01
Introduction
“Higher pixel count isn’t always better, and more cameras don’t guarantee superior quality” is a popular adage in tech circles. While this phrase is often used in the context of smartphones, it can also apply to PC processors in certain scenarios.
Take Intel’s latest Core Ultra 200S series, for instance. Its gaming performance not only falls short compared to AMD’s new Ryzen 9000 series but is also noticeably weaker than Intel’s own previous generation (14th Gen Core), making for an awkward situation.
In this context, pitting the Ryzen 7 9800X3D against the Core Ultra 9 285K or Core Ultra 7 265K feels almost unfair. A more balanced comparison would be with the Core i9-14900K—and that’s exactly what we’re doing today.
02
Specifications Comparison
The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is set to release on November 7, built on the Zen 5 architecture using TSMC’s 4nm process. It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 4.7 GHz and a boost clock of 5.2 GHz. Its L2 cache is 8MB, while the L3 cache remains at 96MB, bringing the total cache to 104MB. The TDP is rated at 120W, with a suggested retail price of $479.
The Core i9-14900K launched on October 17, 2023, using a 10nm process. It includes 8 performance cores and 16 efficiency cores for a total of 32 threads. The base clock is 3.2 GHz, while its boost clock reaches 5.6 GHz, and the maximum turbo clock peaks at 6.0 GHz. The processor comes with 32MB of L2 cache and 36MB of Smart Cache, a base power of 125W, and a maximum power of 253W. The official suggested retail price is $589.
03
Test Platform Configuration
The main test setup is as follows:
- Ryzen 7 9800X3D: Paired with an MSI MPG X670E CARBON motherboard.
- Core i9-14900K: Paired with an ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming motherboard.
Other components:
- Memory: 32GB DDR5 6000MHz.
- GPU: GeForce RTX 4090.
- Storage: Two Samsung 970 EVO 1TB SSDs.
- OS: Windows 11.
04
Gaming Tests
The following tests involve seven games, all run at 1080P settings. In the images provided, the left side represents the Ryzen 7 9800X3D platform, while the right side represents the Core i9-14900K platform.
Game 1: God of War
Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Average FPS: 297
- Minimum FPS: 213
- Frame Time: 3.3ms
- CPU Usage: 72%
- Power Consumption: 84W
- Temperature: 59°C
- Memory Usage: 11.7GB
- GPU Usage: 79%
- VRAM Usage: 6.0GB
- GPU Power: 236W
- GPU Temperature: 49°C
Core i9-14900K
- Average FPS: 295
- Minimum FPS: 197
- Frame Time: 3.0ms
- CPU Usage: 31%
- Power Consumption: 131W
- Temperature: 53°C
- Memory Usage: 10.7GB
- GPU Usage: 88%
- VRAM Usage: 5.9GB
- GPU Power: 245W
- GPU Temperature: 49°C
Comparison:
- Similar average FPS, but Ryzen outperforms in minimum FPS by 16 FPS.
- Ryzen has lower power consumption (-47W) but slightly higher temperature (+6°C).
Game 2: Cyberpunk 2077
Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Average FPS: 138
- Minimum FPS: 105
- Frame Time: 6.7ms
- CPU Usage: 70%
- Power Consumption: 89W
- Temperature: 65°C
- Memory Usage: 10.0GB
- GPU Usage: 86%
- VRAM Usage: 7.7GB
- GPU Power: 258W
- GPU Temperature: 48°C
Core i9-14900K
- Average FPS: 132
- Minimum FPS: 95
- Frame Time: 6.7ms
- CPU Usage: 47%
- Power Consumption: 169W
- Temperature: 63°C
- Memory Usage: 10.4GB
- GPU Usage: 80%
- VRAM Usage: 7.8GB
- GPU Power: 238W
- GPU Temperature: 51°C
Comparison:
- Ryzen leads with +6 FPS average and +10 FPS minimum.
- Power consumption is significantly lower (-80W).
Game 3: The Witcher 3
Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Average FPS: 110
- Minimum FPS: 87
- Frame Time: 8.8ms
- CPU Usage: 53%
- Power Consumption: 80W
- Temperature: 62°C
- Memory Usage: 12.9GB
- GPU Usage: 87%
- VRAM Usage: 7.8GB
- GPU Power: 265W
- GPU Temperature: 49°C
Core i9-14900K
- Average FPS: 99
- Minimum FPS: 71
- Frame Time: 9.7ms
- CPU Usage: 33%
- Power Consumption: 125W
- Temperature: 56°C
- Memory Usage: 13.1GB
- GPU Usage: 84%
- VRAM Usage: 7.8GB
- GPU Power: 248W
- GPU Temperature: 49°C
Comparison:
- Ryzen achieves +11 FPS average and +16 FPS minimum.
- Ryzen’s frame time is 1ms lower, with 45W less power consumption.
