The Ryzen 9 9900X will be released on August 15th. It was originally scheduled to launch on July 31st, but AMD later changed their plans and delayed the 9000 series processors to the second and third weeks of August.

The CPU is one of the high-end processors in the 9000 series lineup. But how does it compare to some of Intel’s top options? Well, to find out, we’ll be pitting it against the Raptor Lake-R based i9-13900K, which features 24 cores and 32 threads. We reviewed the 13900K and found it to be a great processor for multiple tasks. But it’s time to find out how it performs against one of AMD’s latest CPUs.

If you want to get your hands on the Ryzen 9 9900X as soon as it launches, then check out our Where to Buy 9900X page as it can assit you greatly.

AMD Ryzen 9 9900X

Cores

12

Threads

24

Boost clock speed

5.6 GHz

Base clock speed

4.4 GHz

L3 Cache

64 MB

TDP

120 W

Platform

AMD Socket AM5

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Intel Core i9-13900K

Cores

24 (8P-16E)

Threads

32

Boost speed

P-Core 5.8GHz / E-Core 4.3GHz

Base speed

P-Core 3.0GHz / E-Core 2.2GHz

L3 Cache

36 MB

TDP

253 W

Platform

Intel Socket 1700

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Specifications

You can check out the key differences between the two CPUs from the table above.

Foundation 

To begin with, the Ryzen 9 9900X uses the Zen 5 architecture, which utilizes the 4nm process technology. On the other hand, the i9-13900K is a refresh of Raptor Lake and is built on the 10 nm process technology. For those wondering, 4nm transistors are smaller in size, and hence, more of them can fit on the chip.

We can't directly compare the foundations since both CPUs are made by different companies. However, Zen 5 is the latest architecture offered by AMD and is the foundation of the entire 9000 series lineup. It offers a 16% IPC uplift and improves the overall performance of the processor. On the other hand, there is nothing fancy about the refreshed version of Raptor Lake.

Cores and speeds

The 9 9900X features 12 cores and 24 threads. These provide it with enough power to handle demanding tasks with ease. On top of that, the processor uses hyperthreading technology, which assigns one core to two threads, something that greatly improves the CPU's performance in multi-tasking and CPU-intensive tasks.

While 13900K's core may seem way more than 9900X, they are actually divided into Performance and Efficient cores. It packs 8 P-cores, which are activated in demanding tasks, and 16 E-cores, which handle light tasks. 

As far as the clock speeds are concerned, the 9900X runs at a base speed of 4.4 GHz. On the other hand, the P-cores on the 13900K have a base clock speed of 3 GHz, while the E-cores have 2.20 GHz. 

For the 9900X, you can take the speed up to 5.6 GHz with overclocking. The same can be done with 13900K, which can reach a max speed of up to 5.8 GHz – though P-cores can only reach 5.4 GHz. 

During our tests, we were able to get 931 and 16,852 points in CPU Z single and multi-core tests, respectively. Similarly, in Geekbench single and multi-core tests, the CPU was able to hit 2,251 and 25,176 points, respectively. It was also able to do well in gaming, as we didn’t face any issues in demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Days Gone. However, since AMD claims that the 9900X offers better performance than even the 14900K, we can surely expect the AMD CPU to take the lead in performance.

TDP and cache

As it's one of the most powerful processors in the 9000 series lineup, you may think that the 9900X will consume a lot of power. However, this is not the case at all, as it has a default TDP of 120W. This means that you won't have to worry about getting a massive PSU or an expensive cooler for it. 

On the other hand, the 13900K has a default TDP of 125W, which can go up to 253W. As Intel CPUs tend to run hot, we would recommend throwing one of the best AIO coolers in your rig to keep the temps low. Otherwise, you may face overheating issues. You may also want to consider opting for one of the best Airflow PC cases for better temps. 

The 9900X also does not shy away from taking the lead in terms of cache. It boasts a 64 MB L3 Cache, which is two times bigger than 13900K's 32 MB L3 Cache. In other words, the 9900X can store more data on the chip, something that reduces the burden on the CPU.

Pricing

The 13900K can be purchased right now for $459.99 through Amazon. It was launched with an MSRP of $589, and the lowest we’ve seen yet for it is $439.52.

On the other hand, we’re yet to find out what the price of the 9900X is going to be. But if a recent leak turns out to be true, then it will launch with a price tag of $549.

What has changed from the previous generation?

Nothing much has changed between the 9900X and 7900X in terms of core/thread count, cache, and boost clock speeds. However, the 9900X consumes 50W less power and has a slightly lower base clock speed. 

On the other hand, the 13900K has eight more cores and six more threads than the 12900K. It also has a better boost clock speed.

Alternate options

If you don’t think the 9900X or the 13900K will be suitable for your build, then you can check out some alternate options below.

Which one is for you?

The Ryzen 9 9900X is a powerhouse featuring the latest Zen 5 architecture and 4nm process technology. It offers enough cores and threads to handle the most demanding tasks with ease. On top of that, it also has a 120W TDP, which is pretty impressive for a high-end CPU.

On the other hand, the 13900K is built on the Raptor Lake architecture and uses the 10nm process technology. Its core and thread count are also decent enough to help it handle demanding tasks smoothly, but its performance won’t be on par with the 9900X. However, it is important to note that it might come with a $100 lower price tag if the leak turns out to be true. So, if you don’t have any use of a high-end processor like the 9900X, then it may be better for you to opt for the 13900K and spend the money you save on a better cooler, which you’ll need to keep the temps low.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.