Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K: the l3 cache difference
Start with l3 cache, because it is the widest measured gap between them: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 64 MB against Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K 16 MB, 75% in favour of AMD Ryzen 9 3900X. Add l2 cache to that, 6 MB on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus 2 MB on the Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K, and the pattern holds. They differ on tdp too, 105 W on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus 125 W on the Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K. They differ on integrated graphics too, No on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Yes on the Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K.
Which should you buy, AMD Ryzen 9 3900X or Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K?
Take the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X for content creators and prosumers wanting genuine 12-core multi-threaded throughput at a mainstream desktop price. Avoid it for buyers who need integrated graphics, this chip requires a discrete GPU. Buy the Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K for gaming-focused desktop builds prioritizing single-thread and per-core performance. It is the wrong buy for buyers specifically needing maximum core count for heavy multi-threaded work, the outgoing 10-core i9-10900K or AMD's competing Ryzen 9 chips offer more raw cores.
What AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K have in common
The common ground is wider than the gap: efficiency cores, socket status, form factor, market segment and smt enabled are identical here. They match on 5 further specifications as well.
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K price
Cost splits them too. AMD Ryzen 9 3900X sits at $499, Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K at $539, 8% more.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 12 on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus 8 on the Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K.
Is the Memory Type the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K?
It is. Both are listed at DDR4, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Brand
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- AMD
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- Intel
Product Line
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Ryzen 9
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- Core i9
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Desktop
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 3900X
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- 11900K
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Matisse
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- Rocket Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 2019
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- 2021
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 105 W
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- 125 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- None
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- Intel UHD Graphics 750
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Desktop
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Zen 2, Ryzen 3000 Series "Matisse"
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- Rocket Lake, 11th Gen Intel Core
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- AM4
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- FCLGA1200
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- End of Life
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- End of Life
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 7 nm
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- 14 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 12Best
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- 8
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 12Best
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 0
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- 0
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 24Best
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- 16
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Yes
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 3.8 GHz
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- 3.5 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 4.6 GHz
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- 5.3 GHz
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 6 MBBest
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- 2 MB-67%
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 64 MBBest
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- 16 MB-75%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 105 W
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- 125 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- DDR4
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 3200 MT/sBest
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- 4 MT/s
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 2
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- 2
ECC Support
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- No
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- No
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- No
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- Yes
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 4
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- PCIe 4.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 20
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- 20
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- $499
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- $539
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Retail
- Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K
- Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 3900X if you want the higher L2 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB), the higher L3 cache (64 MB vs 16 MB) and the higher memory channels (2 vs 2).
Choose 11900K if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i9 11900K |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $499.00 View on Consumercarts listing | $539.00 View on Consumercarts listing |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.