AMD Ryzen 7 9700X vs. Intel Core i7-14700K

Amongst AMD’s daring claims about Zen 5’s gaming efficiency was that the Ryzen 7 9700X can be 6% sooner than Intel’s Core i7-14700K. Nonetheless, AMD has since walked again this declare, stating in a weblog submit that when operating the 14700K with Intel’s “Excessive” profile and the identical high-speed reminiscence that the majority reviewers use, the 9700X performs on par with the 14700K.

This implies that AMD’s preliminary claims have been primarily based on closely nerfed Intel efficiency by limiting the 14700K to the 125W profile – a profile that Intel had formally acknowledged was not for use with Okay-SKU components.

Now, placing that apart for a second, claiming that the 9700X delivers the identical degree of gaming efficiency because the 14700K continues to be daring, contemplating it was 5% slower in our day-one overview. So, how do they examine throughout greater than 40 video games, utilizing each the present Home windows 11 23H2 construct (with out the current patch) and the Insider Preview 23H2 construct?

Immediately, we’re discovering out, and as common there’s rather a lot to cowl. We can’t be discussing each single examined title however we’ll present you the person outcomes for about two dozen of the extra fascinating outcomes, adopted by an evaluation of the breakdown graphs protecting all 42 video games.

For testing the Core i7-14700K, we’re utilizing the most recent BIOS with the Microcode replace and operating the Intel Excessive profile, setting PL1 and PL2 to 253W. We have additionally up to date the X670E board to BIOS model F33b, although we’re not enabling the 105W TDP mode, which might make little distinction for the 9700X anyway.

Let’s dive in…

Check Setup

Benchmarks

Assetto Corsa Competizione

First up, we’ve got ACC, and utilizing 23H2, we discover related efficiency between the 9700X and 14700K, although the 1% lows of the Intel processor have been 7% greater. Switching to the Insider Preview, the efficiency of the 14700K stays unchanged, however the 9700X noticed an 8% enhance, giving it a snug lead.

Halo Infinite

Transferring on to Halo Infinite, we once more discover that the 14700K delivers related efficiency utilizing both model of Home windows, whereas the 9700X was 4% sooner utilizing 24H2, a small enhance that introduced it barely nearer to the Intel processor.

F1 24

Testing with F1 24 exhibits the 9700X simply edging out the 14700K by a 4% margin on the present 23H2 construct. Nonetheless, after we transfer to 24H2, the 9700X turns into 9% sooner, a noteworthy margin in favor of the AMD processor.

Name of Obligation: Fashionable Warfare III

Efficiency in Fashionable Warfare III stays constant throughout each variations of Home windows 11, with the 9700X averaging 6% sooner.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 highlights a problem with 23H2 for Ryzen. No matter causes the efficiency regression is resolved in 24H2, because the 9700X goes from being 13% slower than the 14700K on 23H2 to being on par with it on 24H2.

Spider-Man Remastered

We do not see the identical degree of enchancment in Spider-Man Remastered. Whereas the 9700X is 15% slower on 23H2, it turns into 9% slower on 24H2, an affordable margin however nonetheless a notable enchancment for the Ryzen processor.

A Plague Story: Requiem

Utilizing 23H2, the 9700X was simply 3% sooner than the 14700K, however on 24H2, that margin extends to 9%, one other vital efficiency acquire in favor of the Ryzen processor.

Ghost of Tsushima

Testing with Ghost of Tsushima, we see the 9700X was 4% slower than the 14700K on 23H2. Nonetheless, transferring to 24H2 pushes it barely forward by 2%, making efficiency comparable total however nonetheless an enchancment for the Ryzen processor.

Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

The Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty outcomes resemble these of Microsoft Flight Simulator. On 23H2, one thing limits Ryzen’s efficiency, because the 9700X is 6% slower than the 14700K. Nonetheless, transferring to 24H2 brings efficiency to parity.

Borderlands 3

In Borderlands 3, the 14700K delivers related efficiency on each 23H2 and 24H2, whereas the 9700X noticed a ten% uplift. Nonetheless, the 1% lows stay a lot decrease for the 9700X in comparison with the 14700K, which is a bit uncommon.

