AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D vs Intel Core i7-5960X
86.9Single-core20.5
65.6Multi-core34.1
94.4Gamingspec-based43.4
12 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D2 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D wins this desktop processor face-off, 79.2 to 32.3, pulling ahead mainly in single-core (+66) and multi-core (+31). Intel Core i7-5960X 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 7 9850X3D
- Stronger single-core score: 87 vs 21
- Stronger multi-core score: 66 vs 34
- 380% higher L3 cache: 96 MB vs 20 MB
- 300% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 2 MB
- 300% higher Max memory: 256 GB vs 64 GB
- Lower launch price: $499 vs $999
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i7-5960X
- 100% higher Memory channels: 4 vs 2
- 67% higher CPU PCIe lanes: 40 vs 24
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026+1% | 2014 |
| Socket | AM5 | LGA2011-v3 |
| Process | 4 nm+82% | 22 nm |
| Base TDP | 120 W+14% | 140 W |
| Max turbo power | 162 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 8 | 8 |
| Performance cores | 8 | 8 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 16 | 16 |
| Base clock | 4.7 GHz+57% | 3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 5.6 GHz+60% | 3.5 GHz |
| L2 cache | 8 MB+300% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 96 MB+380% | 20 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | AMD Radeon Graphics (2 CU RDNA 2) | — |
| iGPU clock | 2,200 MHz | — |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR5-5600 | DDR4-2133 |
| Max memory | 256 GB+300% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 4+100% |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 5+67% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24 | 40+67% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | — | 1,030Bottom 5% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | — | 6,100Bottom 28% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 2,221+155%Top 12% | 870Bottom 4% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 23,204+180%Top 25% | 8,300Bottom 28% |
| PassMark | 41,305+161%Top 24% | 15,800Bottom 28% |
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