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AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS: Comparison
What is the difference between AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS?
On l3 cache the spread is 75%, AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 64 MB against Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS 16 MB, so AMD Ryzen 9 3900X takes it. AMD Ryzen 9 3900X also leads on l2 cache, 6 MB on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus 2 MB on the Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS. Tdp is not the same on both, 105 W on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus 127 W on the Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS. They differ on integrated graphics too, No on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus Yes on the Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS.
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 not the one for buyers who need integrated graphics, this chip requires a discrete GPU. Take the Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS for enthusiasts wanting Intel's genuine all-core 5.0 GHz binning achievement for sustained multi-threaded performance. It is the wrong buy for budget-conscious buyers, the standard i9-9900K delivers very close real-world performance for typically less.
Where the two are identical
Where they agree, they agree completely, efficiency cores, socket status, form factor, release year and market segment included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 4 further specifications as well.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 9 3900X or Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS?
They cost within a few percent of each other, $499 versus $513 when we last looked.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 12 on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X versus 8 on the Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS.
Is the SMT Enabled the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS?
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 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Intel
Product Line
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Ryzen 9
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Core i9
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Desktop
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 3900X
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 9900KS
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Matisse
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Coffee Lake Refresh
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 2019
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 2019
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 105 W
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 127 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- None
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Desktop
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Zen 2, Ryzen 3000 Series "Matisse"
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Coffee Lake Refresh, 9th Gen Intel Core
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- AM4
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- FCLGA1151
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- End of Life
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- End of Life
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 7 nm
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 14 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 12Best
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 8
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 12Best
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 0
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 0
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 24Best
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 16
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Yes
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 3.8 GHz
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 4 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 4.6 GHz
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 5 GHz
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 6 MBBest
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 2 MB-67%
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 64 MBBest
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 16 MB-75%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 105 W
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 127 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 142 W
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 127 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- DDR4
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- DDR4-2666
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 3200 MT/sBest
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 2666 MT/s
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 2
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 2
ECC Support
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- No
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- No
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- No
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- Yes
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 4
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 3.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- 20
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 16-20%
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- $499
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- $513
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Retail
- Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
- 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 9900KS if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $499.00 View on Consumercarts listing | $513.00 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.