Intel Core i5-14600K vs AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D: Which is the best gaming CPU?

Modified Jul 01, 2024 15:44 GMT

The Intel Core i5-14600K and Ryzen 7 5800X3D are some of the most capable mid-range CPUs (Image via Amazon)

The Intel Core i5-14600K and the AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D are some of the best choices in the mid-premium range. Both chips are priced around the $300-350 range these days, and continue to be relevant despite their age. This is particularly true for the 5800X3D. Thanks to the 3D V-cache onboard the processor, it still rivals the latest offerings when paired with a decent GPU.

In this article, we will analyze what the two chips bring to the table and try to answer which is the better option for gamers.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the author's opinions.

The Core i5-14600K and AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D are among the best value-for-money gaming chips

The Intel Core i5-14600K and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D are based on wildly different architectures. You won't be able to tell their differences just by looking at the on-paper specs. While Intel employs a monolithic design with their latest Raptor Lake Refresh lineup, AMD has stuck to a chiplet-based technology since 2017. This makes even an accurate specs comparison less than insightful.

Specs comparison

The Intel Core i5-14600K is stacked with hardware (Image via Amazon)

The on-paper specs of the Intel Core i5-14600K and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D are quite different. The 14600K has been bumped to fourteen cores, with eight of them being efficient and six performance-rated. The 5800X3D, on the other hand, is a traditional eight-core processor with 3D V-cache technology.

The operating clock speeds of the chips are quite different. While the performance-rated 'P' cores on the Intel processor go up to 5.3 GHz, the 5800X3D can only do 4.5 GHz at best. Moreover, the 14600K supports both DDR5 and DDR4 memory, while the 5800X3D is locked to just the older standard.

One of the biggest differences between the processors, however, is overclocking support. While the 14600K is fully unlocked and can be pushed beyond its capabilities, that isn't possible with the 5800X3D.

The detailed specs lists are as follows:

	Intel Core i5-14600K	AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Processor family	Raptor Lake Refresh	Zen 3 with 3D V-cache
Lithography	Intel 7 (10 nm)	7 nm
Core count	14 (6P+8E)	8
Thread count	20	16
Max. turbo frequency	5.3 GHz	4.5 GHz
RAM support	Up to DDR5 5600 MT/s, Up to DDR4 3200 MT/s	DDR4-3200
iGPU	Intel UHD 770	N/A
Power draw	125W (181W turbo power)	105W
Price	$305 (14600K), $292 (14600KF)	$338.99

Both the 14600K and the 5800X3D have been handsomely discounted since their launch. You can find the i5 for just $305 these days, with the iGPU-less 14600KF selling for $292. Although the 5800X3D has also gotten cheaper, you'll have to cash out $338.99 for this chip.

Performance comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is based on a chiplet design (Image via Amazon)

In terms of performance, the Intel Core i5-14600K dominates the 5800X3D across multiple benchmarks. This includes both single and multi-core performance metrics. Thanks to the extra core count of the Intel chip, you can expect it to be a much better option for productivity workloads like gaming and content creation.

Below is a comparison of the numbers scored by the chips in Cinebench R23 and Geekbench 6. We sourced these from Nanoreview.

	Intel Core i5-14600K	AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Cinebench R23 single-core	2,084	1,443
Cinebench R23 multi-core	25,272	14,797
Geekbench 6 single-core	2,815	2,113
Geekbench 6 multi-core	17,306	11,198

Coming to the gaming performance, the 14600K commands a lead here as well. This is largely because of the superior single-core capabilities of the chip.

Below are the FPS numbers scored by the chips in some of the latest video games. We sourced these from the YouTube channel Hardware Test, which tested the CPUs with an RTX 4090. The difference will be slimmer with a more modest card like the RTX 4060. Here are the findings:

	Intel Core i5-14600K	AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (1080p Ultra)	94 FPS	83 FPS
The Last of Us Part 1 (1080p Ultra)	166 FPS	152 FPS
Spider-Man: Miles Morales (1080p Ultra)	115 FPS	97 FPS
Hitman 3 (1080p Ultra)	220 FPS	209 FPS
Hogwarts Legacy (1080p Ultra)	65 FPS	49 FPS
Forza Horizon 5	210 FPS	195 FPS

Intel Core i5-14600K vs AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D: Final verdict

The Intel Core i5-14600K is both cheaper and more capable than the 5800X3D. It also boasts better multi-core numbers that could come in handy if you want your rig to double up as a workstation. The 5800X3D has had a good run, but now it is time for newer chips to take its crown. We recommend opting for the Intel Core i5-14600K instead of this Zen 3 processor.

Check out more CPU comparisons from Sportskeeda:

Edited by Abhipsito Das