Intel Core i9-10900K vs AMD Ryzen 5 5600X vs AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

Intel Core i9-10900K

The Intel Core i9-10900K is a high-end processor for desktops with ten cores based on the Comet Lake architecture (CML-S, 4th generation of Skylake). The processor clocks at between 3.7 and 5.3 GHz (all 10 cores up to 4.8 GHz) and can execute up to twenty threads simultaneously thanks to Hyper-Threading. The 5.3 GHz can be only achieved below 70°C core temperature (Thermal Velocity Boost of 100 MHz).

The processor is still manufactured in the old 14nm (14nm++) process. Compared to the predecessor, the Core i9-9900K, the 10900K offers increased clock speeds and two more cores. Thanks to the free multiplicator, the CPU can also be easily overclocked (but may not have much headroom).

The Comet Lake architecture is similar to Coffee Lake and offers the same features and is produced in the same 14nm process. Other than the improved clock rates, the memory controller now also supports faster DDR4-2933 RAM. More information on Comet Lake and all the models and articles on it can be found here.

Performance

Thanks to the high Turbo Boost, the CPU is the fastest gaming CPU available at the time of announcement. Using all cores, the i9 however is slower than the top Ryzen CPUs (like the Ryzen 9 3950X) which offer more cores.

Graphics

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 iGPU is supposed to offer a similar performance as the UHD630 in the Core i7-9900K. As a  low-end solution it will only run current games smoothly at reduced details - if at all.

Power Consumption

Intel specifies the TDP with 125 Watts (PL1) but under full load up to 250 Watt are consumed (PL2). In default mode these 250 Watt and therefore high clock speeds can be maintained for up to 56 seconds, however, all boards offer the option to alter these settings.

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600X is a desktop processor with 6 SMT-enabled (12 threads) and based on the Zen 3 architecture. Launched in November 2020, it is the fastest 6-core Ryzen desktop processor. With a TDP of 65 watts, the Ryzen 5 5600X is the least energy-hungry model in the Zen 3 family to date.

The Ryzen 5 5600X is clocked at 3.7 GHz base clock and can be clocked up to 4.6 GHz with Precision Boost 2.

Performance

The average 5600X in our database is in the same league as the Ryzen 9 4900H and the Ryzen 7 6800HS, as far as multi-thread benchmark scores are concerned. While this isn't the fastest CPU money can buy, it still rips through most workloads with ease, as of mid 2022. Find out more in our full review.

Power consumption

This Ryzen 5 series chip has a default TDP (also known as the long-term power limit) of 65 W to be in line with most desktop processors.

The R5 5600X is built with TSMC's 7 nm process for average, as of early 2023, energy efficiency.

AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D is an 8-core desktop processor with a large level 3 cache (3DV cache) that is aimed mostly for increased gaming performance. It offers 8 Zen 3 based cores clocked at 3.4 - 4.5 GHz and therefore a bit slower than the 3.4 - 4.7 GHz of the R7 5800X. The power consumption of both chips is rated at 105 Watt (TDP) and the efficiency compared to Alder Lake desktop CPUs is rather good.