Core i9-13900KS vs Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

Intel

Core i9-13900KS

24 Cores32 Thrd150 WWMax: 5.8 GHz2023
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

16 Cores32 Thrd55 WWMax: 5.4 GHz2025
Ryzen family
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Core i9-13900KS vs Ryzen 9 9955HX3D 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 i9-13900KS vs Ryzen 9 9955HX3D 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 i9-13900KS vs Ryzen 9 9955HX3D: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-13900KS

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +6.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $50 less on MSRP ($699 MSRP vs $749 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (60,543 vs 61,578).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 128 MB).
  • 172.7% higher power demand at 150W vs 55W.

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

2025

Why buy it

  • +1.7% higher PassMark.
  • +255.6% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 36 MB).
  • Draws 55W instead of 150W, a 95W reduction.
  • 40% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-13900KS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 7.2% HIGHER MSRP
    $749 MSRPvs$699 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 9955HX3D better than Core i9-13900KS?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-13900KS is ahead with a 6.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 9955HX3D pulls ahead with 1.7% better PassMark. Ryzen 9 9955HX3D also has the bigger cache pool with 255.6% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 36 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 255.6% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 36 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is still the faster CPU overall, but Core i9-13900KS is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Ryzen 9 9955HX3D comes in 7.2% more expensive on MSRP at $749 MSRP versus $699 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-13900KS is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-13900KS is also 5.4% better value on MSRP (86.6 vs 82.2 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 9 9955HX3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2023), 255.6% larger total L3 cache (128 MB vs 36 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 24/32. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-13900KS vs Ryzen 9 9955HX3D Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i9-13900KS

The Core i9-13900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.8 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5600, DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 60,543 points. Launch price was $699.

AMD

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

The Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2025-01-01. It is based on the Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 128 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FL1. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 61,578 points. Launch price was $700.

Processing Power

The Core i9-13900KS packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Core i9-13900KS has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.8 GHz on the Core i9-13900KS versus 5.4 GHz on the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-13900KS (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i9-13900KS uses the Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D uses Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13900KS scores 60,543 against the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D's 61,578 — a 1.7% lead for the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13900KS vs 128 MB (total) on the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D.

FeatureCore i9-13900KSRyzen 9 9955HX3D
Cores / Threads
24 / 32+50%
16 / 32
Boost Clock
5.8 GHz+7%
5.4 GHz
Base Clock
3.2 GHz+28%
2.5 GHz
L3 Cache
36 MB (total)
128 MB (total)+256%
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)+100%
1 MB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
4 nm-43%
Architecture
Raptor Lake-S (2023−2024)
Fire Range-HX (Zen 5) (2025)
PassMark
60,543
61,578+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi
40,998
Geekbench 6 Single
3,123
Geekbench 6 Multi
21,421
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13900KS uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D uses FL1 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR5-5600 memory speed. The Core i9-13900KS supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 96 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-13900KS) vs 28 (Ryzen 9 9955HX3D) — the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Z790,B760 (Core i9-13900KS) and FL1 (Ryzen 9 9955HX3D).

FeatureCore i9-13900KSRyzen 9 9955HX3D
Socket
LGA1700
FL1
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-5600
5600
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB+100%
96 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
28+40%
🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: true (Core i9-13900KS) vs VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V (Ryzen 9 9955HX3D). Both include integrated graphics Intel UHD Graphics 770 (Core i9-13900KS) and AMD Radeon 610M (Ryzen 9 9955HX3D) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i9-13900KS rivals Ryzen 9 7950X; Ryzen 9 9955HX3D rivals Core Ultra 9 185H.

FeatureCore i9-13900KSRyzen 9 9955HX3D
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics 770
AMD Radeon 610M
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
true
VT-x, VT-d, AMD-V
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-13900KS was priced at $699, while the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D came in at $749. On launch pricing ($699 vs $749), Core i9-13900KS was $50 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-13900KS delivers 86.6 pts/$ vs 82.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D — making the Core i9-13900KS the 5.2% better value option.

FeatureCore i9-13900KSRyzen 9 9955HX3D
MSRP
$699-7%
$749
Performance per Dollar
86.6+5%
82.2
Release Date
2023
2025

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