Core i9-14900KS vs Ryzen 9 7950X3D

CPU

GPU

Core i9-14900KS

24 Cores32 Thrd150 WWMax: 5.9 GHz2024

Core family

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Ryzen 9 7950X3D

16 Cores32 Thrd120 WWMax: 5.7 GHz2023

Ryzen family

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Core i9-14900KS vs Ryzen 9 7950X3D Performance Spectrum

Core i9-14900KS

24 / 32

60,531

0.0%

62,323

+3.0%

Ryzen 7 PRO 7745

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen 9 7900

Ryzen AI Max+ 395

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7985WX

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 i9-14900KS vs Ryzen 9 7950X3D 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 i9-14900KS vs Ryzen 9 7950X3D: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-14900KS

2024

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 7950X3D across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (60,531 vs 62,323).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 80.8 vs 89.2 PassMark/$ ($749 MSRP vs $699 MSRP).
❌25% higher power demand at 150W vs 120W.

Ryzen 9 7950X3D

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $50 less on MSRP ($699 MSRP vs $749 MSRP).
✅Delivers 10.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.2 vs 80.8 PassMark/$ ($699 MSRP vs $749 MSRP).
✅Draws 120W instead of 150W, a 30W 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 7950X3D better than Core i9-14900KS?

Yes. Ryzen 9 7950X3D is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 7950X3D is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests. It also has a clear cache advantage at 128 MB versus 36 MB.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 7950X3D is the stronger fit. You are getting 3% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 255.6% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 36 MB).

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

Ryzen 9 7950X3D is the better buy right now. Ryzen 9 7950X3D comes in $50 cheaper on MSRP at $699 MSRP versus $749 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 10.3% better value on MSRP (89.2 vs 80.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1700 + DDR5 setup, Core i9-14900KS 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?

Ryzen 9 7950X3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 3D V-Cache and a much larger 128 MB L3 cache instead of 36 MB and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 24/32. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-14900KS vs Ryzen 9 7950X3D Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-14900KS

The Core i9-14900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Marchar 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 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.9 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): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 60,531 points. Launch price was $689.

Ryzen 9 7950X3D

The Ryzen 9 7950X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.7 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm, 6 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 62,323 points. Launch price was $699.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-14900KS packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen 9 7950X3D offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-14900KS has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.9 GHz on the Core i9-14900KS versus 5.7 GHz on the Ryzen 9 7950X3D — a 3.4% clock advantage for the Core i9-14900KS (base: 3.2 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i9-14900KS uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 7950X3D uses Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) (5 nm, 6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-14900KS scores 60,531 against the Ryzen 9 7950X3D's 62,323 — a 2.9% lead for the Ryzen 9 7950X3D. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-14900KS vs 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 7950X3D.

Feature	Core i9-14900KS	Ryzen 9 7950X3D
Cores / Threads	24 / 32+50%	16 / 32
Boost Clock	5.9 GHz+4%	5.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	4.2 GHz+31%
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)	128 MB (total)+256%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm	5 nm, 6 nm-29%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)
PassMark	60,531	62,323+3%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	38,581
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,926
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	19,643

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-14900KS uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 7950X3D uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 5600 on the Core i9-14900KS versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 9 7950X3D — the Core i9-14900KS supports 7.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-14900KS supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-14900KS) vs 28 (Ryzen 9 7950X3D) — the Ryzen 9 7950X3D offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,Z690 (Core i9-14900KS) and AMD X670E,AMD X670,AMD B650E,AMD B650 (Ryzen 9 7950X3D).

Feature	Core i9-14900KS	Ryzen 9 7950X3D
Socket	LGA1700	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	5600+8%	DDR5-5200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 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 7950X3D supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-14900KS) vs true (Ryzen 9 7950X3D). Both include integrated graphics — Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-14900KS) and Radeon Graphics (Ryzen 9 7950X3D) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i9-14900KS rivals Ryzen 9 7950X; Ryzen 9 7950X3D rivals Core i9-13900K.

Feature	Core i9-14900KS	Ryzen 9 7950X3D
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	Radeon Graphics
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	true

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-14900KS was priced at $749, while the Ryzen 9 7950X3D came in at $699. On launch pricing ($749 vs $699), Ryzen 9 7950X3D was $50 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-14900KS delivers 80.8 pts/$ vs 89.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 7950X3D — making the Ryzen 9 7950X3D the 9.8% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-14900KS	Ryzen 9 7950X3D
MSRP	$749	$699-7%
Performance per Dollar	80.8	89.2+10%
Release Date	2024	2023

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