AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i7-5960X
38.6Single-core20.5
64.6Multi-core34.1
79Gaming43.4
17 spec wins — AMD Ryzen 9 3950X2 spec wins — Intel Core i7-5960X
InnoReviews verdict
AMD Ryzen 9 3950X wins this desktop processor face-off, 60.4 to 32.3, pulling ahead mainly in gaming (+36) and Multi-core (+30). 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 9 3950X
- Stronger Single-core score: 39 vs 21
- Stronger Multi-core score: 65 vs 34
- Stronger gaming score: 79 vs 43
- 300% higher L2 cache: 8 MB vs 2 MB
- 220% higher L3 cache: 64 MB vs 20 MB
- Lower launch price: $749 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 9 3950X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019 | 2014 |
| Socket | AM4 | LGA2011-v3 |
| Process | 7 nm+68% | 22 nm |
| Base TDP | 105 W+25% | 140 W |
| Max turbo power | 142 W | — |
| Unlocked multiplier | Yes | Yes |
| Cooler included | No | No |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 16+100% | 8 |
| Performance cores | 16+100% | 8 |
| Efficiency cores | 0 | 0 |
| Threads | 32+100% | 16 |
| Base clock | 3.5 GHz+17% | 3 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.7 GHz+34% | 3.5 GHz |
| L2 cache | 8 MB+300% | 2 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB+220% | 20 MB |
Memory
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | DDR4-3200 | DDR4-2133 |
| Max memory | 128 GB+100% | 64 GB |
| Memory channels | 2 | 4+100% |
Platform
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe version | 4+33% | 3 |
| CPU PCIe lanes | 24 | 40+67% |
Benchmarks
| Spec | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | Intel Core i7-5960X |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,570+52%Top 57% | 1,030Top 96% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 13,300+118%Top 25% | 6,100Top 69% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | 1,320+52%Top 56% | 870Top 97% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | 24,700+198%Top 15% | 8,300Top 70% |
| PassMark | 39,000+147%Top 16% | 15,800Top 60% |
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