Core i5-4288U vs Ryzen 9 5900X

CPU

GPU

Core i5-4288U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2013

Similar parts

·······

Buy on Amazon

Ryzen 9 5900X

12 Cores24 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020

Ryzen family

·······

Buy on Amazon

Core i5-4288U vs Ryzen 9 5900X Performance Spectrum

Core i5-4288U

2 / 4

2,659

0.0%

Core Duo T2400

Pentium Dual Core T2390

38,955

+1365.0%

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 i5-4288U 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 i5-4288U 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 i5-4288U

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $207 less on MSRP ($342 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Graphics 5100, while Ryzen 9 5900X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 33 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,800 vs 11,888).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.8 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($342 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
❌387.6% higher power demand at 512W vs 105W.

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +395.1% higher average FPS across 33 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+2033.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Delivers 812.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.0 vs 7.8 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $342 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 512W, a 407W reduction.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
60.5% HIGHER MSRP
$549 MSRPvs$342 MSRP
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4288U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than Core i5-4288U?

Yes. Ryzen 9 5900X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 395.1% average FPS lead across 33 shared CPU game tests in our data, 560.4% better Geekbench multi-core, 1365.0% higher 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, Ryzen 9 5900X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 395.1% more average FPS across 33 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 560.4% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 2033.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Ryzen 9 5900X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 9 5900X comes in 60.5% more expensive on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $342 MSRP, and it still gives you a 395.1% average FPS lead across 33 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 812.6% better value on MSRP (71.0 vs 7.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 9 5900X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2013), 2033.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4288U vs Ryzen 9 5900X Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4288U

The Core i5-4288U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,659 points. Launch price was $342.

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 Core i5-4288U 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 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4288U versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 43% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-4288U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4288U scores 2,659 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 174.4% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 880 vs 2,174, a 84.7% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,800 vs 11,888 (147.4% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4288U vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.

Feature	Core i5-4288U	Ryzen 9 5900X
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	12 / 24+500%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	4.8 GHz+55%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+42%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	64 MB+2033%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-68%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	2,659	38,955+1365%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	21,000
Geekbench 6 Single	880	2,174+147%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,800	11,888+560%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4288U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L 1600 MHz on the Core i5-4288U versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900X — the Ryzen 9 5900X supports 100% 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 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i5-4288U) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) — the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel HM86,Intel HM87,Intel QM87 (Core i5-4288U) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).

Feature	Core i5-4288U	Ryzen 9 5900X
Socket	FCBGA1168	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L 1600 MHz	DDR4-3200+100%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	128 GB+700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	12	24+100%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 9 5900X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-4288U) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). The Core i5-4288U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Graphics 5100), while the Ryzen 9 5900X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4288U targets Mobile, Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

Feature	Core i5-4288U	Ryzen 9 5900X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel Iris Graphics 5100	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	AMD-V
Target Use	Mobile	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-4288U was priced at $342, while the Ryzen 9 5900X came in at $549. On launch pricing ($342 vs $549), Core i5-4288U was $207 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-4288U delivers 7.8 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 160.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-4288U	Ryzen 9 5900X
MSRP	$342-38%	$549
Performance per Dollar	7.8	71.0+810%
Release Date	2013	2020

Search Core i5-4288U on Amazon

Search Ryzen 9 5900X on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.