AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX vs Intel Core i9-14900K Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Core i9-14900K and AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX serve fundamentally different roles, and the recorded benchmark data makes the separation clear. The Intel part wins 11 of the 17 head-to-head tests, while the AMD part takes 6. However, looking only at win counts misses the magnitude of the losses. The Intel Core i9-14900K delivers decisive victories in several PassMark workloads, including a 37.1% lead in floating point math and a 28.1% lead in data encryption. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX counters with enormous single-core Cinebench wins, particularly a 66.8% advantage in Cinebench R23 single-core, which is a dominant result.

For users prioritizing everyday desktop responsiveness, light-threaded applications, and a broad set of consumer workloads, the Intel Core i9-14900K is the data-supported choice. Its overall average benchmark score is 79097, placing it in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, nearly identical to the AMD part's 76513 average score and 95th percentile. The Intel chip also holds a 3.2% lead in PassMark multithread and a 2.7% lead in PassMark single-thread, making it the more balanced performer across the measured suite.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is the pick for workstation-class tasks that stress single-core Cinebench performance and physics simulation. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 48325 beats the Intel's 39399.5 by 18.5%, and its PassMark physics score of 6118 crushes the Intel's 3140 by 48.7%. This is a processor built for sustained heavy compute, not for the mixed bag of consumer tasks. Choose the Intel for general power, choose the AMD for specialized compute where its architecture shines.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from opposite design philosophies. The Intel Core i9-14900K is a Raptor Lake part, built on Intel's 10 nm process, and it is a desktop processor with 24 cores and 32 threads. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX is Zen 5 architecture, codenamed Shimada Peak, built on TSMC's 4 nm process, and it's a server/workstation chip with only 12 cores and 24 threads. The core counts are counterintuitive: the Intel chip has twice as many cores, yet the AMD chip wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core.

The process node difference is large: 10 nm for Intel versus 4 nm for TSMC, which helps explain the AMD's higher base clock of 4.70 GHz versus Intel's 3.20 GHz. The boost clocks are closer, with Intel reaching 6.00 GHz and AMD hitting 5.40 GHz. The Intel chip has a die size of 257 mm², while the AMD uses two dies of 70.6 mm² each, with a total transistor count of 16,630 million. The Intel's transistor count is not recorded.

Cache structures differ significantly. The Intel has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. The AMD has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a much larger 64 MB of L3. The AMD's larger L3 is likely a factor in its single-core performance advantage, as seen in Cinebench R23 single-core.

Memory support also sets them apart. The Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus, while the AMD supports only DDR5 but with an eight-channel bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, but the Intel's integrated UHD Graphics 770 is present, while the AMD has no integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-14900K's biggest win is in PassMark floating point math, where it scores 152975 versus the AMD's 111566, a 37.1% advantage. This is a substantial gap in raw number-crunching ability. The Intel also dominates in data encryption, scoring 46813 versus 36540, a 28.1% lead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel scores 6103 versus 4871, a 25.3% win, which is surprising given the AMD's higher core count in other tests. The Intel also leads in data compression by 18% (792694 vs 671963) and in integer math by 13.6% (210622 vs 185421).

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX's biggest win is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 6822 versus Intel's 2262.5, a 66.8% advantage. This is an enormous single-threaded performance gap, not a small edge. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD leads 687 vs 324.5, a 52.8% win. In PassMark physics, the AMD scores 6118 vs 3140, a 48.7% margin. The AMD also wins in find prime numbers (335 vs 231, a 31% lead) and in extended instructions (54406 vs 45154, a 17% win).

In Cinebench R20, the two are nearly tied. The Intel wins multicore 20793 vs 20296, a 2.4% margin, and single-core 2935 vs 2865, also 2.4%. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD wins 48325 vs 39399.5, an 18.5% margin. The Intel wins PassMark multithread by a slim 3.2% (58674 vs 56854), and random string sorting by 2.9% (86971 vs 84498). Single-threaded PassMark goes to the Intel by 2.7% (4697 vs 4573).

The data shows a clear pattern. The Intel wins in traditional desktop integer and floating-point workloads, while the AMD dominates in Cinebench single-core and physics simulation. The AMD's Cinebench R23 single-core score is more than 3x higher than the Intel's, which is not a minor edge. The Intel's Cinebench R15 multicore win is notable because the AMD has fewer cores, but the AMD's R23 multicore win suggests the AMD's architecture scales better in that specific test.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every key specification field.

• Cores: Intel 24, AMD 12
• Threads: Intel 32, AMD 24
• Base clock: Intel 3.20 GHz, AMD 4.70 GHz
• Boost clock: Intel 6.00 GHz, AMD 5.40 GHz
• TDP: Intel 125 W, AMD 350 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1700, AMD Socket sTR5
• Process node: Intel 10 nm, AMD 4 nm
• Foundry: Intel, TSMC
• Die size: Intel 257 mm², AMD 2x 70.6 mm²
• Transistors: Intel null, AMD 16,630 million
• L1 cache: Intel 80 KB per core, AMD 64 KB per core
• L2 cache: Intel 2 MB per core, AMD 1 MB per core
• L3 cache: Intel 36 MB shared, AMD 64 MB
• Memory support: Intel DDR4, DDR5; AMD DDR5 only
• Memory bus: Intel dual-channel, AMD eight-channel
• Memory bandwidth: Intel null, AMD 409.6 GB/s
• PCIe: Intel Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only); AMD Gen 5, 128 Lanes (CPU only)
• Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 770, AMD N/A
• Market segment: Intel Desktop, AMD Server/Workstation
• Release date: Intel 2023-10-16, AMD 2025-06-30
• Launch MSRP: Intel $589, AMD null

The Intel has a boost clock 0.60 GHz higher, but the AMD has a base clock 1.50 GHz higher. The AMD's eight-channel memory bus and 409.6 GB/s bandwidth are far beyond the Intel's, which has no measured bandwidth. The AMD's 128 PCIe lanes versus Intel's 16 lanes is a factor for expandability. The Intel has integrated graphics; the AMD doesn't, meaning the AMD requires a discrete GPU.

The release dates are almost two years apart, with the Intel launching on 2023-10-16 and the AMD on 2025-06-30. The Intel's launch MSRP is $589, but no price is recorded for the AMD.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900K has 24 cores and 32 threads, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX beat the Intel Core i9-14900K in single-core performance?

A: Yes, in Cinebench R23 single-core the AMD scores 6822 versus the Intel's 2262.5, a 66.8% advantage. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD leads 687 versus 324.5, a 52.8% win.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel's average benchmark score is 79097, and the AMD's is 76513. Both sit in the 95th percentile of all CPUs, but the Intel has a higher average by 2584 points.

Q: Does the Intel Core i9-14900K support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel supports ECC memory, as does the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX. Both list ECC as true.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX has 64 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel Core i9-14900K has 36 MB of shared L3.

Q: How does the Intel Core i9-14900K compare to the AMD in memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD has a measured memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s over an eight-channel bus. The Intel has no measured bandwidth in the database, but it uses a dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 memory bus.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX available as a desktop CPU?

A: No, the AMD is classified as a server/workstation segment processor, while the Intel is classified as a desktop processor.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-14900K has a boost clock of 6.00 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The AMD has a higher base clock of 4.70 GHz versus the Intel's 3.20 GHz.