AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs Intel Core i9-11900K

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

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

Ryzen 9 5900X compared with Core i9-11900K

	AMDRyzen 9 5900X	IntelCore i9-11900K
Overview
Released
Released	November 2020	March 2021
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	12 (better)	8
Threads
Threads	24 (better)	16
Base clock
Base clock	3.7 GHz	3.5 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	4.8 GHz	5.3 GHz (better)
L3 cache
L3 cache	64 MB (better)	16 MB
Cores
Cores	Zen 3; Vermeer. Two CPU chiplets with six active cores each (PC Gamer).	Hyper-Threading, Turbo Boost Max 3.0, Thermal Velocity Boost, AVX-512 and Deep Learning Boost supported. General retail sale began 30 March 2021, according to Intel's sales-embargo statement reported by Windows Central; the 16 March maker press release was the announcement.
Clocks
Clocks	Unlocked for overclocking; AMD's launch notice describes Precision Boost 2 and Precision Boost Overdrive.	Up to 5.3 GHz with Thermal Velocity Boost at its 70°C temperature threshold; up to 5.2 GHz with Turbo Boost Max 3.0, or 5.1 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0. Configurable TDP-down to 95 W with a 3 GHz base clock. Adaptive Boost Technology raises all-core clocks when power and thermal conditions allow (PC Gamer). Tom's Hardware reports 250 W PL2; the current Intel specification page publishes TDP only.
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.	–
Graphics and AI
Built-in graphics
Built-in graphics	No	Yes
Graphics
Graphics	A separate graphics card is required.	Intel UHD Graphics 750; 32 execution units; 350 MHz base, up to 1.3 GHz; up to 64 GB shared graphics memory; three displays. HDMI up to 4096×2160 at 60 Hz; DisplayPort up to 5120×3200 at 60 Hz; Quick Sync Video supported.
AI engine
AI engine	–	Intel Gaussian & Neural Accelerator 2.0; Deep Learning Boost on the CPU.
Platform
Socket
Socket	AM4	LGA1200
Base power
Base power	105 W	125 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 128 GB; two channels; DDR4-3200; 50 GB/s maximum bandwidth; ECC not supported. Tom's Hardware identifies DDR4-3200 Gear 1 as officially supported on the Core i9 models.
PCIe
PCIe	PCIe 4.0.	PCIe 4.0; 20 CPU lanes, configured as 1×16+1×4, 2×8+1×4 or 1×8+3×4.
Chipsets
Chipsets	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; separate 12nm I/O die (PC Gamer).	14 nm; Rocket Lake; 37.5 × 37.5 mm package; 100°C maximum junction temperature. Cypress Cove CPU architecture (Intel launch announcement).
Cooler
Cooler	No thermal solution included; AMD recommends liquid cooling for optimal performance. Maximum operating temperature 90°C.	No cooler included with the boxed processor (Tom's Hardware exact-model review).