September 20, 2024
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Computer Hardware

Ryzen 7 9700X Vs Core i5-14600K: How Big Is The Performance Difference?

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He Ryzen 9000 Series Processors Coming soon After being delayed by AMDThe 9700X, which was originally scheduled to arrive on July 31, will now launch on August 8.

The CPU is a mid-range option, ideal for those who want something that can deliver excellent performance while keeping temperatures down. But how does it compare to a mid-range option from Intel? To find out, we'll compare it to the Core i5-14600K.

If you're interested in picking up the Ryzen 7 9700X as soon as it launches, check out our Where to buy the 9700X model page, where we list all the major retailers that will offer this CPU.

Specifications

SpecificationsRyzen 7 9700XIntel Core i5-14600K
ArchitectureZen 5Raptor Lake-R
Plug AM5LGA1700
ProcessTSMC 4nm FinFET chipsIntel 7 (10nm)
Cores814
Threadssixteentwenty
Base clock speed3.8 GHzE core: 2.6 GHz P core: 3.5 GHz
Increase clock speed5.5 GHz5.3 GHz
L3 Cache32 MB24 MB
TDP65 W125 W / 181 W
Integrated graphicsAMD Radeon GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics 770

Base

Let's look at the foundation first. The Ryzen 7 9700X is built on the same architecture as the other 9000 series CPUs, such as Zen 5. This is AMD's latest model and the company has introduced significant improvements and changes across it, such as a 16% increase in CPIAMD claims that as a result, compared to Zen 4, you can expect 21% better performance in League of Legends, 23% in Blender, and a whopping 35% improvement in Geekbench 5.4 AES XTS.

16% Zen 5 boost chart (Image source: AMD)

On the other hand, the 14600K architecture is an update of the Raptor Lake, which only introduces some minor improvements.

The 9700X also uses the 4nm process technology, thanks to which it can fit more transistors on a single core. On the other hand, the 14600K is on the 10nm technology, so its transistors are larger. What does this mean? The 9700X can handle more tasks with ease.

Cores and clock speeds

The 9700X offers a combination of 8 cores and 16 threads. It uses hyper-threading to efficiently perform demanding tasks. For those who don't know, hyper-threading basically assigns one core to two threads.

The 14600K, on ​​the other hand, has 14 cores, 6 Performance cores and 8 Efficient cores. The P cores are optimized to handle heavy tasks like video editing, rendering, and gaming. On the other hand, the E cores are used for light tasks like browsing the web or watching a video.

The 9700X has a base frequency of 3.8GHz, which is 0.3GHz better than the 14600K’s P-core frequency of 3.5GHz. However, this can be improved through overclocking. You can boost the 9700X up to 5.5GHz, while the 14600K can reach a maximum speed of 5.3GHz, which is again lower than the Team Red CPU.

TDP and cache

The cache stores temporary data that the processor needs to access frequently. The larger the cache size, the less load on the CPU. The 9700X has the edge in this regard, as it has a 32MB L3 cache. On the other hand, the 14600K has a 24MB L3 cache. Therefore, the Team Red option can store more data and reduce the stress on the CPU.

TDP is another area where the 9700X has a big advantage. Its total power consumption is only 65W. This means that it is energy efficient and won’t generate too much heat. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about investing in a large power supply or a high-end heatsink. On the other hand, the 14600K tends to get quite warm, as it has a TDP of 125W, which can reach 181W under load.

Prices

At launch, the 14600K was available for $329. However, right now, you can get it for $299.99. This is the lowest price we've seen so far for the 14600K. On the other hand, the price of the 9700X is currently unknown. But according to a recent leakIt will cost $449 at launch.

Alternative options

Both the Ryzen 9700X and Intel 14600K are excellent processors, but we know they're not for everyone. If that's the case for you, you can check out some alternative options below.

Which of these is right for you?

When comparing the Ryzen 7 9700X and the Intel Core i5-14600K, each processor has different advantages depending on specific tasks and use cases.

Built on AMD’s Zen 5 architecture with a 4nm process, the Ryzen 7 9700X features 8 cores and 16 threads, making it highly efficient for multitasking and demanding workloads like video editing, 3D rendering, and running virtual machines. With a base clock speed of 3.8GHz and a boost clock speed of up to 5.5GHz, along with a 32MB L3 cache, the 9700X delivers fast access to frequently-used data, improving overall performance. Additionally, its 65W TDP makes it more power-efficient and produces less heat as well.

On the other hand, the Intel Core i5-14600K, based on the Raptor Lake architecture with a 10nm process, offers a hybrid core configuration with 6 Performance cores and 8 Efficient cores, totaling 14 cores and 20 threads. However, compared to the 9700X, it has a higher TDP and may not be the ideal choice for demanding tasks.

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