Core i7-9700 vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600

Core i7-9700 vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9700

8 / 8

13,206

0.0%

13,330

+0.9%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 i7-9700 vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 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 i7-9700 vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-9700

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,206 vs 13,330).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 39.7 vs 67.0 PassMark/$ ($333 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 PRO 2600

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $134 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $333 MSRP).
✅Delivers 68.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 67.0 vs 39.7 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $333 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9700 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 better than Core i7-9700?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9700 is ahead with a 19.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 comes in $134 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $333 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-9700 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 19.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 68.9% better value on MSRP (67.0 vs 39.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-9700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-9700 vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-9700

The Core i7-9700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,206 points. Launch price was $323.

Ryzen 5 PRO 2600

The Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 September 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 13,330 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-9700 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-9700 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i7-9700 versus 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 — a 18.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-9700 uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700 scores 13,206 against the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600's 13,330 — a 0.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700 vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600.

Feature	Core i7-9700	Ryzen 5 PRO 2600
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+21%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.4 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	12 nm-14%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)	Zen+ (2018−2019)
PassMark	13,206	13,330
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,540	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,570	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,202	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-9700	Ryzen 5 PRO 2600
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700) / not specified (Ryzen 5 PRO 2600). The Core i7-9700 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Core i7-9700	Ryzen 5 PRO 2600
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700 was priced at $333, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($333 vs $199), Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 was $134 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700 delivers 39.7 pts/$ vs 67.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 — making the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 the 51.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700	Ryzen 5 PRO 2600
MSRP	$333	$199-40%
Performance per Dollar	39.7	67.0+69%
Release Date	2019	2018

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