Intel Core i9-9960X vs AMD Ryzen 9 3900X

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i9-9960X or Intel Core i9-9960X – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i9-9960X features 16 processor cores and has the capability to manage 32 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q4/2018 and belongs to the 9 generation of the Intel Core i9 series.
To use the Intel Core i9-9960X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2066 socket.
The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X features 12 processor cores and has the capability to manage 24 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2019 and belongs to the 3 generation of the AMD Ryzen 9 series.
To use the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X, you'll need a motherboard with a AM4 (PGA 1331) socket.
Intel Core i 9000X Group AMD Ryzen 3000
9 Generation 3
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i9-9960X Name AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
Intel Core i9 Family AMD Ryzen 9
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i9-9960X has 16 CPU cores and can calculate 32 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i9-9960X is 3.1 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.5 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X has 12 CPU cores and can calculate 24 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is 3.8 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.6 GHz.
32 Threads 24
16x Cores 12x
16 CPU Cores 12
normal Core architecture normal
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
Yes Overclocking Yes
4.5 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 4.6 GHz
3.1 GHz Frequency 3.8 GHz
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i9-9960X does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X does not have integrated graphics.
-- Shaders --
-- Release date --
-- Technology --
-- Direct X --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Max. displays --
-- Execution units --
-- GPU frequency --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
GPU name
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- VP8 --
-- VC-1 --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- AVC --
-- h264 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
DDR4-2666 Memory type DDR4-3200
No ECC Yes
128.0 GB Max. Memory 128.0 GB
4 Memory channels 2
42.7 GB/s Bandwidth 51.2 GB/s
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 165 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 105 W watts.
None TDP (PL2) 142 W
165 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 105 W
92 °C Tjunction max 95 °C
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i9-9960X is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 22.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is manufactured using a 7 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 64.0 MB cache.
Q4/2018 Release date Q3/2019
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization AMD-V, SVM
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX-512 ISA extensions SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, FMA3, AVX2
14 nm Technology 7 nm
Monolithic Chip design Chiplet
1684 $ Release price 485 $
Skylake X Refresh Architecture Matisse (Zen 2)
22.0 MB L3-Cache 64.0 MB
Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11 Operating systems Windows 10, Linux, Windows 11
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
LGA 2066 Socket AM4 (PGA 1331)
0 bytes L2-Cache 6.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
12C 24T @ 3.8 GHz
32755
32755
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
30355
30355

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
14314
14314
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
12C 24T @ 3.8 GHz
12454
12454

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
11020
11020
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
12C 24T @ 3.8 GHz
10689
10689

Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
12C 24T @ 3.8 GHz
6954
6954
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
6671
6671

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
12C 24T @ 3.8 GHz
3168
3168
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
2872
2872

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
12C 24T @ 3.8 GHz
1714
1714
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
1459
1459

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
12C 24T @ 3.8 GHz
1300
1300
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
1174
1174

Cinebench R20 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
12C 24T @ 3.8 GHz
502
502
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
457
457

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
12C 24T @ 3.8 GHz
214
214
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
200
200

Blender 2.81 (bmw27)

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
12C 24T @ 3.8 GHz
115.9
115.9
Intel Core i9-9960X
16C 32T @ 3.1 GHz
104.3
104.3

Intel Core i9-9960X and AMD Ryzen 9 3900X in leaderboards