AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X vs Intel Core i5-14490F Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a complete sweep for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X, which wins all 17 recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i5-14490F. The margins are substantial across nearly every workload category, though the narrowest gap appears in single-thread performance.

In the Cinebench suite, the Threadripper 9980X delivers a multicore score of 130,529 in Cinebench R23, compared to 23,000 for the Core i5-14490F, a 467.5% advantage. The R20 multicore test shows a similar pattern: 54,822 versus 9,660, a 467.5% delta. R15 multicore results follow the same trend at 13,157 versus 2,318, a 467.6% difference. These consistent margins indicate the scaling advantage is directly tied to core count and thread count rather than architectural efficiency variations.

Single-core results in the Cinebench tests also favor the Threadripper 9980X, though the percentage gaps are nearly identical to the multicore deltas. In R23 single-core, the AMD part scores 18,427 against 3,247, a 467.5% lead. R20 single-core shows 7,739 versus 1,363, a 467.8% delta, and R15 single-core records 1,857 versus 327, a 467.9% difference. This unusual pattern, where single-core margins mirror multicore margins, suggests the Intel part's scores are proportionally lower across all Cinebench workloads.

The PassMark suite reveals even wider deltas in specialized workloads. The data compression test shows the Threadripper 9980X at 2,974,534 against 340,026 for the Intel chip, a 774.8% advantage. Integer math performance is particularly lopsided: 872,071 versus 87,844, a 892.7% gap. Extended instructions yield 228,959 versus 21,731, the largest delta in the entire comparison at 953.6%. Floating-point math records 559,003 against 66,558, a 739.9% difference.

Encryption workloads also demonstrate massive scaling benefits. The Threadripper 9980X scores 157,137 in data encryption versus 18,225, a 762.2% lead. Prime number finding shows 769 versus 122, a 530.3% advantage. Random string sorting delivers 292,083 against 35,608, a 720.3% delta. Physics calculations produce 8,001 versus 2,093, a 282.3% margin, the smallest percentage win among the multithreaded PassMark tests.

The closest contest appears in PassMark single-thread performance. The Threadripper 9980X scores 4,537 versus 3,873, a 17.1% advantage. This is the only benchmark where the two processors are in the same performance tier. The PassMark multithread score shows 141,641 for the AMD processor against 28,662 for the Intel, a 394.2% delta.

FAQ

Q: How many benchmarks did the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X win in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Threadripper 9980X won all 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Core i5-14490F recorded zero wins.

Q: What is the smallest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The smallest gap is in PassMark single-thread performance, where the Threadripper 9980X leads by 17.1%. The AMD processor scores 4,537 versus 3,873 for the Intel part.

Q: Which benchmark shows the largest percentage difference?

A: The PassMark extended instructions test shows the largest delta at 953.6%. The Threadripper 9980X scores 228,959 while the Core i5-14490F scores 21,731.

Q: How do the Cinebench R23 results compare?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Threadripper 9980X scores 130,529 versus 23,000 for the Intel chip, a 467.5% advantage. In single-core, the scores are 18,427 and 3,247 respectively, also a 467.5% delta.

Q: What is the PassMark multithread score difference?

A: The Threadripper 9980X records 141,641 in PassMark multithread, while the Core i5-14490F scores 28,662. This represents a 394.2% lead for the AMD processor.

Q: Does the Intel processor win in any performance category?

A: No, the recorded data shows zero benchmark wins for the Intel Core i5-14490F across all 17 head-to-head tests.

Where Each One Wins

The data indicates the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X dominates every measured category, but the scale of the advantage varies by workload type. The most extreme deltas appear in parallel-friendly tasks that scale with core count, such as extended instructions at 953.6% and integer math at 892.7%. These workloads benefit directly from the 64-core, 128-thread configuration.

Data compression and encryption show similar scaling behavior, with deltas of 774.8% and 762.2% respectively. These tasks are heavily multithreaded and respond to the massive thread count. Floating-point math also shows strong scaling at 739.9%, while random string sorting delivers a 720.3% advantage.

The Cinebench suite presents consistent 467.5% to 467.9% deltas across both multicore and single-core tests. This consistency suggests the Threadripper 9980X's architectural efficiency at high core counts translates across rendering workloads, while the single-core results indicate the Zen 5 architecture provides a substantial per-thread advantage over the Raptor Lake design in these specific tests.

