Intel Core i9 14900K
Rated: 8/10
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Rated: 9/10
Pros And Cons
CPU | Pros | Cons |
Ryzen 7 7800X3D | ✅Performs better ✅Runs Cooler | ❌Cannot use DDR4 RAM |
Core i9 14900K | ✅Cross compatible platform ✅Supports both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM | ❌Expensive |
- As per our testing, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D performed 1.7% better than the Core i9 14900K in games.
- In terms of thermal efficiency, the Core i9 14900K ran approximately 4.38% hotter than the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
- At launch price, the Core i9 14900K costs 27% more than the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
- Our recommendation lies with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, since not only is it the cheaper out of the two, but it also performs better in games and runs cooler.
Comparison Table
Feature | Core i9 14900K | Ryzen 9 7950X |
Architecture | Raptor Lake | Raphael |
Hyperthreading | Yes | Yes |
Overclocking | Yes | Yes |
Max Memory | 192GB | 128GB |
PL1 TDP | 125W | 120W |
Chip Design | Monolithic | Chiplet |
Best Coolers | Best CPU Coolers For i9 14900K | Best CPU Coolers For Ryzen 7 7800X3D [Hands-On Tested]- |
Best RAM | Best RAM for i9 14900K | Top 5 BEST RAM For Ryzen 7 7800X3D In 2024 |
Best Motherboards | Best Motherboards For i9 14900K | Top 6 Best Motherboards For Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
Architectural Differences
- Core Count: There’s a massive difference in the core count of both CPUs. The 14900K comes with a whopping 24 cores and 32 threads. Compared to that, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D only comes with 8 cores and 16 threads.
- Clock Speed: The performance cores of the i9 14900K usually clock at 3.2 GHz and go all the way to 6 GHz on the boost. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D, on the other hand, starts strong at 4.2 GHz but maxes out at the boost clock of 5 GHz.
- Process Node: Intel has not upgraded their process node in the last 4 generations. That’s why the Core i9 14900K is stuck with the 10 nm process node by TSMC. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D, in comparison, features the 5 nm process node.
- Memory: The Ryzen 7 7800X3D does not have support for the older DDR4 memory. The Core i9 14900K, on the other hand, appears to be backwards compatible with support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory.
- L3 Cache: The Ryzen 7 7800X3D has a massive 96 MB of L3 cache. That’s three times that of the Core i9 14900K’s 32 MB cache.
AMD’s latest Ryzen 7 7800X3D has made a name for itself among the gaming community for spectacular single-core performance. But how well does it stack up against Intel’s greatest offering which was primarily known for its gaming capabilities? Keep reading as we compare Core i9-14900K Vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D in a series of AAA games.
Gaming Benchmarks – 1080p
In order to make an elaborate and in-depth comparison between both of our CPUs, we have chosen to go with the following testing rig which was tailored to ensure that no CPU performance is left on the table. We will also be testing the games at 1080p resolution, as games tend to rely on GPU when we crank up the resolution.
Gaming Rig
- OS: Windows 11
- GPU: GIGABYTE RTX 4090 Gaming OC 24G
- RAM: XPG Lancer RGB 32GB 7200MT/s DDR5
- SSD: XPG GAMMIX S70 BLADE 2TB NVMe
- CPU Cooler: Arctic Liquid Freezer II 420 – AIO Water Cooler
- PSU: ENERMAX REVOLUTION D.F. X 1050W
We have paired both CPUs with our top-of-the-line, Gigabyte RTX 4090. These benchmarks were designed to focus on the CPU performance, but if you wanna see the true potential of this beast, check out our review of GIGABYTE RTX 4090 Gaming OC 24G.
Cyberpunk 2077
- We start the benchmark with Core i9 14900K flexing its muscles by securing a lead in Cyberpunk 2077 with a margin of 5%. It was able to run the game at 140 fps, compared to the 132 fps of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
- The 1% lows were also singing praises of the intel CPU, as it is 4% ahead there. It provided a solid 100 fps average in 1% lows. Not far behind was the Ryzen 7 7800X3D at 96 1% low fps.
Call of Duty Warzone
- We seem to have witnessed a tie in Call of Duty Warzone, as no difference was observed in the average fps of both CPUs. Both CPUs were able to run the game at a very respectable average of 246 fps.
- Despite similar fps, the game seemed to run smoother on Ryzen 7 7800X3D, as it provided 16% more 1% low fps. On average it provided 166 fps, whereas the Core i9 14900K maxed out at 141 fps.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Interesting turn of events in our gaming benchmark, as Ryzen 7 7800X3D, which was lagging behind previously, now secures a lead in Microsoft Flight Simulator by 11%. It provided 91 fps compared to the 81 fps of the Core i9 14900K.
- Despite lagging in average fps, the intel CPU bags a lead in 1% lows, by performing 3% better. It yielded the 1% low of 65 fps, whereas the 7800X3D was at 63 fps.
