AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i9-10900E Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X and Intel Core i9-10900E represent two different philosophies for high-end desktop computing. The Ryzen 9 3950X leverages a massive 16-core, 32-thread configuration built on a modern 7nm process, while the Core i9-10900E offers a more modest 10-core, 20-thread design on Intel’s mature 14nm node. Benchmark results reveal a clear split: the AMD part dominates heavily in multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel part consistently edges out a win in single-threaded tests. The data shows a fascinating contrast between raw core count and per-core efficiency, with each processor claiming two victories in the head-to-head comparison.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head data is the multi-core Cinebench R15 score. The Ryzen 9 3950X scores 4002, while the Core i9-10900E manages only 1622. This translates to a massive 146.7% delta in favor of AMD. This is not a marginal advantage; it is a near-tripling of the Intel part’s output. For workloads that scale with core count—think rendering, video encoding, or scientific simulation—this single metric shows the Ryzen 9 3950X is in a completely different performance class.

The Geekbench multi-core test reinforces this trend, though with a smaller gap. The Ryzen 9 3950X scores 12088, against the Intel’s 8162, a 48.1% advantage. While not as extreme as the Cinebench delta, it still represents a decisive win for the AMD processor. This pattern suggests that the Ryzen’s 16 cores and 32 threads provide a substantial throughput advantage over the Intel’s 10 cores and 20 threads in almost any parallel workload.

However, the story flips when examining single-threaded performance. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Core i9-10900E scores 228, beating the Ryzen 9 3950X’s 209, a -8.3% delta. Similarly, in Geekbench single-core, the Intel part scores 1575 versus the AMD’s 1454, a -7.7% delta. These wins are consistent and show that Intel’s Comet Lake architecture maintains a lead when only one core is active. This is likely due to higher sustained clock speeds on a single core and lower latency in the older but refined architecture.

The head-to-head table shows a 2-2 split in wins, but the magnitude of the victories matters more than the count. The AMD wins are decisive and large, while the Intel wins are narrow. For example, the 146.7% multi-core win for AMD dwarfs the 8.3% single-core win for Intel. Benchmark results indicate that if a workload is even partially multi-threaded, the Ryzen 9 3950X will pull ahead rapidly. The Intel part only wins in purely single-threaded scenarios, where its higher single-core score gives it a slight edge.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental difference lies in the manufacturing process and core topology. The Ryzen 9 3950X uses a 7 nm process from TSMC, while the Core i9-10900E is built on Intel’s 14 nm node. This two-generation process gap allows AMD to pack significantly more transistors—7,600 million—into a smaller physical footprint. The Ryzen’s die size is listed as 2x 74 mm², while the Intel part’s die is a monolithic 206 mm². This chiplet design for AMD uses two separate dies, each with its own memory controller and cache, communicating via an Infinity Fabric.

The core configurations differ significantly. The Ryzen 9 3950X features 16 cores and 32 threads based on the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Matisse. The Core i9-10900E features 10 cores and 20 threads based on the older Comet Lake architecture. Cache configurations also differ. The Ryzen has a larger L3 cache of 64 MB, while the Intel part has 20 MB shared. The L2 cache is also different: 512 KB per core on AMD versus 256 KB per core on Intel. The L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core. This larger cache hierarchy on the AMD part likely contributes to its multi-threaded performance advantage, as it can keep more data closer to the cores.

Memory bandwidth also favors AMD. The Ryzen 9 3950X supports a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Intel part supports 46.9 GB/s. Both support dual-channel DDR4 memory. PCIe capabilities are another major divergence. The Ryzen supports PCIe Gen 4 with 24 lanes, while the Intel part is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This gives the AMD platform a substantial advantage for high-speed storage and future graphics cards. The Intel part, however, includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, while the Ryzen 9 3950X has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is significantly faster. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 4002 versus the Intel’s 1622, a 146.7% advantage. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 12088 versus 8162, a 48.1% advantage.

Q: Which processor wins in single-threaded tests?

A: The Intel Core i9-10900E wins both single-threaded tests. It scores 228 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus the AMD’s 209, and 1575 in Geekbench single-core versus the AMD’s 1454.

