AMD Ryzen 9 5900X or AMD Ryzen 9 3900X - which processor is faster? In this comparison we look at the differences and analyze which of these two CPUs is better. We compare the technical data and benchmark results.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X has 12 cores with 24 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 4.80 GHz. Up to 128 GB of memory is supported in 2 memory channels. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X was released in Q4/2020.
The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X has 12 cores with 24 threads and clocks with a maximum frequency of 4.60 GHz. The CPU supports up to 128 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X was released in Q3/2019.
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is a 12 core processor with a clock frequency of 3.70 GHz (4.80 GHz). The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X has 12 CPU cores with a clock frequency of 3.80 GHz (4.60 GHz).
Processors with the support of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can process many calculations, especially audio, image and video processing, much faster than classic processors. Algorithms for ML improve their performance the more data they have collected via software. ML tasks can be processed up to 10,000 times faster than with a classic processor.
The integrated graphics unit of a processor is not only responsible for the pure image output on the system, but can also significantly increase the efficiency of the system with the support of modern video codecs.
no iGPU
GPU
no iGPU
GPU frequency
--
--
GPU (Turbo)
--
--
GPU Generation
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Technology
Max. displays
--
Compute units
--
--
Shader
--
No
Hardware Raytracing
No
No
Frame Generation
No
--
Max. GPU Memory
--
--
DirectX Version
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Hardware codec support
A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
no iGPU
GPU
no iGPU
No
Codec h265 / HEVC (8 bit)
No
No
Codec h265 / HEVC (10 bit)
No
No
Codec h264
No
No
Codec VP9
No
No
Codec VP8
No
No
Codec AV1
No
No
Codec AVC
No
No
Codec VC-1
No
No
Codec JPEG
No
Memory & PCIe
The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X supports a maximum of 128 GB of memory in 2 memory channels. The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X can connect up to 128 GB of memory in 2 memory channels.
The TDP (Thermal Design Power) of a processor specifies the required cooling solution. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X has a TDP of 105 W, that of the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is 105 W.
Here you can rate the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 4.3 stars (28 ratings). Rate now:
Here you can rate the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X to help other visitors make their purchasing decisions. The average rating is 4.1 stars (15 ratings). Rate now:
The Cinebench 2024 benchmark is based on the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxon's 3D program Cinema 4D. The benchmark runs are each 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.
The Multi-Core test of the Cinebench 2024 benchmark uses all cpu cores to render using the Redshift rendering engine, which is also used in Maxons Cinema 4D. The benchmark run is 10 minutes long to test whether the processor is limited by its heat generation.
Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Cinebench R23 is the successor of Cinebench R20 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Geekbench 5 is a cross plattform benchmark that heavily uses the systems memory. A fast memory will push the result a lot. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The single-core benchmark only evaluates the performance of the fastest CPU core, the number of CPU cores in a processor is irrelevant here.
Geekbench 6 is a benchmark for modern computers, notebooks and smartphones. What is new is an optimized utilization of newer CPU architectures, e.g. based on the big.LITTLE concept and combining CPU cores of different sizes. The multi-core benchmark evaluates the performance of all of the processor's CPU cores. Virtual thread improvements such as AMD SMT or Intel's Hyper-Threading have a positive impact on the benchmark result.
Cinebench R20 is the successor of Cinebench R15 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Cinebench R20 is the successor of Cinebench R15 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
In the Blender Benchmark 3.1, the scenes "monster", "junkshop" and "classroom" are rendered and the time required by the system is measured. In our benchmark we test the CPU and not the graphics card. Blender 3.1 was presented as a standalone version in March 2022.
Some of the CPUs listed below have been benchmarked by CPU-monkey. However the majority of CPUs have not been tested and the results have been estimated by a CPU-monkey’s secret proprietary formula. As such they do not accurately reflect the actual Passmark CPU mark values and are not endorsed by PassMark Software Pty Ltd.
The CPU-Z benchmark measures a processor's performance by measuring the time it takes the system to complete all benchmark calculations. The faster the benchmark is completed, the higher the score.
The CPU-Z benchmark measures a processor's performance by measuring the time it takes the system to complete all benchmark calculations. The faster the benchmark is completed, the higher the score.
Cinebench R15 is the successor of Cinebench 11.5 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The single-core test only uses one CPU core, the amount of cores or hyperthreading ability doesn't count.
Cinebench R15 is the successor of Cinebench 11.5 and is also based on the Cinema 4 Suite. Cinema 4 is a worldwide used software to create 3D forms. The multi-core test involves all CPU cores and taks a big advantage of hyperthreading.
Blender is a free 3D graphics software for rendering (creating) 3D bodies, which can also be textured and animated in the software. The Blender benchmark creates predefined scenes and measures the time (s) required for the entire scene. The shorter the time required, the better. We selected bmw27 as the benchmark scene.
Efficiency of the processor under full load in the Cinebench R23 (multi-core) benchmark. The benchmark result is divided by the average energy required (CPU package power in watts). The higher the value, the more efficient the CPU is under full load.
Even if it looks like it at first glance, there is only one processor generation between the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X and the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900X was launched in the fourth quarter of 2020, the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X a little more than a year earlier in the third quarter of 2019.
Both processors have 12 physical cores, support hyperthreading and are also overclockable. The difference is in the details, both processors are manufactured in the 7 nanometer process, but the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X is already based on the Zen 3 architecture, whereas the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is still based on the previous architecture (Zen 2).
The improved architecture allows the processor cores to run faster. With the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X, the base clock frequency of 3.70 gigahertz is slightly lower than that of the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X (3.80 gigahertz), but it can clock higher in turbo mode:
Both processors do not have an internal graphics unit, so a dedicated graphics card is required for operation.
There are no differences in the supported memory. Both processors rely on modules of the DDR4 type with a clock frequency of up to 3200 megahertz. The 2 available memory channels are able to work with up to 128 gigabytes of memory and memory with automatic error correction (ECC memory) is supported by both processors.
There is no difference in the L3 cache (64 megabytes each) or in the PCI Express version (4.0) and the number of PCI Express lines (20).
Both processors have a TDP of 105 watts, but in reality the energy consumption ex works is already well over 105 watts.