Core i9-10910 vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Intel

Core i9-10910

10 Cores20 Thrd2.5 WWMax: 5 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Ryzen family
·······

Core i9-10910 vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i9-10910 vs Ryzen 7 3700X FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i9-10910 vs Ryzen 7 3700X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i9-10910

2020

Why buy it

  • Draws 3W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 7 3700X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (21,396 vs 22,430).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 43.8 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($488 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • +4.8% higher PassMark.
  • +60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).
  • Costs $159 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $488 MSRP).
  • Delivers 55.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 43.8 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $488 MSRP).
  • 50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 2500% higher power demand at 65W vs 2.5W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i9-10910 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10910 better than Ryzen 7 3700X?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-10910 is ahead with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 3700X pulls ahead with 4.8% better PassMark. Ryzen 7 3700X also has the bigger cache pool with 60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 4.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i9-10910 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 7 3700X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-10910 comes in 48.3% more expensive on MSRP at $488 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Ryzen 7 3700X is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 4.8% better PassMark. Ryzen 7 3700X is also 55.5% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 43.8 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 7 3700X can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i9-10910 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-10910 vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core i9-10910

The Core i9-10910 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-S (2020) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB. L2 cache: 2.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 21,396 points. Launch price was $488.

AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

Processing Power

The Core i9-10910 packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-10910 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-10910 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-10910 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-10910 uses the Comet Lake-S (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10910 scores 21,396 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 4.7% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 20 MB on the Core i9-10910 vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureCore i9-10910Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads
10 / 20+25%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
5 GHz+14%
4.4 GHz
Base Clock
3.6 GHz
3.6 GHz
L3 Cache
20 MB
32 MB+60%
L2 Cache
2.5 MB
512K (per core)+20380%
Process
14 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture
Comet Lake-S (2020)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
21,396
22,430+5%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10910 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10910 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the Ryzen 7 3700X supports 9.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i9-10910) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z490,B460 (Core i9-10910) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

FeatureCore i9-10910Ryzen 7 3700X
Socket
LGA1200
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2933
DDR4-3200+9%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
24+50%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10910) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). The Core i9-10910 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 7 3700X requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureCore i9-10910Ryzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-10910 was priced at $488, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($488 vs $329), Ryzen 7 3700X was $159 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10910 delivers 43.8 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 43.4% better value option.

FeatureCore i9-10910Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP
$488
$329-33%
Performance per Dollar
43.8
68.2+56%
Release Date
2020
2019

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