Q: Do these processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The Intel Core i9-10900E includes UHD Graphics 630, but the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X does not have any integrated graphics.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X has 16 cores and 32 threads. The Intel Core i9-10900E has 10 cores and 20 threads.

Q: What is the process node for each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is fabricated on a 7 nm process. The Intel Core i9-10900E uses a 14 nm process.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X has an average benchmark score of 4807, while the Intel Core i9-10900E has an average score of 4708.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Ryzen 9 3950X offers 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Core i9-10900E offers 10 cores and 20 threads. The base clock differs significantly: the AMD part runs at 3.50 GHz, while the Intel part runs at 2.80 GHz. Both have the same boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The TDP is notably different, with the AMD part rated at 105 W and the Intel part at 65 W. The sockets are incompatible: AMD uses Socket AM4, while Intel uses Socket 1200.

The cache hierarchy is different. The Ryzen 9 3950X has 512 KB of L2 cache per core and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Core i9-10900E has 256 KB of L2 cache per core and 20 MB of L3 cache. Memory bandwidth favors AMD at 51.2 GB/s versus Intel’s 46.9 GB/s. The PCIe support is also different: AMD supports PCIe Gen 4 with 24 lanes, while Intel supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The AMD part is unlocked for overclocking, while the Intel part is locked. The die size also differs: 2x 74 mm² for AMD versus 206 mm² for Intel. The release dates are different, with the AMD launching in November 2019 and the Intel in April 2020.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice for users who prioritize multi-threaded performance: the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X. Its 146.7% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 48.1% lead in Geekbench multi-core are overwhelming. For rendering, compiling, or any parallel task, the Ryzen 9 3950X is the superior processor. The 16 cores and 32 threads, combined with a larger 64 MB L3 cache and faster 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, provide a decisive throughput advantage. The higher TDP of 105 W reflects the additional power draw required for this performance, but the benchmark results justify the trade-off for compute-heavy workloads.

The Intel Core i9-10900E is the better choice for workloads that are strictly single-threaded. Its wins in Cinebench R15 single-core (228 vs 209) and Geekbench single-core (1575 vs 1454) are consistent, though narrow. The 65 W TDP is also notably lower, which could be a factor for systems with tight thermal or power constraints. Additionally, the inclusion of integrated graphics makes the Intel part a more flexible option for basic systems without a discrete GPU. The Intel part is also more recent, launching in April 2020 versus November 2019 for the AMD.

The average benchmark scores place the Ryzen 9 3950X slightly ahead at 4807 versus 4708 for the Intel part. Both processors sit at the 59th percentile when compared to all CPUs. The nearest rivals for the AMD part are the Intel Xeon E-2386G and AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS, with deltas of 0.2% and -0.4% respectively. The Intel part’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-11900T and Core i9-9900KS, with deltas of 0.5% and -0.6%. This indicates that while both parts are competitive in their respective niches, the AMD processor offers a larger performance envelope in the multi-threaded domain.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X wins decisively in all multi-threaded benchmarks. The Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 4002 versus 1622 is the single largest gap in the data. This suggests that the AMD part is the clear winner for video editing, 3D rendering, software compilation, and other heavily parallel tasks. The Geekbench multi-core score of 12088 versus 8162 reinforces this. The larger L3 cache and higher memory bandwidth likely contribute to this sustained performance in long-running workloads. The AMD part also wins on platform features, offering PCIe Gen 4 support, which the Intel part lacks.

The Intel Core i9-10900E wins in both single-threaded tests, but only by a small margin. The Cinebench R15 single-core score of 228 versus 209 is an 8.3% advantage, and the Geekbench single-core score of 1575 versus 1454 is a 7.7% advantage. This makes the Intel part the better choice for legacy applications, certain games that rely on a single primary thread, or any workload that cannot utilize multiple cores. The lower 65 W TDP and integrated graphics also make it a more energy-efficient and self-contained option for basic desktop systems. The data shows that for users who already have a discrete GPU and need maximum parallel compute, the Ryzen 9 3950X is the superior choice. For users with limited power budgets or those who need integrated graphics, the Core i9-10900E has its own distinct advantages.