AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X vs Intel Core i5-14490F Comparison

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X and Intel Core i5-14490F occupy opposite ends of the desktop spectrum. The Threadripper is a 24-core, 48-thread workstation monster built on a 4 nm TSMC process, while the i5-14490F is a 10-core, 16-thread mainstream chip on Intel 10 nm. The database contains a full benchmark profile only for the i5-14490F, so direct score comparisons are impossible; instead, the analysis relies on architectural differences and the i5's recorded performance against its nearest rivals.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X has 24 cores and 48 threads. The Intel Core i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X boosts to 5.30 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-14490F reaches 5.00 GHz.

Q: How does the L3 cache compare between the two?

A: The Threadripper 9960X has a 128 MB L3 cache. The i5-14490F has a 24 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: What memory types are supported by each CPU?

A: The Threadripper 9960X supports DDR5 with a quad-channel memory bus. The i5-14490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus.

Q: What is the process node difference?

A: The Threadripper 9960X uses a 4 nm process from TSMC. The i5-14490F uses a 10 nm process from Intel.

Q: Does the i5-14490F support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported on the i5-14490F. The Threadripper 9960X has ECC memory support.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Threadripper 9960X?

A: The launch MSRP is $1499.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs are built on fundamentally different architectures and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X uses the Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Shimada Peak, fabricated on TSMC's 4 nm node. It packs 33,260 million transistors across a die size of 4x 70.6 mm². The Intel Core i5-14490F uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake Refresh, on Intel's 10 nm process with a die size of 215 mm².

Core layout differs significantly. The Threadripper 9960X provides 24 full cores with 48 threads, each with 64 KB of L1 cache and 1 MB of L2 cache per core. The i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads, with 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core. The L3 cache shows a massive split: 128 MB on the AMD part versus 24 MB shared on the Intel part.

Socket and platform support diverge completely. The Threadripper 9960X uses AMD Socket sTR5 and offers 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU, quad-channel DDR5 memory with a rated bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s, and ECC memory support. The i5-14490F uses Intel Socket 1700, provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5 memory, and no ECC support. The Threadripper has an unlocked multiplier; the i5 does not.

Integrated graphics are absent on both processors. The Threadripper 9960X is a 350 W TDP part, while the i5-14490F sits at 65 W TDP. The AMD chip launched on 2025-07-29, the Intel chip on 2023-12-31. The Intel part number is SRN35; the AMD part number is 100-000001595.

The Verdict

The data shows two clearly different target markets. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X is a high-core-count workstation processor with 24 cores, 48 threads, 128 MB L3 cache, and quad-channel memory. It is designed for heavily threaded workloads, large datasets, and multi-GPU or high-bandwidth I/O scenarios given its 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth. Its 350 W TDP and $1499 launch MSRP position it as an enthusiast or professional part.

The Intel Core i5-14490F is a mainstream desktop chip with 10 cores, 16 threads, and a 65 W TDP. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5, uses dual-channel memory, and has a 24 MB L3 cache. Its benchmark scores place it at the 86th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 38149. Its nearest rivals are all within 0.3% of its score: the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T (-0.1%), Intel Core i5-13600KF (+0.1%), AMD Ryzen 7 250 (-0.2%), and Intel Core i5-13600HX (-0.3%). This shows the i5-14490F sits in a tightly contested performance band.

For workloads that demand massive parallel throughput, the Threadripper 9960X is the only choice based on core count, cache size, and memory bandwidth. For general desktop use, gaming, or light productivity, the i5-14490F delivers competitive performance at a fraction of the power envelope. The Threadripper's 4 nm process and 33,260 million transistors indicate a much more complex silicon, but the i5's 10 nm process and smaller die are sufficient for its segment.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X | Intel Core i5-14490F |

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

| Cores | 24 | 10 |

| Threads | 48 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 4.20 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.30 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 350 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket sTR5 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 5 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Shimada Peak | Raptor Lake-R |

| Process Node | 4 nm (TSMC) | 10 nm (Intel) |

| Transistors | 33,260 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 4x 70.6 mm² | 215 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

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

| L3 Cache | 128 MB | 24 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 80 Lanes | Gen 5, 16 Lanes |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $1499 | Not listed |

| Release Date | 2025-07-29 | 2023-12-31 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

Direct benchmark comparisons are unavailable because the database contains no recorded scores for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9960X. The i5-14490F has a full set of results across Cinebench and Passmark tests.

The i5-14490F's Cinebench results show a multicore score of 2318 in R15, 9660 in R20, and 23000 in R23. Single-core scores are 327, 1363, and 3247 respectively across those same versions. These numbers place the chip in the 86th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 38149.

In Passmark tests, the i5-14490F delivers 340026 in data compression, 18225 in data encryption, 21731 in extended instructions, 122 in find prime numbers, 66558 in floating point math, 87844 in integer math, 28662 in multithread, 2093 in physics, 35608 in random string sorting, and 3873 in both single thread and singlethread tests.

The nearest rival data provides context for the i5-14490F's standing. The Intel Core Ultra 5 245T scores 38194, which is 0.1% higher than the i5. The Intel Core i5-13600KF scores 38103, 0.1% lower. The AMD Ryzen 7 250 scores 38221, 0.2% higher, and the Intel Core i5-13600HX scores 38261, 0.3% higher. All four rivals fall within a 158-point spread, indicating the i5-14490F is tightly grouped with contemporary mid-range processors.

The Threadripper 9960X has no benchmark data, no wins recorded, and no nearest rivals listed in the database. Its percentile against all CPUs is 50, with an average benchmark score of 0. This absence of data means any quantitative comparison between the two chips is limited to architectural specifications rather than measured performance. The Threadripper's 24-core, 48-thread configuration with 5.30 GHz boost and 128 MB L3 cache suggests it would dominate in multicore throughput, but no recorded scores exist to confirm this. The i5-14490F's scores are strong for its class, but the Threadripper's hardware resources are on a different scale, especially with quad-channel memory and 80 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.