Core i7-9700E vs Ryzen 9 5900X

CPU

GPU

Core i7-9700E

8 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019

Similar parts

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Ryzen 9 5900X

12 Cores24 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020

Ryzen family

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Core i7-9700E vs Ryzen 9 5900X Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9700E

8 / 8

12,575

0.0%

38,955

+209.8%

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 i7-9700E 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 i7-9700E 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 i7-9700E

2019

Why buy it

✅Costs $290 less on MSRP ($259 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 105W, a 40W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, 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 Cinebench R23 multi-core (6,800 vs 21,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 48.6 vs 71.0 PassMark/$ ($259 MSRP vs $549 MSRP).

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +50.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Delivers 46.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 71.0 vs 48.6 PassMark/$ ($549 MSRP vs $259 MSRP).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
112% HIGHER MSRP
$549 MSRPvs$259 MSRP
❌61.5% higher power demand at 105W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9700E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X better than Core i7-9700E?

Yes. Ryzen 9 5900X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 50.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 208.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 209.8% 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 50.8% 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 208.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 better buy right now. Ryzen 9 5900X comes in 112.0% more expensive on MSRP at $549 MSRP versus $259 MSRP, and it still gives you a 50.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 46.1% better value on MSRP (71.0 vs 48.6 PassMark/$), 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 2019), 433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9700E vs Ryzen 9 5900X Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-9700E

The Core i7-9700E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 12,575 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.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-9700E packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-9700E versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i7-9700E uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9700E scores 12,575 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 102.4% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 6,800 vs 21,000 (102.2% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,172 vs 2,174, a 59.9% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,802 vs 11,888 (54.4% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700E vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.

Feature	Core i7-9700E	Ryzen 9 5900X
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	12 / 24+50%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+42%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	64 MB+433%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	12,575	38,955+210%
Cinebench R23 Multi	6,800	21,000+209%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,172	2,174+85%
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,802	11,888+75%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9700E uses the LGA1151 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 DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700E versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900X — the Ryzen 9 5900X supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9700E) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) — the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H310,B360,H370,Q370,Z370,Z390 (Core i7-9700E) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).

Feature	Core i7-9700E	Ryzen 9 5900X
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	24+50%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i7-9700E) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). The Core i7-9700E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 9 5900X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

Feature	Core i7-9700E	Ryzen 9 5900X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9700E was priced at $259, while the Ryzen 9 5900X came in at $549. On launch pricing ($259 vs $549), Core i7-9700E was $290 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9700E delivers 48.6 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 37.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9700E	Ryzen 9 5900X
MSRP	$259-53%	$549
Performance per Dollar	48.6	71.0+46%
Release Date	2019	2020

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