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AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF: Comparison

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF l3 cache compared

L3 cache is where these two genuinely part company, AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 64 MB against Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF 20 MB, a 69% lead for AMD Ryzen 9 3900X. Blender Cycles (CPU) backs the spec sheet up. AMD Ryzen 9 3900X scores 268 to 226 over 123 runs, 16% clear. Add l2 cache to that, 6 MB on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus 2.5 MB on the Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF, and the pattern holds. There is a split on socket as well, AM4 on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus FCLGA1200 on the Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF.

Who each one is for

Take the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X for content creators and prosumers wanting genuine 12-core multi-threaded throughput at a mainstream desktop price. It is the wrong buy for buyers who need integrated graphics, this chip requires a discrete GPU. Take the Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF for enthusiast desktop builds with a discrete GPU already planned wanting Intel's Comet Lake flagship at a lower price. It is not the one for buyers wanting a fallback integrated GPU, the standard i9-10900K includes UHD 630.

What AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF have in common

The common ground is wider than the gap: efficiency cores, integrated graphics, socket status, form factor and market segment are identical here. They match on 5 further specifications as well.

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF price

At the last price check the Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF was $472 and the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X $499, a 6% premium.

Frequently asked questions

Do the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF differ on total cores?

Yes. Total Cores reads 12 on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus 10 on the Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF.

Is the SMT Enabled the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF?

It is. Both are listed at Yes, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Brand

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    AMD
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    Intel
  • Product Line

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    Ryzen 9
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    Core i9
  • Form Factor

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    Desktop
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    Desktop
  • Model Number

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    3900X
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    10900KF
  • Codename

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    Matisse
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    Comet Lake
  • Release Year

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    2019
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    2020
  • TDP

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    105 W
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    125 W
  • Market Segment

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    Desktop
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    Desktop
  • Microarchitecture

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    Zen 2, Ryzen 3000 Series "Matisse"
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    Comet Lake, 10th Gen Intel Core
  • Socket

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    AM4
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    FCLGA1200
  • Socket Status

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    End of Life
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    End of Life
  • Process Node

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    7 nm
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    14 nm
  • Total Cores

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    12Best
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    10
  • Performance Cores

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    12Best
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    10
  • Efficiency Cores

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    0
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    0
  • Total Threads

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    24Best
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    20
  • SMT Enabled

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    Yes
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    Yes
  • P-Core Base Clock

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    3.8 GHz
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    3.7 GHz
  • P-Core Boost Clock

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    4.6 GHz
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    5.3 GHz
  • L2 Cache

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    6 MBBest
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    2.5 MB-58%
  • L3 Cache

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    64 MBBest
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    20 MB-69%
  • Base Power

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    105 W
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    125 W
  • Memory Type

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    DDR4
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    DDR4
  • Max Memory Speed

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    3200 MT/sBest
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    4 MT/s
  • Memory Channels

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    2
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    2
  • ECC Support

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    No
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    No
  • Integrated Graphics

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    No
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    No
  • PCIe Generation

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    4
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    PCIe 3.0
  • PCIe Lanes

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    20
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    16-20%
  • Launch MSRP

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    $499
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    $472
  • Retail Availability

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    Retail
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    Retail

Benchmarks

  • 3D Rendering
  • Blender Cycles (CPU)

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
    268Best
    Intel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
    226-16%

    Blender 4.5, Blender Open Data (CC0). Median of monster + junkshop + classroom, combined samples/min.

    Renders a 3D scene using every core. Shows speed for 3D and rendering work, not gaming.

Which one should you pick?

Choose 3900X if you want the higher L2 cache (6 MB vs 2.5 MB), the higher L3 cache (64 MB vs 20 MB) and the higher memory channels (2 vs 2).

Choose 10900KF if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.

Price comparison

RetailerAMD Ryzen 9 3900XIntel 10th Gen Intel Core i9-10900KF
Consumercarts listing

$499.00

View on Consumercarts listing
Amazon

$472.00

View on Amazon
NeweggView on Newegg

Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.