How do the scores compare?

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X scores 42.8/100 overall; Intel Core i9-10900K scores 47.9/100. AMD Ryzen 5 3600X wins 8 individual spec rows, Intel Core i9-10900K wins 11.

What are the main differences between the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X and the Intel Core i9-10900K?

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X advantages: Stronger gaming score: 60 vs 55; 60% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 20 MB; 50% lower process: 7 nm vs 14 nm; 50% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 16; 33% higher PCIe version: 4 vs 3; Lower launch price: $249 vs $488. Intel Core i9-10900K advantages: Stronger Single-core score: 42 vs 37; Stronger Multi-core score: 48 vs 37; 95% higher Max turbo power: 250 W vs 128 W; 68% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 16,300 vs 9,700; 67% higher cores: 10 vs 6.

Which is cheaper: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X or Intel Core i9-10900K?

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X launched cheaper at $249, versus $488 for the Intel Core i9-10900K.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X vs Intel Core i9-10900K

AMD

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X

$249

WINNER

Intel

Intel Core i9-10900K

$488

36.5Single-core41.9

37.4Multi-core48.2

60.3Gaming54.6

8 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 5 3600X11 spec wins — Intel Core i9-10900K

InnoReviews verdict

Intel Core i9-10900K wins this desktop processor face-off, 47.9 to 42.8, pulling ahead mainly in Multi-core (+11) and Single-core (+5). AMD Ryzen 5 3600X still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the AMD Ryzen 5 3600X

Stronger gaming score: 60 vs 55
60% higher L3 cache: 32 MB vs 20 MB
50% lower process: 7 nm vs 14 nm
50% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 24 vs 16
33% higher PCIe version: 4 vs 3
Lower launch price: $249 vs $488

Reasons to pick the Intel Core i9-10900K

Stronger Single-core score: 42 vs 37
Stronger Multi-core score: 48 vs 37
95% higher Max turbo power: 250 W vs 128 W
68% higher Cinebench R23 (multi): 16,300 vs 9,700
67% higher cores: 10 vs 6

General

General comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i9-10900K
Announced	2019	2020
Socket	AM4	LGA1200
Process	7 nm+50%	14 nm
Base TDP	95 W+24%	125 W
Max turbo power	128 W	250 W+95%
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes
Cooler included	Yes	No

Cores & Clocks

Cores & Clocks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i9-10900K
Cores	6	10+67%
Performance cores	6	10+67%
Efficiency cores	0	0
Threads	12	20+67%
Base clock	3.8 GHz+3%	3.7 GHz
Boost clock	4.4 GHz	5.3 GHz+20%
L2 cache	3 MB+20%	3 MB
L3 cache	32 MB+60%	20 MB

Integrated GPU

Integrated GPU comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i9-10900K
iGPU	—	Intel UHD Graphics 630
iGPU clock	—	1,200 MHz

Memory

Memory comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i9-10900K
Memory support	DDR4-3200	DDR4-2933
Max memory	128 GB	128 GB
Memory channels	2	2

Platform

Platform comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i9-10900K
PCIe version	4+33%	3
CPU PCIe lanes	24+50%	16

Benchmarks

Benchmarks comparison: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X versus Intel Core i9-10900K
Spec	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X	Intel Core i9-10900K
Geekbench 6 (single)	1,490Top 68%	1,730+16%Top 50%
Geekbench 6 (multi)	7,200Top 55%	10,400+44%Top 38%
Cinebench R23 (single)	1,290Top 61%	1,340+4%Top 52%
Cinebench R23 (multi)	9,700Top 59%	16,300+68%Top 30%
PassMark	18,400Top 55%	23,700+29%Top 40%

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