Ryzen 9 3900X vs i9-9940X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-9940X
2018
14 cores / 28 threads, 165 Watt
17.67
Ryzen 9 3900X
2019
12 cores / 24 threads, 125 Watt
20.53
+16.2%

Ryzen 9 3900X outperforms Core i9-9940X by a moderate 16% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-9940X and Ryzen 9 3900X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking352274
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation5.2921.67
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i9AMD Ryzen 9
Power efficiency10.1315.54
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2018)Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
Release date19 October 2018 (6 years ago)7 July 2019 (5 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,387$499

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen 9 3900X has 310% better value for money than i9-9940X.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-9940X and Ryzen 9 3900X basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores14 (Tetradeca-Core)12 (Dodeca-Core)
Threads2824
Base clock speed3.3 GHz3.8 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz4.6 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/sno data
Multiplier33no data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)96K (per core)
L2 cache1 MB (per core)512K (per core)
L3 cache19.25 MB (shared)64 MB
Chip lithography14 nm7 nm, 12 nm
Die size484 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature88 °C95 °C
Number of transistorsno data19,200 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-9940X and Ryzen 9 3900X compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA2066AM4
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9940X and Ryzen 9 3900X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512no data
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
TSX+-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data
Precision Boost 2no data+

Security technologies

Core i9-9940X and Ryzen 9 3900X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-9940X and Ryzen 9 3900X are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d+no data
VT-x+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-9940X and Ryzen 9 3900X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR4 Dual-channel
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/s51.196 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/A-

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9940X and Ryzen 9 3900X.

PCIe version3.0no data
PCI Express lanes44no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i9-9940X 17.67
Ryzen 9 3900X 20.53
+16.2%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i9-9940X 28064
Ryzen 9 3900X 32610
+16.2%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i9-9940X 1459
Ryzen 9 3900X 1710
+17.2%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i9-9940X 10316
+3.8%
Ryzen 9 3900X 9941

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 17.67 20.53
Recency 19 October 2018 7 July 2019
Physical cores 14 12
Threads 28 24
Chip lithography 14 nm 7 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 125 Watt

i9-9940X has 16.7% more physical cores and 16.7% more threads.

Ryzen 9 3900X, on the other hand, has a 16.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 8 months, a 100% more advanced lithography process, and 32% lower power consumption.

The Ryzen 9 3900X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-9940X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9940X and Ryzen 9 3900X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i9-9940X
Core i9-9940X
AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
Ryzen 9 3900X

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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