AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs Intel Core i9-14900KS
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 5%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.
| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Intel Core i9-14900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 99/100 | 94/100 |
| Tier | S | S |
| Manufacturer | AMD | Intel |
| Cores | 16 | 24 |
| Threads | 32 | 32 |
| Base clock | 4.3 GHz | 3.2 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.7 GHz | 6.2 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 170 W | 150 W |
| Release year | 2025 | 2024 |
Which should you buy?
For gaming specifically, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D is the better buy — it holds a 5% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The Intel Core i9-14900KS has more cores (24 vs 16), which helps if you stream, compile or render alongside playing. The Intel Core i9-14900KS runs 20W cooler, meaning a cheaper cooler and less case heat. Either way, pair it with a graphics card of similar standing — check the bottleneck calculator before you buy.