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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i9-14900

2024

Why buy it

✅+63.6% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 770, while Ryzen 9 5900XT needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 9 5900XT.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900XT across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 86.5 vs 126.4 PassMark/$ ($524 MSRP vs $349 MSRP).

Ryzen 9 5900XT

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.8% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).
✅Costs $175 less on MSRP ($349 MSRP vs $524 MSRP).
✅Delivers 46.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 126.4 vs 86.5 PassMark/$ ($349 MSRP vs $524 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (22,000 vs 36,000).
❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-14900 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-14900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-14900.

Core i9-14900

2024

Ryzen 9 5900XT

2024

Why buy it

✅+63.6% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD 770, while Ryzen 9 5900XT needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 9 5900XT.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.8% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).
✅Costs $175 less on MSRP ($349 MSRP vs $524 MSRP).
✅Delivers 46.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 126.4 vs 86.5 PassMark/$ ($349 MSRP vs $524 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900XT across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 86.5 vs 126.4 PassMark/$ ($524 MSRP vs $349 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (22,000 vs 36,000).
❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-14900 moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-14900 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i9-14900.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-14900 better than Ryzen 9 5900XT?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Ryzen 9 5900XT is ahead with a 10.8% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-14900 pulls ahead with 63.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen 9 5900XT also has the bigger cache pool with 77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-14900 is the better fit. You are getting 63.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i9-14900 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 9 5900XT makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-14900 is 50.1% more expensive on MSRP at $524 MSRP versus $349 MSRP, and it gives you 63.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The trade-off is that Ryzen 9 5900XT is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.8% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 9 5900XT is also 46.1% better value on MSRP (126.4 vs 86.5 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 9 5900XT can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i9-14900 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4 and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 threads instead of 16/32. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i9-14900 Benchmark Check

Ryzen 9 5900XT Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-14900	Ryzen 9 5900XT
1080p
low	318 FPS	285 FPS
medium	309 FPS	260 FPS
high	244 FPS	214 FPS
ultra	206 FPS	181 FPS
1440p
low	276 FPS	261 FPS
medium	238 FPS	216 FPS
high	176 FPS	167 FPS
ultra	155 FPS	148 FPS
4K
low	190 FPS	181 FPS
medium	162 FPS	150 FPS
high	121 FPS	115 FPS
ultra	109 FPS	102 FPS

Open Core i9-14900 Open Ryzen 9 5900XT

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-14900	Ryzen 9 5900XT
1080p
low	497 FPS	667 FPS
medium	436 FPS	573 FPS
high	355 FPS	456 FPS
ultra	314 FPS	402 FPS
1440p
low	422 FPS	538 FPS
medium	381 FPS	475 FPS
high	317 FPS	398 FPS
ultra	258 FPS	325 FPS
4K
low	236 FPS	316 FPS
medium	217 FPS	280 FPS
high	206 FPS	257 FPS
ultra	180 FPS	228 FPS

Open Core i9-14900 Open Ryzen 9 5900XT

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-14900	Ryzen 9 5900XT
1080p
low	760 FPS	839 FPS
medium	624 FPS	667 FPS
high	541 FPS	594 FPS
ultra	465 FPS	504 FPS
1440p
low	680 FPS	665 FPS
medium	567 FPS	527 FPS
high	485 FPS	458 FPS
ultra	424 FPS	386 FPS
4K
low	500 FPS	474 FPS
medium	439 FPS	392 FPS
high	391 FPS	349 FPS
ultra	334 FPS	290 FPS

Open Core i9-14900 Open Ryzen 9 5900XT

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-14900	Ryzen 9 5900XT
1080p
low	990 FPS	1073 FPS
medium	886 FPS	972 FPS
high	774 FPS	850 FPS
ultra	688 FPS	766 FPS
1440p
low	821 FPS	846 FPS
medium	723 FPS	751 FPS
high	631 FPS	657 FPS
ultra	555 FPS	570 FPS
4K
low	606 FPS	622 FPS
medium	543 FPS	556 FPS
high	480 FPS	491 FPS
ultra	421 FPS	425 FPS

Open Core i9-14900 Open Ryzen 9 5900XT

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-14900 and Ryzen 9 5900XT

Core i9-14900

The Core i9-14900 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 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 5.6 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 45,321 points. Launch price was $549.

Ryzen 9 5900XT

The Ryzen 9 5900XT is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 31 July 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 44,105 points. Launch price was $349.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-14900 packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900XT offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-14900 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.6 GHz on the Core i9-14900 versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900XT — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i9-14900 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i9-14900 uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900XT uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-14900 scores 45,321 against the Ryzen 9 5900XT's 44,105 — a 2.7% lead for the Core i9-14900. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 36,000 vs 22,000 (48.3% advantage for the Core i9-14900). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 3,000 vs 2,320, a 25.6% lead for the Core i9-14900 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 20,000 vs 14,000 (35.3% advantage for the Core i9-14900). L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-14900 vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900XT.

Feature	Core i9-14900	Ryzen 9 5900XT
Cores / Threads	24 / 32+50%	16 / 32
Boost Clock	5.6 GHz+17%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.3 GHz+65%
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)	64 MB+78%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+300%	512 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	45,321+3%	44,105
Cinebench R23 Multi	36,000+64%	22,000
Geekbench 6 Single	3,000+29%	2,320
Geekbench 6 Multi	20,000+43%	14,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-14900 uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900XT uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i9-14900 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900XT — the Core i9-14900 supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-14900 supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-14900) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900XT) — the Ryzen 9 5900XT offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H610,B660,Z690,B760,Z790 (Core i9-14900) and X570,B550,A520,X470,B450 (Ryzen 9 5900XT).

Feature	Core i9-14900	Ryzen 9 5900XT
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 5900XT has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-14900) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900XT). The Core i9-14900 includes integrated graphics (UHD 770), while the Ryzen 9 5900XT requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-14900 targets Enthusiast, Ryzen 9 5900XT targets High End Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i9-14900 rivals Ryzen 9 7900.

Feature	Core i9-14900	Ryzen 9 5900XT
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD 770	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Enthusiast	High End Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-14900 launched at $524 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 5900XT debuted at $349. On MSRP ($524 vs $349), the Ryzen 9 5900XT is $175 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-14900 delivers 86.5 pts/$ vs 126.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900XT — making the Ryzen 9 5900XT the 37.5% better value option.