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AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs Intel Core i9-13900KS: Comparison
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D vs Intel Core i9-13900KS: the l3 cache difference
The gap that matters here is l3 cache: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 128 MB against Intel Core i9-13900KS 36 MB, which puts AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 72% ahead. Add l2 cache to that, 16 MB on the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D versus 32 MB on the Intel Core i9-13900KS, and the pattern holds. Socket is not the same on both, AM5 on the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D versus FCLGA1700 on the Intel Core i9-13900KS.
Which should you buy, AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D or Intel Core i9-13900KS?
Buy the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 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 9950X3D (9.2/10): the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 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, market segment and smt enabled 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 9950X3D 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 9950X3D and Intel Core i9-13900KS differ on total cores?
Yes. Total Cores reads 16 on the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D versus 24 on the Intel Core i9-13900KS.
Is the Unlocked Multiplier the same on the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 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 9950X3D
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Desktop
Codename
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Granite Ridge
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Raptor Lake
Release Year
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 2025
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 2023
TDP
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 170 W
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 150 W
iGPU
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
Market Segment
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Desktop
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Desktop
Microarchitecture
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Zen 5 (9000 series)
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Raptor Lake
Socket
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- AM5
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- FCLGA1700
Socket Status
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Current
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- End of Life
Process Node
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 4 nm
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 10 nm
Total Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 16
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 24Best
Performance Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 16Best
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 8
Efficiency Cores
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 0
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 16Best
Total Threads
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 32
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 32
SMT Enabled
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Yes
P-Core Base Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 4.3 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 3.2 GHz
P-Core Boost Clock
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 5.7 GHz
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 5.4 GHz
Unlocked Multiplier
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Yes
L2 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 16 MB-50%
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 32 MBBest
L3 Cache
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 128 MBBest
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 36 MB-72%
Base Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 170 W
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 150 W
Max Turbo Power
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 230 W
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 253 W
Memory Type
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- DDR5
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- DDR5 or DDR4
Max Memory Speed
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 5600 MT/s
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 5600 MT/s
Memory Channels
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 2
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 2
Max Memory Capacity
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 256 GBBest
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 192 GB
ECC Support
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Yes
Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Yes
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Yes
iGPU Model
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Intel UHD Graphics 770
iGPU Compute Units
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 2
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 32
Copilot Plus Certified
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- No
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- No
PCIe Generation
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- PCIe 5.0
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 5
PCIe Lanes
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- 24
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- 20-17%
Launch MSRP
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- $699
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- $689
Retail Availability
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Boxed Retail
- Intel Core i9-13900KS
- Retail
Which one should you pick?
Choose 9950X3D 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
| Retailer | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D | Intel Core i9-13900KS |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $699.00 View on Amazon | $689.00 View on Amazon |
| Newegg | View on 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
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
9.2 / 10 Expert Rating
The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D 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.