AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel Core i7-8700K

VS
Performance
Ryzen 9 3900X28% better
18,93251% of 36,991
Core i7-8700K
14,76640% of 36,991

The Ryzen 9 3900X has 28% better performance than the Core i7-8700K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Ryzen 9 3900X
37.9431% of 121.53
Core i7-8700K8% better
41.1334% of 121.53

The Core i7-8700K has 8% better value for the money than the Ryzen 9 3900X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

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Summary

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About the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X CPU

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is a 12-core (24-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q3 2019 with a suggested retail price of $499. It is part of AMD's Ryzen 9 lineup, which is based on the Zen 2 microarchitecture. The 3900X is compatible with AMD Socket AM4 motherboards and is fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Ryzen 9 3900X supports DDR4 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Ryzen 9 3900X has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 512 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 64 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Ryzen 9 3900X features 12 total cores which can process 24 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.8 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.6 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Ryzen 9 3900X does not include an integrated graphics solution. A dedicated graphics card will be required if you require a monitor with your computer.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Ryzen 9 3900X has the 80th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 51.18% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 18,932 score and $499 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 37.94. This is the 86th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the Intel Core i7-8700K CPU

The Intel Core i7-8700K is an end-of-life 6-core (12-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q4 2017 with a suggested retail price of $359. It is part of Intel's Core i7 lineup, which is based on the Coffee Lake microarchitecture. The i7-8700K is compatible with Intel Socket 1151 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process. It features the UHD Graphics 630 integrated graphics solution.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-8700K supports DDR4 memory and features a dual-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 2 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-8700K has multiple levels of cache. Its L1 cache, which is the smallest and fastest, is 64 KB in size, providing rapid access to crucial instructions. Its L2 cache, at 256 KB, is larger but slower than the L1. Its L3 cache, a shared resource among the CPU's cores, has a capacity of 12 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-8700K features 6 total cores which can process 12 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.7 GHz, and it can boost up to 4.7 GHz under heavy workloads. Higher clock speeds result in better performance for the same microarchitecture. The multiplier is unlocked, enabling overclocking for those seeking to push the CPU's performance further.

Integrated Graphics

The Core i7-8700K includes an integrated graphics solution called UHD Graphics 630. This graphics processor is directly integrated into the CPU and is not as powerful as a dedicated graphics card. While integrated graphics can handle basic tasks like web browsing and office applications, it is not suitable for more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing, where a dedicated graphics card offers superior performance.

Benchmark Performance & Value

The Core i7-8700K has the 144th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 39.92% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 14,766 score and $359 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 41.13. This is the 71st best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

General Info

General overview of the CPU, including details like its manufacturer, release date, launch price, and current production status.

InfoRyzen 9 3900XCore i7-8700K
ManufacturerAMDIntel
SeriesRyzen 9Core i7
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ3 2019Q4 2017
Launch Price (MSRP)$499$359
Production StatusActiveEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Ryzen 9 3900X28% better
18,93251% of 36,991
Core i7-8700K
14,76640% of 36,991

The Ryzen 9 3900X has 28% better performance than the Core i7-8700K for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Ryzen 9 3900X is ranked 80th with a score of 18,932, and the Core i7-8700K is ranked 144th with a score of 14,766.

Performance per dollar
Ryzen 9 3900X
37.9431% of 121.53
Core i7-8700K8% better
41.1334% of 121.53

The Core i7-8700K has 8% better value for the money than the Ryzen 9 3900X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Ryzen 9 3900X is ranked 86th with a performance per dollar of 37.94, and the Core i7-8700K is ranked 71st with a performance per dollar of 41.13.

Relative Performance

The average score in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative performance. Generally, powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

Choose Baseline CPU:Ryzen 9 3900X or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i5-12400F19,436+3%
Core i9-9980XE19,237+2%
Ryzen 9 3900X18,932
Ryzen 7 3800XT18,905-0%
Core i9-9900KS18,694-1%
Core i9-7900X15,260-19%
Ryzen 7 2700X15,098-20%
Core i7-8700K14,766-22%
Core i7-9700K14,657-23%
Ryzen 7 270013,959-26%

Relative Value For Money

The average performance per dollar in the benchmark test can be compared to similar CPUs to assess relative value. A higher score implies a better value for your money.

