AMD Ryzen 5 5500 vs Intel Core i5-14600K
The Intel Core i5-14600K is the smarter buy for most users - its 14 cores and 20 threads crush the AMD Ryzen 5 5500’s 6 cores. In real-world use, the i5-14600K's boost clock hits 5.3 GHz, making it a powerhouse for gaming and multitasking, while the Ryzen 5 5500 lags behind at 4.2 GHz. If you're budgeting, the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 is the entry option, costing less while providing a solid 6-core experience. However, its PCIe 3.0 limitation restricts maximum speeds, which can bottleneck performance when using modern SSDs. For gamers or creative professionals, the additional cores and cache of the i5-14600K make it a worthy investment in 2026.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
Intel Core i5-14600K
Comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 5500 vs Intel Core i5-14600K
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
Intel Core i5-14600K
| Criterion | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | Intel Core i5-14600K |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(9,261)Amazon | ★4.5(2,605)Amazon |
Architecture Gen | Zen 3 (Ryzen 5000 Series / Cezanne) | Raptor Lake Refresh (14th Gen Intel Core i5) |
Socket Platform | Socket AM4 (PGA 1331) | Socket LGA1700 (FCLGA1700) |
Cores Threads | 6 Cores / 12 Threads | 14 Cores (6P + 8E) / 20 Threads |
Base Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz Base / Up to 4.2 GHz Boost | P-Core: 3.5 / 5.3 GHz; E-Core: 2.6 / 4.0 GHz; Max Turbo: 5.3 GHz |
Cache L2 L3 | 3 MB L2 + 16 MB L3 (19 MB Total) | 20 MB L2 + 24 MB L3 (44 MB Total) |
TDP Power | 65 W | 125 W (Processor Base Power) |
Max Turbo Power | 88 W (PPT) | 181 W (Maximum Turbo Power) |
Process Node | TSMC 7nm FinFET (Monolithic Die) | Intel 7 (10nm Enhanced SuperFin) |
Memory Support | DDR4-3200 MT/s (Official); Dual-Channel; Up to 128 GB; ECC Support: No | DDR5-5600 or DDR4-3200; Dual-Channel; Up to 192 GB; ECC Support: Yes (W680 chipset required) |
Memory Bandwidth Max | N/A (Dependent on RAM config, theoretical max ~51.2 GB/s @ 3200 MT/s) | 89.6 GB/s (DDR5-5600) |
Pcie Version | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0 (x16 lanes) + PCIe 4.0 (x4 lanes) |
Pcie Lanes | 24 Total (20 Usable: x16 Graphics, x4 NVMe) | 20 Total (16 CPU PCIe 5.0 + 4 CPU PCIe 4.0) |
Igpu | None (Discrete graphics card required) | Intel UHD Graphics 770 (32 EUs, 300 – 1550 MHz) |
Instruction Features | AMD-V, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, AES-NI, SHA, SSE4.1/4.2 | Intel 64, AVX2, AES-NI, VT-x, VT-d, SSE4.1/4.2, Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 3.0 |
Cooler Included | Yes (Wraith Stealth) | No (Air cooler with 200W+ TDP rating or 240mm+ AIO recommended) |
Max Temp | 90°C (194°F) TjMax | 100°C (212°F) TjMax |
Notes Limits | Based on 'Cezanne' silicon (disabled iGPU). Limited to PCIe 3.0 speed (slower than 5600/5600X). Smaller L3 cache (16MB) impacts gaming performance vs. standard Zen 3 (32MB). | Unlocked multiplier. Supports both DDR4 and DDR5 (motherboard dependent). High power draw under full load (181W+ if limits removed). LGA1700 platform end-of-life. |
Chipset Support | A520, B450, B550, X570, X470, X370, B350, A320 (BIOS update required) | Intel 700 Series (Z790, B760, etc.) & 600 Series (BIOS update required) |
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. | Check Price on Amazon→ | Check Price on Amazon→ |
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
✓ Pros:
- • Most affordable 6-core Zen 3 processor available
- • Low power consumption and easy to cool (Wraith Stealth included)
- • Works on virtually any AM4 motherboard (A320 to X570)
✗ Cons:
- • PCIe 3.0 limitation restricts maximum speed of modern SSDs and GPUs
- • Half the L3 cache of the Ryzen 5 5600, resulting in lower gaming FPS
- • No integrated graphics
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Intel Core i5-14600K
✓ Pros:
- • Excellent all-around performance: beats previous gen i9s in gaming
- • Balanced price-to-performance ratio for mid-range builds
- • Retains support for affordable DDR4 memory
✗ Cons:
- • High power consumption compared to Ryzen 5/7 competitors
- • No upgrade path (LGA1700 is a dead-end socket)
- • No stock cooler; requires a decent aftermarket cooling solution
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Which one is better?
The Intel Core i5-14600K is the better buy for most people - its 14 cores and 20 threads crush the AMD Ryzen 5 5500's 6 cores.
Who should buy each?
Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 if: you want to save money, need a CPU for basic gaming, or are using an older AM4 motherboard.
Choose the Intel Core i5-14600K if: you want top-notch gaming performance, multitask frequently, or plan to use the latest SSDs and GPUs.
Conclusion
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and Intel Core i5-14600K are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
AMD Ryzen 5 5500 excels if you value most affordable 6-core zen 3 processor available. Intel Core i5-14600K is better if you prioritize excellent all-around performance: beats previous gen i9s in gaming. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
Affiliate disclosure
PageBen uses Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports independent content for US shoppers.