AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i7-9700K
The Intel Core i7-9700K is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 2%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.
| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | Intel Core i7-9700K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 62/100 | 63/100 |
| Tier | B | B |
| Manufacturer | AMD | Intel |
| Cores | 16 | 8 |
| Threads | 32 | 8 |
| Base clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.6 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.7 GHz | 4.9 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 105 W | 95 W |
| Release year | 2019 | 2018 |
Which should you buy?
For gaming specifically, the Intel Core i7-9700K is the better buy — it holds a 2% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X has more cores (16 vs 8), which helps if you stream, compile or render alongside playing. The Intel Core i7-9700K runs 10W 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.