Core i7-14700K vs Ryzen 9 8945HX

Intel

Core i7-14700K

20 Cores28 Thrd125 WWMax: 5.6 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 9 8945HX

16 Cores32 Thrd55 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2025
Ryzen family
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Core i7-14700K vs Ryzen 9 8945HX 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 i7-14700K vs Ryzen 9 8945HX 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.

Core i7-14700K vs Ryzen 9 8945HX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-14700K

2023

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (52,228 vs 53,211).
    • Smaller total L3 cache (33 MB vs 64 MB).
    • Launch MSRP is still $409 MSRP, while Ryzen 9 8945HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
    • 127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.

    Ryzen 9 8945HX

    2025

    Why buy it

    • +1.9% higher PassMark.
    • +93.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 33 MB).
    • Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
    • 40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

    Trade-offs

    • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Ryzen 9 8945HX better than Core i7-14700K?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-14700K is ahead with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 8945HX pulls ahead with 1.9% better PassMark. Ryzen 9 8945HX also has the bigger cache pool with 93.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 33 MB).
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 8945HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.9% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 93.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 33 MB).
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Ryzen 9 8945HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i7-14700K is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 9 8945HX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $409 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-14700K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-14700K is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (127.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Ryzen 9 8945HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023), 93.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 33 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 20/28. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

    Core i7-14700K vs Ryzen 9 8945HX Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

    Intel

    Core i7-14700K

    The Core i7-14700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 October 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 20 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.6 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 52,228 points. Launch price was $319.

    AMD

    Ryzen 9 8945HX

    The Ryzen 9 8945HX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2025-04-01. It is based on the Dragon Range (2025) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FL1. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 53,211 points. Launch price was $700.

    Processing Power

    The Core i7-14700K packs 20 cores / 28 threads, while the Ryzen 9 8945HX offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Core i7-14700K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.6 GHz on the Core i7-14700K versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen 9 8945HX — a 3.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-14700K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-14700K uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 8945HX uses Dragon Range (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-14700K scores 52,228 against the Ryzen 9 8945HX's 53,211 — a 1.9% lead for the Ryzen 9 8945HX. L3 cache: 33 MB (total) on the Core i7-14700K vs 64 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 8945HX.

    FeatureCore i7-14700KRyzen 9 8945HX
    Cores / Threads
    20 / 28+25%
    16 / 32
    Boost Clock
    5.6 GHz+4%
    5.4 GHz
    Base Clock
    3.4 GHz+36%
    2.5 GHz
    L3 Cache
    33 MB (total)
    64 MB (total)+94%
    L2 Cache
    2 MB (per core)+100%
    1 MB (per core)
    Process
    Intel 7 nm
    5 nm-29%
    Architecture
    Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)
    Dragon Range (2025)
    PassMark
    52,228
    53,211+2%
    Cinebench R23 Multi
    36,000
    Geekbench 6 Single
    2,900
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    21,500
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Core i7-14700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 8945HX uses FL1 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Core i7-14700K supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-14700K) vs 28 (Ryzen 9 8945HX) — the Ryzen 9 8945HX offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,H770,B760,Z690,H670,B660,H610 (Core i7-14700K) and FL1 (Ryzen 9 8945HX).

    FeatureCore i7-14700KRyzen 9 8945HX
    Socket
    LGA1700
    FL1
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 5.0
    PCIe 5.0
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR5-5600
    5600
    Max RAM Capacity
    192 GB+100%
    96 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    2
    ECC Support
    Yes
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    20
    28+40%
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen 9 8945HX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-14700K) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen 9 8945HX). Both include integrated graphics Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i7-14700K) and AMD Radeon 610M (Ryzen 9 8945HX) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-14700K targets High-End Gaming/Creation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 8945HX rivals Core Ultra 9 275HX.

    FeatureCore i7-14700KRyzen 9 8945HX
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    Intel UHD Graphics 770
    AMD Radeon 610M
    Unlocked
    Yes
    Yes
    AVX-512
    No
    Yes
    Virtualization
    VT-x, VT-d, EPT
    VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V
    Target Use
    High-End Gaming/Creation