Core 5 220H vs Core i9-7900X

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.

Core 5 220H vs Core i9-7900X FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 5 220H vs Core i9-7900X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 5 220H

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+28.6% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 14 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 140W, a 95W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i9-7900X

2017

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 5 220H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (20,907 vs 21,192).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (14 MB vs 18 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $999 MSRP, while Core 5 220H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌211.1% higher power demand at 140W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 5 220H better than Core i9-7900X?

Yes. Core 5 220H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 13.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 5 220H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 13.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 5 220H is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 28.6% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 14 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core 5 220H is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core 5 220H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 13.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-7900X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core 5 220H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2017), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, 28.6% larger total L3 cache (18 MB vs 14 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 16 threads instead of 10/20. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 5 220H vs Core i9-7900X Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 5 220H

The Core 5 220H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 December 2024 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 12 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200, DDR4-3200, LPDDR4X-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 21,192 points. Launch price was $342.

Core i9-7900X

The Core i9-7900X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 14 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 20,907 points. Launch price was $999.

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Processing Power

The Core 5 220H packs 12 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i9-7900X offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Core 5 220H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core 5 220H versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-7900X — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Core 5 220H (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core 5 220H uses the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i9-7900X uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 5 220H scores 21,192 against the Core i9-7900X's 20,907 — a 1.4% lead for the Core 5 220H. L3 cache: 18 MB (total) on the Core 5 220H vs 14 MB (total) on the Core i9-7900X.

Feature	Core 5 220H	Core i9-7900X
Cores / Threads	12 / 16+20%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+9%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.3 GHz+22%
L3 Cache	18 MB (total)+29%	14 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	21,192+1%	20,907
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,323
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,536

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Memory & Platform

The Core 5 220H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-7900X uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 5 220H	Core i9-7900X
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	44