AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX vs Intel Core i7-14700K Comparison

The Intel Core i7-14700K and AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX are both 94th-percentile CPUs, but they solve completely different problems. The data shows the Core i7-14700K wins 12 of 19 head-to-head benchmarks, including decisive victories in Geekbench multi-core (31.2% ahead) and PassMark single-thread (34.5% ahead). The Threadripper PRO 5955WX counters with a massive win in Cinebench R23 multi-core (20.1% ahead) and an even larger single-core advantage in that same test (63.4% ahead), though that result is an outlier versus its other single-core scores. For a desktop user, the Core i7-14700K is the clear choice: it is faster in most everyday and multi-threaded workloads, runs on a mainstream socket, and includes integrated graphics. The Threadripper PRO 5955WX is a workstation part defined by its platform—eight-channel memory and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes—which the benchmark scores alone do not capture.

The Verdict

Choose the Intel Core i7-14700K if you need the faster all-around processor for desktop workloads. The data shows it leads in 12 of 19 direct comparisons, including Geekbench multi-core (20767 vs 15834, +31.2%), PassMark multi-thread (52392 vs 49220, +6.4%), and PassMark floating-point math (134222 vs 104377, +28.6%). It also dominates single-thread performance in PassMark (4472 vs 3324, +34.5%) and Geekbench single-core (2569 vs 2125, +20.9%). The Core i7-14700K pairs 20 cores with 28 threads, boosts to 5.60 GHz, and includes UHD Graphics 770, making it a complete package for a desktop build.

Choose the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX if your priority is sustained multi-core rendering or platform expansion. It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by a wide margin (41837 vs 33440.5, +20.1%), and its 16 Zen 3 cores on a 7 nm process deliver 64 MB of L3 cache. However, it loses more benchmarks than it wins, and its single-thread scores are inconsistent—it wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 47.3% but loses PassMark single-thread by 34.5%. The Threadripper’s real value lies in its eight-channel DDR4 memory bus and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, which are absent from the Intel part. If you need those platform features, the benchmarks are secondary.

The average benchmark scores are close (69355 vs 67868, a 2.1% gap), but the distribution of wins is not. The Core i7-14700K is the better general-purpose chip; the Threadripper PRO 5955WX is a specialized workstation tool.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i7-14700K wins across a broad range of workloads. In Geekbench multi-core, it is 31.2% ahead, and in Geekbench single-core it leads by 20.9%. PassMark results reinforce this: it wins multi-thread by 6.4%, floating-point math by 28.6%, random string sorting by 6.9%, and physics by 1.8%. The data also shows a narrow win in data compression (0.6% ahead). Cinebench R20 multi-core goes to Intel by 5.5%, and R20 single-core also goes to Intel by 5.5%. This pattern indicates strong performance in both lightly-threaded and heavily-threaded tasks.

AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core by 20.1%, a significant margin that suggests a specific advantage in long-running render workloads. It also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 47.3% and Cinebench R23 single-core by 63.4%, though these results conflict with its losses in Geekbench single-core and PassMark single-thread. In PassMark, the Threadripper wins data encryption by 5.7%, extended instructions by 13.5%, find prime numbers by 14.5%, and integer math by 1.2%. These wins point to strengths in cryptographic and integer-heavy tasks, but the overall benchmark count favors Intel.

The Core i7-14700K is the versatile winner; the Threadripper PRO 5955WX is the specialist that takes specific workloads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-14700K uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 257 mm². It has 20 cores and 28 threads, with 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus, includes ECC memory support, and provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 is present, and the multiplier is unlocked. Its base clock is 3.40 GHz with a boost of 5.60 GHz, and the TDP is 125 W.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX uses the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm process from TSMC, with 16 cores and 32 threads. The chip is built from 4x 81 mm² dies, totaling 16,600 million transistors. Each core has 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2, with a 64 MB L3 cache. It supports only DDR4 memory, but on an eight-channel bus with a specified memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 4 with 128 CPU lanes, and ECC memory is supported. There is no integrated graphics, the multiplier is locked, and the base clock is 4.00 GHz with a boost of 4.50 GHz. The TDP is 280 W.

