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

The Intel Core i9-14900KF and AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX are both high-end processors, but they target different segments. The Intel part is a 24-core, 32-thread desktop chip with a boost clock of 6.00 GHz and a TDP of 125 W, while the AMD part is a 12-core, 24-thread server/workstation chip with a boost clock of 5.40 GHz and a TDP of 350 W. In the database, Intel's average benchmark score is 79371, AMD's is 76513. Intel wins 14 of the 17 head-to-head benchmarks, but AMD takes three decisive victories. Both sit in the 95th percentile of all CPUs. Intel's average score is 0.3% above the Core i9-14900K and 0.3% below the Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus; AMD's is 0.4% above the Ryzen 9 8945HX and 0.5% below the Core Ultra 9 285HX.

Where Each One Wins

Intel's wins are broad and consistent. It takes every Cinebench test, both single and multi-core, with margins of about 2.2% in each. In Passmark, Intel leads in data compression (16.9% ahead), data encryption (27% ahead), floating point math (36.2% ahead), integer math (12.8% ahead), multithread (2.7% ahead), random string sorting (2.4% ahead), and single-thread (2.4% ahead). These results point to a CPU that is faster across general compute, especially in floating point and encryption workloads. The floating point advantage is particularly large, suggesting a strong FPU design that benefits scientific and financial applications.

AMD's three wins are concentrated in specific areas. It beats Intel by 17.6% in extended instructions, by 31% in find prime numbers, and by a massive 48.4% in physics. The physics score is striking: 6118 vs 3159. This indicates that AMD's Zen 5 architecture has a significant edge in simulation or physics-based tasks, while Intel's strength lies in more conventional arithmetic and memory operations. The extended instructions win also hints at better SIMD or vector processing capabilities, which could matter for workloads like cryptography or signal processing.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has higher single-core performance?

A: Intel wins all single-core tests. In Cinebench R15, it scores 702 vs 687; in R20, 2926 vs 2865; in R23, 6969 vs 6822; and in Passmark single-thread, 4685 vs 4573. The margins are between 2.1% and 2.4%.

Q: Which CPU has more cores and threads?

A: Intel has 24 cores and 32 threads, while AMD has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: Which CPU supports more memory channels?

A: AMD supports eight-channel DDR5 with a memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s. Intel supports dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which CPU has a higher TDP?

A: AMD has a TDP of 350 W, while Intel has a TDP of 125 W.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: Intel's average benchmark score is 79371, while AMD's is 76513.

Q: Which CPU has more PCIe lanes?

A: AMD provides 128 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides 16 Gen 5 lanes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest Intel win is in floating point math, where it scores 151918 against AMD's 111566, a 36.2% advantage. Data encryption shows a 27% lead (46416 vs 36540), and data compression is 16.9% ahead (785831 vs 671963). Integer math is 12.8% ahead (209125 vs 185421). These are substantial margins in compute-heavy tasks, and they explain why Intel's average score is higher.

AMD's biggest win is in physics, with a score of 6118 vs Intel's 3159, a 48.4% lead. Find prime numbers shows a 31% lead (335 vs 231), and extended instructions are 17.6% ahead (54406 vs 44839). In the Cinebench suite, Intel wins all six tests by about 2.2% each, showing a consistent but narrow advantage. The Passmark multithread score is close: 58405 vs 56854, only 2.7% apart. This suggests that while Intel leads in most aggregate workloads, AMD's specialized wins are not enough to overcome Intel's broader dominance.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-14900KF | AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX |

|----------------|----------------------|-----------------------------------|

| Cores | 24 | 12 |

| Threads | 32 | 24 |

| Base clock | 3.20 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| Boost clock | 6.00 GHz | 5.40 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 350 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket sTR5 |

| Process node | 10 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die size | 257 mm² | 2x 70.6 mm² |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 2 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 36 MB (shared) | 64 MB |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Eight-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | Not specified | 409.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 128 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Market segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release date | 2023-10-16 | 2025-06-30 |

| Launch MSRP | $564 | Not specified |

Both CPUs support ECC memory and have unlocked multipliers. Intel's integrated graphics is not specified, while AMD lists N/A.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs are built on fundamentally different architectures. Intel uses Raptor Lake, a 10 nm design from Intel's own foundry, while AMD uses Zen 5, a 4 nm design from TSMC. Intel's die is 257 mm², while AMD uses two dies of 70.6 mm² each, totaling 16,630 million transistors. The core counts differ: Intel has 24 cores and 32 threads, AMD has 12 cores and 24 threads. Cache hierarchies also differ: Intel provides 80 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 per core, with a 36 MB shared L3; AMD provides 64 KB L1 and 1 MB L2 per core, with a 64 MB L3. Memory support is a major differentiator: Intel uses dual-channel DDR4/DDR5, while AMD uses eight-channel DDR5 with a memory bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s. PCIe lane count is also starkly different: Intel offers 16 Gen 5 lanes, AMD offers 128 Gen 5 lanes. These architectural choices reflect their target markets: Intel for desktop, AMD for server/workstation. The smaller process node and larger L3 cache on AMD likely contribute to its wins in physics and extended instructions, while Intel's higher boost clock and larger L2 per core support its single-thread and floating point advantages.

The Verdict

The data shows Intel winning 14 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, with a higher average score (79371 vs 76513). For users who need strong single-thread performance, floating point math, and encryption, the Intel Core i9-14900KF is the clear choice. Its consistent 2.2% lead in Cinebench and large margins in Passmark's floating point and encryption tests make it a versatile desktop processor. The launch MSRP of $564 positions it as a high-end desktop part.

However, AMD's Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9945WX wins decisively in physics, prime number finding, and extended instructions. Its 48.4% lead in physics and 31% lead in prime numbers indicate a specialized advantage. Combined with eight-channel memory and 128 PCIe lanes, this CPU is built for workstation and server workloads that demand high memory throughput and massive I/O. The choice depends on the workload: Intel for general compute, AMD for specialized simulation and high-bandwidth systems.