AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel Core i5-8600K
37.6Single-core34.5
54.2Multi-core30
78.3Gaming29.1
18 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 3900X1 spec wins — Intel Core i5-8600K
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X wins this desktop processor face-off, 55.3 to 31.1, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+49) and Multi-core (+24). Intel Core i5-8600K 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 9 3900X
- Stronger Single-core score: 38 vs 35
- Stronger Multi-core score: 54 vs 30
- Stronger gaming score: 78 vs 29
- 611% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 9 MB
- 300% higher threads: 24 vs 6
Reasons to pick the Intel Core i5-8600K
- 10% lower Base TDP: 95 W vs 105 W
- Lower launch price: $257 vs $499
General
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019 | 2017 |
| Socket | AM4 | LGA1151-v2 |
| Process | 7 nm+50% | 14 nm |
| Base TDP | 105 W | 95 W+10% |
| Max turbo power | 142 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | Yes | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Performance cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 24+300% | 6 |
| Base clock | 3.8 GHz+6% | 3.6 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.6 GHz+7% | 4.3 GHz |
| L2 cache | 6 MB+300% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+611% | 9 MB |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | — | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,150 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-3200 | DDR4-2666 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 2 |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 4+33% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24+50% | 16 |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | Intel Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,540+4%Top 63% | 1,480Top 69% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 11,000+104%Top 35% | 5,400Top 71% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,300+7%Top 59% | 1,210Top 71% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 18,300+169%Top 24% | 6,800Top 73% |
| PassMark | 32,600+208%Top 26% | 10,600Top 77% |
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