Choose Baseline CPU:Ryzen 9 3900X or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i7-970041.86+10%
Core i7-8700K41.13+8%
Core i5-11400T40.21+6%
Core i9-10900K40.1+6%
Ryzen 7 170038.67+2%
Core i9-11900K38.33+1%
Ryzen 9 5900X38.33+1%
Core i7-9700K38.07+0%
Ryzen 9 3900X37.94
Core i9-9900KS36.44-4%

Benchmark Scores

This table showcases the average performance scores achieved by both CPUs across industry-standard benchmark tests. These scores provide a valuable insight into overall performance. Powerful CPUs tend to have higher scores.

  • Popular
BenchmarkRyzen 9 3900XCore i7-8700K
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
18,932
(+28.21%)
14,766
3DMark Time Spy CPU
11,923
(+64.33%)
7,255.5
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
3,049
(+123.86%)
1,362
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
207
(+7.81%)
192
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
9,950
(+52.82%)
6,511
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
1,710
(+6.21%)
1,610
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
32,647
(+139.38%)
13,638
CPU Mark Single-Thread
2,706
2,730
(+0.89%)
Benchmarks Source: Notebookcheck

Technical Specs

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Manufacturing Details

Information about the CPU's manufacturing like its foundry, process size, and transistor count.

SpecRyzen 9 3900XCore i7-8700K
ManufacturerAMDIntel
FoundryTSMCIntel
Process Size7 nm14 nm
Transistors7,600 million--

Architecture

CPU architecture specs like its memory channels, memory support, and microarchitecture. Newer CPU architectures can minimize bottlenecks and improve execution efficiency using more advanced techniques.

SpecRyzen 9 3900XCore i7-8700K
SeriesRyzen 9Core i7
MicroarchitectureZen 2Coffee Lake
CodenameMatisseCoffee Lake
Memory SupportDDR4DDR4
Memory ChannelsDual-channelDual-channel
ECC MemoryNoNo

Cores & Clock Speeds

Processing power information like its cores and clock speed. These specs impact how fast they can handle instructions and tasks. These have a strong impact on the CPU's performance.

SpecRyzen 9 3900XCore i7-8700K
Cores126
Threads2412
Clock Speed3.8 GHz3.7 GHz
Turbo Clock4.6 GHz4.7 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier38.0x37.0x
Multiplier UnlockedYesYes

Cache

CPU cache specs like its L1 & L2 cache. These provide the CPU with a small, but super-fast memory access. A larger cache can improve a CPU's performance.

SpecRyzen 9 3900XCore i7-8700K
L1 Cache64 KB64 KB
L2 Cache512 KB256 KB
L3 Cache64 MB12 MB

Compatibility & Power Consumption

Compatibility and power consumption information like its socket type, thermal design power, power limits. These can help verify the CPU's compatibility with other PC components.

SpecRyzen 9 3900XCore i7-8700K
SocketAMD Socket AM4Intel Socket 1151
PCI ExpressPCIe 4.0 x24PCIe 3.0 x16
Thermal Design Power (TDP)105 W95 W
Package Power Tracking (PPT)142 W--
Tcase Max95 °C72 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

Additional CPU features like its bundled coolers, integrated graphics, and extensions/technologies.

SpecRyzen 9 3900XCore i7-8700K
Integrated Graphics--UHD Graphics 630
Extensions / TechnologiesMMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4A, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AES, AVX, AVX2, BMI1, BMI2, SHA, F16C, FMA3, AMD64, EVP, AMD-V, SMAP, SMEP, SMT, Precision Boost 2, XFR 2MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.2, AVX, AVX2, EIST, Intel 64, XD bit, VT-x, VT-d, HTT, AES-NI, TSX, TXT, CLMUL, FMA3, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, Boost 2.0

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* Performance rating, performance per dollar, and rankings are based on the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark and MSRP.