Game 4: Microsoft Flight Simulator
Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Average FPS: 146
- Minimum FPS: 110
- Frame Time: 6.9ms
- CPU Usage: 26%
- Power Consumption: 69W
- Temperature: 51°C
- Memory Usage: 10.4GB
- GPU Usage: 75%
- VRAM Usage: 5.5GB
- GPU Power: 239W
- GPU Temperature: 49°C
Core i9-14900K
- Average FPS: 108
- Minimum FPS: 86
- Frame Time: 8.8ms
- CPU Usage: 11%
- Power Consumption: 94W
- Temperature: 56°C
- Memory Usage: 10.2GB
- GPU Usage: 53%
- VRAM Usage: 5.6GB
- GPU Power: 200W
- GPU Temperature: 47°C
Comparison:
- Ryzen surpasses Core i9 by 38 FPS average and 24 FPS minimum.
- Power consumption is 25W lower, with better frame times (-2ms).
Game 5: Star Wars Outlaws
Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Average FPS: 156
- Minimum FPS: 102
- Frame Time: 5.9ms
- CPU Usage: 69%
- Power Consumption: 91W
- Temperature: 59°C
- Memory Usage: 14.8GB
- GPU Usage: 92%
- VRAM Usage: 11.1GB
- GPU Power: 296W
- GPU Temperature: 53°C
Core i9-14900K
- Average FPS: 152
- Minimum FPS: 112
- Frame Time: 6.5ms
- CPU Usage: 37%
- Power Consumption: 164W
- Temperature: 61°C
- Memory Usage: 14.6GB
- GPU Usage: 93%
- VRAM Usage: 11.1GB
- GPU Power: 310W
- GPU Temperature: 53°C
Comparison:
- Ryzen edges out with +4 FPS average, but its minimum FPS is 10 FPS lower.
- Power consumption is notably lower (-73W).
Game 6: Hogwarts Legacy
Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Average FPS: 98
- Minimum FPS: 59
- Frame Time: 10.3ms
- CPU Usage: 33%
- Power Consumption: 69W
- Temperature: 59°C
- Memory Usage: 20.8GB
- GPU Usage: 66%
- VRAM Usage: 10.3GB
- GPU Power: 225W
- GPU Temperature: 47°C
Core i9-14900K
- Average FPS: 76
- Minimum FPS: 55
- Frame Time: 12.8ms
- CPU Usage: 23%
- Power Consumption: 98W
- Temperature: 52°C
- Memory Usage: 20.6GB
- GPU Usage: 66%
- VRAM Usage: 10.3GB
- GPU Power: 203W
- GPU Temperature: 46°C
Comparison:
- Ryzen is significantly ahead in average FPS (+22 FPS) and frame times (-2.5ms).
- Power consumption is 29W lower.
Game 7: Starfield
Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Average FPS: 160
- Minimum FPS: 93
- Frame Time: 5.2ms
- CPU Usage: 77%
- Power Consumption: 97W
- Temperature: 68°C
- Memory Usage: 12.2GB
- GPU Usage: 91%
- VRAM Usage: 6.1GB
- GPU Power: 257W
- GPU Temperature: 47°C
Core i9-14900K
- Average FPS: 151
- Minimum FPS: 90
- Frame Time: 6.2ms
- CPU Usage: 53%
- Power Consumption: 177W
- Temperature: 66°C
- Memory Usage: 12.4GB
- GPU Usage: 92%
- VRAM Usage: 6.2GB
- GPU Power: 257W
- GPU Temperature: 51°C
Comparison:
- Ryzen outperforms with +9 FPS average and +3 FPS minimum.
- Power consumption is 80W lower, with slightly better frame times.
05
Comparison Conclusion
In terms of raw processor benchmarks, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D is at a disadvantage, with single-core and multi-core performance trailing the Core i9-14900K by approximately 5% and 40%, respectively. However, the advantage of its large-capacity 3D-V-Cache is substantial and highly impactful.
In most cases, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D demonstrates equal or higher GPU utilization compared to the Core i9-14900K. However, its overall CPU utilization is significantly higher, indicating a heavier reliance on processor resources.
The final results and conclusion indicate that, at 1080P settings, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D achieves a slight edge over the Core i9-14900K in gaming performance. Under these conditions, the claim that it “effortlessly outclasses” Intel’s latest Core Ultra 200S series is accurate and backed by the data.
Disclaimer:
- This channel does not make any representations or warranties regarding the availability, accuracy, timeliness, effectiveness, or completeness of any information posted. It hereby disclaims any liability or consequences arising from the use of the information.
- This channel is non-commercial and non-profit. The re-posted content does not signify endorsement of its views or responsibility for its authenticity. It does not intend to constitute any other guidance. This channel is not liable for any inaccuracies or errors in the re-posted or published information, directly or indirectly.
- Some data, materials, text, images, etc., used in this channel are sourced from the internet, and all reposts are duly credited to their sources. If you discover any work that infringes on your intellectual property rights or personal legal interests, please contact us, and we will promptly modify or remove it.
