The 2018 and 2019 top CPUs are AMD Ryzen 9 3900X and Intel Core i9-9900K. Power users, content makers, and gamers preferred these. However, each CPU has pros and cons depending on the task.
AMD Ryzen 9 3900x Vs Core i9 9900k Performance Comparison
Gaming Performance
- 5.0GHz turbo and single-core enable i9-9900K games with fewer threads.
- In CPU-intensive 1080p titles like Far Cry 5 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, it outperforms the Ryzen 9 3900X by 5–10%.
- GPU limit, not CPU, therefore 1440p and 4K play equally.
AMD Ryzen 9 3900x vs intel core i9 9900k gaming Benchmarks (1080p, Ultra Settings):
Game Title | Intel Core i9-9900K (FPS) | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X (FPS) | Performance Difference |
---|---|---|---|
Far Cry 5 | 134.5 | 115 | +17% (Intel) |
Grand Theft Auto V | 165 | 160 | +3% (Intel) |
Hitman (2016) | 140 | 125 | +12% (Intel) |
Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 109.9 | 97 | +13% (Intel) |
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey | 97 | 95 | +2% (Intel) |
Project CARS 2 | 116.3 | 110 | +6% (Intel) |
Also Read About AMD Ryzen 9 9900X3D Specs, Price, Architecture And features
Efficiency & Multi-Core Activities
- For multi-threaded tasks like these, the Ryzen 9 3900X, with its 12 cores and 24 threads, is noticeably superior.
- Editing videos (such as Adob Premiere Pro)
- 3D modeling (using Blender, for example)
Software compilation or file compression
- The 3900X outperforms the i9-9900K by 30–40% in Cinebench R20 and R23 multi-core results.
- Although it performs well, the i9-9900K is better for gaming, streaming, and light content production.
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Core i9 9900K CPU Benchmark (Productivity & Synthetic Tests):
Benchmark/Test | Intel Core i9-9900K | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | Winner / Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Cinebench R20 (Single-Core) | ~520 | ~510 | i9-9900K (slightly faster) |
Cinebench R20 (Multi-Core) | ~3,700 | ~7,100 | Ryzen 9 3900X (nearly double) |
Cinebench R23 (Multi-Core) | ~10,000 | ~18,200 | Ryzen 9 3900X |
Geekbench 5 (Single-Core) | ~1,370 | ~1,300 | i9-9900K |
Geekbench 5 (Multi-Core) | ~9,000 | ~12,400 | Ryzen 9 3900X |
PassMark CPU Mark | ~20,500 | ~32,500 | Ryzen 9 3900X (strong multi-threaded) |
3DMark Time Spy CPU Score | ~8,000 | ~10,200 | Ryzen 9 3900X |
Blender (BMW Render) | ~2m 45s | ~1m 38s | Ryzen 9 3900X (much faster rendering) |
7-Zip Compression | ~55,000 MIPS | ~87,000 MIPS | Ryzen 9 3900X |
Adobe Premiere Pro (Export Time) | ~5m 20s (4K video) | ~3m 30s | Ryzen 9 3900X (better rendering speed) |
Benefits and Drawbacks
Intel Core i9-9900K
- Increased Clock Speed: Excellent for applications and games that rely on single-thread speed.
- For everyday use or troubleshooting without a separate GPU, integrated graphics is useful.
- Outstanding Thermals: Capable of being overclocked for increased performance when properly cooled.
- Reduced power usage in contrast to the Ryzen 9 3900X.
Also Read About Intel Core i5 12400F Price, Gaming Performance And Specs
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
- Better performance in multitasking and workstation workloads is achieved with more cores and threads.
- Support for PCIe 4.0: Prepares your system for faster GPUs and SSDs in the future.
- Better value: Comes with a premium stock chiller, which eliminates the need for further funding.
- 12 cores with low power consumption because of the 7nm manufacturing technology.
Drawbacks
Intel Core i9-9900K
- No cooler is provided; you will need to purchase an aftermarket cooler separately.
- More costly platform: Z390 motherboards are often more expensive.
- Future upgrading options are limited because the LGA1151 socket is out of date.
- Lack of PCIe 4.0 limits future high-speed storage and graphics.
Ryzen 9 3900X
- Absence of integrated graphics Even a simple display requires a dedicated GPU.
- Some 1080p games have slightly poorer performance.
- When using the stock cooler, it runs hotter under load; for severe workloads, aftermarket cooling can be preferable.
Optimal Use Cases
For gamers who desire the highest frame rate in competitive games, the Intel Core i9-9900K is perfect.
- Streamers who don’t require 12 cores but play and stream simultaneously.
- Users who want integrated graphics for straightforward applications.
- Purchasers who intend to work overtime.
- The top uses for AMD Ryzen 9 3900X are:
- Experts who utilize complex multi-threaded programs.
- Content producers who work with big datasets, music composition, or video rendering.
- Users are constructing PCs that are future-proof by supporting fast NVMe SSDs and PCIe 4.0.
- Those who are looking for the best possible price-to-performance ratio.
Pricing (As of May 2025)
Processor | Launch Price (USD) | Current Global Price (Approx.) |
---|---|---|
Intel Core i9-9900K | $499 | $350 – $400 |
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | $499 | $300 – $350 |
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X Vs Core i9 9900K Specs
Feature | Intel Core i9-9900K | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X |
---|---|---|
Architecture | Coffee Lake Refresh (14nm) | Zen 2 (7nm) |
Cores/Threads | 8 Cores / 16 Threads | 12 Cores / 24 Threads |
Base/Boost Clock | 3.6GHz / 5.0GHz | 3.8GHz / 4.6GHz |
Cache (L3) | 16MB | 64MB |
TDP | 95W | 105W |
Socket | LGA 1151 | AM4 |
PCIe Support | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
Integrated GPU | Intel UHD 630 | None |
Cooler Included | No | Yes – Wraith Prism RGB |
Also Read About Intel Core Ultra 5 125H vs 135H Mobile CPU Specs
The final judgment
- The Intel i9-9900K is great for gamers who don’t mind a separate cooler and powerful single-core performance.
- Ryzen 9 3900X delivers multi-core performance, productivity, and value.
Both work and play, but Ryzen 9 3900X multitasks better. At 1080p, the i9-9900K is good for gaming.