Core i9-9900KS vs Ryzen 7 3700X

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

Core i9-9900KS

8 / 16

19,397

0.0%

22,430

+15.6%

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 i9-9900KS 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 i9-9900KS 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 i9-9900KS

2019

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,397 vs 22,430).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.8 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($513 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).
❌95.4% higher power demand at 127W vs 65W.

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $184 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Delivers 80.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 37.8 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $513 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 127W, a 62W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

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

Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 15.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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 15.6% 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 $184 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $513 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 80.3% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 37.8 PassMark/$), 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 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 i9-9900KS vs Ryzen 7 3700X Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9900KS

The Core i9-9900KS is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 127 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,397 points. Launch price was $513.

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 i9-9900KS and Ryzen 7 3700X share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900KS versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900KS (base: 4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-9900KS 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 i9-9900KS scores 19,397 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 — a 14.5% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900KS vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Ryzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5 GHz+14%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+11%	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	32 MB+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (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	19,397	22,430+16%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900KS uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Ryzen 7 3700X
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	24

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9900KS was priced at $513, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($513 vs $329), Ryzen 7 3700X was $184 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900KS delivers 37.8 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X — making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 57.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-9900KS	Ryzen 7 3700X
MSRP	$513	$329-36%
Performance per Dollar	37.8	68.2+80%
Release Date	2019	2019

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