i9-9900K vs Ryzen 9 3950X
Full specification comparison between the Intel Core i9-9900K (2018) and the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X (2019).
i9-9900K
Intel Entry-level
- ✓ Higher boost clock (5.0 vs 4.7 GHz)
- ✓ Has integrated graphics
- ✓ Lower power draw (95 W vs 105 W)
- ✓ Cheaper at launch ($488 vs $749)
- ✓ Better performance per dollar
Ryzen 9 3950X
AMD Entry-level
- ✓ More cores (16 vs 8)
- ✓ Larger L3 cache (64 MB vs 16 MB)
- ✓ Newer (2019 vs 2018)
Verdict: The i9-9900K and Ryzen 9 3950X deliver essentially the same level of performance — the difference is within a few percent and won't be noticeable in real use. The decision comes down to price, power draw and features.
For gaming the i9-9900K leads, but the Ryzen 9 3950X pulls ahead in heavily multi-threaded work like rendering, compiling and video export thanks to its stronger multi-core throughput.
Note they use different platforms (LGA1151 vs AM4), so this is a motherboard decision too, not just a CPU swap.
At launch pricing, the i9-9900K offers more performance per dollar, and the i9-9900K is the more power-efficient chip.
Estimated performance
Estimated average 1080p gaming performance compiled from publicly available benchmark data. Individual games vary.
Specs side by side
| Specification | i9-9900K | Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Coffee Lake Refresh | Zen 2 |
| Socket | LGA1151 | AM4 |
| Release year | 2018 | 2019 |
| Est. gaming perf. | ||
| Est. multi-core perf. | ||
| Est. single-core perf. | ||
| Cores | ||
| Threads | ||
| Max boost clock | ||
| L3 cache | ||
| TDP (base) | ||
| Integrated graphics | UHD 630 | None |
| Launch MSRP |
Green bars mark the better value in each row (for power and price, lower wins).
Frequently asked questions
Is the i9-9900K better than the Ryzen 9 3950X?
They perform almost identically (within ~1%). Choose based on price, power consumption and platform rather than raw speed.
How much faster is the i9-9900K than the Ryzen 9 3950X?
Roughly 0% on average in gaming workloads. The gap varies by title, resolution and settings.
Which processor is better value?
Comparing launch prices, the i9-9900K delivers more performance per dollar. Check current street prices, as market pricing often shifts the value equation.