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

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear split between two very different processors. The Intel Core i7-14700KF wins 15 of the 19 recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX takes only 4. However, the nature of those wins matters more than the raw count.

The Intel part dominates in single-threaded and lightly threaded workloads. Its advantages range from a 5.5% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core to a 34.8% lead in PassMark single-thread tests. For geekbench single-core, the Intel chip is 21.3% ahead. This makes the i7-14700KF the obvious choice for applications that rely on high clock speeds and responsive single-thread performance, such as general desktop use, gaming, and lightly threaded productivity tasks.

The Threadripper PRO 5955WX fights back in specific server-oriented workloads. It wins PassMark data encryption by 5.8%, extended instructions by 13.4%, find prime numbers by 14.5%, and integer math by 1.1%. These are workloads that benefit from the Threadripper's architecture and memory subsystem, not necessarily its raw core count. For users running heavy cryptographic workloads, scientific computing with extended instruction sets, or prime-number-heavy simulations, the AMD part has a measurable edge.

The multi-core picture is nuanced. The i7-14700KF leads in every Cinebench multi-core test by 5.6%, and in PassMark multithread by 6.5%. It also wins PassMark floating point math by 28.8% and random string sorting by 6.9%. The Threadripper's 16 cores and 32 threads simply do not outmuscle the Intel part's 20 cores and 28 threads in most multicore scenarios. The geekbench multicore result is the biggest gap: Intel leads by 35.5%.

Who should pick which? Choose the Intel Core i7-14700KF for a high-performance desktop system where single-thread speed, floating point math, and overall multicore throughput matter most. It is the stronger all-rounder in this comparison. Choose the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX if your primary workloads are data encryption, extended instruction sets, prime number finding, or integer-heavy calculations, and if the platform's eight-channel memory and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes are critical for your build. The data shows the Threadripper is not a general-purpose winner here, but it is a specialist in specific server tasks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700KF has 20 cores and 28 threads. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX has 16 cores and 32 threads. Intel has more cores, AMD has more threads per core.

Q: How large is the performance gap in single-threaded tests?

A: The Intel chip leads in every single-thread benchmark recorded. The smallest gap is 5.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core, and the largest is 34.8% in PassMark single-thread. Geekbench single-core shows a 21.3% lead for Intel.

Q: In which benchmarks does the AMD Threadripper PRO 5955WX win?

A: The AMD part wins four tests: PassMark data encryption (by 5.8%), extended instructions (by 13.4%), find prime numbers (by 14.5%), and integer math (by 1.1%). These are specialized workloads, not general-purpose computing.

Q: What is the difference in memory channel support?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700KF supports dual-channel memory, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX supports eight-channel memory. The AMD part also has a recorded memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s, a figure not listed for the Intel chip.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700KF has a boost clock of 5.60 GHz, compared to 4.50 GHz for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX. The Intel part also has a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz versus 4.00 GHz for AMD, so AMD actually starts higher but Intel boosts much further.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall benchmark percentile?

A: Both processors are at the 94th percentile versus all CPUs in the database. Their average benchmark scores are close, with the Intel part at 70163 and the AMD part at 67868, a difference of about 3.4%.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-14700KF is built on Intel's Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, using a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel. Its die size is 257 mm². The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX uses AMD's Zen 3 architecture under the codename Chagall PRO, built on a 7 nm process node from TSMC. The AMD die is composed of four chiplets, each 81 mm², totaling 16,600 million transistors.

The cache layouts differ significantly. Intel allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD allocates 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a larger 64 MB of L3 cache. This gives AMD more total L3 cache, which can benefit certain workloads that repeatedly access large datasets.

Memory support is another major architectural divergence. The Intel part supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus. The AMD Threadripper PRO 5955WX supports only DDR4 but over an eight-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. This eight-channel configuration is typical for workstation and server platforms, offering substantially more memory throughput potential.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The Intel Core i7-14700KF provides PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The AMD part provides PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes from the CPU. While Intel has the newer PCIe generation, AMD offers far more total lanes, which is crucial for multi-GPU or high-density storage configurations in a workstation.

