AMD Ryzen 9 5950X vs Intel Core i9-9960X

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

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Ryzen 9 5950X compared with Core i9-9960X

	AMDRyzen 9 5950X	IntelCore i9-9960X
Overview
Released
Released	November 2020	2018
Cores and clocks
Cores
Cores	16	16
Threads
Threads	32	32
Base clock
Base clock	3.4 GHz	3.1 GHz
Boost clock
Boost clock	4.9 GHz (better)	4.5 GHz
L3 cache
L3 cache	64 MB (better)	22 MB
Cores
Cores	Zen 3; Vermeer.	Skylake-X refresh; Hyper-Threading and an unlocked multiplier, confirmed by Intel’s exact-model launch table.
Clocks
Clocks	Unlocked for overclocking; Precision Boost 2 and Precision Boost Overdrive described in AMD's launch notice.	Turbo Boost Max 3.0 up to 4.50 GHz on the preferred cores; ordinary Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 4.40 GHz. Intel planned November 2018 availability. ASCII’s contemporary report confirms Japanese retail sale on 21 December 2018, but earlier worldwide sale was not established; year precision is retained.
Cache
Cache	8 MB L2; Zen 3's unified eight-core complex provides 32 MB of L3 cache per complex, as described in AMD's launch notice.	22 MB Intel Smart Cache; L3 designation confirmed by the exact Newegg listing.
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.
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 128 GB; four channels of DDR 4-2666; 85 GB/s maximum published bandwidth; no ECC.
PCIe
PCIe	PCIe 4.0.	44 CPU lanes; PCIe 3.0. The 68-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 X 299; LGA 2066.
Process
Process	TSMC 7nm FinFET CPU cores.	14 nm; Skylake-X refresh.
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 85°C.