AMD Ryzen 9 3900 vs Intel Xeon w3-2535 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel Xeon w3-2535 has 10 cores and 20 threads. The AMD part leads in raw core count, but the Intel chip has a higher base and boost clock.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 has an average benchmark score of 47918, while the Intel Xeon w3-2535 scores 46653. The AMD part sits at the 90th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel chip is at the 89th percentile.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between these two?

A: The Intel Xeon w3-2535 supports DDR5 with a quad-channel memory bus and delivers 140.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and provides 51.2 GB/s. That is a substantial gap in raw memory throughput.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon w3-2535 supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 does not. This makes the Intel part more suitable for error-sensitive workstation workloads.

Q: How do the two compare in single-thread performance?

A: The Intel Xeon w3-2535 wins decisively in single-thread tests. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Intel chip scores 405 versus 197 for the AMD part, a 51.4% advantage. The PassMark single-thread score also favors Intel, 3447 versus 2604, a 24.5% lead.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Xeon w3-2535 has a TDP of 185 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 has a TDP of 65 watts. The Intel chip draws significantly more power, consistent with its higher clock speeds and workstation orientation.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 and Intel Xeon w3-2535 come from different architectural generations and target different market segments. The AMD part is a desktop processor from the 3000 series, built on the Zen 2 architecture with the codename Matisse. It uses a 7 nm process node fabricated by TSMC and packs 7,600 million transistors across a die size of 2x 74 mm². The Intel Xeon w3-2535 is a server/workstation processor from the Sapphire Rapids generation, built on a 10 nm process node fabricated by Intel.

The cache hierarchies differ substantially. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Intel Xeon w3-2535 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 26.25 MB of L3 cache. The AMD chip has more total L3 cache, while the Intel chip has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches.

Memory support is another major divergence. The AMD part uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus, while the Intel chip uses DDR5 with a quad-channel bus. The Intel part also supports ECC memory, a feature the AMD part lacks. PCIe connectivity likewise differs: the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 24 lanes, while the Intel Xeon w3-2535 offers PCIe Gen 5 with 64 lanes. The Intel chip also has integrated graphics listed as N/A, while the AMD part has none listed.

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the Intel Xeon w3-2535 is locked. The AMD part launched on 2019-09-23 with a launch MSRP of $499, while the Intel chip launched on 2024-08-23 with a launch MSRP of $739. The AMD part uses Socket AM4, while the Intel part uses Socket 4677.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a clear overall advantage for the Intel Xeon w3-2535, which wins 10 of the 13 benchmark comparisons. However, the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 claims three notable victories, and those wins are significant.

The largest win for the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 comes in PassMark data encryption, where it scores 26657 versus the Intel chip's 20931, a 27.4% advantage. This is a meaningful lead in a workload that relies on cryptographic operations. The AMD part also wins in PassMark find prime numbers, scoring 203 versus 148, a 37.2% lead. That is the biggest percentage difference in either direction across all tests. Finally, the AMD part takes PassMark random string sorting with a score of 44902 versus 43413, a 3.4% margin.

The Intel Xeon w3-2535 dominates the remaining tests, with its most pronounced victory in Cinebench R15 single-core. There, the Intel chip scores 405 versus the AMD part's 197, a 51.4% lead. This is an enormous gap in single-threaded performance, suggesting the Intel architecture has a strong per-core efficiency advantage. The Intel chip also wins PassMark floating point math with 83582 versus 56730, a 32.1% lead, and PassMark extended instructions with 34318 versus 26073, a 24% lead.

In multi-core workloads, the Intel Xeon w3-2535 leads despite having fewer cores. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel chip scores 2871 versus 2804, a 2.3% advantage. PassMark multithread shows the Intel chip at 33517 versus 30586, an 8.7% lead. The Intel part also wins PassMark integer math with 104596 versus 97698, a 6.6% margin, and PassMark physics with 1863 versus 1617, a 13.2% lead.

The closest contest is PassMark data compression, where the Intel chip scores 414399 versus 413887, a razor-thin 0.1% difference. The Intel Xeon w3-2535 also wins both PassMark single-thread and singlethread tests with identical scores of 3447 versus 2604, a 24.5% lead in each.

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a clear picture. The Intel Xeon w3-2535 is the stronger performer in the majority of tests, winning 10 of 13 head-to-head comparisons. Its advantages are most pronounced in single-threaded workloads, floating-point math, and extended instruction throughput. The Intel chip also delivers higher memory bandwidth (140.8 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s) and supports ECC memory, making it well-suited for workstation and server tasks that demand reliability and high data throughput.

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900, however, holds its own in specific areas. It wins in data encryption, prime number finding, and random string sorting. These are workloads that can benefit from the AMD chip's larger L3 cache and higher core count. The AMD part also has a significantly lower TDP of 65 watts versus 185 watts, which may matter in power-constrained environments.

For users who prioritize single-thread performance, floating-point math, or memory bandwidth, the Intel Xeon w3-2535 is the clear choice based on the recorded data. For workloads that involve encryption, prime number computation, or string sorting, the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 offers competitive or superior results. The AMD part also sits at a higher average benchmark score of 47918 versus 46653, and it holds the 90th percentile versus the Intel chip's 89th percentile.

The data also shows the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 is competitive with much newer processors, as its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X3D with a delta of 0%, the Intel Core Ultra 7 265T at 0.5%, and the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 at -0.5%. The Intel Xeon w3-2535, meanwhile, sits next to the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX at 0%, the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X at 0.4%, and the Intel Core i7-13700K at -0.5%.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 3900 | Intel Xeon w3-2535 |

|----------------|------------------|---------------------|

| Cores | 12 | 10 |

| Threads | 24 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.30 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 185 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket 4677 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | (Sapphire Rapids) |

| Codename | Matisse | Sapphire Rapids |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 7,600 million | (not listed) |

| Die Size | 2x 74 mm² | (not listed) |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 26.25 MB |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 140.8 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 24 Lanes | Gen 5, 64 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | N/A |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2019-09-23 | 2024-08-23 |

| Launch MSRP | $499 | $739 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | 100-000000070 | SRN4H |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900 wins in three benchmark categories: PassMark data encryption (26657 versus 20931, a 27.4% lead), PassMark find prime numbers (203 versus 148, a 37.2% lead), and PassMark random string sorting (44902 versus 43413, a 3.4% lead). These wins suggest the AMD architecture, with its larger L3 cache and higher core count, handles cryptographic workloads and certain algorithmic tasks more efficiently. The AMD part also has a lower TDP of 65 watts, making it more power-efficient in those workloads.

The Intel Xeon w3-2535 wins in the remaining 10 benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests, all PassMark math and physics tests, and both single-thread tests. Its most dominant wins are in Cinebench R15 single-core (405 versus 197, a 51.4% lead), PassMark floating point math (83582 versus 56730, a 32.1% lead), and PassMark extended instructions (34318 versus 26073, a 24% lead). The Intel chip also provides significantly higher memory bandwidth (140.8 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s) and supports ECC memory, making it the better fit for workstation tasks that depend on memory throughput and data integrity.

The overall win count is 10 for Intel and 3 for AMD. The Intel Xeon w3-2535 is the stronger all-around performer in the recorded data, but the AMD Ryzen 9 3900 remains competitive in specific, specialized workloads. Users should choose based on which benchmark categories align with their actual usage patterns.