Core i9-9900K vs Ryzen 7 3700X

CPU

GPU

Core i9-9900K

8 Cores16 Thrd95 WWMax: 5 GHz2018

Similar parts

·······

Buy on Amazon

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019

Ryzen family

·······

Buy on Amazon

Core i9-9900K vs Ryzen 7 3700X Performance Spectrum

Core i9-9900K

8 / 16

18,109

0.0%

22,430

+23.9%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen 9 9900X3D

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 i9-9900K 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 i9-9900K 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 i9-9900K

2018

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 7 3700X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (18,109 vs 22,430).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.1 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($488 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

✅+23.9% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $159 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $488 MSRP).
✅Delivers 83.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 37.1 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $488 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-9900K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Core i9-9900K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-9900K is ahead with a 1.9% 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 23.9% better PassMark. Ryzen 7 3700X also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 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 23.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 7 3700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in $159 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $488 MSRP, and it still gives you 23.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-9900K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 83.7% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 37.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 7 3700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018), 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB), 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 i9-9900K vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9900K

The Core i9-9900K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 18,109 points. Launch price was $488.

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 i9-9900K and Ryzen 7 3700X share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900K versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-9900K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900K scores 18,109 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 21.3% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900K vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

Feature	Core i9-9900K	Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz+14%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	32 MB+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Matisse (Zen 2) (2019−2020)
PassMark	18,109	22,430+24%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900K uses the LGA1151 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 DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-9900K versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 3700X — the Ryzen 7 3700X supports 20% 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 i9-9900K) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 3700X) — the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i9-9900K) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 7 3700X).

Feature	Core i9-9900K	Ryzen 7 3700X
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

🔧

Advanced Features

The Core i9-9900K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 7 3700X requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i9-9900K	Ryzen 7 3700X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 630	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9900K was priced at $488, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($488 vs $329), Ryzen 7 3700X was $159 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900K delivers 37.1 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 59% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-9900K	Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP	$488	$329-33%
Performance per Dollar	37.1	68.2+84%
Release Date	2018	2019

Search Core i9-9900K on Amazon

Search Ryzen 7 3700X on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.