AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX vs Intel Core i5-14490F Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database shows a complete sweep for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX across all 17 recorded tests, with the Intel Core i5-14490F failing to secure a single win. The magnitude of the margins, however, varies substantially by workload type, which reveals the distinct performance profiles of these two processors.

In the Cinebench suite, the Threadripper PRO 9955WX posts consistently massive leads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD part scores 5996 against 2318 for the Intel chip, a 158.7% advantage. The single-core R15 test tells a similar story: 846 versus 327, again a 158.7% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 24987 versus 9660, and single-core is 3527 versus 1363, both at 158.7% and 158.8% deltas respectively. Cinebench R23 shows the same pattern: 59494 versus 23000 in multi-core and 8399 versus 3247 in single-core, both with a 158.7% gap. The consistency of these deltas across every Cinebench iteration indicates that the performance ratio is stable regardless of the rendering workload size or the number of threads utilized.

The Passmark tests reveal a more varied landscape. The largest single delta appears in extended instructions, where the AMD processor scores 76363 against 21731, a 251.4% advantage. Random string sorting shows a 180.3% lead (99813 versus 35608), while data compression delivers 920954 versus 340026, a 170.8% gap. Integer math follows at 168.8% (236120 versus 87844), and find prime numbers shows 176.2% (337 versus 122). Data encryption posts a 143.6% delta (44389 versus 18225), floating point math a 134.7% lead (156215 versus 66558), and multithread a 133.9% margin (67035 versus 28662).

The narrowest wins appear in the single-threaded Passmark tests and physics. Passmark single thread shows the AMD part at 4530 versus 3873, a modest 17% advantage. Physics shows 4156 versus 2093, a 98.6% delta. These two results are instructive: the single-thread gap is far smaller than the multi-thread gaps, which reflects the architectural differences between a high-core-count workstation processor and a mainstream desktop chip.

Where Each One Wins

Given the 17-0 sweep in the head-to-head data, the win distribution is one-sided. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX wins every benchmark category. The database records no test where the Intel Core i5-14490F comes out ahead.

The use-case split therefore hinges on how much each workload benefits from the Threadripper's advantages. For heavily parallel workloads, such as Cinebench multi-core rendering, data compression, integer math, and random string sorting, the AMD part delivers leads between 133.9% and 180.3%. These workloads scale with core count, thread count, and memory bandwidth, all areas where the Threadripper PRO 9955WX is substantially equipped.

For single-threaded tasks, the gap narrows considerably. Passmark single thread shows only a 17% delta. This indicates that the Intel Core i5-14490F, despite having a lower boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus the AMD's 5.40 GHz, remains competitive in lightly threaded scenarios. The Cinebench single-core results, however, tell a different story with a 158.7% delta, which suggests that the Cinebench single-core test responds more strongly to the AMD processor's architecture and possibly its higher boost clock.

The physics test, with a 98.6% delta, sits in the middle. It is not as parallel as the multithread or compression tests, but it still favors the AMD part heavily.

Architecture Differences

The two processors occupy different tiers of the desktop market, and their specifications reflect that positioning.

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX uses the Zen 5 architecture with the Shimada Peak codename, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. It has 16 cores and 32 threads, with a base clock of 4.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The thermal design power is 350 watts. It uses the AMD Socket sTR5 and has an unlocked multiplier. The processor integrates 16,630 million transistors across a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². Cache consists of 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB L3. Memory support is DDR5 with an eight-channel bus and 409.6 GB/s bandwidth, and ECC memory is supported. PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with 128 lanes from the CPU.

The Intel Core i5-14490F uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry. It has 10 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The thermal design power is 65 watts. It uses the Intel Socket 1700 and has a locked multiplier. The die size is 215 mm². Cache consists of 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. Memory support includes both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, and ECC memory is not supported. PCIe connectivity is Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Several differences explain the benchmark results. The AMD part has 60% more cores and double the threads. Its L3 cache is 64 MB versus 24 MB, a 166.7% larger pool. The eight-channel memory bus provides a theoretical bandwidth of 409.6 GB/s, while the Intel part's dual-channel configuration has no recorded bandwidth figure in the database, but the channel count difference alone is substantial. The PCIe lane count differs by a factor of eight: 128 lanes versus 16 lanes.

The process node gap, 4 nm versus 10 nm, contributes to the vastly different transistor density. The AMD processor's 16,630 million transistors are spread across two chiplets of 70.6 mm² each, whereas the Intel part uses a monolithic 215 mm² die with no transistor count recorded.

The release dates also differ. The AMD processor was released on 2025-07-22, while the Intel part was released on 2023-12-31. Both are listed as Active in production status and target the Desktop market segment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the single-thread performance difference?

A: In Passmark single thread, the AMD processor scores 4530 versus 3873 for the Intel part, a 17% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD scores 8399 versus 3247, a 158.7% lead.

Q: Does the Intel processor support ECC memory?

A: No, the Intel Core i5-14490F does not support ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX does support ECC memory.

Q: What memory configurations do the two processors support?

A: The AMD processor supports DDR5 with an eight-channel memory bus and 409.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does each processor provide?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX provides 128 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU. The Intel Core i5-14490F provides 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel Core i5-14490F has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz.

The Verdict

The data presents a one-sided comparison. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX wins all 17 recorded benchmarks, with deltas ranging from 17% in Passmark single thread to 251.4% in extended instructions. The average benchmark score for the AMD part is 101041, placing it in the 97th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel part averages 38149 and sits in the 86th percentile.

The AMD processor's nearest rivals in the database are server-class parts: the AMD EPYC 7513 at 102244 average score, the AMD EPYC 8324P at 103329, the AMD EPYC 4585PX at 99324, and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX at 98504. The deltas against these rivals range from -2.2% to 2.6%, indicating the Threadripper PRO 9955WX sits squarely in the middle of its performance neighborhood.

The Intel Core i5-14490F's nearest rivals are mainstream desktop and mobile parts: the Intel Core Ultra 5 245T at 38194, the Intel Core i5-13600KF at 38103, the AMD Ryzen 7 250 at 38221, and the Intel Core i5-13600HX at 38261. The deltas are all within -0.3% to 0.1%, meaning the i5-14490F is a mid-pack performer in its own class.

For workloads that demand maximum multi-threaded throughput, high memory bandwidth, extensive PCIe connectivity, or large cache capacity, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX is the clear choice based on the recorded measurements. Its 350 watt TDP and eight-channel memory support align with workstation-class demands. The Intel Core i5-14490F, with its 65 watt TDP and dual-channel memory, is positioned for mainstream desktop use where the single-thread gap of 17% is the closest margin the AMD part achieves.

The AMD processor also carries a launch MSRP of $1649, while the Intel part has no recorded launch MSRP in the database. The choice between these two processors, according to the data, depends entirely on whether the user's workloads can utilize the AMD part's substantial multi-threading, cache, memory bandwidth, and PCIe advantages.