Core i5-11500B vs Ryzen 9 5900X

CPU

GPU

Core i5-11500B

6 Cores12 Thrd7.5 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2021

Core family

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Ryzen 9 5900X

12 Cores24 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020

Ryzen family

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Core i5-11500B vs Ryzen 9 5900X Performance Spectrum

Core i5-11500B

6 / 12

17,075

0.0%

38,955

+128.1%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

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.

Core i5-11500B vs Ryzen 9 5900X 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 i5-11500B vs Ryzen 9 5900X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11500B

2021

Why buy it

✅Costs $364 less on MSRP ($185 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Delivers 30.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 92.3 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($185 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Draws 8W instead of 105W, a 98W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 32EU, while Ryzen 9 5900X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,075 vs 38,955).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 64 MB).

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +47.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 71.0 vs 92.3 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $185 MSRP).
❌1300% higher power demand at 105W vs 7.5W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11500B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than Core i5-11500B?

Yes. Ryzen 9 5900X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 47.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 128.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 9 5900X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 47.2% 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, Ryzen 9 5900X is the stronger fit. You are getting 128.1% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Ryzen 9 5900X is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Ryzen 9 5900X comes in 196.8% more expensive on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $185 MSRP, and it still gives you a 47.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-11500B only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 47.2% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i5-11500B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2020). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-11500B vs Ryzen 9 5900X Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11500B

The Core i5-11500B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. L2 cache: 7.5 MB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 17,075 points. Launch price was $299.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11500B packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900X has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500B versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-11500B uses the Tiger Lake-H (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500B scores 17,075 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 78.1% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. L3 cache: 12 MB on the Core i5-11500B vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	Ryzen 9 5900X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 24+100%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz	4.8 GHz+4%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	12 MB	64 MB+433%
L2 Cache	7.5 MB	512K (per core)+6727%
Process	10 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-30%
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H (2021)	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	17,075	38,955+128%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	21,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,174
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	11,888

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500B uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-3200 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-11500B) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) — the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	Ryzen 9 5900X
Socket	FCBGA1787	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 5900X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i5-11500B supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-11500B) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). The Core i5-11500B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 32EU), while the Ryzen 9 5900X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500B targets Desktop / Mini PC, Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	Ryzen 9 5900X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 32EU	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Desktop / Mini PC	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11500B was priced at $185, while the Ryzen 9 5900X came in at $549. On launch pricing ($185 vs $549), Core i5-11500B was $364 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11500B delivers 92.3 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Core i5-11500B the 26.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11500B	Ryzen 9 5900X
MSRP	$185-66%	$549
Performance per Dollar	92.3+30%	71.0
Release Date	2021	2020

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