AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT vs Intel Core i9-10980XE

Comparative analysis of AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT and Intel Core i9-10980XE processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility, Peripherals, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core.

AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT

Intel Core i9-10980XE

Differences

Reasons to consider the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT

Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
Around 2% higher clock speed: 4.7 GHz vs 4.60 GHz
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 7 nm vs 14 nm
2.6x more L3 cache, more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
Around 57% lower typical power consumption: 105 Watt vs 165 Watt
Around 4% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 2748 vs 2650

Specifications (specs)
Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Maximum frequency	4.7 GHz vs 4.60 GHz
Manufacturing process technology	7 nm vs 14 nm
L3 cache	64 MB vs 24.75 MB
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	105 Watt vs 165 Watt
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	2748 vs 2650

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-10980XE

6 more cores, run more applications at once: 18 vs 12
12 more threads: 36 vs 24
3x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
2x more maximum memory size: 256 GB vs 128 GB
Around 26% better performance in 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score: 10844 vs 8585

Specifications (specs)
Number of cores	18 vs 12
Number of threads	36 vs 24
L2 cache	18 MB vs 6 MB
Maximum memory size	256 GB vs 128 GB
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark	32856 vs 32740
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	10844 vs 8585

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
CPU 2: Intel Core i9-10980XE

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

2748

2650

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

32740

32856

3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score

CPU 1

CPU 2

8585

10844

Name	AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT	Intel Core i9-10980XE
PassMark - Single thread mark	2748	2650
PassMark - CPU mark	32740	32856
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	8585	10844
Geekbench 4 - Single Core		1173
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core		15885

Compare specifications (specs)

	AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT	Intel Core i9-10980XE
Essentials
Architecture codename	Zen 2	Cascade Lake
Launch date	July 2020	Q4'19
OPN PIB	100-100000277WOF
Place in performance rating	627	613
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Launch price (MSRP)		$979
Processor Number		i9-10980XE
Series		Intel Core X-series Processors
Status		Launched
Performance
Base frequency	3.8 GHz	3.00 GHz
L2 cache	6 MB	18 MB
L3 cache	64 MB	24.75 MB
Manufacturing process technology	7 nm	14 nm
Maximum frequency	4.7 GHz	4.60 GHz
Number of cores	12	18
Number of threads	24	36
Unlocked
L1 cache		1152 KB
Maximum core temperature		86°C
Memory
ECC memory support
Max memory channels	2	4
Maximum memory size	128 GB	256 GB
Supported memory types	DDR4-3200	DDR4-2933
Compatibility
Sockets supported	AM4	FCLGA2066
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	105 Watt	165 Watt
Max number of CPUs in a configuration		1
Thermal Solution		PCG 2017X
Peripherals
Max number of PCIe lanes	20	48
PCI Express revision	4.0	3.0
Scalability		1S Only
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Instruction set extensions		Intel SSE4.1, Intel SSE4.2, Intel AVX2, Intel AVX-512
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Optane™ Memory Supported
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Number of AVX-512 FMA Units		2
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)