AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX vs Intel Core i9-14900HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a complex picture, with each processor claiming distinct victories. The Intel Core i9-14900HX takes the majority of wins, leading 11 of the 19 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX secures 8 wins. However, the magnitude of those victories tells a more nuanced story than the win count alone suggests.

The most dramatic separation occurs in single-core Cinebench R23, where the AMD processor scores 4818 against the Intel's 2181.5, a massive 120.9% advantage. This is the single largest delta in the entire comparison. Similarly, in Cinebench R15 single-core, AMD wins 485 to 310.5, a 56.2% lead. These results indicate that the Threadripper PRO's per-core performance in certain legacy rendering workloads is substantially stronger than the mobile Intel part.

In multi-core Cinebench R23, AMD also takes the lead with 34131 versus 30055, a 13.6% margin. This is particularly notable given that the Intel chip has more physical cores. The AMD advantage extends to PassMark's data compression test, winning 601738 to 539965 (11.4%), and data encryption, winning 38058 to 32619 (16.7%). The extended instructions test also favors AMD, with 38952 versus 31247, a 24.7% gap. Even in the find prime numbers test, AMD edges ahead 198 to 193, though the 2.6% margin is narrow.

The Intel Core i9-14900HX counters with decisive wins in several key areas. In Geekbench multi-core, Intel scores 17511 versus AMD's 12523, a 28.5% advantage. The single-core Geekbench result also favors Intel, 2330 versus 1684, a 27.7% lead. PassMark single-thread performance shows Intel ahead by 35.8%, scoring 4175 against 2679. Floating point math heavily favors Intel, with 112273 versus 77979, a 30.5% difference. Integer math also goes to Intel, 157375 versus 132456, a 15.8% margin.

The Cinebench R20 results favor Intel in both single and multi-core tests, with 2204 versus 2023 and 15616 versus 14335 respectively, each showing an 8.2% delta. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows Intel's largest multi-core win here, 4574 versus 3440, a 24.8% lead. PassMark multithread, physics, and random string sorting round out Intel's wins, with the multithread score of 43778 beating AMD's 40155 by 8.3%.

The average benchmark scores place these chips nearly level. AMD's average is 56555 with a 92nd percentile ranking across all CPUs, while Intel's average is 56004 with a 91st percentile. The delta between them is just 1%, with AMD's nearest rival list showing the Intel chip at a 1% deficit, and Intel's list showing AMD at a 1% advantage. This near-parity in overall average, despite the varied individual results, underscores how workload-dependent the choice between them is.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies and market segments. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX is built on the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Castle Peak, and belongs to the Ryzen Threadripper generation. It uses a 7 nm process node manufactured by TSMC, with a die size of 2x 74 mm² and 7,600 million transistors. The Intel Core i9-14900HX uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-HX Refresh, built on a 10 nm process from Intel with a die size of 257 mm².

Core configuration differs substantially. The AMD part has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel part has 24 cores and 32 threads. Intel achieves equal thread counts with fewer cores per thread, indicating a different threading approach. The Intel chip also features a hybrid core design typical of Raptor Lake, though the fact pack does not specify performance versus efficiency core counts.

Cache hierarchies are distinct. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 on AMD may benefit certain workloads, while Intel's larger per-core L1 and L2 could aid latency-sensitive tasks.

Memory support diverges sharply. The AMD processor supports DDR4 memory over an eight-channel bus with a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, with no bandwidth figure listed. This makes the AMD part an outlier for memory-intensive applications, given its eight-channel configuration.

PCIe capabilities also differ. AMD offers Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The AMD platform's lane count is dramatically higher, suggesting a workstation-oriented design. Intel's Gen 5 support offers newer signaling but far fewer lanes.

Clock speeds are another major differentiator. AMD has a base clock of 3.90 GHz and boost clock of 4.30 GHz. Intel has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and boost clock of 5.80 GHz. The Intel part's boost capability is substantially higher, which explains its single-thread wins in several tests.

The AMD processor is socketed on AMD Socket WRX8, while Intel uses BGA 1964, indicating a soldered mobile design. The AMD part has a TDP of 280, while Intel's is 55, reflecting the desktop versus mobile positioning. AMD's multiplier is locked, Intel's is unlocked. Intel includes integrated UHD Graphics 770; AMD has no integrated graphics listed.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX has an average benchmark score of 56555, while the Intel Core i9-14900HX scores 56004. The difference is 1%, with both processors ranking in the 91st and 92nd percentiles respectively.

Q: How do they compare in single-core performance?

A: Results are mixed. Intel wins PassMark single-thread by 35.8% (4175 versus 2679) and Geekbench single-core by 27.7% (2330 versus 1684). However, AMD wins Cinebench R23 single-core by 120.9% (4818 versus 2181.5) and Cinebench R15 single-core by 56.2% (485 versus 310.5).

