CPU
GPU
Core i9-9900T
Ryzen 5 3500X
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 i9-9900T
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 3500X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-9900T | Ryzen 5 3500X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($215) | ✅ More affordable ($171) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Matisse (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-9900T | Ryzen 5 3500X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+25%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($215) | ✅ More affordable ($171) |
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 i9-9900T and Ryzen 5 3500X
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 | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 24 |
Value Analysis
The Core i9-9900T launched at $423 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 3500X debuted at $155. At current prices ($215 vs $171), the Ryzen 5 3500X is $44 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900T delivers 61.4 pts/$ vs 77.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3500X — making the Ryzen 5 3500X the 22.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i9-9900T | Ryzen 5 3500X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $423 | $155-63% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $215 | $171-20% |
| Performance per Dollar | 61.4 | 77.0+25% |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2019 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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