AMD Ryzen 5 5500 vs Intel Core i9-14900K
The Intel Core i9-14900K is the better buy for most people - its 6.0 GHz clock speed crushes the AMD Ryzen 5 5500's 4.2 GHz. If you're looking for top-tier performance, the i9-14900K with 24 cores offers serious power for heavy tasks and gaming. In real-world use, the i9-14900K's 68MB total cache means smoother gaming and productivity, while the 5500’s 16MB lags behind. Key specs: Cores/Threads: 6C/12T vs 24C/32T and Boost Clock: 4.2 GHz vs 6.0 GHz.
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AMD Ryzen 5 5500
Intel Core i9-14900K
Comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 5500 vs Intel Core i9-14900K
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
Intel Core i9-14900K
| Criterion | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | Intel Core i9-14900K |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(9,261)Amazon | ★4.2(1,274)Amazon |
Architecture Gen | Zen 3 (Ryzen 5000 Series / Cezanne) | Raptor Lake Refresh (14th Gen Intel Core i9) |
Socket Platform | Socket AM4 (PGA 1331) | Socket LGA1700 (FCLGA1700) |
Cores Threads | 6 Cores / 12 Threads | 24 Cores (8P + 16E) / 32 Threads |
Base Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz Base / Up to 4.2 GHz Boost | P-Core: 3.2 / 5.6 GHz; E-Core: 2.4 / 4.4 GHz; Thermal Velocity Boost: 6.0 GHz |
Cache L2 L3 | 3 MB L2 + 16 MB L3 (19 MB Total) | 32 MB L2 + 36 MB L3 (68 MB Total) |
TDP Power | 65 W | 125 W (Processor Base Power) |
Max Turbo Power | 88 W (PPT) | 253 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 – 1650 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 (360mm or 420mm Liquid Cooler required for optimal performance) |
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). | Features Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB) to hit 6.0 GHz only if thermal headroom allows. Notorious for extreme power usage; recent BIOS updates (0x129 microcode) recommended to prevent degradation. |
Chipset Support | A520, B450, B550, X570, X470, X370, B350, A320 (BIOS update required) | Intel 700 Series (Z790, B760, etc.) & 600 Series (BIOS update required) |
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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
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Intel Core i9-14900K
✓ Pros:
- • One of the fastest consumer CPUs for mixed gaming and heavy multi-threaded productivity
- • Extremely high 6.0 GHz clock speed out of the box
- • Retains support for DDR4 memory for cost-effective platform choices
✗ Cons:
- • Extremely high power consumption and heat output; requires top-tier cooling
- • Dead-end platform (LGA1700) with no upgrade path to Core Ultra
- • Expensive compared to competitive options with similar gaming performance
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Which one is better?
The Intel Core i9-14900K is the better buy for most people - its 6.0 GHz clock speed crushes the AMD Ryzen 5 5500's 4.2 GHz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the AMD Ryzen 5 5500 if: you need an affordable processor for basic gaming, want a low-power solution for a budget build, or are upgrading from an older system.
Choose the Intel Core i9-14900K if: you require maximum performance for gaming and heavy multitasking, you work with demanding applications like video editing, or you plan on building a high-end gaming rig.
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
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 i9-14900K is better if you prioritize one of the fastest consumer cpus for mixed gaming and heavy multi-threaded productivity. 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.
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