PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i9-14901E

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.6% higher average FPS across 39 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 9 3900 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 54.4 vs 61.3 PassMark/$ ($557 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 9 3900.

Ryzen 9 3900

2019

Why buy it

✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).
✅Costs $58 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $557 MSRP).
✅Delivers 12.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.3 vs 54.4 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $557 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Prism), unlike Core i9-14901E.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-14901E across 39 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (10,983 vs 14,262).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-14901E moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-14901E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i9-14901E

2024

Ryzen 9 3900

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.6% higher average FPS across 39 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on LGA1700 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 770, while Ryzen 9 3900 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).
✅Costs $58 less on MSRP ($499 MSRP vs $557 MSRP).
✅Delivers 12.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.3 vs 54.4 PassMark/$ ($499 MSRP vs $557 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Prism), unlike Core i9-14901E.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 54.4 vs 61.3 PassMark/$ ($557 MSRP vs $499 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 9 3900.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-14901E across 39 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (10,983 vs 14,262).
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-14901E moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-14901E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-14901E better than Ryzen 9 3900?

Yes. Core i9-14901E is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 9.6% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data, 29.9% better Geekbench multi-core, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-14901E is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 9.6% more average FPS across 39 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-14901E is the better fit. You are getting 29.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i9-14901E is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 9 3900 makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i9-14901E is 11.6% more expensive on MSRP at $557 MSRP versus $499 MSRP, and it gives you a 9.6% average FPS lead across 39 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 9 3900 is also 12.7% better value on MSRP (61.3 vs 54.4 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 9 3900 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i9-14901E is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 12/24. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i9-14901E Benchmark Check

Ryzen 9 3900 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i9-14901E	Ryzen 9 3900
1080p
low	273 FPS	159 FPS
medium	254 FPS	130 FPS
high	212 FPS	111 FPS
ultra	184 FPS	92 FPS
1440p
low	256 FPS	144 FPS
medium	214 FPS	115 FPS
high	166 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	148 FPS	78 FPS
4K
low	175 FPS	78 FPS
medium	147 FPS	67 FPS
high	108 FPS	53 FPS
ultra	97 FPS	43 FPS

Open Core i9-14901E Open Ryzen 9 3900

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i9-14901E	Ryzen 9 3900
1080p
low	757 FPS	534 FPS
medium	677 FPS	470 FPS
high	549 FPS	384 FPS
ultra	479 FPS	342 FPS
1440p
low	659 FPS	460 FPS
medium	594 FPS	411 FPS
high	491 FPS	347 FPS
ultra	395 FPS	289 FPS
4K
low	369 FPS	288 FPS
medium	337 FPS	261 FPS
high	317 FPS	238 FPS
ultra	273 FPS	213 FPS

Open Core i9-14901E Open Ryzen 9 3900

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i9-14901E	Ryzen 9 3900
1080p
low	757 FPS	709 FPS
medium	653 FPS	589 FPS
high	570 FPS	536 FPS
ultra	481 FPS	472 FPS
1440p
low	720 FPS	541 FPS
medium	587 FPS	448 FPS
high	506 FPS	401 FPS
ultra	435 FPS	347 FPS
4K
low	508 FPS	394 FPS
medium	437 FPS	315 FPS
high	394 FPS	279 FPS
ultra	331 FPS	224 FPS

Open Core i9-14901E Open Ryzen 9 3900

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i9-14901E	Ryzen 9 3900
1080p
low	757 FPS	765 FPS
medium	757 FPS	765 FPS
high	757 FPS	711 FPS
ultra	729 FPS	638 FPS
1440p
low	757 FPS	725 FPS
medium	750 FPS	644 FPS
high	656 FPS	553 FPS
ultra	576 FPS	486 FPS
4K
low	629 FPS	516 FPS
medium	563 FPS	469 FPS
high	499 FPS	411 FPS
ultra	436 FPS	360 FPS

Open Core i9-14901E Open Ryzen 9 3900

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-14901E and Ryzen 9 3900

Core i9-14901E

The Core i9-14901E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Julho 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.6 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 30,298 points. Launch price was $499.

Ryzen 9 3900

The Ryzen 9 3900 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 September 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 30,588 points. Launch price was $499.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-14901E packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 9 3900 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 3900 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.6 GHz on the Core i9-14901E versus 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 9 3900 — a 26.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-14901E (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i9-14901E uses the Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 9 3900 uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-14901E scores 30,298 against the Ryzen 9 3900's 30,588 — a 1% lead for the Ryzen 9 3900. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,894 vs 1,713, a 51.3% lead for the Core i9-14901E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 14,262 vs 10,983 (26% advantage for the Core i9-14901E). L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-14901E vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 3900.

Feature	Core i9-14901E	Ryzen 9 3900
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	12 / 24+50%
Boost Clock	5.6 GHz+30%	4.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.1 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)	64 MB+78%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+300%	512 kB (per core)
Process	10 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-30%
Architecture	Raptor Lake-R (2023−2025)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	30,298	30,588
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	17,700
Geekbench 6 Single	2,894+69%	1,713
Geekbench 6 Multi	14,262+30%	10,983

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-14901E uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 3900 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i9-14901E versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 3900 — the Core i9-14901E supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-14901E supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 40% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-14901E) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 3900) — the Ryzen 9 3900 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 600 Series,Intel 700 Series (Core i9-14901E) and X570,B550,X470,B450 (Ryzen 9 3900).

Feature	Core i9-14901E	Ryzen 9 3900
Socket	LGA1700	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+25%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i9-14901E) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 3900). The Core i9-14901E includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Ryzen 9 3900 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 9 3900 targets Workstation Desktop (low power). Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 3900 rivals Core i9-9900.

Feature	Core i9-14901E	Ryzen 9 3900
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	—
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Workstation Desktop (low power)

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i9-14901E launched at $557 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 3900 debuted at $499. On MSRP ($557 vs $499), the Ryzen 9 3900 is $58 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-14901E delivers 54.4 pts/$ vs 61.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 3900 — making the Ryzen 9 3900 the 11.9% better value option.