AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs Intel Core i9-14901E Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D records an average benchmark score of 75,779, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. The Intel Core i9-14901E averages 37,911, which places it in the 86th percentile.

Q: How many benchmark tests does each processor win in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D wins 13 of the 15 head-to-head tests. The Intel Core i9-14901E wins 2 tests, both of which are single-core Cinebench workloads.

Q: What is the difference in multi-core performance between the two?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD scores 42,018 versus Intel's 25,753, which is a 63.2% advantage for AMD. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD's 6,536 beats Intel's 2,595 by 151.9%.

Q: Does the Intel processor win any single-threaded tests?

A: Yes. In Cinebench R15 single-core, Intel scores 366 versus AMD's 350, a 4.4% edge. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel scores 3,635 versus AMD's 2,259, a 37.9% advantage.

Q: What are the closest rivals for each processor according to the database?

A: The AMD's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755 with an average score of 75,738, a 0.1% difference. The Intel's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 with an average score of 37,904, nearly identical.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Both processors support ECC memory. The AMD uses DDR5 memory, while the Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D belongs to the 9000 series and uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Granite Ridge codename. It is built on a 4 nm process by TSMC and contains 16,630 million transistors across a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core i9-14901E is part of the Core 14th Gen series, using the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename. It is manufactured on a 10 nm process by Intel with a die size of 257 mm².

Core counts differ substantially. The AMD provides 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel provides 8 cores and 16 threads. Both use an 80 KB L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache differs: AMD has 1 MB per core, Intel has 2 MB per core. The L3 cache is a major differentiator: AMD offers 128 MB, Intel offers 36 MB shared.

The AMD uses Socket AM5 and has a base clock of 4.30 GHz with a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The Intel uses Socket 1700 with a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.60 GHz. The TDP ratings are 170 W for AMD and 65 W for Intel.

Memory support differs. The AMD supports DDR5 only with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, but no memory bandwidth figure is recorded in the database. PCIe support also differs: AMD provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only), Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics are present on both. The AMD uses Radeon Graphics, while the Intel uses UHD Graphics 770. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel does not.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data reveals a decisive multi-core advantage for the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D across nearly every workload. In PassMark data compression, AMD scores 908,421 versus Intel's 288,777, a 214.6% lead. Data encryption shows AMD at 44,536 versus Intel's 18,571, a 139.8% difference. Extended instructions see the largest gap: AMD scores 73,011 versus Intel's 17,249, a 323.3% margin.

Prime number finding favors AMD heavily, with 613 versus Intel's 189, a 224.3% difference. Floating point math shows AMD at 159,724 versus Intel's 81,089, a 97% lead. Integer math goes to AMD at 243,209 versus Intel's 112,736, a 115.7% advantage. The PassMark multithread test shows AMD at 70,255 versus Intel's 30,298, a 131.9% gap. Physics tests show AMD at 5,670 versus Intel's 3,041, an 86.5% lead. Random string sorting favors AMD at 95,423 versus Intel's 39,138, a 143.8% difference.

The single-thread picture is more nuanced. In PassMark single-thread, AMD wins with 4,737 versus Intel's 4,354, an 8.8% advantage. However, the Cinebench single-core tests tell a different story. In Cinebench R15 single-core, Intel wins with 366 versus AMD's 350, a 4.4% edge. In Cinebench R23 single-core, Intel's advantage expands dramatically: 3,635 versus AMD's 2,259, a 37.9% lead.

The overall trend is clear. The AMD processor dominates in heavily threaded and compute-intensive tasks, while the Intel processor shows a notable single-core strength in Cinebench workloads. The PassMark single-thread result complicates that narrative, since AMD actually wins that test, but the margin is modest compared to its multi-core victories.

The Verdict

The benchmark data positions the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D as the stronger processor for multi-core workloads by a wide margin. Its 16 cores and 32 threads deliver results that are often double or triple the Intel's output in parallel tasks. The 95th percentile ranking versus the Intel's 86th percentile reflects this gap in aggregate performance.

The Intel Core i9-14901E retains a distinct advantage in Cinebench single-core tests, particularly R23 where it leads by 37.9%. That result suggests a different optimization profile, one that favors lightly threaded workloads with high clock responsiveness. Its 65 W TDP also indicates a much lower power envelope, which matters for thermally constrained systems.

Data from the nearest rivals reinforces the separation. The AMD sits within 0.4% of the Intel Core Ultra 9 285, a close grouping at the top of the desktop performance tier. The Intel sits within 0.3% of the AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P132, placing it in a mid-range performance band. The average benchmark scores, 75,779 versus 37,911, show a processor tier gap that is not subtle.

The choice depends on workload type. The AMD wins 13 of 15 head-to-head tests, including all PassMark tests and both multi-core Cinebench tests. The Intel wins only the two single-core Cinebench tests. Users prioritizing single-core Cinebench performance should consider the Intel. Users facing mixed or parallel workloads should select the AMD.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Intel Core i9-14901E |

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

| Cores | 16 | 8 |

| Threads | 32 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 4.30 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.70 GHz | 5.60 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 |

| Transistors | 16,630 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 2x 70.6 mm² | 257 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 128 MB | 36 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

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

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release Date | 2025-01-05 | 2024-06-30 |

| Launch MSRP | $699 | Not recorded |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D wins in every PassMark test category, covering data compression, data encryption, extended instructions, prime number finding, floating point math, integer math, multithread performance, physics, random string sorting, and single-thread performance. It also wins both Cinebench multi-core tests. The largest margin is in extended instructions at 323.3%, followed by data compression at 214.6% and prime numbers at 224.3%. These results indicate a processor built for parallel computation, content creation, scientific workloads, and any task that scales with core count.

The Intel Core i9-14901E wins in two Cinebench single-core tests. The most significant is Cinebench R23 single-core, where it leads by 37.9%. The Cinebench R15 single-core win is narrower at 4.4%. These wins point to a processor that can deliver strong per-core performance in specific synthetic workloads, which may translate to responsiveness in lightly threaded applications. However, the PassMark single-thread test goes to AMD by 8.8%, so the Intel's single-core advantage is not universal across all benchmark suites.

The specification data adds context. The Intel's 65 W TDP versus AMD's 170 W suggests the Intel operates in a lower power envelope, which may be relevant for systems with limited cooling or power delivery. The Intel also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, offering flexibility in platform memory choice. The AMD's 128 MB L3 cache versus Intel's 36 MB indicates a much larger cache footprint, which likely contributes to its strong performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

The AMD's unlocked multiplier and newer release date point toward a platform with overclocking headroom and a recent launch. The Intel's locked multiplier limits such flexibility. The AMD's 24 PCIe Gen 5 lanes versus Intel's 16 lanes provide more connectivity bandwidth for expansion cards and storage devices.

The recorded wins split 13 for AMD and 2 for Intel. The overall performance tier, measured by average benchmark scores and percentile rankings, places the AMD firmly above the Intel. The data supports choosing the AMD for multi-core throughput and the Intel for specific single-core Cinebench scenarios.