Intel Core i7-950 vs AMD FX-9590
The AMD FX-9590 is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 9%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.
| Specification | Intel Core i7-950 | AMD FX-9590 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 22/100 | 24/100 |
| Tier | F | F |
| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |
| Cores | 4 | 8 |
| Threads | 8 | 8 |
| Base clock | 3.1 GHz | 4.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3.3 GHz | 5 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 130 W | 220 W |
| Release year | 2009 | 2013 |
Which should you buy?
For gaming specifically, the AMD FX-9590 is the better buy — it holds a 9% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The AMD FX-9590 has more cores (8 vs 4), which helps if you stream, compile or render alongside playing. The Intel Core i7-950 runs 90W 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.