CPU
GPU
Athlon Gold 7220U
Ryzen 9 5900X
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. The Athlon Gold 7220U is positioned at rank #655 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon Gold 7220U
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 9 5900X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon Gold 7220U | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($350) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022−2023) / 6 nm) | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon Gold 7220U | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($350) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon Gold 7220U and Ryzen 9 5900X
Athlon Gold 7220U
The Athlon Gold 7220U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 6 nm process technology. Socket: FT6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 4,904 points. Launch price was $149.
Ryzen 9 5900X
The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.
Processing Power
The Athlon Gold 7220U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900X has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Athlon Gold 7220U versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 25.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Athlon Gold 7220U uses the Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022−2023) architecture (6 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon Gold 7220U scores 4,904 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 155.3% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Athlon Gold 7220U vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.
| Feature | Athlon Gold 7220U | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 12 / 24+500% |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 4.8 GHz+30% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 3.7 GHz+54% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 64 MB+1500% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 6 nm-14% | 7 nm, 12 nm |
| Architecture | Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022−2023) | Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) |
| PassMark | 4,904 | 38,955+694% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 21,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,174 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 11,888 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon Gold 7220U uses the FT6 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 5500 on the Athlon Gold 7220U versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900X — the Athlon Gold 7220U supports 199.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 9 5900X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 4 (Athlon Gold 7220U) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) — the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: FT6 (Athlon Gold 7220U) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).
| Feature | Athlon Gold 7220U | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FT6 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 5500+137400% | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 128 GB+838860700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 4 | 24+500% |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 9 5900X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: true (Athlon Gold 7220U) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). The Athlon Gold 7220U includes integrated graphics (Radeon 610M), while the Ryzen 9 5900X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Athlon Gold 7220U rivals Core i3-1115G4; Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.
| Feature | Athlon Gold 7220U | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Radeon 610M | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Workstation |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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