AMD Ryzen 9 3900 vs Intel Core i7-13700KF Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 and Intel Core i7-13700KF represent two distinct eras of desktop computing, with the former built on AMD’s Zen 2 architecture and the latter on Intel’s Raptor Lake design. Benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap, with the Intel part winning 14 of 15 head-to-head comparisons, yet the AMD chip retains a single, notable victory in a specific workload. The following analysis breaks down the architectural differences, benchmark results, and practical implications based solely on the provided facts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700KF has 16 cores, while the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 has 12 cores. Both processors offer 24 threads, meaning the AMD chip relies more heavily on simultaneous multithreading to match the thread count.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Cinebench R15?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700KF scores 550 in Cinebench R15 single-core, compared to the AMD Ryzen 9 3900’s 197. This represents a 64.2% advantage for the Intel processor, as indicated by the deltaPct of -64.2 from AMD’s perspective.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 win any benchmark against the Intel chip?

A: Yes. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 wins the Passmark find prime numbers test, scoring 203 versus the Intel Core i7-13700KF’s 186. This is a 9.1% lead for AMD in that specific workload.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 has an average benchmark score of 47918, while the Intel Core i7-13700KF has an average score of 47330. Despite this, the Intel chip wins the vast majority of individual tests.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Core i7-13700KF supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, whereas the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 only supports DDR4. The Intel chip also supports ECC memory, which the AMD chip does not.

Q: What are the launch MSRP values for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 had a launch MSRP of $499. The Intel Core i7-13700KF had a launch MSRP of $384.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and manufacturing processes. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 uses the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Matisse, and is fabricated on a 7 nm process by TSMC. In contrast, the Intel Core i7-13700KF uses the Raptor Lake architecture, codenamed Raptor Lake-S, and is built on Intel’s 10 nm process. This process difference is significant, with AMD’s smaller node potentially contributing to its 65 W TDP, while the Intel chip has a 125 W TDP.

Core configurations differ substantially. The AMD chip has 12 cores and 24 threads, all based on the same Zen 2 design. The Intel chip has 16 cores and 24 threads, indicating a hybrid design with a mix of performance and efficiency cores, typical of Raptor Lake. Cache hierarchies also diverge. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 features 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a large 64 MB L3 cache. The Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and a smaller 30 MB shared L3 cache. The Intel chip’s larger per-core L2 cache may help with certain workloads, while AMD’s larger L3 cache is a notable advantage for others.

Memory support is another key differentiator. The AMD processor is limited to DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also with a dual-channel bus, though its memory bandwidth is not listed in the data. PCIe support also differs, with AMD offering Gen 4 with 24 lanes (CPU only) and Intel offering Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The Intel chip has a larger die size at 257 mm², while the AMD chip is composed of two 74 mm² dies, totaling 148 mm². The AMD chip has 7,600 million transistors, while the Intel chip’s transistor count is not provided. Both processors have unlocked multipliers, are for the desktop market, and are listed as active in production. The AMD chip uses the AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a comprehensive victory for the Intel Core i7-13700KF across nearly all tested workloads. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel chip scores 3901 against the AMD’s 2804, a 28.1% difference. The single-core gap is even more pronounced, with Intel’s 550 score dwarfing AMD’s 197, a 64.2% delta. This pattern continues in Geekbench, where Intel leads multicore with 18258 versus 10653 (41.7% ahead) and single-core with 2435 versus 1550 (36.3% ahead).

Passmark results show consistent Intel dominance. In data compression, Intel scores 596493 against AMD’s 413887, a 30.6% lead. Data encryption shows Intel ahead at 33314 versus 26657, a 20% difference. Extended instructions see Intel at 36700 versus 26073, a 29% lead. Floating point math is a particularly large win for Intel, with a score of 114997 versus AMD’s 56730, representing a 50.7% advantage. Integer math follows suit, with Intel at 154507 versus 97698, a 36.8% lead. The multithread test shows Intel at 45817 versus 30586, a 33.2% margin. Physics scores favor Intel at 2650 versus 1617, a 39% difference. Random string sorting sees Intel at 62726 versus 44902, a 28.4% lead. Finally, single-thread performance shows Intel at 4336 versus 2604, a 39.9% advantage, with identical results for both single-thread tests.