Both processors have no integrated graphics. Both support ECC memory, and both have unlocked multipliers on the Intel side, while the AMD part does not. The Intel chip is a desktop market segment part, while the AMD chip is positioned for server and workstation use. The Intel part was released in 2023, the AMD part in 2022.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every core specification. The Intel Core i7-14700KF has 20 cores and 28 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX has 16 cores and 32 threads. Intel's base clock is 3.40 GHz versus 4.00 GHz for AMD, but Intel's boost clock is 5.60 GHz versus 4.50 GHz for AMD.

Thermal design power differs substantially: the Intel part is rated at 125 W TDP, while the AMD part is rated at 280 W TDP. This reflects the Threadripper's workstation-oriented design with higher power delivery requirements.

The sockets are incompatible: Intel uses Socket 1700, AMD uses Socket WRX8. The process node differs: Intel at 10 nm, AMD at 7 nm. The die size differs: Intel at 257 mm², AMD at 4x 81 mm². The transistor count is listed only for AMD at 16,600 million.

Cache specifications differ in every level. L1 is 80 KB per core for Intel versus 64 KB per core for AMD. L2 is 2 MB per core for Intel versus 512 KB per core for AMD. L3 is 33 MB shared for Intel versus 64 MB for AMD.

Memory support: Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, AMD supports only DDR4. Memory bus: Intel is dual-channel, AMD is eight-channel. Memory bandwidth: Intel has no listed figure, AMD has 204.8 GB/s.

PCIe: Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes, AMD provides Gen 4 with 128 lanes. The Intel part has an unlocked multiplier, the AMD part does not. Intel has a launch MSRP of $384; AMD has no recorded launch MSRP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive Intel victories come in the Geekbench suite. In geekbench multicore, the Intel Core i7-14700KF scores 21462 against 15834 for the AMD Threadripper PRO 5955WX, a 35.5% advantage. In geekbench singlecore, Intel scores 2578 against 2125, a 21.3% lead. These are large margins that indicate a significant architectural advantage for Intel in this benchmark's workload mix.

PassMark single-thread tests show a similar story. Intel scores 4480 against 3324 for AMD, a 34.8% lead. This is the largest single-thread delta in the entire comparison. PassMark floating point math also heavily favors Intel: 134393 versus 104377, a 28.8% lead.

The Cinebench suite is consistently in Intel's favor but with narrower margins. Across R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core, Intel wins by exactly 5.6% in every case except R15 single-core, which is 5.5%. For example, Cinebench R23 multicore shows Intel at 44167 versus 41837 for AMD. Cinebench R23 singlecore shows Intel at 6235 versus 5906.

PassMark multithread gives Intel a 6.5% win, scoring 52425 versus 49220. PassMark random string sorting has Intel ahead by 6.9%, with scores of 74723 versus 69879. PassMark physics is close, with Intel winning by 1.6%, scoring 2961 versus 2913.

The AMD wins are concentrated in four PassMark subtests. The largest AMD victory is in find prime numbers, where AMD scores 248 against Intel's 212, a 14.5% lead. Extended instructions also favor AMD: 46952 versus 40660, a 13.4% margin. Data encryption goes to AMD by 5.8%, with scores of 42524 versus 40046. Integer math is the narrowest AMD win at 1.1%, scoring 185168 versus 183056.

The data compression test is nearly a tie. Intel scores 694963 versus 690994 for AMD, a 0.6% difference. This is the closest result in the entire comparison.

Overall, the Intel Core i7-14700KF is the stronger performer in 15 of 19 tests, with its biggest wins in single-thread speed and floating point math. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX holds its own in specialized integer, encryption, and instruction-heavy workloads, but cannot match Intel's general-purpose performance in this dataset.