Core i9-11900KB vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Intel

Core i9-11900KB

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2021
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Core i9-11900KB 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 i9-11900KB 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 i9-11900KB 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 i9-11900KB

2021

Why buy it

  • +1.2% higher PassMark.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while Ryzen 7 3700X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 42.1 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($539 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +15.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
  • Costs $210 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).
  • Delivers 61.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 42.1 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $539 MSRP).
  • 20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (22,430 vs 22,693).
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i9-11900KB can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-11900KB better than Ryzen 7 3700X?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 7 3700X is ahead with a 15.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-11900KB pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Ryzen 7 3700X also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 24 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-11900KB is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i9-11900KB is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 7 3700X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-11900KB comes in 63.8% more expensive on MSRP at $539 MSRP versus $329 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Ryzen 7 3700X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 15.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 7 3700X is also 61.9% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 42.1 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i9-11900KB makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-11900KB vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i9-11900KB

The Core i9-11900KB is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Maio 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,693 points. Launch price was $539.

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

Both the Core i9-11900KB and Ryzen 7 3700X share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i9-11900KB versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-11900KB (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-11900KB uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-11900KB scores 22,693 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i9-11900KB. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core i9-11900KB vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureCore i9-11900KBRyzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.9 GHz+11%
4.4 GHz
Base Clock
3.3 GHz
3.6 GHz+9%
L3 Cache
24 MB (total)
32 MB+33%
L2 Cache
1.25 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+40860%
Process
10 nm SuperFin
7 nm, 12 nm-30%
Architecture
Tiger Lake-H (2021)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark
22,693+1%
22,430
Cinebench R23 Multi
12,264
Geekbench 6 Multi
10,645
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-11900KB uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-11900KB) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Mobile (Core i9-11900KB) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

FeatureCore i9-11900KBRyzen 7 3700X
Socket
FCBGA1787
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
24+20%
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-11900KB) / not specified (Ryzen 7 3700X). The Core i9-11900KB includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the Ryzen 7 3700X requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureCore i9-11900KBRyzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-11900KB was priced at $539, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($539 vs $329), Ryzen 7 3700X was $210 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-11900KB delivers 42.1 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 47.3% better value option.

FeatureCore i9-11900KBRyzen 7 3700X
MSRP
$539
$329-39%
Performance per Dollar
42.1
68.2+62%
Release Date
2021
2019

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