AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX vs Intel Core i9-14901KE Comparison

FAQ

Q: What are the core and thread counts of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX and the Intel Core i9-14901KE?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i9-14901KE has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD chip boosts up to 5.40 GHz, while the Intel chip boosts up to 5.80 GHz, giving Intel a 0.40 GHz advantage in maximum single-core frequency.

Q: How do their memory systems compare?

A: The AMD processor supports DDR5 memory with an eight-channel bus and 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 but uses a dual-channel bus, and no bandwidth figure is recorded in the database.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX provides 128 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core i9-14901KE provides 16 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX and the Intel Core i9-14901KE support ECC memory.

Q: What is the process node for each chip?

A: The AMD processor is built on a 4 nm process at TSMC, while the Intel processor uses a 10 nm process at Intel.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX and the Intel Core i9-14901KE represent two fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD chip uses the Zen 5 architecture under the codename Shimada Peak, built on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel chip uses the Raptor Lake architecture under the codename Raptor Lake-R, built on a 10 nm process at Intel. The AMD chip is listed as part of the 9000 series, while Intel places the i9-14901KE in the Core 14th Gen lineup.

The transistor and die size figures show a striking contrast. AMD lists 16,630 million transistors spread across a dual-chiplet design with a die size of 2x 70.6 mm². Intel does not report a transistor count in the database, but its die size is a single 257 mm² piece of silicon. This reflects AMD's chiplet strategy versus Intel's monolithic approach.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The AMD processor has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel processor has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has more total L3, which matters for workloads with large working sets.

Memory architecture is another major split. AMD uses eight-channel DDR5 with 409.6 GB/s of bandwidth, while Intel uses dual-channel DDR5 (and DDR4 support) with no recorded bandwidth figure. PCIe connectivity also diverges sharply: AMD offers 128 Gen 5 lanes, Intel offers 16 Gen 5 lanes. The AMD chip has no integrated graphics, while the Intel chip includes UHD Graphics 770.

The sockets differ as expected: AMD uses Socket sTR5, Intel uses Socket 1700. Both processors have unlocked multipliers. The AMD chip carries a launch MSRP of $1649; the Intel chip has no launch MSRP recorded in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains benchmark scores for the AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX, but the Intel Core i9-14901KE has no recorded benchmark scores. As a result, direct comparisons must rely on the AMD chip's absolute scores and its position against other CPUs in the database.

The AMD processor's Cinebench results show strong multicore performance. It scores 5996 in Cinebench R15 multicore, 24987 in R20 multicore, and 59494 in R23 multicore. Single-core scores are 846 in R15, 3527 in R20, and 8399 in R23. These figures place the chip well above the 50th percentile, which is where the Intel chip sits (its percentileVsAllCpus is 50). The AMD chip sits at the 97th percentile.

PassMark results for the AMD chip are extensive. It scores 236120 in integer math, 156215 in floating point math, 76363 in extended instructions, 44389 in data encryption, and 920954 in data compression. Random string sorting yields 99813, find prime numbers yields 337, and physics yields 4156. The multithread score is 67035, and the single-thread score is 4530.

The average benchmark score for the AMD chip is 101041. Its nearest rivals in the database are all AMD EPYC or Threadripper parts. The AMD EPYC 7513 scores 102244 on average, which is 1.2% higher than the 9955WX. The AMD EPYC 4585PX scores 99324, which is 1.7% lower. The AMD EPYC 8324P scores 103329, which is 2.2% higher. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX scores 98504, which is 2.6% lower. This places the 9955WX in a tightly contested band of high-end server and workstation processors.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on nearly every core specification. The AMD chip has 16 cores and 32 threads; the Intel chip has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 4.50 GHz for AMD and 3.80 GHz for Intel. Boost clocks are 5.40 GHz for AMD and 5.80 GHz for Intel. The Intel chip has a higher boost clock, but the AMD chip has a higher base clock.

Power ratings differ substantially. The AMD chip has a TDP of 350, while the Intel chip has a TDP of 125. The AMD chip draws far more power, consistent with its higher core count and memory bandwidth.

Cache configurations differ per level. L1 is 64 KB per core for AMD and 80 KB per core for Intel. L2 is 1 MB per core for AMD and 2 MB per core for Intel. L3 is 64 MB for AMD and 36 MB shared for Intel. Note that Intel's larger per-core L1 and L2 do not compensate for AMD's larger total L3.

Memory support overlaps but diverges in channel count. AMD supports DDR5 only, with eight channels and 409.6 GB/s bandwidth. Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5, with two channels and no bandwidth figure. PCIe lanes are 128 Gen 5 for AMD versus 16 Gen 5 for Intel. Integrated graphics are absent on AMD and present as UHD Graphics 770 on Intel.

Production status is Active for both. The AMD release date is 2025-07-22, and the Intel release date is 2024-06-30. The AMD part number is 100-000000725; the Intel part number is Q49DSRNJC. Both have unlocked multipliers.

The Verdict

The data shows two processors aimed at different workloads. The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX is a high-core-count workstation part with massive memory bandwidth and PCIe lane count. It sits at the 97th percentile of all CPUs in the database and has an average benchmark score of 101041. Its nearest rivals are all EPYC or Threadripper PRO parts, which places it firmly in the server and professional workstation category.

The Intel Core i9-14901KE is a lower-core-count desktop part with a higher boost clock, integrated graphics, and much lower TDP. Its percentileVsAllCpus is 50, and it has no recorded benchmark scores or nearest rivals in the database. The absence of benchmark data means the database cannot confirm its performance level relative to the AMD chip.

For workloads that scale with core count, memory bandwidth, and PCIe connectivity, the AMD chip is the clear choice based on the recorded data. Its 16 cores, 32 threads, eight-channel memory, and 128 Gen 5 lanes give it capabilities the Intel chip cannot match on paper. The Intel chip's advantages are its higher boost clock, lower power draw, and integrated graphics, but the database has no benchmark scores to substantiate its real-world performance.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX wins in any scenario where the recorded specifications matter. Its 16 cores and 32 threads double the Intel chip's core and thread counts. Its 64 MB of L3 cache is nearly double the Intel chip's 36 MB. Its eight-channel DDR5 memory with 409.6 GB/s bandwidth provides a memory subsystem that a dual-channel part cannot approach. Its 128 Gen 5 PCIe lanes support far more expansion devices than the Intel chip's 16 lanes.

The Intel Core i9-14901KE wins in scenarios where its higher boost clock and lower power draw are the deciding factors. Its 5.80 GHz boost clock exceeds the AMD chip's 5.40 GHz, which can matter for lightly threaded tasks. Its 125 TDP is far below the AMD chip's 350, which simplifies cooling and power delivery requirements. Its integrated UHD Graphics 770 provides display output without a discrete GPU, something the AMD chip cannot do.

The database positions the AMD chip at the 97th percentile against all CPUs, with an average score of 101041. The Intel chip sits at the 50th percentile with an average score of 0, reflecting the lack of recorded benchmarks. Until benchmark data for the Intel chip is added, the AMD chip is the only one of the two with verifiable performance measurements in the database.