AMD Ryzen 9 3950X vs AMD Ryzen 9 5900X

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Ryzen 9 3950X compared with Ryzen 9 5900X

	AMDRyzen 9 3950X	AMDRyzen 9 5900X
Overview
Released
Released	November 2019	November 2020
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	16 (better)	12
Threads
Threads	32 (better)	24
Base clock
Base clock	3.5 GHz	3.7 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	4.7 GHz	4.8 GHz (better)
L3 cache
L3 cache	64 MB	64 MB
Cores
Cores	Zen 2; Matisse; sixteen cores with simultaneous multithreading. Two fully enabled eight-core CPU chiplets (PC Perspective).	Zen 3; Vermeer. Two CPU chiplets with six active cores each (PC Gamer).
Clocks
Clocks	Unlocked for overclocking; Precision Boost 2.	Unlocked for overclocking; AMD's launch notice describes Precision Boost 2 and Precision Boost Overdrive.
Cache
Cache	1024 KB L1; 8 MB L2; 64 MB L3.	6 MB L2; Zen 3 unifies each eight-core complex around 32 MB of L3 cache, as described in AMD's launch notice.
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	No	No
Graphics
Graphics	No integrated graphics; a separate graphics card is required.	A separate graphics card is required.
Platform
Socket
Socket	AM4	AM4
Base power
Base power	105 W	105 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	No	No
Memory support
Memory support	DDR4 UDIMM; two channels; up to 128 GB. Two single-rank or dual-rank modules support 3200 MT/s; four single-rank modules 2933 MT/s and four dual-rank modules 2667 MT/s. ECC requires motherboard support.	DDR4; up to 3200 MT/s.
PCIe
PCIe	PCIe 4.0; 24 native lanes in total, 20 usable. X570 adds 16 usable PCIe 4.0 lanes.	PCIe 4.0.
Chipsets
Chipsets	AMD lists X570, X470, X370 and B450; check the motherboard's CPU support list and BIOS.	AMD's launch notice specifies 500-series motherboards with a BIOS update; check the motherboard CPU support list.
Process
Process	TSMC 7nm FinFET CPU cores.	TSMC 7nm FinFET CPU cores; separate 12nm I/O die (PC Gamer).
Cooler
Cooler	No cooler included; liquid cooling recommended. AMD's November launch notice recommends an AIO with at least a 280 mm radiator. Maximum operating temperature 95°C.	No thermal solution included; AMD recommends liquid cooling for optimal performance. Maximum operating temperature 90°C.