AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT vs Intel Core i9-9900T Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT and Intel Core i9-9900T are both 8-core, 16-thread desktop processors, but they are engineered for entirely different priorities. The Ryzen 7 3800XT is a high-frequency, unlocked part built on a modern 7 nm process, while the Core i9-9900T is a locked, ultra-low-power chip designed for efficiency. The benchmark data reveals a decisive performance gap, with the AMD part winning every head-to-head comparison, though the Intel chip's specifications tell a story of its own.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking discrepancy in the data appears in the Cinebench R15 multicore test, where the AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT scores 2230 against the Intel Core i9-9900T's 1117. This represents a delta of 99.6%, meaning the AMD processor is nearly twice as fast in this heavily threaded workload. Such a dramatic margin is not merely incremental; it indicates a fundamental difference in sustained multi-core capability, likely driven by the AMD part's higher 3.80 GHz base clock versus the Intel chip's 2.10 GHz base clock.

Single-core performance also favors AMD, though by a smaller margin. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ryzen 7 3800XT scores 219, which is 39.5% higher than the Core i9-9900T's 157. The gap narrows further in Geekbench single-core, where the AMD chip's 1773 beats the Intel chip's 1452 by 22.1%. These results suggest that while the Intel part's 4.40 GHz boost clock is respectable, it cannot fully compensate for architectural and process-node advantages held by the Ryzen 7 3800XT, which boosts to 4.70 GHz.

The Geekbench multicore result reinforces the pattern established by Cinebench. The Ryzen 7 3800XT's score of 8561 is 17.3% ahead of the Core i9-9900T's 7298. This is a substantial lead, though notably smaller than the 99.6% advantage seen in Cinebench R15. The difference between these two tests highlights how workload characteristics can influence relative performance; Cinebench R15 appears to be particularly sensitive to the AMD part's higher sustained clocks and larger cache.

The head-to-head data shows a clean sweep: the AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT wins all four compared benchmarks, with winsA equal to 4 and winsB equal to 0. There is no single test in the provided set where the Intel Core i9-9900T pulls ahead. The average benchmark scores also reflect this, with the AMD part averaging 3515 across all tests versus the Intel part's 3499. Both processors sit at the 55th percentile of all CPUs, but the Ryzen 7 3800XT's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E-2176G, which it trails by only 0.4%, while the Core i9-9900T's closest competitor is the same Xeon E-2176G, which it trails by 0.1%.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT is significantly faster. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 2230 compared to the Intel Core i9-9900T's 1117, a 99.6% advantage. In Geekbench multicore, the AMD chip leads 8561 to 7298, a 17.3% difference.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT wins both single-core benchmarks. It scores 219 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 157 for the Intel chip, a 39.5% lead. In Geekbench single-core, the AMD part scores 1773 against 1452, a 22.1% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core i9-9900T have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i9-9900T includes UHD Graphics 630. The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT has no integrated graphics listed in the data.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT has a TDP of 105 watts, while the Intel Core i9-9900T has a TDP of just 35 watts. This makes the Intel part far more power-efficient on paper.

Q: Which processor supports PCIe Gen 4?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT supports PCIe Gen 4. The Intel Core i9-9900T is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i9-9900T has a locked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT is the clear winner across every benchmark category present in the data. For users prioritizing raw compute performance, particularly in multi-threaded applications like video rendering, 3D modeling, or software compilation, the Ryzen 7 3800XT offers a massive advantage. Its 99.6% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore and 17.3% lead in Geekbench multicore indicate that it can handle heavily parallel workloads with far greater efficiency. The single-core results, with leads of 39.5% and 22.1%, also make it the better choice for everyday responsiveness and lightly threaded tasks.

The Intel Core i9-9900T, despite losing all benchmark comparisons, has a distinct domain where it wins: power consumption. Its 35-watt TDP is exactly one-third of the AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT's 105-watt TDP. This makes the Intel part a compelling option for small-form-factor builds, silent PCs, or systems where thermal output and energy draw are the primary constraints. The inclusion of UHD Graphics 630 also means the Intel chip can function without a discrete GPU, which is not possible with the AMD part. For a home server or a basic office PC where performance is secondary to quiet operation and low power draw, the Core i9-9900T's specification profile holds appeal.

However, it is critical to note that the benchmark results do not include any power efficiency or performance-per-watt metrics. The data only shows raw scores, and in every one of those, the AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT dominates. The Intel part's only "win" is in its specification sheet, not in any tested performance metric.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, while the Intel Core i9-9900T has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The TDP differs dramatically, with AMD at 105 watts and Intel at 35 watts.

The AMD chip uses an AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1151. The AMD part's process node is 7 nm, fabricated by TSMC, whereas the Intel part uses a 14 nm process from Intel. The die sizes also differ, with the AMD chip measuring 74 mm² and the Intel chip measuring 180.3 mm². The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT has 3,800 million transistors; no transistor count is listed for the Intel part.

Cache configurations are distinct as well. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the AMD chip has 512 KB of L2 cache per core, while the Intel chip has 256 KB per core. The L3 cache is 32 MB on the AMD part versus 16 MB (shared) on the Intel part. Memory bandwidth also favors AMD, with 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for Intel, though both support DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration. Neither supports ECC memory.

The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT supports PCIe Gen 4, while the Intel Core i9-9900T supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part has no integrated graphics, while the Intel part includes UHD Graphics 630. The AMD chip is unlocked, the Intel chip is locked. The production status also differs: AMD lists the Ryzen 7 3800XT as Active, while Intel lists the Core i9-9900T as End-of-life. The launch MSRP for the AMD chip is $399; the launch MSRP for the Intel chip is $423.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two CPUs is generational. The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT is built on the Zen 2 architecture, specifically under the codename Matisse 2, and belongs to the 3000 series. This architecture is fabricated on a 7 nm process node by TSMC. The Intel Core i9-9900T, by contrast, uses the Coffee Lake architecture with the codename Coffee Lake-R, built on a 14 nm process by Intel. This is a mature Intel node that offers lower transistor density compared to AMD's 7 nm process.

The core and thread counts are identical at 8 cores and 16 threads, but the underlying design philosophies differ. Zen 2 is a chiplet-based design, which allows AMD to fit 3,800 million transistors into a compact 74 mm² die. The Intel chip uses a monolithic design on a larger 180.3 mm² die. The cache hierarchy reflects these differences: AMD provides 512 KB of L2 per core and a 32 MB L3 cache, while Intel provides 256 KB of L2 per core and a 16 MB shared L3 cache. The larger cache on the AMD part likely contributes to its superior benchmark scores.

The feature sets also diverge. The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT supports PCIe Gen 4, offering double the bandwidth of the Intel chip's PCIe Gen 3. The Intel part compensates with integrated UHD Graphics 630, a feature absent from the AMD chip. The AMD chip's unlocked multiplier positions it for enthusiast overclocking, whereas the Intel chip's locked multiplier targets stable, low-power operation. The Intel part's 35-watt TDP is a defining architectural trait, enabling fanless or near-silent cooling solutions that the 105-watt AMD chip cannot match. These architectural choices explain why the AMD part excels in performance benchmarks while the Intel part remains relevant for power-constrained builds.