Physics calculations show the smallest multithreaded margin at 282.3%, while PassMark multithread records 394.2%. These numbers still represent overwhelming advantages, but they are less extreme than the specialized compute workloads.

The only benchmark where the Intel processor approaches competitive territory is PassMark single-thread, where the 17.1% gap places both parts in a similar performance class. This suggests the Core i5-14490F retains respectable per-core capability, though it remains behind.

For users running heavily threaded workloads like rendering, encryption, data compression, or scientific computing, the Threadripper 9980X delivers between roughly 3x and 10x the performance depending on the specific task. The Intel part shows it can hold its own only in lightly threaded single-core scenarios, though still at a deficit.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ substantially across nearly every specification field. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Intel Core i5-14490F uses 10 cores and 16 threads. The base clock for the AMD part is 3.20 GHz, compared to 2.50 GHz for the Intel chip. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz and 5.00 GHz respectively.

Thermal design power marks a major divide: the Threadripper 9980X has a TDP of 350 watts, while the Core i5-14490F is rated at 65 watts. The AMD processor uses AMD Socket sTR5, whereas the Intel part uses Intel Socket 1700.

Memory support differs as well. The Threadripper 9980X supports DDR5 exclusively with a quad-channel memory bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Core i5-14490F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, and no bandwidth figure is recorded. ECC memory is supported on the AMD chip but not on the Intel chip.

PCIe lane counts show a significant divergence. The Threadripper 9980X provides Gen 5 with 80 CPU-only lanes, while the Core i5-14490F provides Gen 5 with 16 CPU-only lanes. The multiplier is unlocked on the AMD processor but locked on the Intel processor.

Process node and foundry details also differ. The Threadripper 9980X is built on a 4 nm node at TSMC, using 66,520 million transistors across 8x 70.6 mm² dies. The Intel part uses a 10 nm node at Intel with a 215 mm² die size. No transistor count is recorded for the Intel chip.

The release dates place the Intel Core i5-14490F in the market first, released on 2023-12-31, while the Threadripper 9980X launched on 2025-07-29. The AMD part carries a launch MSRP of $4999, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the Intel chip.

Cache configurations show different approaches. The Threadripper 9980X uses 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 256 MB shared L3. The Core i5-14490F uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. The AMD processor has no integrated graphics, and neither does the Intel chip.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these processors is fundamental. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X uses the Zen 5 architecture under the codename Shimada Peak, part of the 9000 series and the Ryzen Threadripper generation. The Intel Core i5-14490F uses the Raptor Lake architecture under the codename Raptor Lake-R, part of the Core 14th Gen and the Core i5 generation with Raptor Lake Refresh.

The manufacturing approach differs completely. AMD uses a 4 nm process at TSMC with 66,520 million transistors spread across 8x 70.6 mm² dies. Intel uses a 10 nm process at its own foundry with a 215 mm² die size. The multi-die design of the Threadripper 9980X enables the 64-core configuration, while the monolithic Intel die accommodates 10 cores.

Cache hierarchy reflects the different core architectures. The Threadripper 9980X allocates 64 KB L1 per core and 1 MB L2 per core, with a massive 256 MB shared L3 cache. The Core i5-14490F uses 80 KB L1 per core and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with 24 MB shared L3. The L1 and L2 per-core values are higher on the Intel chip, but the shared L3 is over ten times larger on the AMD processor.

The memory architecture follows the platform differences. The Threadripper 9980X uses a quad-channel DDR5 memory interface with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. The Core i5-14490F uses a dual-channel interface supporting both DDR4 and DDR5 without ECC. This gives the AMD platform substantially higher memory throughput for data-intensive workloads.

PCIe infrastructure also reflects the workstation versus mainstream positioning. The Threadripper 9980X provides 80 Gen 5 CPU-only lanes, enabling extensive multi-GPU and storage configurations. The Core i5-14490F provides 16 Gen 5 CPU-only lanes, sufficient for a single high-end GPU and limited expansion.

The clock strategy differs as well. The Threadripper 9980X has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and boost clock of 5.40 GHz, with an unlocked multiplier. The Core i5-14490F has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and boost clock of 5.00 GHz, with a locked multiplier. Despite the lower base clock, the Intel part's 65-watt TDP contrasts sharply with the 350-watt TDP of the AMD processor, indicating different thermal envelopes and platform requirements.

The production status for both processors is active, and both target the desktop market segment. Neither includes integrated graphics. The part numbers are 100-000001593 for the AMD chip and SRN35 for the Intel chip.