Ryzen 9 3950X vs i9-9900X

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-9900X
2018
10 cores / 20 threads, 165 Watt
13.76
Ryzen 9 3950X
2019
16 cores / 32 threads, 105 Watt
24.39
+77.3%

Ryzen 9 3950X outperforms Core i9-9900X by an impressive 77% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-9900X and Ryzen 9 3950X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking533206
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation4.9318.03
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i9AMD Ryzen 9
Power efficiency7.8921.98
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2018)Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
Release date19 October 2018 (6 years ago)14 November 2019 (5 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$989$799

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen 9 3950X has 266% better value for money than i9-9900X.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-9900X and Ryzen 9 3950X basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores10 (Deca-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads2032
Base clock speed3.5 GHz3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz4.7 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/sno data
Multiplier35no data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)96K (per core)
L2 cache1 MB (per core)512K (per core)
L3 cache19.25 MB (shared)64 MB
Chip lithography14 nm7 nm, 12 nm
Die sizeno data2 x 72 mm + 125 mm (IO-Die) mm2
Maximum core temperature92 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data19,200 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-9900X and Ryzen 9 3950X compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA2066AM4
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt105 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9900X and Ryzen 9 3950X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-51286x MMX(+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A,-64, AMD-V, AES, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, SHA, Precision Boost 2
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
TSX+-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data
Precision Boost 2no data+

Security technologies

Core i9-9900X and Ryzen 9 3950X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-9900X and Ryzen 9 3950X are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d+no data
VT-x+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-9900X and Ryzen 9 3950X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR4 Dual-channel
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels4no data
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/s51.196 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/A-

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9900X and Ryzen 9 3950X.

PCIe version3.0no data
PCI Express lanes44no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i9-9900X 13.76
Ryzen 9 3950X 24.39
+77.3%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i9-9900X 21851
Ryzen 9 3950X 38735
+77.3%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i9-9900X 1453
Ryzen 9 3950X 1732
+19.2%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i9-9900X 9306
Ryzen 9 3950X 10801
+16.1%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 13.76 24.39
Recency 19 October 2018 14 November 2019
Physical cores 10 16
Threads 20 32
Chip lithography 14 nm 7 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 105 Watt

Ryzen 9 3950X has a 77.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, 60% more physical cores and 60% more threads, a 100% more advanced lithography process, and 57.1% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen 9 3950X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-9900X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9900X and Ryzen 9 3950X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i9-9900X
Core i9-9900X
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
Ryzen 9 3950X

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.1 102 votes

Rate Core i9-9900X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4.5 713 votes

Rate Ryzen 9 3950X on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i9-9900X or Ryzen 9 3950X, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.