AMD Ryzen 9 3900X vs Intel Core i5-10600K
The Intel Core i5-10600K is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 3%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.
| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 3900X | Intel Core i5-10600K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 61/100 | 63/100 |
| Tier | C | B |
| Manufacturer | AMD | Intel |
| Cores | 12 | 6 |
| Threads | 24 | 12 |
| Base clock | 3.8 GHz | 4.1 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.6 GHz | 4.8 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 105 W | 125 W |
| Release year | 2019 | 2020 |
Which should you buy?
For gaming specifically, the Intel Core i5-10600K is the better buy — it holds a 3% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X has more cores (12 vs 6), which helps if you stream, compile or render alongside playing. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X runs 20W cooler, meaning a cheaper cooler and less case heat. Either way, pair it with a graphics card of similar standing — check the bottleneck calculator before you buy.