Intel Raptor Lake-HX Refresh analysis - Core i9-14900HX with more single-core performance

As a test system, we have received an early sample of the new XMG Neo 17 (E24), fitted with the Core i9-14900HX, a dedicated Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop as well as 32 GB DDR5-5600 RAM. The new XMG Neo 17 (E24) makes use of the same case as the 2023 version, but there are quite a few differences on the inside. This includes a new pure-iGPU mode, the battery can be charged via USB-C (100 watts), and the heat pipe for the Oasis water cooling now covers the CPU area better. The Neo 17 also lets you reduce the CPU's voltage (undervolting) within the BIOS.

The device continues to use a G-Sync-compatible 17-inch IPS panel with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels, an aspect ratio of 16:10 and a refresh rate of 240 Hz. You have the choice between a quiet membrane keyboard and an optional mechanical keyboard (Cherry MX Ultra Low Profile Tactile Switches).

The picture changes slightly when we take a look at power consumption. While the performance core in last year's Raptor Lake CPUs consumed around 34-36 watts, the new Core i9-14900HX's consumes 38 watts under pure single-core load due to its higher turbo clock of 5.8 GHz (IA cores, package power is even higher). Thus, AMD's CPU efficiency is a lot better, however, the test results of the AMD models and the new Core i9-14900HX were somewhat distorted, as the dedicated GPU was active during our power measurements and we measured the consumption of the entire system. On the old Raptor Lake-HX models, on the other hand, only the iGPU was active. Neither Intel nor AMD stand a chance against the efficiency of Apple's current M3 Max (~5.5 watts under single-core load).

When taking a look at efficiency, you have to keep in mind that the dedicated GPU was active. Due to the higher total consumption values, the influence is less here than during the single-core tests. The Core i9-14900HX may have come ahead of most of its Intel siblings, however, AMD's Dragon Range Ryzen 9 7945HX came quite a bit ahead when it came to efficiency. It is no surprise that Apple's efficiency came out on top but for the first time, the new M3 Max is able to hit performance levels close to the smaller HX processors (Core i7).

Intel has given its HX mobile processors a small update for 2024—but big changes or improvements can't be seen on the new Raptor Lake-HX-Refresh models. In general, the lineup has been slimmed down a bit, as the manufacturer has now reduced the number of 13th-gen HX models from nine to five. The Core i9-14900HX is now the only top model, with 24 cores and 32 threads. Its maximum turbo boost has been increased to 5.8 GHz, leading to improved single-core performance. Intel managed to take back the performance crown from Apple in quite a few tests. However, its higher performance is quite simply the result of higher consumption, meaning its efficiency again isn't the greatest.

When it comes to multi-core performance, it mostly depends on each individual laptop's set power limits—in general, not much sets the new Core i9-14900HX apart from the old 13th gen Core i9-HX models. When gaming, the new Raptor Lake-HX Refresh also benefits from the improved single-core performance in quite a few games but at the end of the day, you can barely notice a difference—especially at maximum quality settings and high resolutions. The processor and graphics cards' power limits again play a big role in this. AMD's Ryzen 9 7945HX3D with its 3D V-Cache remains quite a bit faster in some games and as a result, it continues to be the best mobile HX CPU when it comes to efficiency and gaming performance.

Intel has raised the new Core i9-14900HX's maximum turbo clock, improving its single-core performance in particular. The Raptor Lake-HX Refresh cannot benefit from any other improvements, however, due to the catastrophical availability of HX CPUs from AMD, it doesn't have to.  

At least, this is the theory, as there are practically no laptops currently on the market that are fitted with the Ryzen 9 7945HX3D. The Core i9-14900HX, on the other hand, will soon be available in every high-end gaming/multimedia laptop—making it an easy job to dominate the market in 2024. The processor is by no means bad but Intel doesn't really have to make a huge effort in this field or offer any big advancements. Upgrading from a 13th-gen Core i9-HX model makes absolutely no sense, whereas switching from an Alder Lake chip such as the Core i9-12900HX might make more sense, as it still uses the old RTX 3000 gen from Nvidia.