Both AMD and Intel claim to have it: the fastest gaming desktop processor. Starting Tuesday, February 28th, you can buy AMD’s Ryzen 9 7900X3D and 7950X3D, while Intel quietly released the Core i9 13900KS last month. In this review, we test both and answer the question of which is really faster, and more importantly, whether you should buy one of these processors.
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
Although the Ryzen 9 7000X3D processors are available for purchase as of Tuesday, we’ve only received the top-end model from AMD. The cheaper Ryzen 7 7800X3D will have to wait until April 6th. Like the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, the new series features the addition of an additional chip with literally L3 cache on top of the existing kernel’s built-in cache, known as the 3D V-Cache. Nothing has changed in the technology used, the chip-on-chip technology developed by TSMC. However, there are necessary tweaks to the implementation, and more on this on the next page.
| Ryzen 9 7900X | Ryzen 9 7900X3D | Ryzen 9 7950X | Ryzen 9 7950X3D | |
| cores/threads | 12/24 | 12/24 | 16/32 | 16/32 |
| clock speed | 4.7 GHz | 4.4 GHz | 4.5 GHz | 4.2 GHz |
| Turbo clock speed | 5.6 GHz | 5.6 GHz | 5.7 GHz | 5.7 GHz |
| L2 cache | 12 MB | 12 MB | 16 MB | 16 MB |
| L3 cache | 64 MB | 128 MB | 64 MB | 128 MB |
| TDP | 170 watts | 120 watts | 170 watts | 120 watts |
| MSRP | $549 | $599 | $699 | $699 |
| actual price | 429 euros | unknown | 599 euros | unknown |
The Ryzen 9 7000X3D processors have a TDP of 120W, which is significantly lower than the 170W in the original variants. Since AMD processors are allowed to consume 35 percent more than their TDP during boost, the maximum consumption in practice is 162 watts. The low tdp is mainly due to the lower clock speeds.
The pricing is amazing, too: On paper, the 7950X3D is exactly the same as the 7950X at $699. In practice, this will turn out quite differently, because the Ryzen 7000 processors have dropped in price very sharply since their release. We expect a €799 inclusive VAT price for the 7950X3D, which actually makes it two hundred euros more expensive than the current top model.
Intel Core i9 13900KS
The Core i9 13900KS was presented remarkably quietly, so there isn’t much to say about this chip. This “Special Edition” is simply a boxed-up version of the regular 13900K and contains one turbo core of at least 6GHz; Making it the first processor to break through this barrier without overclocking. There goes an increase in it pbp to 150 watts though mtp Officially remaining the same at 253 watts, Intel frankly admits that the processor will only run at its maximum capacity at around 320 watts of power.
| Core i9 13900 k | Core i9 13900KS | |
| cores | 8P+16E | 8P+16E |
| The clock speed of P-cores | 3.0 GHz | 3.2 GHz |
| Turbo P cores. | 5.8 GHz | 6.0 GHz |
| Electronic cores clock speed | 2.2 GHz | 2.4GHz |
| Turbo E cores. | 4.3 GHz | 4.3 GHz |
| L2 cache | 32 MB | 32 MB |
| L3 cache | 36 MB | 36 MB |
| BB | 125 watts | 150 watts |
| mtp | 253 watts | 253 Watt (Exercise: +- 320 Watt) |
| MSRP | 769 euros | 799 euros |
| actual price | 628.99 euros | 749.90 euros |
Officially, the suggested retail price for the i9 13900KS is €799, but in practice you can buy it from €750. The 13900K has dropped more than its launch price.