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AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT vs Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS: Comparison

AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT vs Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS: the l3 cache difference

The gap that matters here is l3 cache: AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT 64 MB against Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS 16 MB, which puts AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT 75% ahead. Add l2 cache to that, 6 MB on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT versus 2 MB on the Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS, and the pattern holds. P-core base clock is not the same on both, 3.8 GHz on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT versus 4 GHz on the Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS. They differ on tdp too, 105 W on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT versus 127 W on the Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS. There is a split on integrated graphics as well, No on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT versus Yes on the Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS.

Which should you buy, AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT or Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS?

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT suits mainstream desktop builds and everyday productivity, though it is not built for extreme overclocking (unless K/X-series) and workstation-class multi-threaded workloads. 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

The common ground is wider than the gap: efficiency cores, socket status, market segment, smt enabled and memory channels are identical here. They match on 2 further specifications as well.

Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT 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 3900XT and Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS differ on total cores?

Yes. Total Cores reads 12 on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT versus 8 on the Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS.

Is the ECC Support the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT and Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS?

It is. Both are listed at No, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Product Line

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    Ryzen 9
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    Core i9
  • Form Factor

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    Desktops, Boxed Processor
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    Desktop
  • Model Number

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    3900XT
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    9900KS
  • Codename

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    Matisse
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    Coffee Lake Refresh
  • Release Year

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    2020
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    2019
  • TDP

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    105 W
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    127 W
  • iGPU

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    None
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    Intel UHD Graphics 630
  • Market Segment

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    Desktop
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    Desktop
  • Socket

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    AM4
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    FCLGA1151
  • Socket Status

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    End of Life
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    End of Life
  • Process Node

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    7 nm
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    14 nm
  • Total Cores

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    12Best
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    8
  • Performance Cores

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    12Best
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    8
  • Efficiency Cores

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    0
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    0
  • Total Threads

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    24Best
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    16
  • SMT Enabled

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    Yes
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    Yes
  • P-Core Base Clock

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    3.8 GHz
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    4 GHz
  • P-Core Boost Clock

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    4.7 GHz
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    5 GHz
  • L2 Cache

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    6 MBBest
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    2 MB-67%
  • L3 Cache

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    64 MBBest
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    16 MB-75%
  • Base Power

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    105 W
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    127 W
  • Max Turbo Power

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    142 W
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    127 W
  • Memory Type

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    DDR4
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    DDR4-2666
  • Max Memory Speed

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    3200 MT/sBest
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    2666 MT/s
  • Memory Channels

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    2
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    2
  • ECC Support

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    No
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    No
  • Integrated Graphics

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    No
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    Yes
  • PCIe Generation

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    PCIe 4.0
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    3.0
  • PCIe Lanes

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    20
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    16-20%
  • Launch MSRP

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    $499
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    $513
  • Retail Availability

    AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT
    Retail
    Intel 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900KS
    Retail

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose 3900XT 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

    RetailerAMD Ryzen 9 3900XTIntel 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.

    More comparisons in Processors (CPUs)