AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Intel Core i5-14401TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded database contains a complete benchmark suite for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X, while the Intel Core i5-14401TE has no benchmark entries in the database. This makes a direct head-to-head comparison impossible based on measured scores. However, the available data for the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X can be interpreted against its nearest rivals, and the structural differences between the two processors can be analyzed from their specifications.

The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 130,529 and a single-core score of 18,427. In Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 54,822, while single-core reaches 7,739. The older Cinebench R15 test shows a multi-core score of 13,157 and a single-core score of 1,857. These results indicate a processor with extreme multi-threaded throughput, as the multi-core scores are roughly seven times the single-core scores in each Cinebench version, consistent with the 64-core, 128-thread configuration.

In PassMark testing, the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X produces a multi-thread score of 141,641 and a single-thread score of 4,537. The data compression test yields 2,974,534, while data encryption reaches 157,137. Extended instructions score 228,959, and finding prime numbers returns 769. Floating point math scores 559,003, integer math scores 872,071, physics scores 8,001, and random string sorting scores 292,083. The average benchmark score across all tests is 321,753, placing the processor in the 99th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

The nearest rival, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9985WX, has an average score of 320,749, which is only 0.3% lower than the 9980X’s average. The Intel Xeon 6781P follows at 315,524, a 2% deficit. The AMD EPYC 9575F scores 311,774, which is 3.2% behind, and the AMD EPYC 9734 scores 310,619, a 3.6% gap. These narrow margins show that the 9980X sits at the top of a tight cluster of high-end workstation and server processors, with its closest competitor nearly identical in overall performance.

Since the Core i5-14401TE has no recorded benchmarks, the database cannot provide any direct score comparisons. The analysis must rely on the specification differences and the percentile ranking. The Core i5-14401TE is listed at the 50th percentile of all CPUs, which indicates a mid-range performance level, but without a numeric score, no quantitative comparison to the 9980X’s 99th percentile is possible.

The Verdict

The data shows that the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is a top-tier processor, ranked in the 99th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 321,753. Its nearest rival, the Threadripper PRO 9985WX, is almost identical in performance, differing by only 0.3%, which means the 9980X is effectively at the ceiling of what the database measures for this class of hardware.

The Intel Core i5-14401TE is ranked at the 50th percentile, which places it in the middle of the performance distribution. With 6 cores and 12 threads, it is a mainstream desktop part, and without any benchmark scores in the database, its exact position relative to the 9980X cannot be quantified. The verdict for the 9980X is clear: it is designed for workloads that demand massive parallel throughput, as evidenced by its multi-core scores and 128 threads. The Core i5-14401TE, with its 45 TDP and 6 cores, is oriented toward lower-power, general-purpose desktop use, but the database lacks the measurements to confirm its real-world standing.

For users selecting between these two, the choice hinges on the workload. The 9980X is the only option with recorded performance data, and it excels in multi-threaded tasks. The Core i5-14401TE offers a smaller core count and a lower clock speed, but without benchmarks, its suitability for specific tasks cannot be assessed from the database. The recorded data supports the 9980X as the superior performer in every measured metric, but the absence of data for the Intel part means no direct victory can be declared.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses the Zen 5 architecture, with the codename Shimada Peak, and belongs to the 9000 series and Ryzen Threadripper generation. It is fabricated on a 4 nm process at TSMC, with 66,520 million transistors across 8 dies, each measuring 70.6 mm². The processor uses AMD Socket sTR5 and supports DDR5 memory in a quad-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. ECC memory is supported. The PCIe interface is Gen 5 with 80 lanes from the CPU. There is no integrated graphics. The base clock is 3.20 GHz, and the boost clock is 5.40 GHz. The TDP is 350 W, and the multiplier is unlocked.

The Intel Core i5-14401TE uses the Raptor Lake architecture, with the codename Raptor Lake-R, and belongs to the Core 14th Gen series, specifically the Core i5 generation (Raptor Lake Refresh). It is fabricated on a 10 nm process at Intel, with a die size of 215 mm². The processor uses Intel Socket 1700 and supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. ECC memory is supported. The PCIe interface is Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. It includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics 730. The base clock is 2.00 GHz, and the boost clock is 4.50 GHz. The TDP is 45 W, and the multiplier is locked.

