AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i7-6950X

VS
Performance
Ryzen 9 3950X28% better
21,01657% of 36,991
Core i7-6950X
16,40344% of 36,991

The Ryzen 9 3950X has 28% better performance than the Core i7-6950X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

Performance per dollar
Ryzen 9 3950X195% better
28.0623% of 121.53
Core i7-6950X
9.528% of 121.53

The Ryzen 9 3950X has 195% better value for the money than the Core i7-6950X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

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Summary

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About the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X CPU

The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is a 16-core (32-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q4 2019 with a suggested retail price of $749. It is part of AMD's Ryzen 9 lineup, which is based on the Zen 2 microarchitecture. The 3950X is compatible with AMD Socket AM4 motherboards and is fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Ryzen 9 3950X 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 3950X 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 3950X features 16 total cores which can process 32 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.5 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 Ryzen 9 3950X 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 3950X has the 63rd best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 56.81% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 21,016 score and $749 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 28.06. This is the 127th best in value for the 3DMark 11 Perf. Physics benchmark.

About the Intel Core i7-6950X CPU

The Intel Core i7-6950X is an end-of-life 10-core (20-thread) processor built for the desktop CPU market. It launched in Q2 2016 with a suggested retail price of $1,723. It is part of Intel's Core i7 Extreme lineup, which is based on the Broadwell-E microarchitecture. The i7-6950X is compatible with Intel Socket 2011-3 motherboards and is fabricated on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process.

Memory and Cache

The Core i7-6950X supports DDR4 memory and features a quad-channel memory controller, allowing it to utilize 4 memory modules simultaneously. In terms of cache, the Core i7-6950X 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 25 MB.

Cores and Clock Speeds

The Core i7-6950X features 10 total cores which can process 20 threads simultaneously. The multi-threading capability allows the CPU to execute multiple computational tasks in parallel. The base clock speed of the CPU is 3.0 GHz, and it can boost up to 3.5 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 i7-6950X 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 Core i7-6950X has the 113th best 3DMark 11 Performance Physics score among the 721 benchmarked CPUs in our database. It achieves 44.34% of the performance of the best benchmarked CPU, the AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Its 16,403 score and $1,723 launch price (MSRP) gives it a performance per dollar of 9.52. This is the 201st 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 3950XCore i7-6950X
ManufacturerAMDIntel
SeriesRyzen 9Core i7 Extreme
Market SegmentDesktopDesktop
Release DateQ4 2019Q2 2016
Launch Price (MSRP)$749$1,723
Production StatusActiveEnd-of-life
ShopCheck PriceCheck Price

Benchmark Performance

#
Performance
Ryzen 9 3950X28% better
21,01657% of 36,991
Core i7-6950X
16,40344% of 36,991

The Ryzen 9 3950X has 28% better performance than the Core i7-6950X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Ryzen 9 3950X is ranked 63rd with a score of 21,016, and the Core i7-6950X is ranked 113th with a score of 16,403.

Performance per dollar
Ryzen 9 3950X195% better
28.0623% of 121.53
Core i7-6950X
9.528% of 121.53

The Ryzen 9 3950X has 195% better value for the money than the Core i7-6950X for the 3DMark 11 Performance Physics benchmark.

The Ryzen 9 3950X is ranked 127th with a performance per dollar of 28.06, and the Core i7-6950X is ranked 201st with a performance per dollar of 9.52.

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 3950X or
CPUBenchmark Performance
Core i9-10900K21,935+4%
Ryzen 9 5900X21,043.5+0%
Ryzen 9 3950X21,016
Core i9-11900K20,662-2%
Core i9-10980XE20,452-3%
Ryzen 9 390016,803-20%
Ryzen 5 5600G16,538-21%
Core i7-6950X16,403-22%
Core i5-11600K16,381-22%
Core i5-11400F15,367-27%

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 3950X or
CPUPerformance Per Dollar
Core i9-11900KB33.03+18%
Ryzen 9 5950X31.48+12%
Ryzen 9 3950X28.06
Core i7-8086K27.19-3%
Core i9-10980XE19.01-32%
Core i9-9980XE9.72-65%
Core i9-9900T9.65-66%
Core i7-6950X9.52-66%

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 3950XCore i7-6950X
3DMark 11 Performance Physics
21,016
(+28.12%)
16,403
3DMark Time Spy CPU
12,404
(+27.92%)
9,697
Cinebench R15 Multi-Core
4,002
(+115.28%)
1,859
Cinebench R15 Single-Core
209
(+34.41%)
155.5
Geekbench 6.2 Multi-Core
10,845
(+26.06%)
8,603
Geekbench 6.2 Single-Core
1,735
(+31.64%)
1,318
CPU Mark Multi-Thread
38,780
(+122.64%)
17,418
CPU Mark Single-Thread
2,705
(+15.7%)
2,338
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 3950XCore i7-6950X
ManufacturerAMDIntel
FoundryTSMCIntel
Process Size7 nm14 nm
Transistors7,600 million3,400 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 3950XCore i7-6950X
SeriesRyzen 9Core i7 Extreme
MicroarchitectureZen 2Broadwell-E
CodenameMatisseBroadwell-E
Memory SupportDDR4DDR4
Memory ChannelsDual-channelQuad-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 3950XCore i7-6950X
Cores1610
Threads3220
Clock Speed3.5 GHz3.0 GHz
Turbo Clock4.7 GHz3.5 GHz
Base Clock100 MHz100 MHz
Multiplier35.0x30.0x
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 3950XCore i7-6950X
L1 Cache64 KB64 KB
L2 Cache512 KB256 KB
L3 Cache64 MB25 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 3950XCore i7-6950X
SocketAMD Socket AM4Intel Socket 2011-3
PCI ExpressPCIe 4.0 x24PCIe 3.0 x40
Thermal Design Power (TDP)105 W140 W
Package Power Tracking (PPT)142 W--
Tcase Max95 °C67 °C

Graphics, Features, & Extensions

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

SpecRyzen 9 3950XCore i7-6950X
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, TXT, CLMUL, FMA3, F16C, BMI1, BMI2, Boost 3.0

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