Looking to build the most muscular consumer background possible ? Then you ’ll likely be deciding between two processors : theIntel Core i9 - 14900Kand theAMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

But which is the bestCPU , and how do they differ ? We ’ve essay both processor , and so are well placed to resolve that question . We ’ve not only made certain to screen performance with a assortment of benchmarks , but have also factored in other component such as price , power efficiency and more .

So if you ’re struggling to decide between the Intel Core i9 - 14900 K and the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D , keep read this comparison guide for the full breakdown .

Price and availability

The Intel Core i9 - 14900 K launch back on 17th October 2023 , making it the a la mode desktop CPU from team blue . It has an MSRP of $ 589 , although can be find for cheaper on third - party retailers .

As for the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D , it launched even earlier that twelvemonth on twenty-eighth February 2023 , with a launch price of $ 699 . That made it an extremely expensive processor on release , but the cost has since drop to be roughly the same as the Intel Core i9 - 14900K.

Specs

The Intel Core i9 - 14900 K is based on the Raptor Lake computer architecture , and so is based on theIntel 7process , with a 10 - nanometer process . Meanwhile , the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D chip is based onZen 4architecture with a 5 nm node . A smaller guest will mostly interpret to a greater public presentation , but that ’s not always the case .

The Intel Core i9 - 14900 K has a thumping 24 - core count , made up of 16 efficient - cores and 8 execution - center . The Intel chip also has 32 threads . Back over to AMD , and the Ryzen 9 7950X3D has 16 magnetic core ( all made every bit ) and 32 threads . Since Intel is using a intercrossed good example of cores , it would be unfair to indicate a higher core numeration equates to a fast performance .

One area that ’s a little more unproblematic to judge is acme clock speed , which give you a good idea of the gestate single - core performance that ’s important for work load such as gaming . The Intel Core i9 - 14900 K is capable of a promote clock speed of 6GHz , whereas the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D can only hit 5.7GHz without an overclock .

However , the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D has a special deception up its sleeve in the form of the3D V - cachetechnology . Without getting too technical , 3D pentad - cache allow the processor to make use of additional L3 hoard to better functioning , specially for back where suffer . The braggart caution here is that not every game will benefit from this carrying into action boost , so it ’s very subordinate on what you ’re play .

Performance

We test both the Intel Core i9 - 14900 K and AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D on the same test rig , and so have a skillful understanding of how these processor dissent in terms of performance .

The Intel Core i9 - 14900 K systematically carry ranking single - core and multi - core bench mark results across all of our trial , show it to be the better performer for both gaming and content creation workloads . The only expanse where the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D stole a lead was in the integrate artwork . That ’s useful if you ’re play low - intensive biz without a graphics add-in , but I reckon that wo n’t be the case for the vast absolute majority of masses .

We also made sure to prove the two chip with in - biz benchmarks to get a honorable approximation of tangible - earthly concern gaming performance . The Intel Core i9 - 14900 K once again dominated , with a 9fps advantage for Horizon Zero Dawn ( 1080p ) , 29fps hike for Borderlands 3 ( 1080p ) and 6fps increase for Returnal ( 1080p ) .

It is possible for the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D to steal a lead in gaming operation for choice games thanks to the 3D V - memory cache engineering science , but it ’s difficult to ascertain which games will actually benefit – none of those in our group test seemingly did .

Power consumption and temperature

Intel may be the clear winner when it follow to performance , but all of that power comes at a toll : peculiarly , via your get-up-and-go bill .

The Intel Core i9 - 14900 K is a king - hungry animate being , drawing an extra 29 % of power compare to the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D when under focus . This also mean you ’ll involve to be mindful that your PSU has a large enough capacity .

It ’s a alike story when it come up to the processor ’s summit temperature , with the Intel Core i9 - 14900 K run 9 degree hotter in our stress test than its AMD rival . This means you ’ll need a richly - power cooling system so as to maximize performance and longevity .

The AMD ’s chip ’s impressive thermal carrying out and power efficiency are food for persuasion . It may not be as powerful as its Intel bane , but it ’s certainly more effective .

Verdict

If you ’re depend for the downright fastest consumer desktop mainframe – either for gaming , capacity cosmos or any other workload – then our psychometric test show that the Intel Core i9 - 14900 K is the one to go for .

The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D did try out to be more power effective though , while also see a cool height temperature under stress . And the ingenious 3D V - memory cache should n’t be underestimated , even if it unhappily does n’t result in a performance cost increase for every undivided game .

But considering both french-fried potatoes are useable for close to the same Mary Leontyne Price , it ’s difficult to look past the Intel Core i9 - 14900 K as the honest CPU choice .