• Editor's choice

  AMD Ryzen 7 9700X

  Cores

  8

  Threads

  16

  Architecture

  Zen 5

  Process

  TSMC 4nm, 6nm

  Socket

  AM5

  Base Clock Speed

  3.8 GHz

  The Ryzen 7 9700X is an impressive new second-gen AM5 CPU that combines power and efficiency. It doesn't offer as much raw horsepower as the Core i7-14700K, but it's a bit cheaper. More importantly, its 4nm architecture is much more thermally efficient, making it a much better option for overclockers worried about keeping temperatures within reasonable limits.

  Pros & Cons

  • More efficient architecture
  • Great single-core performance
  • A bit cheaper

  • Inferior multi-core performance

  $359 at Newegg
• More raw horsepower

  Intel Core i7-14700K

  Brand

  Intel

  CPU Model

  i7-14700K

  Cores

  8P / 12E

  Threads

  28

  Process

  Intel 7

  Socket

  LGA 1700

  Part of Intel's 2023 Raptor Lake lineup, the Core i7-14700K is a powerful 20-core CPU that's ideal for enthusiast-tier PCs. It delivers superior multi-core performance than the Ryzen 7 9700X and arguably a better price-to-performance ratio, especially if you can grab it for under $400 (which you often can). However, its dated 10nm architecture runs hot.

  Pros & Cons

  • Superior multi-core performance
  • Better price-to-performance ratio
  • 12 more cores

  • Not thermally efficient
  • Dated architecture

  $400 at Amazon $430 at Newegg $445 at Best Buy

AMD's new Zen 5 processors just hit the market in July, with these second-gen AM5 CPUs offering notable improvements over their last-gen counterparts in power and efficiency. The Ryzen 7 9700X in particular is a very attractive CPU for PC builders who are looking for powerful hardware, and it compares favorably to the Intel Core i7-14700K in some important ways. These two chipsets are similar in terms of overall horsepower. The devil is in the details, though, so if you're wondering which of these high-end processors is a better fit for your PC, keep reading. We'll take a look at the numbers and see if AMD's new Zen 5 chip beats out Intel's 2023 Raptor Lake refresh.

Price, specs, and availability

The Intel Core i7-14700K arrived on store shelves in October 2023, and the Ryzen 7 9700X launched in late July of this year. The Core i7-14700K is available from major retailers, including Amazon, Newegg, and Best Buy. Its retail price is $409, but it has already dipped below $400 when on sale. Additionally, the KF version without integrated graphics has an MSRP of $384.

The availability of the new AMD Zen 5 CPUs is spotty at the moment since they just hit the market, but you can expect to see the Ryzen 7 9700X for sale at the aforementioned outlets shortly. It's launching with a retail price of $359, a bit cheaper than the Core i7-14700K, making it an attractive value for high-end PC builders.

• AMD Ryzen 7 9700X

  Socket

  AM5

  Cores

  8

  Threads

  16

  Base Clock Speed

  3.8 GHz

  Boost Clock Speed

  5.5 GHz

  PCIe

  5.0

  Cache

  40 MB

  Graphics

  AMD Radeon Graphics (2 cores)

  Process

  TSMC 4nm, 6nm

  TDP

  65W

  Price (MSRP)

  $359

• Intel Core i7-14700K

  Socket

  LGA 1700

  Cores

  8P / 12E

  Threads

  28

  Base Clock Speed

  2.5GHz / 3.4GHz

  Boost Clock Speed

  4.3GHz / 5.6GHz

  PCIe

  5.0

  Cache

  33MB L3 + 28MB L2

  Graphics

  Intel UHD Graphics 770

  Process

  Intel 7

  TDP

  253W

  Price (MSRP)

  $409

Architecture and thermals

The Intel Core i7-14700K is a beefy 20-core, 28-thread CPU built on a 10nm platform. That core count is impressive, but the 10nm architecture and 125 TDP are not. Under heavy loads, it can draw up to 280 watts of power from the CPU's LGA-1700 socket. That's a lot of juice and will require a heftier PSU and perhaps an upgraded cooling solution. It also leaves less room for overclocking. Our experience with this chip corroborates this, as the Core i7-14700K runs hot. It quickly hit 100 degrees Celsius during our benchmark tests, even with a high-end CPU cooler.

In contrast, the Ryzen 7 9700X sports eight cores and 16 threads on a 4nm architecture. That newer fabrication process results in a TDP of 65 and a maximum power draw of around 88 watts from the AM5 socket. The Ryzen 7 9700X runs a bit warmer than its predecessors when idling, but under load, its efficiency really shines. It capped out at around 70 degrees Celsius under load during our benchmark tests, which is incredible. Not only does this mean less power consumption (and therefore less heat and strain on your PSU), but it leaves a lot more headroom for overclocking. It's obvious that Intel needs to update its manufacturing process if it wants to compete with AMD's new Zen 5 chips.

Performance

Intel's is more powerful, but far less efficient

The 20-core/28-thread Intel Core i7-14700K looks more impressive on paper than the eight-core/16-thread Ryzen 7 9700X, its dated 10nm architecture and increased power consumption notwithstanding. Tests corroborate this, with the Core i7-14700K putting up some solid numbers, particularly regarding multi-core performance. It offers a base frequency of 3.4 GHz and a max Turbo Boost frequency of 5.6 GHz via its eight performance cores. It also packs four more efficiency cores than its predecessor, and it's easily the best of Intel's refreshed 2023 Raptor Lake lineup.

In our benchmark tests, the Core i7-14700K noticeably outpaced its predecessor, the i7-13700K, in both single- and multi-core performance, even as it struggled with cooling. The difference was bigger with multi-core performance. The problem we ran into with the Raptor Lake CPU (and one that will impact real performance) is that its hotter temperatures often resulted in throttling during the multi-core tests. As we've said, this processor draws a lot of power and runs hot.

We still need to spend more time with the new Zen 5 chips to see how the Ryzen 7 9700X performs under real-world conditions, but it looks very promising so far. It delivers a base clock speed of 3.8 GHz and a boosted clock speed of 5.5 GHz, and its more efficient architecture gives you more room to overclock without having to over-worry about heat. That said, it didn't outperform the Core i5-14600K in most of our multi-core benchmark tests. On the other hand, while the Core i7-14700K is the more powerful chip, its performance-dragging thermal inefficiency alone makes the Ryzen 7 9700X the better option for many (if not most) builders.

Intel Core i7-14700K vs. Ryzen 7 9700X: Final word

Although the Core i7-14700K offers more horsepower overall, the Ryzen 7 9700X is the one we recommend for most PC builders in 2024. That's especially true if you intend to overclock or want the option to do so in the future, as it's much more efficient than Intel's offering. Its newer architecture mitigates concerns about future-proofing, as these Zen 5 chips won't feel outdated any time soon.

If you favor Intel chips, though, the Intel Core i7-14700K is still a compelling option thanks to its superior overall performance. Its dated architecture makes it hard to recommend in 2024, however. If you can accept its limitations and decide to opt for this processor, make sure you invest in a good CPU cooler and you'll be in safe waters.