i7-10700K vs Ryzen 9 3900X
Too close to call. At 1440p there is only about 2% between them — buy whichever is cheaper.
The gap changes with resolution.
CPU differences shrink as resolution rises — at 4K the graphics card does most of the work.
| Resolution | i7-10700K | Ryzen 9 3900X | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 69 | 66 | +5% |
| 1440p | 67 | 66 | +2% |
| 4K | 64 | 66 | -3% |
In a real build with a RTX 3080.
Specs alone don’t tell you which to buy. Here is what each one does when it’s actually paired up, at 1440p.
Ryzen 9 3900X + RTX 3080
0% CPU-bound
The processor is the limit here and leaves frames on the table.
Full verdict for this pairing →| Game (1440p, paired with the RTX 3080) | i7-10700K | Ryzen 9 3900X |
|---|---|---|
| League of Legends | 288 fps | 287 fps |
| Counter-Strike 2 | 246 fps | 245 fps |
| Grand Theft Auto V | 125 fps | 124 fps |
| Elden Ring | 104 fps | 103 fps |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 79 fps | 78 fps |
| Starfield | 78 fps | 78 fps |
Modelled from benchmark data, not measured for every pairing. Our published error rate is 21.6% mean absolute error.
So which should you buy?
Whichever is cheaper on the day. There is roughly 2% between them at 1440p, which you will not notice in a game.
Affiliate links — we earn a small commission on Amazon purchases at no cost to you, which keeps the calculator free. Full disclosure.
Common questions.
Straight answers on the i7-10700K versus the Ryzen 9 3900X.
Is the i7-10700K better than the Ryzen 9 3900X?
They are close enough to call a tie. At 1440p the i7-10700K scores 67 on our index against 66 for the Ryzen 9 3900X — a gap of about 2%, which is inside the margin where you would not feel a difference while gaming. Buy whichever is cheaper or easier to find.
Does the i7-10700K or Ryzen 9 3900X bottleneck a RTX 3080?
Paired with a RTX 3080 at 1440p, the i7-10700K build comes out balanced, and the Ryzen 9 3900X build comes out 0% CPU-bound. Being GPU-bound is the healthy outcome — it means the graphics card is the part working hardest.
Is it worth upgrading from the Ryzen 9 3900X to the i7-10700K?
No. A 2% index gap will not be visible in games, and the money is better spent on the other side of the build — usually the GPU.
Which is better value, the i7-10700K or the Ryzen 9 3900X?
On performance per dollar at MSRP, the i7-10700K wins. The i7-10700K lists at $375 for an index of 67, and the Ryzen 9 3900X at $499 for 66.
Check either one against your build.
Pick a CPU and its counterpart, and get a verdict at all three resolutions in under 30 seconds.