AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 vs Intel Core i5-14600 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-14600 and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 represent two distinct philosophies in processor design: a desktop part aimed at maximum sustained performance versus a mobile part optimized for efficiency. The benchmark data shows a clear split, with the Intel chip winning 14 of 17 head-to-head tests, while the AMD chip takes 3 wins. However, the margins of victory and the nature of the workloads tell a nuanced story about which processor is better suited for specific tasks.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14600 is the dominant force in single-threaded and legacy multi-threaded workloads. Its single-core performance is decisively ahead, with a 43.9% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and a massive 116.3% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core. This advantage extends to Geekbench, where it leads by 16.3% in single-core and 5.2% in multi-core. For general productivity, the Intel chip wins in data compression by 7.3%, data encryption by 20.6%, and floating-point math by 14.1%. It also handles physics simulations 28.1% better and prime number calculations 27% better. The Intel part’s strength in these areas suggests it is better suited for tasks that rely on strong per-core performance, such as gaming, legacy software, and single-threaded applications.

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 wins in three specific areas: Cinebench R15 multi-core, PassMark extended instructions, and PassMark integer math. The Cinebench R15 multi-core win is notable, with AMD leading by 7.9%, which is surprising given Intel’s strong showing in Cinebench R23 multi-core. The extended instructions win (12.3% ahead) and integer math win (3.8% ahead) point to AMD’s advantage in certain compute-heavy and SIMD-oriented workloads. These wins are narrower than Intel’s, but they indicate that the AMD processor has specific strengths in modern instruction sets and integer-heavy tasks.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core i5-14600 uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-R, and is manufactured on Intel’s 10 nm process. It features 14 cores and 20 threads, with a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The chip has a 65 W TDP and is designed for the Intel Socket 1700. Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration and has ECC memory support. The PCIe interface is Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 770. The die size is 257 mm².

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Strix Point codename, built on TSMC’s 4 nm process. It has 12 cores and 24 threads, with a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The TDP is significantly lower at 28 W, reflecting its mobile design for the AMD Socket FP8. The cache configuration is 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. Memory support includes DDR5 and LPDDR5X, with a memory bandwidth of 89.6 GB/s, but no ECC support. The PCIe interface is Gen 4 with 16 lanes. The integrated graphics are Radeon 890M, and the die size is 233 mm². The AMD chip has a smaller die and a more advanced process node, but fewer cores and less L3 cache.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Intel Core i5-14600 scores 4300 against AMD’s 1988, a 116.3% advantage. This is an enormous gap that reflects Intel’s much higher boost clock and per-core efficiency in this workload. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel also leads decisively with 30464 versus 21812, a 39.7% margin. However, in Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD flips the script, scoring 3334 versus Intel’s 3070, a 7.9% win. The discrepancy between the R15 and R23 multi-core results is puzzling but suggests that the AMD chip’s 24 threads can help in shorter, less demanding multi-threaded bursts, while Intel’s 14 cores with higher clocks fare better in sustained multi-core loads.

In Geekbench multi-core, Intel leads 14680 to 13957, a 5.2% margin. The single-core Geekbench test shows Intel ahead by 16.3% (2424 vs 2084). In PassMark tests, Intel wins data compression (434620 vs 404918, 7.3%), data encryption (25082 vs 20802, 20.6%), find prime numbers (155 vs 122, 27%), floating-point math (85759 vs 75153, 14.1%), multithread (35848 vs 32916, 8.9%), physics (2330 vs 1819, 28.1%), random string sorting (48043 vs 44552, 7.8%), and single-thread (4167 vs 3867, 7.8%). AMD wins extended instructions (29269 vs 25674, 12.3%) and integer math (121754 vs 117078, 3.8%).

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600 is significantly faster in single-core tests. It leads by 43.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core, 116.3% in Cinebench R23 single-core, and 16.3% in Geekbench single-core.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 ever beat the Intel chip in multi-core?

A: Yes, in Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD chip wins by 7.9% (3334 vs 3070). However, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, Intel wins by 39.7%, and in Geekbench multi-core, Intel leads by 5.2%.

Q: What are the key architectural differences between the two?

A: The Intel chip uses Raptor Lake on a 10 nm process with 14 cores and 24 MB of L3 cache. The AMD chip uses Zen 5 on a 4 nm process with 12 cores and 16 MB of L3 cache. Intel has a 65 W TDP and supports DDR4/DDR5, while AMD has a 28 W TDP and supports DDR5/LPDDR5X with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor is better for integer math and extended instructions?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 leads in PassMark integer math (121754 vs 117078, 3.8%) and PassMark extended instructions (29269 vs 25674, 12.3%).

Q: How do the two compare in data encryption?

A: The Intel Core i5-14600 is significantly better, scoring 25082 in PassMark data encryption versus AMD’s 20802, a 20.6% lead.

Q: Which chip has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 46030, compared to Intel’s 44889. Both have the same percentile ranking of 89 among all CPUs.

The Verdict

From the data, the Intel Core i5-14600 is the stronger processor for the majority of workloads. Its overwhelming lead in single-core performance (116.3% in Cinebench R23) and substantial margins in multi-core tests like Cinebench R23 (39.7%) and Geekbench (5.2%) make it the clear choice for users prioritizing raw compute speed. The wins in data encryption (20.6%), physics (28.1%), and floating-point math (14.1%) reinforce its suitability for general-purpose desktop use, including gaming and productivity. Its 14 cores and 20 threads, combined with a higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz, provide a consistent advantage across most benchmark suites.

The AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, despite having fewer cores (12 vs 14), offers more threads (24 vs 20) and wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core, extended instructions, and integer math. Its lower TDP of 28 W and mobile design make it an obvious choice for laptops and power-constrained environments, but its single-core performance is dramatically lower (1988 vs 4300 in Cinebench R23 single-core). The higher average benchmark score of 46030 versus 44889 does not translate into more wins in the head-to-head tests, indicating that its strengths are concentrated in specific areas.

For a desktop user seeking maximum performance across a wide range of applications, the Intel Core i5-14600 is the data-backed winner. For a mobile user who needs 24 threads for parallel workloads and can tolerate lower single-core speeds, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 has specific merits. The data is unambiguous: Intel wins 14 of 17 tests, and its victories are often by large margins. The AMD chip is not without talent, but its wins are narrow and specialized. The choice ultimately comes down to whether the workload is dominated by single-threaded and general multi-threaded tasks (Intel) or by integer math and extended instruction sets in a mobile form factor (AMD).