Consumercarts is reader-supported. Learn more
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i9-13900K: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i9-13900K l3 cache compared
The gap that matters here is l3 cache: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X 64 MB against Intel Core i9-13900K 36 MB, which puts AMD Ryzen 9 3950X 44% ahead. L2 cache runs the same way, 8 MB on the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X versus 32 MB on the Intel Core i9-13900K, another win for Intel Core i9-13900K.
Which should you buy, AMD Ryzen 9 3950X or Intel Core i9-13900K?
Take the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X for content creators and prosumers wanting genuine 16-core throughput on a mainstream AM4 platform without HEDT complexity. It is not the one for buyers who need integrated graphics, this chip requires a discrete GPU. Take the Intel Core i9-13900K for buyers on the mature LGA 1700 platform wanting flagship-tier Raptor Lake gaming and productivity performance at a lower price than the 14900K. It is the wrong buy for new builds without an existing LGA 1700 investment, the newer Arrow Lake lineup offers better power efficiency on a fresh platform. Our rating of the Intel Core i9-13900K (8.3/10): the Intel Core i9-13900K is still a powerful 24-core desktop chip, now largely matched by its cheaper 14th-gen successors.
Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 9 3950X or Intel Core i9-13900K?
At the last price check the Intel Core i9-13900K was $589 and the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X $749, a 27% premium.
Where the two are identical
The common ground is wider than the gap: total threads, socket status, form factor, market segment and smt enabled are identical here. They match on 3 further specifications as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X and Intel Core i9-13900K differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 16 on the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X versus 24 on the Intel Core i9-13900K.
Is the Unlocked Multiplier the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X and Intel Core i9-13900K?
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 3950X
- AMD
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Intel
Product Line
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Ryzen 9
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Core i9
Form Factor
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Desktop
Model Number
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 3950X
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 13900K
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Matisse
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Raptor Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 2019
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 2022
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 105 W
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 125 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- None
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Zen 2, Ryzen 3000 Series "Matisse"
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Raptor Lake, 13th Gen Intel Core
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- AM4
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- End of Life
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- End of Life
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 7 nm
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 16
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 24Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 16Best
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 0
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 16Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 32
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 32
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 3.5 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 3 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 4.7 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 5.4 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 8 MB-75%
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 32 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 64 MBBest
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 36 MB-44%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 105 W
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 125 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 142 W
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 253 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- DDR4
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- DDR5 or DDR4Best
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 3200 MT/s
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 5600 MT/sBest
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 2
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 128 GB
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 192 GBBest
ECC Support
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- No
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Yes
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- No
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Yes
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 4
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- PCIe 5.0
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- 20
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- 20
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- $749
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- $589
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
- Retail
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Boxed Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 3950X if you want the higher L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (20 vs 20).
Choose 13900K if you want the higher L2 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
Price comparison
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | Intel Core i9-13900K |
|---|---|---|
| Consumercarts listing | $749.00 View on Consumercarts listing | |
| Amazon | $589.00 View on Amazon | |
| Newegg | View 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.
Verdict
Intel Core i9-13900K
8.3 / 10 Expert Rating
The Intel Core i9-13900K is still a powerful 24-core desktop chip, now largely matched by its cheaper 14th-gen successors.