Core i5-14500
Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
Core i5-14500 vs Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX Performance Spectrum
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Core i5-14500 vs Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX FPS Benchmarks
Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.
Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i5-14500 vs Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
Core i5-14500
2024Why buy it
- ✅+107.2% higher Geekbench multi-core.
- ✅Costs $1,060 less on MSRP ($239 MSRP vs $1,299 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 447.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 130.6 vs 23.8 PassMark/$ ($239 MSRP vs $1,299 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 65W instead of 250W, a 185W reduction.
- ✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 64 MB).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX, which brings 24 cores / 48 threads and 64 PCIe lanes.
Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
2018Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +9.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 24 MB).
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 24 cores / 48 threads, plus 64 PCIe lanes vs 20.
- ✅220% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (7,241 vs 15,000).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.8 vs 130.6 PassMark/$ ($1,299 MSRP vs $239 MSRP).
- ❌284.6% higher power demand at 250W vs 65W.
- ❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while Core i5-14500 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-14500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
Quick Answers
So, is Core i5-14500 better than Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-14500 vs Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
Core i5-14500
The Core i5-14500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 31,205 points. Launch price was $232.
Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX
The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 250 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 30,954 points. Launch price was $1,299.
Processing Power
The Core i5-14500 packs 14 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i5-14500 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX — a 17.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-14500 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-14500 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-14500 scores 31,205 against the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX's 30,954 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-14500. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,700 vs 1,240, a 74.1% lead for the Core i5-14500 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 15,000 vs 7,241 (69.8% advantage for the Core i5-14500). L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i5-14500 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX.
| Feature | Core i5-14500 | Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 14 / 20 | 24 / 48+71% |
| Boost Clock | 5 GHz+19% | 4.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | 3 GHz+15% |
| L3 Cache | 24 MB (total) | 64 MB+167% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 512K (per core)+40860% |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-42% | 12 nm |
| Architecture | Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) | Zen+ (2018−2019) |
| PassMark | 31,205 | 30,954 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 29,045 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,700+118% | 1,240 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 15,000+107% | 7,241 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-14500 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX uses TR4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-4800 on the Core i5-14500 versus DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX — the Core i5-14500 supports 63.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 966.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-14500) vs 4 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-14500) vs 64 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX) — the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX offers 44 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B760,Z790 (Core i5-14500) and X399 (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX).
| Feature | Core i5-14500 | Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1700 | TR4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+25% | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR5-4800+64% | DDR4-2933 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 192 GB | 2048 GB+967% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | Yes | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 64+220% |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-14500) vs AMD-V (Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX). The Core i5-14500 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-14500 targets Mainstream Desktop, Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX targets Extreme Multi-threaded Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX rivals Core i9-7940X.
| Feature | Core i5-14500 | Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 770 | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Mainstream Desktop | Extreme Multi-threaded Workstation |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i5-14500 was priced at $239, while the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX came in at $1299. On launch pricing ($239 vs $1299), Core i5-14500 was $1060 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-14500 delivers 130.6 pts/$ vs 23.8 pts/$ for the Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX — making the Core i5-14500 the 138.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-14500 | Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $239-82% | $1299 |
| Performance per Dollar | 130.6+449% | 23.8 |
| Release Date | 2024 | 2018 |
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