The Intel part is a monolithic desktop design with higher clocks and integrated graphics. The AMD part is a multi-die workstation design with far more memory bandwidth and PCIe lanes, at the cost of lower clocks and higher power.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700K has 20 cores, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX has 16 cores. However, the Threadripper has 32 threads versus 28 for the Intel.

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX wins with a score of 41837, which is 20.1% higher than the Intel Core i7-14700K’s 33440.5.

Q: Is there a difference in memory support?

A: Yes. The Intel Core i7-14700K supports both DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX supports only DDR4, but on an eight-channel bus with a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-14700K includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics 770. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the single-thread performance difference in PassMark?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700K scores 4472 in PassMark single-thread, which is 34.5% higher than the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX’s 3324.

Q: Which CPU has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the Intel Core i7-14700K provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the Intel Core i7-14700K is in Geekbench multi-core, where it scores 20767 against 15834, a 31.2% advantage. This is followed by PassMark floating-point math, where Intel leads 134222 to 104377, a 28.6% margin. PassMark single-thread shows a 34.5% lead (4472 vs 3324), and Geekbench single-core shows a 20.9% lead (2569 vs 2125). In Cinebench R20, Intel wins both multi-core (18544 vs 17571, +5.5%) and single-core (2617 vs 2480, +5.5%). PassMark multi-thread goes to Intel at 52392 vs 49220, a 6.4% win. Random string sorting is another Intel win at 74733 vs 69879, a 6.9% margin. Physics is close, with Intel ahead by 1.8% (2964 vs 2913). Data compression is nearly identical, with Intel ahead by only 0.6% (695234 vs 690994).

The largest win for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 5906 against 2160, a 63.4% margin. That result is anomalous, as the Threadripper loses other single-core tests. Cinebench R23 multi-core is a substantial win for AMD at 41837 vs 33440.5, a 20.1% delta. Cinebench R15 single-core goes to AMD at 595 vs 313.5, a 47.3% win. PassMark extended instructions favor AMD at 46952 vs 40632, a 13.5% margin. Find prime numbers is an AMD win at 248 vs 212, a 14.5% delta. Data encryption goes to AMD at 42524 vs 40091, a 5.7% win. Integer math is a narrow AMD win at 185168 vs 182876, a 1.2% margin. The Threadripper’s Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 4217 loses to Intel’s 5035 by 19.4%.

The overall head-to-head count is 12 wins for Intel and 7 for AMD. The Core i7-14700K wins the majority of tests, including all Geekbench and PassMark multi-thread tests, while the Threadripper PRO 5955WX wins the Cinebench R23 multi-core and several specialized PassMark workloads.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every major specification. The Intel Core i7-14700K has 20 cores and 28 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX has 16 cores and 32 threads. Base clocks are 3.40 GHz for Intel and 4.00 GHz for AMD, but boost clocks favor Intel: 5.60 GHz versus 4.50 GHz. TDP is 125 W for Intel and 280 W for AMD.

Process node and foundry differ: Intel uses a 10 nm process from Intel, while AMD uses a 7 nm process from TSMC. The Intel die is 257 mm², while AMD uses 4x 81 mm² dies with 16,600 million transistors. Cache configurations are different: Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 33 MB shared L3; AMD has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3.

Memory support splits: Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus; AMD supports only DDR4 on an eight-channel bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. PCIe differs: Intel offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes, AMD offers Gen 4 with 128 lanes. Integrated graphics are present only on Intel (UHD Graphics 770). The Intel multiplier is unlocked; AMD’s is locked. Socket types are Intel Socket 1700 versus AMD Socket WRX8. The market segment is Desktop for Intel and Server/Workstation for AMD. Release dates are 2023-10-16 for Intel and 2022-03-07 for AMD. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $409; the AMD part has no listed launch MSRP.