. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D wins three of them, and the Intel Core i5-14401E wins one.

Cinebench R15 Multi-Core: AMD wins decisively with a score of 6,536 versus Intel's 1,830, a 257.2% advantage. This is the largest gap in the comparison and reflects the massive core and thread count difference. The AMD's 16 cores and 32 threads overwhelm the Intel's 6 cores and 12 threads in a fully threaded render workload.

Cinebench R15 Single-Core: AMD wins again, scoring 350 versus 258, a 35.7% lead. Even in a single-thread test, the AMD's Zen 5 architecture at a 5.70 GHz boost clock outperforms the Intel part's 4.70 GHz boost.

Cinebench R23 Multi-Core: AMD wins with 42,018 versus 18,161, a 131.4% lead. This test confirms the multi-core pattern seen in R15, though the percentage gap is smaller than in R15. The AMD still delivers more than double the score.

Cinebench R23 Single-Core: Intel wins with 2,564 versus 2,259, an 11.9% advantage for Intel. This is the only test where the Intel part leads. The result is notable: despite a lower boost clock (4.70 GHz versus 5.70 GHz), the Intel part scores higher in this specific single-thread test. This may reflect differences in IPC, thermal behavior, or test methodology across the two architectures.

The overall head-to-head tally is 3 wins for AMD and 1 win for Intel. The average benchmark score difference is enormous: AMD at 75,779 versus Intel at 5,253, a factor of more than 14. However, the Intel part's average is based on only six benchmark entries, while the AMD part has a much broader benchmark set that includes heavy multi-threading tests like PassMark and Geekbench. The AMD's 95th percentile standing versus Intel's 60th percentile places them in entirely different performance tiers.

The data shows that the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the superior processor for multi-core and overall throughput, while the Intel Core i5-14401E offers a single-core win in one test but falls far behind in every multi-core metric recorded.