Ryzen 9 9950X vs i9-9960X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-9960X
2018
16 cores / 32 threads, 165 Watt
19.12
Ryzen 9 9950X
2024
16 cores / 32 threads, 170 Watt
41.90
+119%

Ryzen 9 9950X outperforms Core i9-9960X by a whopping 119% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 9950X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking30359
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation4.7261.65
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i9no data
Power efficiency10.9223.22
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2019)Granite Ridge (2024)
Release date8 October 2018 (6 years ago)15 August 2024 (less than a year ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,684$649

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Ryzen 9 9950X has 1206% better value for money than i9-9960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 9950X 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 cores16 (Hexadeca-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads3232
Base clock speed3.1 GHz4.3 GHz
Boost clock speed4.5 GHz5.7 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/sno data
Multiplier31no data
L1 cache1 MB80 KB (per core)
L2 cache16 MB1 MB (per core)
L3 cache22 MB (shared)64 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm4 nm
Die size484 mm22x 70.6 mm2
Maximum core temperature85 °C95 °C
Number of transistorsno data16,630 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+no data
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 9950X 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
SocketFCLGA2066AM5
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt170 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 9950X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512SMT, AES, AVX, AVX2, AVX512, FMA3, MMX (+), SHA, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A
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 i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 9950X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 9950X 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 i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 9950X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR5
Maximum memory size128 GBno data
Max memory channels4no data
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AAMD Radeon Graphics

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 9950X.

PCIe version3.05.0
PCI Express lanes4424

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.

i9-9960X 19.12
Ryzen 9 9950X 41.90
+119%

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.

i9-9960X 30254
Ryzen 9 9950X 66313
+119%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 19.12 41.90
Recency 8 October 2018 15 August 2024
Chip lithography 14 nm 4 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 170 Watt

i9-9960X has 3% lower power consumption.

Ryzen 9 9950X, on the other hand, has a 119.1% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 5 years, and a 250% more advanced lithography process.

The Ryzen 9 9950X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-9960X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-9960X and Ryzen 9 9950X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i9-9960X
Core i9-9960X
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
Ryzen 9 9950X

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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Questions & comments

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