Intel Core-i9 9900k Vs Ryzen 9 3900x – Which one you should BUY

Intel Core-i9 9900k vs Ryzen 9 3900x vs Comparison

What are the differences between Intel Core i9-9900K and AMD Ryzen 9 3900X? We analyze head-to-head all specifications and features to find out the better cpu.

General

Vendor	Intel	AMD
Released	October 8, 2018	July 7, 2019
Launch price	499 USD	499 USD
Type	Desktop	Desktop
Codename	Coffee Lake	Zen 2
Model number	i9-9900K	–
Socket	LGA-1151	AM4
Integrated GPU	Intel UHD Graphics 630	No

Performance

Cores	8	12
Threads	16	24
Base Frequency	3.6 GHz	3.8 GHz
Turbo Boost Frequency	5 GHz	4.6 GHz
Bus frequency	100 MHz	100 MHz
Multiplier	36x	38x
Bus Bandwidth	8 GT/s	–
L1 Cache	64K (per core)	64K (per core)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)
L3 Cache	16MB (shared)	64MB (shared)
Unlocked Multiplier	Yes	Yes

Power

Transistors	–	19.2 billions
Fabrication process	14 nm	7 nm
TDP	95 W	105 W
Max. temperature	100°C	95°C

Memory support

Memory types	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200
Memory Size	128 GB	128 GB
Max. Memory Channels	2	2
Max. Memory Bandwidth	41.6 GB/s	47.68 GB/s
ECC Support	No	Yes

Misc

Official site	Intel Core i9 9900K official page	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X official page
PCI Express Version	3.0	4.0
PCI Express Lanes	16	20
Instruction Set	SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX-2	–

Intel Core i9 9900K Features

Intel stepped up its processor game by releasing the Core i9 9900K, which comes with a price tag of $500. The Intel Core i9 9900k comes with a higher core count than the previous processors we have seen from Intel. It features 8 cores, each core executing two threads simultaneously, making a total of 16 threads.

This new Octa-core processor released by Intel has definitely given AMD a wake-up call because it really closes the performance gap with AMD’s processors and shows better performance in some situations. The 9900K boosts up to 3.6GHz on the base frequency and a staggering 5GHz on Turbo Boost frequency. 

It also packs the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 GPU, which gives it an edge over its competitor, the Ryzen 9 3900x. The Core-i9 9900k has a manufacturing node of 14nm, which is entirely below par compared to AMD’s processors.

Featuring the Cache size of 2MB and 16MB, on L2 and L3, respectively. Intel has also brought back its STIM or Soldered Thermal Interface Material into the i9 9900K, making sure to dissipate all the heat when your CPU is under heavy load.  

This Core-i9 processor also features a TDP of 95W with maximum temperatures up to 100C. The i9 9900K features a DDR4-2666 memory type with 128GB memory size and memory bandwidth up to 41.6GB/s with no ECC support when it comes to memory support.

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X Features

AMD released its 3^rd generation high-end processor, known as the Ryzen 9 3900x, that will cost you around $500. Based on the company’s Zen2 technology, the 3900x features an incredible 12 cores, each core executing two threads at a time, making a total of massive 24 cores.

With the release of the 3900x, AMD has really stretched out its performance capabilities and set a high bar for Intel’s chips.  The 3900x’s 12 cores clocks up to 3.8GHz on the base frequency and 4.6GHz on Turbo Boost frequency.

It also features an incredibly smaller 7nm manufacturing node, which packs a massive 64MB of L3 cache size, and a 6MB Cache size on L2, making a total of 70MB Cache size on such a smaller manufacturing node. The 7nm node also features more than 19bn transistors which help the processor to feature faster speeds and more memory. 

The 3900x features the DDR4-3200 memory type with 128GB memory size and memory bandwidth up to 47.68GB/s. When it comes to TDP, AMD has made no significant improvements as it features a TDP of 105W with maximum temperatures up to 95C.

We have seen the same numbers in most of the older processors released by AMD.  The 3900x also features a PCI 4.0 Express version that gives it an upper hand over the Intel processors because we haven’t seen the 4.0 PCI version in most of Intel’s processors.

The Ryzen 9 3900x or Intel Core i9 9900k? [Difference]

The main difference between Ryzen 9 3900x vs Intel i9 9900k is the number of cores and threads. The 3900x features 12 cores and 24 threads, compared to i9 9900K’s 8 cores and 16 threads. The more number of cores and threads makes it easy for a processor to handle serious workloads. And, the 3900x makes sure to make no mistake when it comes to handling severe applications like video editing, 3D animation work, video editing, and other stuff.  

The Ryzen 9 3900x again leaves the i9-9900K behind if we look at its Cache size and memory support. It is without a doubt a better processor because it features a 3200MHz DDR4 memory with an impressive 70MB L3 Cache size. While the i9-9900K features a much lower 2666MHz DDR4 memory support and a much smaller 16MB of L3 cache size. 

The cache size and memory support are essential features to look out for because most of the games’ performance depends on the CPU’s ability to access memory and store more Cache data.

If we look at the Gaming side, we can’t say that one processor has left behind another processor in our gaming tests. This is because both the processors deliver almost the same performance; in some games, the i9-9900K shows better performance, while in some games, the 3900x takes the lead. The performance gap between both the processors isn’t quite noticeable.

Conclusion

In our opinion, the 3900x is a much better processor than the i9-9900K; this is because the Ryzen 9 3900x handles serious workloads easily with the help of its more cores and threads. It also delivers excellent gaming performance, and in some cases, it shows better gaming performance than the i9-9900K.

If we were asked to choose a processor between these two, we would pick the Ryzen 9 3900x because it is an overall better processor. It features more cores and threads, better productivity, less power consumption, and better value for money.

The 3900X also closes the gap in gaming performance with the i9-9900K. It shows hugely better performance than the i9-9900K when handling serious workloads like video editing, photo editing, or 3d animation. To sum it up, the Ryzen 9 3900x is a clear winner for us.

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