Baldur’s Gate 3

There was no efficiency enchancment for both processor on 24H2 in Baldur’s Gate 3, leaving the 9700X considerably slower than the 14700K – round 12% slower, in actual fact.

Black Fable: Wukong

The 14700K delivered the identical efficiency in Black Fable: Wukong on each variations of Home windows 11, whereas the 9700X was 5% sooner on 24H2, putting it on par with the 14700K, a minimum of by way of common body charge. Nonetheless, the 1% lows have been nonetheless greater on the Intel processor, with a ten% distinction when wanting on the 24H2 knowledge.

Hitman 3

Each CPUs noticed a 3% efficiency uplift on 24H2, which meant the 14700K remained about 12% sooner than the 9700X, giving Intel a simple win on this case.

Complete Warfare: Warhammer III

The 9700X is not in a position to surpass the 14700K in Warhammer III, nevertheless it will get fairly shut relying on the model of Home windows 11 used. On the present 23H2 construct, it is 8% slower, however with 24H2, it is simply 5% behind, and we additionally see the 1% lows slim.

Returnal

In Returnal, there was no efficiency distinction between the 2 CPUs throughout both model of Home windows. We noticed related leads to a surprisingly giant variety of video games, which we have left out as a consequence of their lack of significance. Nonetheless, they are going to be featured within the breakdown graphs later on this overview.

Hogwarts Legacy

In Hogwarts Legacy, each CPUs noticed a big efficiency uplift after upgrading to 24H2. On the 23H2 construct, the 14700K was 14% sooner than the 9700X, however on 24H2, that hole closed to only 6%. This was as a result of Ryzen processor having fun with a 17% efficiency enhance. Even the Core i7 gained a ten% enchancment, so Hogwarts Legacy clearly performs a lot better on 24H2.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

The Star Wars Jedi: Survivor outcomes are intriguing, and it is essential to notice that this knowledge was recorded earlier than the current patch. On 23H2, the 14700K outperformed the 9700X by 6%, however unexpectedly, that margin widened to 11% on 24H2, because the Intel CPU acquired a large 20% efficiency increase.

Dying Mild 2

Each CPUs noticed a small efficiency enchancment when transferring to 24H2, however on this case, the scaling remained constant, with the 14700K sustaining a 9% lead over the 9700X on each variations of Home windows 11.

The Final of Us Half 1

Each CPUs additionally confirmed efficiency beneficial properties on 24H2, however the 14700K remained sooner in each instances. On 23H2, the Intel processor was 8% forward, and on 24H2, that margin prolonged barely to 10%.

Fortnite

Fortnite is among the video games the place we noticed vital beneficial properties for Ryzen on 24H2, whereas Intel’s efficiency remained unchanged. Because of this whereas efficiency is equal between these two processors on 23H2, upgrading to 24H2 permits the 9700X to drag forward by 14%, delivering a notable efficiency uplift.

Starfield

From earlier testing, we all know Zen 5 processors do not carry out significantly nicely in Starfield, and the outcomes right here verify that. The 14700K is a minimum of 17% sooner, particularly when utilizing the Insider Preview construct. So, regardless of the way you take a look at it, the Core i7 is considerably sooner on this title.

Watch Canines: Legion

In Watch Canines: Legion, utilizing 23H2, the 9700X is 9% slower than the 14700K. Regardless of a 9% enchancment when transferring to 24H2, the 9700X stays 7% slower, because the Intel processor additionally noticed a efficiency enhance.

Remnant 2

The leads to Remnant 2 are much like what we have seen in Cyberpunk and Flight Simulator. The 9700X is way slower on 23H2, however 24H2 appears to resolve the difficulty for Ryzen. On this case, the 9700X was 13% slower on the present Home windows 11 construct however narrowed the hole to only 1% on the 24H2 Insider Preview construct.

Horizon Forbidden West

Irrespective of the Home windows model, the efficiency in Horizon Forbidden West stays the identical, with the 9700X persistently 7% slower than the 14700K.

The Riftbreaker

Lastly, we’ve got The Riftbreaker, the place the 14700K is considerably sooner than the 9700X on 23H2. The Ryzen processor is 13% slower on this instance, although that margin shrinks to six% on 24H2. The Intel CPU stays sooner, however the hole is noticeably smaller.

