Core i9-13900KS
24C/32T · 6.0 GHz · 150 W · PassMark #170
Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Zen 5 · 8C/16T · 104 MB cache · Gaming king
Ryzen 7 9800X3D takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Core i9-13900KS lands at 33 and Ryzen 7 9800X3D at 95. That puts Ryzen 7 9800X3D ahead by 62 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Core i9-13900KS if…
- ✓PassMark #170 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- ✓Current PassMark-tracked street price around $521
Pick Ryzen 7 9800X3D if…
- ✓Fastest gaming CPU on the planet
- ✓Overclockable unlike prior X3D parts
- ✓Excellent efficiency (120 W TDP)
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Ryzen 7 9800X3DSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Ryzen 7 9800X3D more score per dollar ($479 vs $521).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Core i9-13900KS | Ryzen 7 9800X3D |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | ▲ 24 (8P + 16E) | 8 |
| Threads | ▲ 32 | 16 |
| Base clock | 3.2 GHz (P) / 2.4 GHz (E) | 4.7 GHz |
| Boost clock | 6.0 GHz | 5.2 GHz |
| L3 cache | 36 MB | ▲ 96 MB (3D V-Cache) |
| TDP | 150 W base / 253 W max | 120 W |
| Socket | LGA 1700 | AM5 |
| Class | Desktop | — |
| PassMark rank | #170 of 5,901 | — |
| PassMark CPU Mark | 60,485 | — |
| Process | — | TSMC 4 nm |
| iGPU | — | Radeon Graphics (RDNA 2, 2 CUs) |
| Memory | — | DDR5-5600 |
Core i9-13900KS
- +PassMark #170 of 5,901 — capable workhorse
- +Current PassMark-tracked street price around $521
- −Requires recent-generation motherboard and DDR5 memory
- −Newer-generation parts pull ahead in current rankings
Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- +Fastest gaming CPU on the planet
- +Overclockable unlike prior X3D parts
- +Excellent efficiency (120 W TDP)
- −Only 8 cores for productivity-heavy workloads
- −AM5 motherboard required
- −Scarce at launch
FAQ: Core i9-13900KS vs Ryzen 7 9800X3D
Which is better, Core i9-13900KS or Ryzen 7 9800X3D? +
Ryzen 7 9800X3D scores 95 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 62. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Core i9-13900KS worth the price? +
At $521, Core i9-13900KS delivers a Specdex score of 33 — strongest in passmark.
Is Ryzen 7 9800X3D worth the price? +
At $479, Ryzen 7 9800X3D delivers a Specdex score of 95 — strongest in gaming.
Does Core i9-13900KS or Ryzen 7 9800X3D last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is the better value, Core i9-13900KS or Ryzen 7 9800X3D? +
Ryzen 7 9800X3D — more score per dollar ($479 vs $521). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.