Intel Core i9-10900K vs AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i9-10900K and AMD Ryzen 9 3950X processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Graphics, Graphics interfaces, Graphics image quality, Graphics API support, 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.

Intel Core i9-10900K

AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i9-10900K

Around 13% higher clock speed: 5.30 GHz vs 4.7 GHz
Around 16% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 3127 vs 2704

Specifications (specs)
Maximum frequency	5.30 GHz vs 4.7 GHz
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	3127 vs 2704

Reasons to consider the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
6 more cores, run more applications at once: 16 vs 10
12 more threads: 32 vs 20
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 7 nm vs 14 nm
3.2x more L3 cache, more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
Around 19% lower typical power consumption: 105 Watt vs 125 Watt
Around 70% better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 38716 vs 22732
Around 20% better performance in 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score: 10742 vs 8947

Specifications (specs)
Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Number of cores	16 vs 10
Number of threads	32 vs 20
Manufacturing process technology	7 nm vs 14 nm
L3 cache	64 MB vs 20 MB
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	105 Watt vs 125 Watt
Benchmarks
PassMark - CPU mark	38716 vs 22732
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	10742 vs 8947

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i9-10900K
CPU 2: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

3127

2704

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

22732

38716

3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score

CPU 1

CPU 2

8947

10742

Name	Intel Core i9-10900K	AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
PassMark - Single thread mark	3127	2704
PassMark - CPU mark	22732	38716
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	8947	10742
Geekbench 4 - Single Core		1296
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core		14150

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core i9-10900K	AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
Essentials
Architecture codename	Comet Lake	Zen 2
Launch date	Q2'20	25 Nov 2019
Launch price (MSRP)	$488 - $499	$749
Place in performance rating	543	579
Processor Number	i9-10900K
Series	10th Generation Intel Core i9 Processors
Status	Launched
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
OPN PIB		100-100000051WOF
OPN Tray		100-000000051
Performance
64 bit support
Base frequency	3.70 GHz	3.5 GHz
Bus Speed	8 GT/s
L3 cache	20 MB	64 MB
Manufacturing process technology	14 nm	7 nm
Maximum core temperature	100°C
Maximum frequency	5.30 GHz	4.7 GHz
Number of cores	10	16
Number of threads	20	32
L1 cache		1 MB
L2 cache		8 MB
Unlocked
Memory
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	45.8 GB/s
Maximum memory size	128 GB
Supported memory types	DDR4-2933	DDR4-3200
Graphics
Device ID	0x9BC5
Graphics base frequency	350 MHz
Graphics max dynamic frequency	1.20 GHz
Intel® Clear Video HD technology
Intel® Clear Video technology
Intel® InTru™ 3D technology
Intel® Quick Sync Video
Max video memory	64 GB
Processor graphics	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Graphics interfaces
Number of displays supported	3
Graphics image quality
4K resolution support
Max resolution over DisplayPort	4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over eDP	4096x2304@60Hz
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	4096x2160@30Hz
Graphics API support
DirectX	12
OpenGL	4.5
Compatibility
Configurable TDP-down	95 Watt
Configurable TDP-down Frequency	3.30 GHz
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1
Package Size	37.5mm x 37.5mm
Sockets supported	FCLGA1200	AM4
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	125 Watt	105 Watt
Thermal Solution	PCG 2015D
Peripherals
Max number of PCIe lanes	16	40
PCI Express revision	3.0	4.0
PCIe configurations	Up to 1x16, 2x8, 1x8+2x4
Scalability	1S Only
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Identity Protection technology
Intel® OS Guard
Intel® Secure Key technology
Intel® Software Guard Extensions (Intel® SGX)
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Secure Boot
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Idle States
Instruction set extensions	Intel SSE4.1, Intel SSE4.2, Intel AVX2
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Optane™ Memory Supported
Intel® Stable Image Platform Program (SIPP)
Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Intel® vPro™ Platform Eligibility
Thermal Monitoring
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)