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CPU comparison

Intel Core i7-9700K vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600

Benchmark comparison and full specifications, with the measured difference and a clear winner for gaming, office work, daily use and content creation.

ACheck Price on AmazonIntel Core i7-9700KBCheck Price on AmazonAMD Ryzen 5 3600

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.

APart A

Intel

Core i7-9700K

  • Blender render score 134 samples/min
  • Cores 8
  • Max boost clock 4.9 GHz
VS

BPart B

AMD

Ryzen 5 3600

  • Blender render score 137 samples/min
  • Cores 6
  • Max boost clock 4.2 GHz
Compare other parts

01 · Performance profile

How they score

Scores out of 100 for each way you might use a processor. The chart shows where both parts rank among all 667 CPUs in our database.

Measured performance

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 is 2% faster in the Blender benchmark

AIntel Core i7-9700K134

Median of 9 submissions

BAMD Ryzen 5 3600137

Median of 45 submissions

Blender Benchmark render score (samples per minute, higher is faster), the median of community-submitted results from Blender Open Data.

A
B
Lowest: 2Average: 22Highest: 79

Gaming

A41%Fair
B31%Basic

Better pick: Core i7-9700K · Max boost clock: 4.9 GHz vs 4.2 GHz

Office Work

A64%Good
B34%Basic

Better pick: Core i7-9700K · Integrated graphics: Yes vs No

Daily Use

A55%Good
B34%Basic

Better pick: Core i7-9700K · Integrated graphics: Yes vs No

Content Creation

A29%Basic
B31%Basic

Too close to call

02 · Verdict

Intel Core i7-9700K comes out ahead

It wins 3 of 8 compared specifications and scores higher overall. Check current prices before you buy.

AIntel Core i7-9700K

47/100

BAMD Ryzen 5 3600

33/100

AIntel Core i7-9700K

Advantages

  • Integrated graphics Yes vs No
  • Cores 8 vs 6 (33% higher)
  • Max boost clock 4.9 GHz vs 4.2 GHz (17% higher)

Disadvantages

  • L3 cache 12 MB vs 32 MB (63% lower)
  • TDP / base power 95 W vs 65 W (46% higher)
  • Threads 8 vs 12 (33% lower)
  • Blender render score 134 samples/min vs 137 samples/min (2% lower)

BAMD Ryzen 5 3600

Advantages

  • L3 cache 32 MB vs 12 MB (167% higher)
  • Threads 12 vs 8 (50% higher)
  • TDP / base power 65 W vs 95 W (32% lower)
  • Blender render score 137 samples/min vs 134 samples/min (2% higher)

Disadvantages

  • Integrated graphics No vs Yes
  • Cores 6 vs 8 (25% lower)
  • Max boost clock 4.2 GHz vs 4.9 GHz (14% lower)

03 · Full comparison

Side-by-side specifications

SpecificationAIntel Core i7-9700KBAMD Ryzen 5 3600
Measured performance
Blender render scoreMedian of community-submitted Blender Benchmark results (Blender Open Data). Higher is faster.134 samples/min137 samples/min Better +2%
Benchmark submissionsHow many results the median is based on. Small numbers are less reliable.945
Cores & clocks
Cores8 Better +33%6
Efficiency (E) cores——
Threads812 Better +50%
Base clock3.6 GHz3.6 GHz
Max boost clock4.9 GHz Better +17%4.2 GHz
Memory & cache
L3 cache12 MB32 MB Better +167%
Memory supportDDR4DDR4
Power
TDP / base power95 W65 W Better
Features
Integrated graphicsYes BetterNo
Platform
ArchitectureCoffee Lake RefreshZen 2
SocketLGA1151AM4
Manufacturing process14 nm7 nm
Release year20182019
Launch price$374$199

Ready to buy?

Prices change daily. Check the current price of each part.

ACheck Price on Amazon: Core i7-9700KBCheck Price on Amazon: Ryzen 5 3600

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are set by Amazon.

Intel Core i7-9700K vs AMD Ryzen 5 3600 at a glance

This page compares the Intel Core i7-9700K and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 using published specifications and real measured benchmark results. In the Blender Benchmark, AMD Ryzen 5 3600 posts a median render score of 137 against 134 for Intel Core i7-9700K, making it 2% faster. The medians are based on 45 and 9 community submissions.

Intel Core i7-9700K: 8 cores, 8 threads, 4.9 GHz max boost clock, 95 W tdp / base power, released in 2018, launched at $374. AMD Ryzen 5 3600: 6 cores, 12 threads, 4.2 GHz max boost clock, 65 W tdp / base power, released in 2019, launched at $199.

Our overall scores are 47 for Core i7-9700K and 33 for Ryzen 5 3600 out of 100. By use case, the better pick is, for gaming: Core i7-9700K; for office work: Core i7-9700K; for daily use: Core i7-9700K; for content creation: too close to call. Blender measures rendering rather than game frame rates, so treat the gaming result as a guide built from render performance and specifications.

Core i7-9700K vs Ryzen 5 3600 FAQ

Which is faster, the Core i7-9700K or the Ryzen 5 3600?

In the Blender Benchmark, AMD Ryzen 5 3600 posts a median render score of 137 against 134 for Intel Core i7-9700K, making it 2% faster. The medians are based on 45 and 9 community submissions.

Which uses more power, the Core i7-9700K or the Ryzen 5 3600?

The Intel Core i7-9700K is rated at 95 W and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 at 65 W, so the Ryzen 5 3600 draws 46% less on paper. Rated power is not the same as power drawn in your own workload.

How much did the Core i7-9700K and the Ryzen 5 3600 cost at launch?

The Intel Core i7-9700K launched at $374 and the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 at $199. Street prices change often, so check a current price before buying.

Is the Core i7-9700K or the Ryzen 5 3600 better for gaming?

Our gaming score favours the Intel Core i7-9700K (41 vs 31 out of 100). That score blends measured render performance with clock speed, cache and memory, because no game benchmark is included in our data.

More CPU comparisons

About this data

Benchmark numbers come from Blender Open Data, a public collection of results submitted by real users, shown as medians with the submission count. Specifications and launch prices are compiled from manufacturer information and may contain mistakes. See how it all works on thePC Parts Comparison page, or report an error through our contact page. This page contains affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.