AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs Intel Core i9-11900T Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X and Intel Core i9-11900T are both desktop processors, but they embody opposite design philosophies. The Ryzen 9 3950X is a 16-core, 32-thread Zen 2 part from AMD's 3000 series, while the Core i9-11900T is an 8-core, 16-thread Rocket Lake chip from Intel's 11th generation. The database records a 2-2 split in their head-to-head benchmark wins, but the nature of those wins reveals a clear division of labor: the AMD dominates multi-threaded workloads, while the Intel takes single-threaded performance. Their aggregate scores are close, with the AMD averaging 4807 and the Intel 4685, and percentiles of 59 and 58 respectively, yet the underlying performance profiles could hardly be more different.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The four direct comparisons in the database tell a consistent story. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X scores 4002 against the Intel's 1572, a delta of 154.6% in favor of AMD. That is more than double the Intel's output, a gap that reflects the AMD's 16 cores versus 8. In Geekbench multicore, the AMD again wins decisively, scoring 12088 to the Intel's 8257, a 46.4% advantage. These are not marginal leads; they are the kind of margins that change workflow decisions for rendering, compilation, or any heavily threaded task.

The single-threaded results flip the picture. In Cinebench R15 singlecore, the Intel scores 221 against the AMD's 209, a modest 5.4% edge. In Geekbench singlecore, the Intel's advantage is far larger: 2157 versus 1454, a 32.6% lead for Intel. The discrepancy between the two single-thread tests is notable. Cinebench R15 shows a small Intel win, while Geekbench shows a substantial one. This suggests that the Intel's higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz (versus 4.70 GHz) and its newer architecture help in certain single-threaded scenarios, but the effect is workload-dependent.

The database also records additional benchmarks for each processor that do not overlap. The AMD has 3DMark scores for 2, 4, 8, 16, and max threads, ranging from 1436 to 10719. The Intel has Cinebench R20 and R23 results, with multicore scores of 6550 and 15596, and singlecore scores of 924 and 2201. Since these tests are not shared, they cannot be compared directly, but they reinforce the pattern: the AMD's multi-threaded scores are consistently high, while the Intel's single-threaded scores are strong.

Looking at the nearest rivals in the database provides context. The AMD's closest competitor is the Intel Xeon E-2386G, with an average score of 4799 and a delta of 0.2%, meaning the AMD is essentially tied with that Xeon. The Intel's nearest rival is the Core i9-10900F, with an average of 4664 and a delta of 0.5%. Both processors sit in a similar overall performance tier, but their strengths are polarized.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i9-11900T has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The AMD has a TDP of 105W, the Intel has a TDP of 35W.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900T includes UHD Graphics 750, while the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel boosts to 4.90 GHz, the AMD to 4.70 GHz.

Q: Which has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD has 64 MB of L3 cache, the Intel has 16 MB.

Q: What is the production status?

A: The AMD is listed as Active, the Intel as End-of-life.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear split. For multi-threaded workloads, the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X is the superior choice. Its 154.6% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore and 46.4% lead in Geekbench multicore are decisive. For single-threaded tasks, the Intel Core i9-11900T wins, with a 5.4% edge in Cinebench R15 singlecore and a 32.6% edge in Geekbench singlecore. The Intel also offers integrated graphics and a much lower TDP of 35W, making it suitable for compact or low-power systems where a discrete GPU is not needed. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, and is still in active production, while the Intel is end-of-life. The launch MSRP for the AMD is $749, and for the Intel it is $439. Users who prioritize raw multi-threaded performance should choose the AMD; those who need single-threaded speed, integrated graphics, or minimal power draw should choose the Intel.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification. The table below lists the fields where they diverge.

| Field | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X | Intel Core i9-11900T |

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

| Cores | 16 | 8 |

| Threads | 32 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 1500.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.90 GHz |

| TDP | 105 W | 35 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | Intel Socket 1200 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Rocket Lake |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 2x 74 mm² | 276 mm² |

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

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 16 MB (shared) |

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

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 750 |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2019-11-24 | 2021-03-15 |

| Launch MSRP | $749 | $439 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | 100-000000051100-100000051WOF | SRKNQ |

Memory support, memory bus, memory bandwidth, and ECC support are identical: both use DDR4, dual-channel, 51.2 GB/s, and no ECC.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is fundamental. The AMD uses Zen 2 on a 7nm process from TSMC, with a chiplet design that results in a die size of 2x 74 mm². The Intel uses Rocket Lake on a 14nm process from Intel, with a monolithic 276 mm² die. The AMD's 16 cores and 32 threads are double the Intel's 8 cores and 16 threads. The AMD also has a much larger L3 cache at 64 MB, compared to the Intel's 16 MB. The Intel compensates with a higher boost clock of 4.90 GHz and a larger L1 cache per core (80 KB versus 64 KB). The Intel includes integrated UHD Graphics 750, while the AMD has none. The AMD supports PCIe Gen 4 with 24 lanes, the Intel with 20 lanes. The AMD has an unlocked multiplier, the Intel is locked. The AMD is from 2019 and still active, the Intel from 2021 and end-of-life. These differences explain the benchmark results: the AMD's core count and cache size drive its multi-threaded dominance, while the Intel's higher clock speed and newer core design give it a single-thread edge, despite the older 14nm node.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark wins split cleanly by workload type. The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X wins in multi-threaded tests: Cinebench R15 multicore and Geekbench multicore. The Intel Core i9-11900T wins in single-threaded tests: Cinebench R15 singlecore and Geekbench singlecore. Beyond the head-to-head, the Intel wins on power efficiency, with a 35W TDP versus 105W, and on integrated graphics, which the AMD lacks. The AMD wins on core count, cache size, overclocking capability, and production status. The AMD also has a slightly higher average benchmark score (4807 versus 4685) and a higher percentile (59 versus 58). For users running heavily threaded applications, the AMD is the clear pick. For users who need fast single-threaded response, low power draw, or a built-in GPU, the Intel is the better fit. The data does not show a single overall winner; it shows two specialized tools for different jobs.