The sole exception to this trend is the Passmark find prime numbers test. Here, the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 scores 203, while the Intel Core i7-13700KF scores 186, giving AMD a 9.1% win. This is the only benchmark where AMD outperforms Intel, and it suggests that AMD’s architecture has a specific strength in this particular calculation, likely related to its cache hierarchy or core design. Despite this, the overall benchmark results are unequivocally in favor of Intel, which wins 14 of the 15 head-to-head comparisons.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the Intel Core i7-13700KF is the superior processor for the vast majority of workloads. It holds a commanding lead in single-core performance, essential for everyday tasks and many games, and it also dominates in multi-core scenarios, making it a better choice for productivity and content creation. The data shows Intel’s advantage ranges from 20% in data encryption to over 64% in Cinebench R15 single-core, with most tests showing a 30-40% lead. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900’s single victory in the find prime numbers test is noteworthy but does little to offset the overwhelming Intel advantage elsewhere.

The Intel chip’s higher average benchmark score, while slightly lower than AMD’s, is misleading because it is drawn from a broader set of tests that include the 3DMark results, which are only available for the Intel part. In direct head-to-head comparisons, Intel wins decisively. The Intel Core i7-13700KF is the clear choice for users who prioritize raw performance, whether in single-threaded applications like web browsing and office work or heavily threaded tasks like video rendering and 3D modeling. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900, while competitive in its specific niche, is a less compelling option given the data, unless the user’s primary workload is specifically the kind of prime number calculation where it excels.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several key specification fields. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 has 12 cores, while the Intel Core i7-13700KF has 16 cores. Both have 24 threads. The base clock for AMD is 3.10 GHz, while Intel’s is 3.40 GHz. The boost clock for AMD is 4.30 GHz, while Intel’s is 5.40 GHz. The TDP for AMD is 65 W, while Intel’s is 125 W. The AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM4, while the Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1700. The AMD chip has a 7 nm process node from TSMC, while the Intel chip has a 10 nm process node from Intel.

The cache configurations differ significantly. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, while the Intel chip has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 cache per core. The AMD chip has 64 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel chip has 30 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory support differs, with AMD supporting only DDR4 and Intel supporting both DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD chip has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while Intel’s memory bandwidth is not listed. ECC memory support is present on the Intel chip but not on the AMD chip. PCIe support differs, with AMD offering Gen 4 with 24 lanes and Intel offering Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The die size for AMD is 2x 74 mm², while Intel’s is 257 mm². The AMD chip has 7,600 million transistors, while Intel’s transistor count is not provided. The release dates differ, with AMD launching on 2019-09-23 and Intel on 2022-09-26.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-13700KF wins in nearly every measurable category, making it the default choice for most users. Its strengths are particularly pronounced in single-threaded performance, where it is 64.2% ahead in Cinebench R15 and 39.9% ahead in Passmark single-thread tests. This translates to snappier application responsiveness and better performance in lightly threaded games. In multi-threaded workloads, Intel also leads, with a 41.7% advantage in Geekbench multicore and a 33.2% lead in Passmark multithread. This makes the Intel chip ideal for video editing, 3D rendering, and software compilation, where the data shows a 50.7% advantage in floating-point math and a 36.8% lead in integer math.

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900’s single win is in the Passmark find prime numbers test, where it scores 203 versus Intel’s 186. This 9.1% lead suggests that AMD’s architecture handles this specific type of integer calculation more efficiently. For users whose primary workload involves similar mathematical operations, the AMD chip may offer a subtle advantage. However, this is a narrow niche, and the data shows Intel is ahead in all other tested areas. The AMD chip also has a 64 MB L3 cache, which is larger than Intel’s 30 MB, potentially benefiting workloads that rely heavily on cached data, though this advantage does not manifest in the benchmark results provided. Ultimately, the Intel Core i7-13700KF is the winner for general-purpose computing and demanding tasks, while the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 is only preferable for the specific prime number workload where it excels.