Intel Core i5-14600K vs AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 2%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.
| Specification | Intel Core i5-14600K | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 86/100 | 88/100 |
| Tier | A | A |
| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |
| Cores | 14 | 16 |
| Threads | 20 | 32 |
| Base clock | 3.5 GHz | 4.3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.3 GHz | 5.7 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 125 W | 170 W |
| Release year | 2023 | 2024 |
Which should you buy?
For gaming specifically, the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is the better buy — it holds a 2% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X has more cores (16 vs 14), which helps if you stream, compile or render alongside playing. The Intel Core i5-14600K runs 45W 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.