AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i5-1350P Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X and Intel Core i5-1350P occupy the same percentile rank (59th) among all CPUs, yet their benchmark profiles could not be more different. The data presents a stark contrast: the Ryzen 9 3950X is a desktop-focused, 16-core powerhouse, while the Core i5-1350P is a mobile-oriented, 12-core processor with a hybrid architecture. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical—4807 for the AMD part and 4776 for the Intel part, a mere 0.6% difference—but the head-to-head results reveal two distinct performance philosophies. The Ryzen 9 3950X dominates multi-threaded workloads, while the Core i5-1350P counters with superior single-thread performance. This is not a story of one chip being "better," but rather of two very different engineering solutions landing at the same overall performance tier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only two benchmarks shared between these processors are the Cinebench R15 tests, and they paint a clear picture of each chip's strength. In the multi-core test, the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X scores 4002, which is a massive 140.5% ahead of the Intel Core i5-1350P's 1664. That is not an incremental lead; it is a complete rout. The Ryzen 9 3950X's 16 cores and 32 threads simply overwhelm the Core i5-1350P's 12 cores and 16 threads in a fully threaded workload. This result aligns with the broader benchmark data, where the Ryzen 9 3950X shows a multi-core capability that is in a different league.

The single-core story inverts completely. The Intel Core i5-1350P scores 234 in Cinebench R15 single-core, which is 10.7% ahead of the Ryzen 9 3950X's 209. While a 10.7% lead is significant, it is far smaller than the 140.5% advantage the AMD chip holds in multi-core. The data suggests that the Core i5-1350P's higher single-thread efficiency comes from its newer Raptor Lake architecture and higher base clock (1900 MHz compared to 3.50 GHz), though the boost clocks are identical at 4.70 GHz. The Ryzen 9 3950X's single-core deficit is a notable weakness, but it is a minor one compared to the multi-core gulf.

The average benchmark scores from their respective nearestRivals lists reinforce this split. The Ryzen 9 3950X's average score of 4807 places it just 0.2% above the Intel Xeon E-2386G (4799) and 0.6% above the Core i5-1350P itself. The Core i5-1350P's average of 4776 is essentially tied with the Intel Xeon W-1290E (4775) and the AMD EPYC 7252 (4772). In other words, both processors sit in a very tight performance cluster, but they achieve that parity through entirely different means—one through raw core count, the other through architectural efficiency.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is the undisputed champion of heavily threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 4002 dwarfs the Core i5-1350P's 1664, and its additional benchmark results support this dominance. In Geekbench multi-core, the Ryzen 9 3950X scores 12088, while in 3DMark 16-thread and max-thread tests, it hits 9338 and 10719 respectively. Conversely, the Core i5-1350P offers no Cinebench R20 or R23 multi-core scores in the shared data, but its single-core results are where it shines. Beyond the Cinebench R15 single-core win, the Core i5-1350P shows strength in lightly threaded scenarios, which is typical for a mobile chip designed to balance power efficiency with responsiveness.

For content creators running video renders, 3D simulations, or code compilation, the Ryzen 9 3950X is the obvious choice. The data shows a 140.5% multi-core advantage, which translates to significantly shorter render times. For everyday desktop use, office productivity, or light gaming, the Core i5-1350P's 10.7% single-core lead is more relevant, as most interactions are single-threaded. The Core i5-1350P also benefits from its integrated Iris Xe Graphics 80EU, which is absent on the Ryzen 9 3950X, making it a viable option for systems without a discrete GPU. The Ryzen 9 3950X requires a separate graphics card, which is a hardware consideration that the benchmark data alone cannot capture.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is fundamental. The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is built on TSMC's 7 nm process node, while the Intel Core i5-1350P uses Intel's 10 nm process. The Ryzen 9 3950X packs 7,600 million transistors across two 74 mm² dies, whereas the Core i5-1350P's transistor count and die size are not specified. The core layouts differ significantly: the Ryzen 9 3950X has 16 cores and 32 threads, all based on the Zen 2 (Matisse) architecture, while the Core i5-1350P uses the newer Raptor Lake (Raptor Lake-P) design with 12 cores and 16 threads, which implies a hybrid arrangement of performance and efficiency cores.

Cache configurations also tell a story. The Ryzen 9 3950X has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a large 64 MB L3 cache. The Core i5-1350P has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and only 12 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen 9 3950X's massive L3 cache is a direct result of its chiplet design, where two 74 mm² dies are connected, each contributing to the total. The Core i5-1350P's smaller L3 is typical of a mobile processor aiming for lower power consumption. The TDP differential is stark: the Ryzen 9 3950X has a 105 W TDP, while the Core i5-1350P is rated at 28 W. This is the clearest indicator of their intended environments—desktop versus laptop.

Memory support differs as well. The Ryzen 9 3950X supports only DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Core i5-1350P supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, though its memory bandwidth is not listed. Neither processor supports ECC memory. In terms of PCIe, the Ryzen 9 3950X offers Gen 4 with 24 lanes, while the Core i5-1350P offers Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The Ryzen 9 3950X has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the Core i5-1350P is locked. The sockets are incompatible: AM4 for the AMD part and BGA 1744 for the Intel part, meaning the Core i5-1350P is soldered to the motherboard.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: choose the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X for multi-threaded performance and the Intel Core i5-1350P for single-threaded efficiency and mobile use. The Ryzen 9 3950X's 140.5% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core is the single most decisive metric in this comparison. If your workload scales with core count—rendering, encoding, scientific computing—the Ryzen 9 3950X is the only rational choice. Its 16 cores and 32 threads provide a level of parallel processing that the Core i5-1350P cannot match, and its 64 MB L3 cache supports that throughput.

The Core i5-1350P, however, is not a weak chip. Its 10.7% single-core advantage in Cinebench R15 suggests snappier everyday performance, and its 28 W TDP makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where the Ryzen 9 3950X's 105 W TDP would be impractical. The Core i5-1350P also brings integrated graphics, a feature the Ryzen 9 3950X lacks, making it a self-contained solution for basic computing. The fact that both chips sit at the 59th percentile overall, with average scores within 0.6% of each other, underscores that they are peers in aggregate performance—just optimized for opposite ends of the workload spectrum. The Ryzen 9 3950X is a desktop workhorse; the Core i5-1350P is a mobile all-rounder.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X scores 4002 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, which is 140.5% higher than the Intel Core i5-1350P's 1664.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-1350P win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-1350P wins the Cinebench R15 single-core test with a score of 234, which is 10.7% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X's 209.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i5-1350P has 12 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X has a 64 MB L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-1350P has a 12 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: Are both processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X and the Intel Core i5-1350P are in the 59th percentile among all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 4807 and 4776, respectively.

Q: Do these processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X supports only DDR4, while the Intel Core i5-1350P supports both DDR4 and DDR5.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | Intel Core i5-1350P |

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

| Cores | 16 | 12 |

| Threads | 32 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 1900 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 105 W | 28 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Raptor Lake |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not specified |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 24 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | $749 | $320 |