CPU
GPU
Core i9-9900KS
Popular choices:
Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-9900KS
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-9900KS | Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($350) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($384) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) / 5 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-9900KS | Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+61%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($350) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($384) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-9900KS and Ryzen 7 7800X3D
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 7800X3D
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 34,293 points. Launch price was $449.
Processing Power
Both the Core i9-9900KS and Ryzen 7 7800X3D share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900KS versus 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — identical boost frequencies (base: 4 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core i9-9900KS uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900KS scores 19,397 against the Ryzen 7 7800X3D's 34,293 — a 55.5% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900KS vs 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
| Feature | Core i9-9900KS | Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16 | 8 / 16 |
| Boost Clock | 5 GHz | 5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4 GHz | 4.4 GHz+10% |
| L3 Cache | 16 MB (total) | 96 MB (total)+500% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 1 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 14 nm | 5 nm-64% |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) | Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) |
| PassMark | 19,397 | 34,293+77% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 18,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,700 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 15,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-9900KS uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i9-9900KS | Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | AM5 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR5-5200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 28 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-9900KS) / AMD-V (Ryzen 7 7800X3D). The Ryzen 7 7800X3D includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)), while the Core i9-9900KS requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 7800X3D targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 7800X3D rivals Intel Core i7-14700K.
| Feature | Core i9-9900KS | Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core) |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | Yes |
| Virtualization | — | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Gaming |
Value Analysis
The Core i9-9900KS launched at $513 MSRP, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D debuted at $449. At current prices ($350 vs $384), the Core i9-9900KS is $34 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900KS delivers 55.4 pts/$ vs 89.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — making the Ryzen 7 7800X3D the 46.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i9-9900KS | Ryzen 7 7800X3D |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $513 | $449-12% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $350-9% | $384 |
| Performance per Dollar | 55.4 | 89.3+61% |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2023 |
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