Remnant 2
- The Ryzen 7 7800X3D retains its lead in Remnant 2, as it provides 3% more fps in it. This time around, it was running the game at 142 fps, compared to the 138 fps by the Core i9 14900K.
- Once again, despite coming short in average fps, the Core i9 14900K retains its lead in the 1% lows. The 1% lows observed on it were 117 fps, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D was slightly behind at 116 fps.
Forza Horizon 5
- We witness the Core i9 14900K finally get its lead back by performing 2% better in Forza Horizon 5. It managed to run the game at a staggering 252 fps, whereas the AMD counterpart runs it at 246 fps.
- The 1% lows were also on Intel’s side as it is 12% ahead there. This time it was able to yield the 1% low of 191 fps, compared to the 169 fps of the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
Resident Evil 4
- Resident Evil 4 seemed to run better on the AMD CPU, as it is 1.59% ahead there providing an average of 190 fps. The Core i9 14900K, on the other hand, provided 187 fps.
- The 1% lows had a much more prominent degree of separation at around 7%, that too in favor of 14900K which was lagging previously. This time it provided the 1% low of 151 fps compared to the 140 fps by
Red Dead Redemption 2
- We close the benchmark with Ryzen 7 7800X3D retaining its lead by a 6% margin in Red Dead Redemption 2. This time, it provided 193 fps as a response to 14900K’s 182 fps average.
- The 1% lows could not save intel either, as Ryzen 7 7800X3D is 10% ahead there, with an average of 148 1% low fps. The Core i9 14900K, at the same time, is at 133 fps.
Overall Gaming Performance
Featured | Ryzen 7 7800X3D | Core i9 14900K |
Average FPS | 178 📈 | 175 📈 |
%1 lows | 128 📉 | 128 📉 |
Winner: Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
Both of these CPUs were fairly close during our gaming benchmarks. Some games ran better on the 14900K, while others ran better on the 7800X3D. However, on average, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D did outperform the Core i9 14900K by a margin of 1.7% in terms of average fps. The average 1% lows on both CPUs were exactly the same.
From what we have seen in the gaming benchmarks, AMD seems to have knocked out of the park with the 7800X3D, as it costs less and performs better than the 14900K. However, gaming only relies on the single-core performance of a CPU. For a pure flagship comparison check out Core i9-14900k Vs Ryzen 9 7950X.
– Uzair Qureshi
Thermal Efficiency
Game | Ryzen 7 7800X3D | Core i9 14900K |
Cyberpunk 2077 | 62🌡️ | 71🌡️ |
Red Dead Redemption 2 | 60🌡️ | 65🌡️ |
Microsoft Flight Simulator | 65🌡️ | 64🌡️ |
Call of Duty Warzone | 61🌡️ | 67🌡️ |
Resident Evil 4 | 68🌡️ | 65🌡️ |
Forza Horizon 5 | 60🌡️ | 61🌡️ |
Remnant 2 | 57🌡️ | 59🌡️ |
Average Temperature | 61.8🌡️ | 64.57🌡️ |
Winner: Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
When it comes to thermal efficiency, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D runs approximately 4.3% cooler in games compared to the Core i9 14900K. The TSMC’s 10 nm chip is, after all, harder to cool. Therefore, if temperatures are a concerning factor for you, then you should consider the 7800X3D since it is more thermal efficient out of the two.
Price And Value
Processor | Launch MSRP | Current Price |
Core i9 14900K | 💲589 | 💲589 |
Ryzen 7 7800X3D | 💲449 | 💲449 |
Difference | 27% | 27% |
Both of these CPUs were launched with a very different price tag for a different consumer. The Ryzzen 7 7800X3D is a mid-ranger processor from its series, whereas the 14900K is the best and most expensive CPU offered by Intel as of now. That explains the 27% difference in the price of both of these chips.
What We Recommend
Ryzen 7 7800X3D: In our opinion, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is an easier recommendation out of the two CPUs. It costs less than the 14900K while performing better in games and running cooler. It is also on AMD’s latest socket, so the upgradability path is better if you go with this CPU.
Core i9 14900K: If you want an overall jack of all trades, and you don’t mind spending extra bucks for it, then the Core i9 14900K is recommended for you. It has splendid gaming performance as observed in the benchmarks. It has three times as many cores as the 7800X3D and lastly, it can support both DDR4 and DDR5 memory.
After personally testing these CPUs, we can vouch that both these CPUs are very capable of gaming. You can not go wrong with either of them. However, they both have their own specific use cases and target audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our observation states that the Core i9 14900K ran approximately 4.38% hotter than the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. So if you dwell in a warm climate zone, you should consider the latter.
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D has a better upgradability path since it is the first series to utilise AMD’s new socket. Intel, on the other hand, was using the same socket for 3 years, so it will be discarded this year.
AMD dropped the support for DDR4 memory in their latest 7000 series of CPUs, which also includes the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. This means your only option is to use DDR5 memory with it.
More From Core i9 14900K
More From Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Ryzen 7 7800X3D Vs Core i5-13600KF
- Core i7-14700K Vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Core i5-14600k Vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D
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