The cache structures differ significantly. The 9980X has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 256 MB of L3 cache. The Core i5-14401TE has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. The 9980X’s L3 cache is 12.8 times larger in total, which is consistent with its 64-core design. The per-core L1 and L2 allocations are slightly larger on the Intel part, but the total cache capacity is overwhelmingly in favor of the AMD processor.

The production status for both is listed as Active. The 9980X was released on 2025-07-29, while the Core i5-14401TE was released on 2024-06-30. The 9980X has a launch MSRP of $4999, while the Core i5-14401TE has no recorded launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads. The Intel Core i5-14401TE has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-14401TE has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for the AMD processor?

A: The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has an average benchmark score of 321,753, placing it in the 99th percentile of all CPUs. The Core i5-14401TE has no recorded benchmark scores and is in the 50th percentile.

Q: Which processor supports more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X supports Gen 5 with 80 lanes from the CPU. The Intel Core i5-14401TE supports Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Q: Does either processor have integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has no integrated graphics (N/A). The Intel Core i5-14401TE includes UHD Graphics 730.

Q: What memory types are supported?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X supports DDR5 memory in a quad-channel configuration. The Intel Core i5-14401TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins in every measured benchmark category where data exists. Its multi-core scores, such as 130,529 in Cinebench R23 and 141,641 in PassMark multi-thread, are the result of 128 threads and a 350 W TDP. The single-core scores of 18,427 in Cinebench R23 and 4,537 in PassMark single-thread also lead, driven by the 5.40 GHz boost clock. The 9980X’s nearest rival, the Threadripper PRO 9985WX, is only 0.3% behind in average score, which means the 9980X occupies the top position among its peers. In workloads like data compression (2,974,534), encryption (157,137), and floating point math (559,003), the 9980X demonstrates the throughput expected from a 64-core processor. The 256 MB L3 cache and quad-channel DDR5 with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth support these results.

The Intel Core i5-14401TE has no recorded benchmark wins in the database. Its strengths are structural: a 45 W TDP, which is dramatically lower than the 350 W TDP of the 9980X, and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which offers flexibility in platform choice. The integrated UHD Graphics 730 provides a display output without a discrete GPU, whereas the 9980X requires a separate graphics card. The Core i5-14401TE also has a smaller die size at 215 mm² and a locked multiplier, which may appeal to systems that prioritize power efficiency and simplicity over raw performance. The 50th percentile ranking suggests it is a mid-range part, but without benchmark scores, its specific wins cannot be quantified.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification field. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X has 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14401TE has 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clock is 3.20 GHz on the AMD part versus 2.00 GHz on the Intel part, and the boost clock is 5.40 GHz versus 4.50 GHz. The TDP is 350 W versus 45 W. The socket is AMD Socket sTR5 versus Intel Socket 1700. The architecture is Zen 5 (Shimada Peak) versus Raptor Lake (Raptor Lake-R). The process node is 4 nm from TSMC versus 10 nm from Intel.

The cache configurations differ: the 9980X has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 256 MB L3, while the Core i5-14401TE has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR5 quad-channel on the AMD part versus DDR4 and DDR5 dual-channel on the Intel part. The memory bandwidth is 204.8 GB/s on the AMD part, while the Intel part has no recorded bandwidth. PCIe lanes are 80 versus 16, both Gen 5. Integrated graphics are absent on the AMD part, while the Intel part includes UHD Graphics 730. The multiplier is unlocked on the AMD part and locked on the Intel part. The release dates are 2025-07-29 for the AMD part and 2024-06-30 for the Intel part. The AMD part has a launch MSRP of $4999, while the Intel part has none recorded. The transistor count is 66,520 million for the AMD part, with a die size of 8x 70.6 mm², while the Intel part has a die size of 215 mm² and no transistor count listed.