AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D vs Intel Core i5-14401E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a decisive overall victory for the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, which wins three of the four shared benchmark comparisons. The most dramatic margin appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where AMD scores 38161.5 against Intel's 18161, a 110.1% advantage. That gap widens further in Cinebench R15 multi-core, with AMD at 6042.5 versus Intel's 1830, a 230.2% difference. These multi-core results reflect the fundamental core-count disparity between the two parts, but the magnitude is still striking: the AMD processor delivers more than triple the R15 multi-core score.

Single-core results tell a different story. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel Core i5-14401E takes the win with 2564 against AMD's 2159.5, a 15.8% advantage. This is the only benchmark among the head-to-head set where Intel leads, and it indicates that Intel's Raptor Lake architecture retains a per-thread performance edge in this particular workload. However, the Cinebench R15 single-core test flips back to AMD, with 332 versus 258, a 28.7% lead for the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D. The opposing single-core results between the two Cinebench versions suggest the relative performance depends heavily on the specific workload characteristics, though the R23 result is the more commonly cited metric in the database.

Intel's broader benchmark profile includes Cinebench R20 results that have no direct AMD counterpart in the head-to-head data: 7627 multi-core and 1076 single-core. These scores help contextualize Intel's position among its peers. The Intel part's average benchmark score of 5253 places it at the 60th percentile of all CPUs, with nearest rivals including the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4 at 5259 (0.1% higher), the Intel Core i7-11700B at 5241 (0.2% lower), the Intel Core i9-10850K at 5240 (0.2% lower), and the Intel Core i5-13400T at 5210 (0.8% lower). The AMD processor, by contrast, sits at the 96th percentile with an average benchmark score of 97453, placing it among much higher-tier hardware. Its nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX at 98504 (1.1% higher), the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO 9945 at 96083 (1.4% lower), the AMD EPYC 4565P at 95764 (1.8% lower), and the AMD EPYC 9175F at 95615 (1.9% lower). The percentile gap, 96 versus 60, is substantial and reinforces the multi-core dominance observed in the head-to-head results.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design schools. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D uses the Zen 5 architecture on the Fire Range codename, fabricated on TSMC's 4 nm process. It integrates 16,630 million transistors across a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core i5-14401E uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 215 mm². The transistor count for Intel is not recorded in the database.

Core and thread configurations diverge sharply. AMD provides 16 cores and 32 threads, while Intel provides 6 cores and 12 threads. Both have a base clock of 2.50 GHz, but the boost clocks differ: AMD reaches 5.40 GHz, Intel tops out at 4.70 GHz. The TDP figures also differ, with AMD rated at 55 watts and Intel at 65 watts, though the database does not specify whether these are base or maximum power ratings.

Cache hierarchies show notable structural differences. Both processors use an 80 KB L1 cache per core. For L2, AMD uses 1 MB per core, while Intel uses 1.25 MB per core. The L3 cache is where the designs diverge most: AMD packs 128 MB, while Intel provides 20 MB shared. This sixfold difference in L3 capacity likely contributes to AMD's performance in cache-sensitive workloads, though the benchmark data does not isolate that factor directly.

Memory support differs as well. AMD supports DDR5 only, with dual-channel configuration and a recorded memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database. Both processors support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity shows AMD with Gen 5 and 28 lanes (CPU only), while Intel has Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics also differ. AMD includes the Radeon 610M, while Intel includes UHD Graphics 730. The market segments are distinct: AMD targets mobile, Intel targets desktop. AMD uses the AMD Socket FL1, Intel uses Intel Socket 1700. AMD's multiplier is unlocked, Intel's is locked. Production status for both is active. Release dates place Intel's launch on 2024-06-30 and AMD's on 2025-01-05. The AMD part number is 100-000001030, and the Intel part number is Q49JSRNJS.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D scores 38161.5 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 110.1% higher than the Intel Core i5-14401E's 18161.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-14401E win any benchmark against the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D?

A: Yes, Intel wins Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 2564 versus AMD's 2159.5, a 15.8% advantage. However, AMD wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 332 against Intel's 258, a 28.7% lead.

Q: How do the core counts compare between the two processors?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core i5-14401E has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the L3 cache capacity difference?

A: The AMD processor has 128 MB of L3 cache. The Intel processor has 20 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall percentile ranking?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D ranks at the 96th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core i5-14401E ranks at the 60th percentile.

Q: What memory types does each processor support?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D supports DDR5 only. The Intel Core i5-14401E supports both DDR4 and DDR5. Both use dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D | Intel Core i5-14401E |

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

| Cores | 16 | 6 |

| Threads | 32 | 12 |

| Boost clock | 5.40 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 65 W |

| 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 |

| Transistors | 16,630 million | Not recorded |

| Die size | 2x 70.6 mm² | 215 mm² |

| 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 recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 lanes | Gen 5, 16 lanes |

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

| Market segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part number | 100-000001030 | Q49JSRNJS |

The base clocks are identical at 2.50 GHz, L1 cache is identical at 80 KB per core, both support ECC memory, both use dual-channel memory, and both are currently in active production.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear performance hierarchy. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the dominant multi-core processor, with a 110.1% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core and a 230.2% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core. Its 96th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 97453, places it in the company of workstation and server-class parts like the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX and the AMD EPYC 9175F. The Intel Core i5-14401E, at the 60th percentile with an average score of 5253, competes in a much lower performance tier, alongside parts like the Intel Core i9-10850K and the Intel Core i5-13400T.

The main argument for the Intel part is single-core performance in Cinebench R23, where it leads by 15.8%. That result, combined with its support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory and its desktop socket, makes it a more conventional choice for users prioritizing per-thread speed in specific applications. However, the Cinebench R15 single-core result contradicts that narrative, with AMD leading by 28.7%, so the single-core advantage is workload-dependent rather than consistent.

The AMD processor also brings architectural advantages that go beyond raw core count: 128 MB of L3 cache versus 20 MB, a smaller 4 nm process node, a higher boost clock of 5.40 GHz versus 4.70 GHz, and an unlocked multiplier. Its 55 W TDP rating is lower than Intel's 65 W despite the massive core-count advantage, which is notable for mobile platforms. The mobile market segment and AMD Socket FL1 confirm its intended use in laptops, while Intel's desktop socket and desktop market segment target traditional tower systems. Users requiring maximum multi-threaded throughput, large cache capacity, and modern mobile integration should select the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D. Users constrained to a desktop platform who prioritize the specific single-core workload where Intel leads may find the Core i5-14401E adequate, but the recorded data shows the AMD part winning the majority of direct comparisons.