9700X vs. 14700K, 23H2

As we present in our day-one overview testing 13 video games, the 9700X is 5% slower than the 14700K on Home windows 11 model 23H2. Testing throughout 42 video games confirms this, with the 9700X lagging by 6% or extra in 23 titles, and 13 of these noticed double-digit margins. Clearly, the 9700X underperforms in comparison with the Core i7 on this surroundings.

9700X vs. 14700K, 24H2

Upgrading to 24H2 reduces the efficiency hole, with the 9700X trailing the 14700K by simply 3%. Whereas the Intel processor nonetheless performs barely higher total, you can argue that the outcomes at the moment are comparable. It isn’t fairly the parity AMD claims, however the distinction is sufficiently small that, with some cherry-picking, parity may very well be offered, as first-party benchmarks usually are likely to do.

14700K 24H2 vs. 23H2

The place did the Core i7-14700K take advantage of vital beneficial properties on 24H2? There are three standout examples: Homeworld 3, Gears 5, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Nonetheless, these are outliers. Throughout the 42 video games examined, 80% confirmed a margin of 5% or much less. On common, the 14700K was simply 3% sooner when utilizing 24H2. Whereas there are some beneficial properties to be made, they don’t seem to be as substantial as with Ryzen, the place the 9700X noticed a 7% uplift.

Energy Consumption

Energy Consumption: Baldur’s Gate 3

Since some readers may need to see the info, we have included energy consumption figures utilizing 23H2. In Baldur’s Gate 3, the 9700X consumed simply 84 watts, whereas the 14700K drew a large 171 watts. The Intel CPU did ship 13% better efficiency, however this got here at the price of a 104% enhance in energy utilization.

Energy Consumption: The Final of Us Half 1

It is a related story in The Final of Us Half 1, the place the 14700K provided 8% higher efficiency however consumed 127% extra energy.

Energy Consumption: Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

Lastly, in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, the 14700K was 7% sooner, however as soon as once more required considerably extra energy – 129% extra, to be precise, for a comparatively small efficiency increase. Because of this it has been tough, if not not possible, to suggest Intel’s thirteenth and 14th-generation CPUs, even earlier than contemplating the soundness considerations.

And the Winner Is…

This was a little bit of an odd comparability as a result of, whereas the Ryzen 7 9700X and Core i7-14700K are priced as direct rivals, we would not really suggest shopping for both. The 14700K is priced at round $380, and the Ryzen 9700X is $340, however proper now there are two different CPU alternate options that make much more sense.

In the event you’re in search of the most effective gaming efficiency, it makes extra sense to spend just a little further and get the 7800X3D. Nonetheless, that is simpler stated than achieved, as availability is presently very poor.

So within the occasion that the 7800X3D is not accessible, it can save you cash and go for the 7700X, which you’ll be able to seize for simply $250 on Amazon, making it as much as 26% cheaper than the 9700X. This can be a a lot better deal for roughly the identical degree of gaming efficiency, whatever the working system, Home windows 10 included.

The 9700X is a stable gaming CPU. As we have seen, it competes nicely with the 14700K whereas utilizing considerably much less energy – nearly to the purpose the place it feels just like the 9700X is producing power in comparison with the Intel processor. Nonetheless, the difficulty with the 9700X has at all times been its value, nicely that and AMD’s dangerous advertising claims.

If the 9700X was priced nearer to $280, we might actually suggest it. However at $340, you are merely higher off going for the 7700X.

As for the 14700K, whereas it’s barely sooner total, the extreme energy utilization disqualifies it as a viable choice in our opinion. On prime of that, there are critical stability considerations. Till we all know whether or not the present updates resolve these points, we will not suggest the 14700K.

The winner within the 9700X vs. 14700K battle is… the 7700X. You are welcome. All jokes apart, the primary aim of this comparability was to guage how the Intel processor scales between the 2 variations of Home windows 11. Whereas there are beneficial properties to be made, the enhancements are extra vital for Ryzen processors, as we suspected.

For now, we’re ready for the official rollout of 24H2 earlier than doing any extra CPU benchmarking. Hopefully, it is going to be launched quickly so we are able to replace all of our CPU knowledge – ideally earlier than Intel’s next-generation processors arrive.

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