AMD Ryzen 9 5900X vs AMD Ryzen 9 3950X: comparison
Comparison of AMD Ryzen 9 5900X and AMD Ryzen 9 3950X: key differences and a full specification table.
Key differences
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X has a higher base clock (3.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz) and a higher maximum clock (4.8 GHz vs 4.7 GHz).
At the same time, AMD Ryzen 9 3950X has more cores (16 vs 12) and more threads (32 vs 24).
Both processors match on: L3 cache (64 MB), TDP (105 W), process node (7 nm), PCIe version (4).
These are specification values: they show differences between the models but do not determine a performance winner. For a specific workload, rely on independent benchmarks.
Key specifications
| Parameter | AMD Ryzen 9 5900X | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / threads | 12 / 24 | 16 / 32 |
| Max boost clock | 4.8 GHz | 4.7 GHz |
| L3 cache | 64 MB | 64 MB |
| TDP | 105 W | 105 W |
| Process | 7 nm | 7 nm |
| Integrated graphics | Discrete Graphics Card Required | Discrete Graphics Card Required |
Full specification table
Differing values are highlighted. This is not a better/worse rating: numbers from different architectures are not always comparable.
| Parameter | AMD Ryzen 9 5900X | AMD Ryzen 9 3950X |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Codename | Vermeer | Matisse |
| Segment | Boxed Processor | Boxed Processor |
| Product line | AMD Ryzen 9 Desktop Processors | AMD Ryzen 9 Desktop Processors |
| Product family | AMD Ryzen Processors | AMD Ryzen Processors |
| Architecture | — | "Zen 2" |
| Process | 7 nm | 7 nm |
| Launch date | 11/05/2020 | 07/07/2019 |
| Dies per package | — | 3 |
| Unlocked for overclocking | Yes | Yes |
| Operating system support | Windows 10 - 64-Bit Edition, RHEL x86 64-Bit, Ubuntu x86 64-Bit | Windows 11 - 64-Bit Edition, Windows 10 - 64-Bit Edition, RHEL x86 64-Bit, Ubuntu x86 64-Bit |
| Regional availability | — | Global, China, NA, EMEA, APJ, LATAM |
| Target market | — | Enthusiast Desktop |
| Consumer oriented | — | Yes |
| Recommended cooling | Liquid cooler recommended for optimal performance | — |
| CPU | ||
| Cores | 12 | 16 |
| Threads | 24 | 32 |
| Multithreading (SMT/HT) | — | Yes |
| Base clock | 3.7 GHz | 3.5 GHz |
| Max boost clock | 4.8 GHz | 4.7 GHz |
| L1 cache | — | 1 MB |
| L2 cache | 6 MB | 8 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB | 64 MB |
| TDP | 105 W | 105 W |
| Instruction set | — | x86-64 |
| Instruction set extensions | — | AES, AMD-V, AVX, AVX2, FMA3, MMX(+), SHA, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4A, SSSE3, x86-64 |
| Boost technology | — | Precision Boost 2 |
| Memory | ||
| Max memory size | — | 128 GB |
| Memory types | DDR4 | DDR4 |
| Memory channels | — | 2 |
| Max memory speed | 3.2 GHz | — |
| ECC memory supported | — | Yes |
| Memory speed (text) | — | 2x1R | DDR4-3200 | | | 2x2R | DDR4-3200 | | | 4x1R | DDR4-2933 | | | 4x2R | DDR4-2667 |
| Memory form factor | — | UDIMM |
| Graphics | ||
| Integrated graphics | Discrete Graphics Card Required | Discrete Graphics Card Required |
| Has integrated graphics | No | No |
| I/O and interfaces | ||
| PCI Express revision | 4 | 4 |
| PCI Express lanes | — | 24 |
| SATA ports | — | 0 |
| USB 2.0 ports | — | 0 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports | — | 4 |
| NVMe support | — | Boot, RAID0, RAID1, RAID10 |
| Compatible chipsets | — | X570, X470, X370, B450 |
| USB Type-C support | — | Yes |
| USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports | — | 0 |
| Package and thermal | ||
| Sockets supported | AM4 | AM4 |
| TJUNCTION | 90 °C | 95 °C |
| Die size | — | 74 mm² |
| Transistors (millions) | — | 9.89 billion |
| I/O die process | — | 12 nm |
| I/O die size | — | 125 mm² |
| Security and virtualization | ||
| Execute Disable Bit | — | Yes |
| Supported technologies | AMD StoreMI Technology, AMD "Zen 3" Core Architecture, AMD Ryzen Master Utility, AMD Ryzen VR-Ready Premium | — |
| AMD PRO technologies | — | Yes |
| Identifiers | ||
| Product ID (OEM) | 100-000000061 | 100-000000051 |
| Product ID (Box) | 100-100000061WOF | 100-100000051WOF |
| Bundled cooler | Not included | Cooler Not Included, Liquid Cooling Recommended |