AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX vs Intel Core i5-14401E Comparison

The benchmark data positions the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX as the dominant performer in multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel Core i5-14401E secures a notable victory in a single-core test. Across the four head-to-head comparisons, the AMD processor wins three, with the Intel chip taking one.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive result appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX scores 5905 against the Intel Core i5-14401E's 1830. This represents a 222.7% advantage for the AMD part, the largest margin in any shared test. The gap reflects the fundamental difference in core counts: 16 cores and 32 threads versus 6 cores and 12 threads.

Cinebench R23 multi-core reinforces this pattern. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX delivers 37159 points, while the Intel Core i5-14401E manages 18161. The delta here is 104.6%, meaning the AMD processor more than doubles the Intel chip's rendering throughput. For heavily parallel workloads such as 3D rendering, video encoding, or software compilation, the data confirms a massive performance gulf.

Single-core results tell a different story. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel Core i5-14401E scores 2564, outpacing the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX's 2174. The 15.2% deficit for the AMD part is the only loss recorded in the head-to-head set. This indicates that for lightly threaded tasks, the Intel architecture holds a measurable edge in raw per-core speed.

Cinebench R15 single-core, however, favors the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX. The AMD processor scores 336 versus 258 for the Intel chip, a 30.2% lead. This inconsistency between R15 and R23 single-core results suggests that the performance relationship depends on the specific workload characteristics, with the AMD part excelling in shorter or differently structured single-threaded tasks.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX wins decisively in multi-threaded scenarios. Its 16 cores and 32 threads produce results that are 104.6% to 222.7% ahead of the Intel Core i5-14401E in multi-core benchmarks. The AMD part also wins in Cinebench R15 single-core by 30.2%, adding a single-threaded victory to its multi-core dominance.

The Intel Core i5-14401E wins in Cinebench R23 single-core, where its 2564 score beats the AMD chip by 15.2%. This result positions the Intel part as the better choice for workloads that depend on high per-core performance in sustained rendering tasks, such as certain legacy applications or lightly threaded simulations.

The overall win count stands at 3 for the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX and 1 for the Intel Core i5-14401E. The database's percentile ranking reinforces this split: the AMD processor sits at the 96th percentile among all CPUs, while the Intel chip sits at the 60th percentile. The average benchmark score for the AMD part is 91199, compared to 5253 for the Intel part, though this average includes a broader set of tests for the AMD processor.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing processes and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX uses a 4 nm process node fabricated by TSMC, while the Intel Core i5-14401E uses a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. The AMD part's architecture is Zen 5 with the Fire Range codename, whereas the Intel chip uses Raptor Lake with the Raptor Lake-R codename.

Core counts differ sharply. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX features 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14401E offers 6 cores and 12 threads. Both have a base clock of 2.50 GHz, but the boost clocks differ: 5.40 GHz for the AMD part versus 4.70 GHz for the Intel chip.

Cache hierarchies show structural differences. Both processors use 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The L2 cache differs slightly: 1 MB per core for the AMD part versus 1.25 MB per core for the Intel part. The L3 cache is a major differentiator, with the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX carrying 64 MB shared versus 20 MB shared for the Intel Core i5-14401E.

The AMD processor uses AMD Socket FL1 and is a mobile segment part, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700 and is a desktop segment part. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel chip is locked. The transistor count for the AMD processor is listed at 16,630 million, with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel chip has no listed transistor count but a die size of 215 mm².

Memory support differs. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX supports DDR5 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. The Intel Core i5-14401E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with dual-channel memory, but no bandwidth figure is recorded. Both support ECC memory. PCIe lanes differ as well: the AMD part provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel part provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics also differ. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX includes Radeon 610M, while the Intel Core i5-14401E includes UHD Graphics 730. The production status for both is Active, with release dates of 2025-01-05 for the AMD part and 2024-06-30 for the Intel part.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear split by workload type. For multi-threaded performance, the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX is the superior processor, with margins exceeding 100% in Cinebench R23 multi-core and exceeding 200% in Cinebench R15 multi-core. Its 16 cores, 32 threads, and 64 MB of L3 cache provide the resources needed for heavy parallel processing.

For single-threaded performance, the Intel Core i5-14401E shows an advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core, beating the AMD part by 15.2%. This makes the Intel chip the better option for applications that rely on high per-core speed in sustained single-threaded tasks. However, the AMD part wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 30.2%, so the Intel advantage is not universal across all single-threaded tests.

The percentile rankings summarize the overall positioning. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX at the 96th percentile places it among the top processors in the database, while the Intel Core i5-14401E at the 60th percentile sits in the mid-range. The nearest rivals for the AMD part include the Intel Xeon 654 (0.5% lower average score), AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 392 (0.7% lower), Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus (2.8% higher), and Intel Xeon 6520P (2.8% higher). The Intel Core i5-14401E's nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 (0.1% lower), Intel Core i7-11700B (0.2% higher), Intel Core i9-10850K (0.2% higher), and Intel Core i5-13400T (0.8% higher).

Users requiring maximum multi-core throughput should favor the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX. Users whose workloads are dominated by single-threaded rendering tasks may find the Intel Core i5-14401E adequate, but the broader benchmark record favors the AMD part in most measured categories.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX wins decisively, scoring 37159 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 18161 for the Intel Core i5-14401E, a 104.6% advantage. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 5905 versus 1830, a 222.7% lead.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-14401E beat the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX in any test?

A: Yes, the Intel chip wins in Cinebench R23 single-core with 2564 points versus 2174 for the AMD part, a 15.2% margin. The AMD part wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 336 versus 258, a 30.2% lead.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How do the cache sizes compare?

A: Both have 80 KB of L1 cache per core. The AMD part has 1 MB of L2 cache per core and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core and 20 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What process nodes do the two processors use?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX uses a 4 nm process node from TSMC. The Intel Core i5-14401E uses a 10 nm process node from Intel.

Q: What are the boost clock speeds?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX boosts to 5.40 GHz. The Intel Core i5-14401E boosts to 4.70 GHz. Both have a base clock of 2.50 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX | Intel Core i5-14401E |

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

| Cores | 16 | 6 |

| Threads | 32 | 12 |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 55 | 65 |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Fire Range | Raptor Lake-R |

| Process Node | 4 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 2x 70.6 mm² | 215 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 64 MB (shared) | 20 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 610M | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

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