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AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D vs Intel Core i9-13900KS: Comparison

What is the difference between AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and Intel Core i9-13900KS?

On l3 cache the spread is 72%, AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D 128 MB against Intel Core i9-13900KS 36 MB, so AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D takes it. Measured rather than claimed: in Blender Cycles (CPU) the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D returns 540 against 507 over 211 runs, a 6% lead. L2 cache runs the same way, 16 MB on the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D versus 32 MB on the Intel Core i9-13900KS, another win for Intel Core i9-13900KS.

Which should you buy, AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D or Intel Core i9-13900KS?

Buy the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D for high-refresh-rate gaming and flagship gaming builds, though it is the wrong buy for budget builds and non-gaming workstation loads. The Intel Core i9-13900KS is the one to take for enthusiast desktop gaming and overclocking, though it is not built for laptops and fanless designs. Our rating of the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D (9.2/10): the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is one of the best gaming CPUs available, its huge L3 cache translating directly into higher in-game frame rates. Our rating of the Intel Core i9-13900KS (8.7/10): the Intel Core i9-13900KS is an unlocked flagship desktop chip, a top pick for enthusiasts who want to overclock.

Where the two are identical

Where they agree, they agree completely, total threads, integrated graphics, form factor, release year and market segment included, so the decision does not turn on any of those. They match on 5 further specifications as well.

Which is cheaper, AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D or Intel Core i9-13900KS?

They cost within a few percent of each other, $689 versus $699 when we last looked.

Frequently asked questions

Do the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and Intel Core i9-13900KS differ on total cores?

Yes. Total Cores reads 16 on the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D versus 24 on the Intel Core i9-13900KS.

Is the SMT Enabled the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D and Intel Core i9-13900KS?

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

Specs and benchmarks

  • Form Factor

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    Desktop
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    Desktop
  • Codename

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    Raphael
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    Raptor Lake
  • Release Year

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    2023
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    2023
  • TDP

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    120 W
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    150 W
  • iGPU

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    AMD Radeon Graphics
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    Intel UHD Graphics 770
  • Market Segment

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    Desktop
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    Desktop
  • Microarchitecture

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    Zen 4 (7000 series)
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    Raptor Lake
  • Socket

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    AM5
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    FCLGA1700
  • Socket Status

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    Current
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    End of Life
  • Process Node

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    5 nm
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    10 nm
  • Total Cores

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    16
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    24Best
  • Performance Cores

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    16Best
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    8
  • Efficiency Cores

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    0
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    16Best
  • Total Threads

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    32
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    32
  • SMT Enabled

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    Yes
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    Yes
  • P-Core Base Clock

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    4.2 GHz
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    3.2 GHz
  • P-Core Boost Clock

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    5.7 GHz
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    5.4 GHz
  • Unlocked Multiplier

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    Yes
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    Yes
  • L2 Cache

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    16 MB-50%
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    32 MBBest
  • L3 Cache

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    128 MBBest
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    36 MB-72%
  • Base Power

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    120 W
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    150 W
  • Max Turbo Power

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    162 W
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    253 W
  • Memory Type

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    DDR5
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    DDR5 or DDR4
  • Max Memory Speed

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    5200 MT/s
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    5600 MT/sBest
  • Memory Channels

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    2
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    2
  • Max Memory Capacity

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    128 GB
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    192 GBBest
  • ECC Support

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    Yes
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    Yes
  • Integrated Graphics

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    Yes
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    Yes
  • iGPU Model

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    AMD Radeon Graphics
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    Intel UHD Graphics 770
  • iGPU Compute Units

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    2
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    32
  • Copilot Plus Certified

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    No
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    No
  • PCIe Generation

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    PCIe 5.0
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    5
  • PCIe Lanes

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    24
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    20-17%
  • Launch MSRP

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    $699
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    $689
  • Retail Availability

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    Boxed Retail
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    Retail

Benchmarks

  • 3D Rendering
  • Blender Cycles (CPU)

    AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
    540Best
    Intel Core i9-13900KS
    507-6%

    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 7950X3D if you want the higher L3 cache (128 MB vs 36 MB), the higher memory channels (2 vs 2) and the higher PCIe lanes (24 vs 20).

Choose 13900KS if you want the higher L2 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).

Price comparison

RetailerAMD Ryzen 9 7950X3DIntel Core i9-13900KS
Amazon

$699.00

View on Amazon

$689.00

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.

Verdict

AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D

9.2 / 10 Expert Rating

The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is one of the best gaming CPUs available, its huge L3 cache translating directly into higher in-game frame rates.

Intel Core i9-13900KS

8.7 / 10 Expert Rating

The Intel Core i9-13900KS is an unlocked flagship desktop chip, a top pick for enthusiasts who want to overclock.

More comparisons in Processors (CPUs)