AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i5-11400
These two processors score identically for gaming. Core count, power draw and platform cost decide it.
| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | Intel Core i5-11400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 62/100 | 62/100 |
| Tier | B | B |
| Manufacturer | AMD | Intel |
| Cores | 16 | 6 |
| Threads | 32 | 12 |
| Base clock | 3.5 GHz | 2.6 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.7 GHz | 4.4 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 105 W | 65 W |
| Release year | 2019 | 2021 |
Which should you buy?
Gaming performance is a tie between these two, so the decision comes down to the factors below. The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X has more cores (16 vs 6), which helps if you stream, compile or render alongside playing. The Intel Core i5-11400 runs 40W cooler, meaning a cheaper cooler and less case heat. Either way, pair it with a graphics card of similar standing — check the bottleneck calculator before you buy.