Following on from our article about the new Intel and AMD processors which were released towards the end of 2024, we thought it might be useful to directly compare performance levels for these processors across three different pricing tiers.

Hopefully this will give you a bit more of an indication as to which processor might be right for your needs, and where you may be able to save some money.

By the time motherboard, cooling systems, and the cost of the processors themselves have been taken into account, three rough pricing tiers emerge.

Notes On Performance Comparisons

To compare CPUs we use two measures, the single thread speed and then the multi-threaded rating.

Single thread speed (STS) is essentially a measure of the raw speed of the processor when running individual calculations. This is important because a lot of software is single threaded so it performs better on processors with a higher STS.

Multi-threaded performance (MT) is a measure of how well the CPU can perform operations across all of its CPU cores and threads, basically how well it deals with multi-tasking workloads and software specifically designed to distribute its workload across many CPU threads.

As mentioned, most standard software still performs better with high STS processors but if you have a lot going on simultaneously or run specialist multi-threaded capable software the MT becomes more important.

The First Pricing Tier

The first tier contains the 14th generation Intel i7 14700K processor, a previous generation chip but one we are still offering on all of our PC’s.

Also included is the newer Intel Core Ultra 245K, this is essentially an Intel 15th generation chip but is now called the Core Ultra 200 series instead. This chip is a replacement for the 14th generation i5 14600K chip.

Moving to the AMD lineup the 9700X processor comes in around the same price as the above two chips.

In terms of STS the fastest option is the Intel Core Ultra 245K, it just edges out the AMD 9700X by around 1.3%, and comes in around 5.5% faster than the i7 14700K. Not a massive win really and for most workloads you’d struggle to notice much real world differences between all three.

For MT workloads the clear winner is the i7 14700K, it is around 20% better than the Core Ultra 245K, and well over 40% better than the AMD option. This is due to it having a lot more CPU cores and threads than the other two processors.

Which would I recommend? Normally I advise customers to go with the highest STS as that is the most important for most workloads. This time I’d say the i7 14700K is probably the best option, the MT score is a lot better and the STS is roughly the same across them all.

The Second Pricing Tier

Here we start with the 14th generation i9 14900K, which was until very recently the most powerful CPU option on the market.

From the new Core Ultra series we have the 265K which is technically the replacement for the 14700K in the first pricing tier.

From AMD we have the 9900X, this works out a little bit more expensive than the Intel choices but is still close enough to be considered the best option across this price point.

Here again the Core Ultra option has the best STS score but it is only 0.5% faster then the 14900KF, that’s pretty much identical in my book. The 9900X is only 1.5% behind as well so no option has a real advantage here.

For MT performance results are very close again, the i9 14900K edges out the Core Ultra 265K by just under 2%, it offers a nearly 10% improvement over the 9900X.

What is clear is that the older i9 14900K and the newer Core Ultra 265K are virtually identical in terms of performance levels with the AMD 9900X trailing slightly behind them.

My recommendation? I’d probably go with the newer Core Ultra 265K, due to a more efficient design it will consume less power, meaning less heat and quieter performance levels.

The i9 is still a very strong option but I can’t really make much of a case for the AMD 9900X, especially at the slightly higher price point.

The Third (And Top) Pricing Tier

If you’re seeking the ultimate performance levels then you will want to be looking at either the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X, we’ve left the 14th gen chips behind now.

Both CPUs are the top offerings from Intel and AMD and come with a top price to match.

The Core Ultra 285K has the best STS score which is around 7.5% better than what the AMD 9950X can manage.

For MT tasks again the Intel chip wins out but only by 3.5% over the AMD offering.

The obvious recommendation is the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, again it will be a lower power draw and more efficient processor offering slightly better performance levels than the AMD 9950X.

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

What I’d stress is that all of these options are really strong and for most standard workloads are overkill. The default processor in our Extreme and Trader Pro PC’s is the 14th gen i5 14600KF and this would be more than enough for most people.

The STS difference between the 14th gen i5 and the Core Ultra 9 285K (the most expensive option) is just 18.5%, that’s fairly decent but it’s not a night and day difference.

The STS improvement between the lowest cost Core Ultra 245K and the most expensive 285K is just 7.5%, a much narrower margin for a lot less money.

When you look at MT scores then the jump from the default i5 to the 285K is a much bigger 76% but only specialised software or extreme multi-taskers would see any real world benefit from that.

Between the lower cost Core Ultra 245K and the top 285K the MT improvement drops to around 56%.

The final thing I’d say is that it’s hard to make a case for the AMD options overall. They do come out better in some benchmark tests for specific workloads but I believe the more power efficient Intel Core Ultra chips are generally the better option for most.

Where To Buy

Our Ultra and Trader PC’s offer the full range of Intel 14th generation chips built with DDR4 based motherboards and RAM.

As you have read, they are still a strong option and for those DDR4 configurations in the above computers work out at very competitive pricing.

Our Trader Pro PC offers a choice of the 14th gen Intel and the newer Core Ultra chips with DDR5 RAM and the fastest Intel chipset motherboards.

Finally our Extreme PC offers the higher levels of the 14th generation Intel range, along with all the Core Ultra chips, and four of the top performing AMD 9000 series processors.

Like the Trader Pro, the Extreme PC is a DDR5 based computer and features the fastest motherboard chipsets.

Written by Darren @ Multiple Monitors

Last Updated: December, 2024