AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs Intel Core i9-10900X

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

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Ryzen 9 5900X compared with Core i9-10900X

	AMDRyzen 9 5900X	IntelCore i9-10900X
Overview
Released
Released	November 2020	2019
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	12 (better)	10
Threads
Threads	24 (better)	20
Base clock
Base clock	3.7 GHz	3.7 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	4.8 GHz (better)	4.7 GHz
L3 cache
L3 cache	64 MB (better)	19.25 MB
Cores
Cores	Zen 3; Vermeer. Two CPU chiplets with six active cores each (PC Gamer).	Cascade Lake-X; Hyper-Threading and an unlocked multiplier, confirmed by Intel’s exact-model family product brief.
Clocks
Clocks	Unlocked for overclocking; AMD's launch notice describes Precision Boost 2 and Precision Boost Overdrive.	Turbo Boost Max 3.0 up to 4.70 GHz on the preferred cores; ordinary Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 4.50 GHz. Intel targeted November 2019 availability, but first actual sale was not established in the bounded source pass; conservative year precision is retained.
Cache
Cache	6 MB L2; Zen 3 unifies each eight-core complex around 32 MB of L3 cache, as described in AMD's launch notice.	19.25 MB Intel Smart Cache; Intel’s exact-model product-brief table identifies it as L3 cache.
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	No	No
Graphics
Graphics	A separate graphics card is required.	No processor graphics, explicitly confirmed by Intel’s exact-model support table.
AI engine
AI engine	–	Intel Deep Learning Boost provides CPU inference instructions; this is not a separate NPU.
Platform
Socket
Socket	AM4	LGA2066
Base power
Base power	105 W	165 W
Unlocked
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
Cooler in the box
Cooler in the box	No	No
Memory support
Memory support	DDR4; up to 3200 MT/s.	Up to 256 GB; four channels of DDR4-2933; 94 GB/s maximum published bandwidth; no ECC.
PCIe
PCIe	PCIe 4.0.	48 CPU lanes; PCIe 3.0. The 72-lane family platform figure includes chipset lanes.
Chipsets
Chipsets	AMD's launch notice specifies 500-series motherboards with a BIOS update; check the motherboard CPU support list.	Intel X299; LGA2066.
Process
Process	TSMC 7nm FinFET CPU cores; separate 12nm I/O die (PC Gamer).	14 nm; Cascade Lake-X.
Cooler
Cooler	No thermal solution included; AMD recommends liquid cooling for optimal performance. Maximum operating temperature 90°C.	Intel explicitly excludes a fan and heatsink from the boxed product. Intel’s support article confirms solder thermal interface material for this exact model; published junction limit 94°C.