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900HX has 24 cores and 32 threads. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX has 16 cores and 32 threads. Both have identical thread counts, but Intel uses more physical cores to reach that number.

Q: What memory configurations do they support?

A: AMD supports DDR4 over an eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, with no memory bandwidth figure provided in the data.

Q: What are the PCIe capabilities of each?

A: The AMD processor offers PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only). The Intel processor offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). AMD's lane count is significantly higher.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i9-14900HX includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics 770. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX has no integrated graphics listed.

Specification Differences

• Cores: AMD 16, Intel 24
• Threads: Both 32
• Base Clock: AMD 3.90 GHz, Intel 2.20 GHz
• Boost Clock: AMD 4.30 GHz, Intel 5.80 GHz
• TDP: AMD 280, Intel 55
• Socket: AMD Socket WRX8, Intel BGA 1964
• Architecture: Zen 2 versus Raptor Lake
• Codename: Castle Peak versus Raptor Lake-HX
• Process Node: 7 nm (TSMC) versus 10 nm (Intel)
• Transistors: 7,600 million versus not specified
• Die Size: 2x 74 mm² versus 257 mm²
• L1 Cache: 64 KB per core versus 80 KB per core
• L2 Cache: 512 KB per core versus 2 MB per core
• L3 Cache: 64 MB versus 36 MB (shared)
• Memory Support: DDR4 versus DDR4, DDR5
• Memory Bus: Eight-channel versus Dual-channel
• Memory Bandwidth: 204.8 GB/s versus not specified
• PCIe: Gen 4, 128 Lanes versus Gen 5, 16 Lanes
• Integrated Graphics: None versus UHD Graphics 770
• Market Segment: Desktop versus Mobile
• Release Date: 2020-07-13 versus 2024-01-07
• Launch MSRP: $1149 versus not specified
• Multiplier Unlocked: No versus Yes
• Part Number: 100-000000167 versus SRMXF

The Verdict

The data does not support a single winner; it supports a workload-dependent choice. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX leads in average benchmark score, with 56555 versus 56004, and holds a 92nd percentile ranking compared to Intel's 91st. It also wins the most recent Cinebench R23 multi-core test by 13.6%, suggesting strong sustained multi-threaded rendering performance. The 120.9% single-core Cinebench R23 victory is striking, though it conflicts with Intel's wins in other single-core tests.

The Intel Core i9-14900HX wins more individual benchmarks, 11 versus 8, and dominates in PassMark floating point math (30.5% ahead), PassMark single-thread (35.8% ahead), and Geekbench multi-core (28.5% ahead). Its higher boost clock of 5.80 GHz versus 4.30 GHz likely contributes to these wins. However, the AMD part's eight-channel memory bus and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes position it for memory-bandwidth and expansion-heavy workloads that the dual-channel, 16-lane Intel part cannot match.

For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded rendering in Cinebench R23, the AMD processor is the data-backed choice. For those needing broad single-thread wins across Geekbench and PassMark, plus integrated graphics, the Intel part is preferable. The AMD's launch MSRP of $1149, stated once here, reflects its workstation positioning, while Intel's mobile market segment and 55 TDP suggest a different thermal envelope.

Where Each One Wins

AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX wins in:

• Cinebench R23 multi-core (34131 versus 30055, 13.6% ahead)
• Cinebench R23 single-core (4818 versus 2181.5, 120.9% ahead)
• Cinebench R15 single-core (485 versus 310.5, 56.2% ahead)
• PassMark data compression (601738 versus 539965, 11.4% ahead)
• PassMark data encryption (38058 versus 32619, 16.7% ahead)
• PassMark extended instructions (38952 versus 31247, 24.7% ahead)
• PassMark find prime numbers (198 versus 193, 2.6% ahead)
• PassMark random string sorting (63758 versus 60861, 4.8% ahead)

Intel Core i9-14900HX wins in:

• Cinebench R15 multi-core (4574 versus 3440, 24.8% ahead)
• Cinebench R20 multi-core (15616 versus 14335, 8.2% ahead)
• Cinebench R20 single-core (2204 versus 2023, 8.2% ahead)
• Geekbench multi-core (17511 versus 12523, 28.5% ahead)
• Geekbench single-core (2330 versus 1684, 27.7% ahead)
• PassMark floating point math (112273 versus 77979, 30.5% ahead)
• PassMark integer math (157375 versus 132456, 15.8% ahead)
• PassMark multithread (43778 versus 40155, 8.3% ahead)
• PassMark physics (2638 versus 2460, 6.7% ahead)
• PassMark single-thread (4175 versus 2679, 35.8% ahead)

The AMD processor excels in encryption, compression, and extended instruction workloads, alongside the Cinebench suite. The Intel processor dominates general math operations, physics, and the Geekbench suite. Users should select based on which benchmark family best represents their target applications.