CPU Showdown

Core i9-14900KSvsRyzen Threadripper 9980X

The Intel Core i9-14900KS is a high-end desktop chip for gamers and enthusiasts who want the fastest single-core response, while the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is a workstation monster built for creators and professionals running massive multi-threaded workloads.

Intel Core i9-14900KS
24C / 32T · 150W
VS
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
64C / 128T · 350W
Intel

Core i9-14900KS

Raptor Lake-R · Intel 7 nm · 2024

36score
3.6/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
24 / 32
TDP
150W
Boost Clock
5.9 GHz
L3 Cache
36 MB

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AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 9980X

Shimada Peak · 4 nm · 2025

86score
3.9/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
64 / 128
TDP
350W
Boost Clock
5.4 GHz
L3 Cache
256 MB

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Aggregate Performance

Overall Performance Score

A unified score from combined synthetic and real-world benchmarks. 100 represents the fastest desktop CPU available.

Core i9-14900KS
36
Ryzen Threadripper 9980XWinner
86
Ryzen Threadripper 9980X leads by 138.9% in aggregate performance.
Where they rank overall
#1EPYC 9755100
#2Ryzen Threadripper 9980X86
#3Ryzen Threadripper 7980X82
#17Core i9-13900KS36
#18Core i9-14900KS36
#19Core Ultra 7 265K35
Technical Specifications

Side-by-Side Specs

Every detail compared. Highlighted cells indicate the leading value for that metric.

SpecsCore i9-14900KSRyzen Threadripper 9980X
Cores
Total Cores2464
Threads32128
Base Clock3.2 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost Clock5.9 GHz5.4 GHz
Cache
L2 Cache48 MB64 MB
L3 Cache36 MB256 MB
Platform
PCIePCIe 5.0 and 4.0PCIe 5.0
iGPUIntel UHD Graphics 770
Power
Base TDP150W350W
General
Verdict

Which should you buy?

Winner overall

The Ryzen Threadripper 9980X wins overall for extreme multi-threaded workloads, while the Core i9-14900KS is the top pick for high-frequency single-thread tasks.

Best value

For budget/value buyers, the Core i9-14900KS offers strong performance in everyday and gaming tasks at a lower cost.

When the other wins

Choose the Core i9-14900KS if you build a high-end gaming PC and rarely need the massive parallel processing of the Threadripper.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core i9-14900KS better than the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X?

Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (86 vs 36 out of 100), so it leads the Core i9-14900KS in most workloads.

How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X than the Core i9-14900KS?

Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X is roughly 139% faster than the Core i9-14900KS overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.

Which should you buy, the Core i9-14900KS or the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X?

If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 9980X. If the Core i9-14900KS is meaningfully cheaper where you shop, it can be the better value for similar real-world results — check current prices and the full spec comparison above before deciding.