Core i9-9900T vs Ryzen 5 3500X

Core i9-9900T vs Ryzen 5 3500X Performance Spectrum

Core i9-9900T

8 / 16

13,208

+0.3%

13,165

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

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 i9-9900T vs Ryzen 5 3500X 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 i9-9900T vs Ryzen 5 3500X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-9900T

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 31.2 vs 84.9 PassMark/$ ($423 MSRP vs $155 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 3500X

2019

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Costs $268 less on MSRP ($155 MSRP vs $423 MSRP).
✅Delivers 172.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 84.9 vs 31.2 PassMark/$ ($155 MSRP vs $423 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,165 vs 13,208).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9900T better than Ryzen 5 3500X?

Yes. Core i9-9900T is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-9900T is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.7% 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, Core i9-9900T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i9-9900T is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 3500X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-9900T comes in 172.9% more expensive on MSRP at $423 MSRP versus $155 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3500X is also 172.0% better value on MSRP (84.9 vs 31.2 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 3500X can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

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

Ryzen 5 3500X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 100% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 16 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-9900T vs Ryzen 5 3500X Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9900T

The Core i9-9900T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 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 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,208 points. Launch price was $439.

Ryzen 5 3500X

The Ryzen 5 3500X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 24 September 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). 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: 13,165 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-9900T packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3500X offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Core i9-9900T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-9900T versus 4.1 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3500X — a 7.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900T (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i9-9900T uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3500X uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900T scores 13,208 against the Ryzen 5 3500X's 13,165 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i9-9900T. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900T vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3500X.

Feature	Core i9-9900T	Ryzen 5 3500X
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 6
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+7%	4.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.6 GHz+71%
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+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 (2019−2020)
PassMark	13,208	13,165

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3500X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-9900T	Ryzen 5 3500X
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
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 i9-9900T was priced at $423, while the Ryzen 5 3500X came in at $155. On launch pricing ($423 vs $155), Ryzen 5 3500X was $268 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900T delivers 31.2 pts/$ vs 84.9 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3500X — making the Ryzen 5 3500X the 92.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-9900T	Ryzen 5 3500X
MSRP	$423	$155-63%
Performance per Dollar	31.2	84.9+172%
Release Date	2019	2019

Search Core i9-9900T on Amazon

Search Ryzen 5 3500X 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.