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The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs Intel Core i9-14900KS debate is an interesting battle between two enthusiast grade processors known for their exceptional gaming and overclocking performance. The Ryzen 9 5900X was launched in 2020, while the Intel i9 14900KS is the latest processor of Intel's 14th-generation line-ip. Naturally, this means that the Intel 14900KS performs better than the Ryzen 5900X.
However, we should also consider that the Ryzen 5900X is now available at a much more enticing price tag. So, a new question emerges: Which processor provides better value?
Read on to find out how the Ryzen 5900X performs against the Intel i9 14900KS and to what degree. We will compare their specifications, gaming performance, and value proposition to help you decide which processor is the better pick for your needs.
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Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and solely reflect the writer’s opinions.
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs Intel Core i9-14900KS: Hardware and price overview
Before we move further in our AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs Intel Core i9-14900KS comparison, let’s have a look at the hardware and price differences between the two processors. Do note that both use different architecture and technologies, so an apples-to-apples comparison isn’t possible.
Looking at the specifications, it is clear that the Core i9-14900KS features higher core counts and boost clock speeds. The modern hybrid architecture of Intel 14900KS combines eight high-performance cores (P-Cores) with 16 efficiency cores (E-Cores) to provide top-of-the-line multi-threaded and single core performance.
The Ryzen 9 5900X was once the best AMD CPU of its time. However, its Zen 3 architecture is now aging, and the CPU lags behind Intel in terms of boost clock speeds and total core count. That said, it still packs respectable hardware configuration if we take its current pricing into account.
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs Intel Core i9-14900KS: Overclocking
Both processors are unlocked for overclocking. This means you can increase their clock speeds beyond the factory defaults. While overclocking can cause instability and overheating, if done properly, you can gain a significant bump in performance.
The i9-14900KS has a base frequency of 3.2 GHz, with a boost frequency of a whopping 6.2 GHz. This means a significant advantage in single core performance for gaming and other heavy computational tasks. On the other hand, the Ryzen 9 5900X has a base frequency of 3.7 GHz, which can go up to 4.8 GHz. This means the Core i9 will offer higher performance when overclocked beyond its capabilities.
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs Intel Core i9-14900KS: Benchmark scores
Paper specifications don’t paint the full picture of the capabilities of these CPUs. So, let’s put the two processors to the test on synthetic benchmarks to find out which one is better (via Nanoreview):
Things don't look great for the Ryzen 9 5900X in CPU benchmarks. The 14900KS easily outperforms the 5900X in every test by a huge margin. Moreover, since most games are designed to utilize the single core performance of a CPU, the 40-50% lead of 14900KS in single core makes it a substantially better chipset for gaming.
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs Intel Core i9-14900KS: Gaming performance
While CPU benchmarks are great to get a rough idea of a processor’s capabilities, there’s nothing better than looking at the actual FPS counts to get an accurate picture of the real-world performance these CPUs provide.
These tests were performed by the Mark PC YouTube channel at 4K resolution with a RTX 3090 Ti on the highest in-game settings.
Here, we see the CPU benchmark results repeat themselves. On average, the Intel Core i9 delivers an average of 40% more performance than the Ryzen 9.
That said, these results were expected, considering the three-year age gap between the two processors and Intel's recent architectural enhancements.
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs Intel Core i9-14900KS: Price comparison and verdict
The Intel Core i9-14900KS currently costs $644 on Walmart, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is available for $277. Intel justifies its cost by delivering substantially higher performance in gaming and heavy workloads.
In conclusion, the Intel Core i9-14900KS is the faster and more future-proof CPU. You can expect it to be around 40-50% faster than the Ryzen 9 5900X in almost all parameters.
Check out more CPU comparisons here:
Intel Core i9-14900KS vs i9-14900K || Intel Core i9-13900K vs AMD Ryzen 9 5900X || AMD Ryzen 7 7700X vs Ryzen 7 5700X
