AMD Ryzen 7 3700X vs Intel Core i5-9400F

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Ryzen 7 3700X compared with Core i5-9400F
AMDRyzen 7 3700XIntelCore i5-9400F
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2019January 2019
Cores and clocks
Cores8 (better)6
Threads16 (better)6
Base clock3.6 GHz2.9 GHz
Boost clock4.4 GHz (better)4.1 GHz
L3 cache32 MB (better)9 MB
CoresZen 2; Matisse; eight cores with simultaneous multithreading. One CPU chiplet containing two four-core complexes and a separate I/O die (PCGamesN).Six cores without Hyper-Threading; Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 supported. Intel's F suffix denotes a processor requiring separate graphics; its multiplier is locked.
ClocksUnlocked for overclocking; Precision Boost Overdrive with Automatic Overclocking supported, as described in AMD's launch notice.Maximum turbo is a single-core frequency; sustained clocks depend on cooling and motherboard power settings. Intel publishes TDP without a separate maximum turbo-power figure.
Cache512 KB L1; 4 MB L2; 32 MB L3.–
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphicsNoNo
GraphicsNo integrated graphics; a separate graphics card is required.No integrated GPU; a separate graphics card is required, including for motherboard display outputs.
Platform
SocketAM4LGA1151
Base power65 W65 W
UnlockedYesNo
Cooler in the boxYesYes
Memory supportDDR4; two channels; up to 3200 MT/s.Up to 128 GB; two channels; DDR4-2666; 41.6 GB/s maximum bandwidth; ECC not supported.
PCIePCIe 4.0 x16; AMD introduced PCIe 4.0 support with the X570 platform at launch.PCIe 3.0; 16 CPU lanes, configured as 1×16, 2×8 or 1×8+2×4.
ChipsetsX570 at launch; check the motherboard's CPU support list and BIOS for other AM4 boards.–
ProcessTSMC 7nm FinFET CPU cores; 14nm I/O die (PCGamesN).14 nm; Coffee Lake; 37.5 × 37.5 mm package; 100°C maximum junction temperature. ComputerBase identifies a paste thermal interface on its launch sample; this should not be assumed for every later stepping.
CoolerRetail boxed processor includes AMD Wraith Prism (PCGamesN); AMD's current support specification does not name a cooler. Maximum operating temperature 95°C.Boxed cooler included and tested by TechSpot. Intel 300-series motherboard compatibility requires the appropriate BIOS and vendor support. Intel's January release notice gives a late-January through first-quarter rollout for the new models; IT Home reports the exact 9400F on sale in China on 28 January, supporting month precision rather than a confirmed worldwide first-sale day.

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