How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 scores 41.6/100 overall; Intel Core i9-9900K scores 42.5/100. AMD Ryzen 5 3600 wins 8 individual spec rows, Intel Core i9-9900K wins 10.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and the Intel Core i9-9900K?

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 advantages: Stronger gaming score: 59 vs 47; 100% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 16 MB; 50% lower process: 7 nm vs 14 nm; 50% higher L2 cache: 3 MB vs 2 MB; 50% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 16; Lower launch price: $199 vs $488. Intel Core i9-9900K advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 40 vs 35; Stronger Multi-core score: 41 vs 36; 35% higher Max turbo power: 119 W vs 88 W; 35% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 12,400 vs 9,200; 33% higher cores: 8 vs 6.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 or Intel Core i9-9900K?

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 launched cheaper at $199, versus $488 for the Intel Core i9-9900K.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 vs Intel Core i9-9900K

AMD

AMD Ryzen 5 3600

$199

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i9-9900K

$488

34.8Single-core40.4

36.4Multi-core41.2

59.1Gaming47.4

8 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 360010 spec wins — Intel Core i9-9900K

InnoReviews verdict

This one is close to a dead heat: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 scores 41.6 against 42.5 for Intel Core i9-9900K. Pick by the categories that matter to you — Intel Core i9-9900K edges ahead in Single-core and Multi-core, or by price.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 5 3600

Stronger gaming score: 59 vs 47
100% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 16 MB
50% lower process: 7 nm vs 14 nm
50% higher L2 cache: 3 MB vs 2 MB
50% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 16
Lower launch price: $199 vs $488

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-9900K

Stronger Single-core score: 40 vs 35
Stronger Multi-core score: 41 vs 36
35% higher Max turbo power: 119 W vs 88 W
35% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 12,400 vs 9,200
33% higher cores: 8 vs 6

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600	Intel Core i9-9900K
Announced	2019	2018
Socket	AM4	LGA1151-v2
Process	7 nm+50%	14 nm
Base TDP	65 W+32%	95 W
Max turbo power	88 W	119 W+35%
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600	Intel Core i9-9900K
Cores	6	8+33%
Performance cores	6	8+33%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	12	16+33%
Base clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
Boost clock	4.2 GHz	5 GHz+19%
L2 cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB
L3 cache	32 MB+100%	16 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600	Intel Core i9-9900K
iGPU	—	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	—	1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600	Intel Core i9-9900K
Memory support	DDR4-3200	DDR4-2666
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600	Intel Core i9-9900K
PCIe version	4+33%	3
CPU PCIe lanes	24+50%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 versus Intel Core i9-9900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600	Intel Core i9-9900K
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,450	1,720+19%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	6,900	8,800+28%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,250	1,280+2%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	9,200	12,400+35%
PassMark	17,800	18,600+4%

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