Core i7-9800X vs Ryzen 5 5600

CPU

GPU

Core i7-9800X

8 Cores16 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2018

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Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

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Core i7-9800X vs Ryzen 5 5600 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9800X

8 / 16

18,128

0.0%

21,550

+18.9%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

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 i7-9800X vs Ryzen 5 5600 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 i7-9800X vs Ryzen 5 5600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-9800X

2018

Why buy it

✅+18% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅83.3% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,372 vs 2,052).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (17 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 30.8 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($589 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅+49.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+93.9% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 17 MB).
✅Costs $390 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $589 MSRP).
✅Delivers 251.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 30.8 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $589 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,077 vs 13,067).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than Core i7-9800X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 5600 is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-9800X pulls ahead with 18% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen 5 5600 also has the bigger cache pool with 93.9% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 17 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-9800X is the stronger fit. You are getting 18% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 5600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600 comes in $390 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $589 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-9800X is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 18% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 251.9% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 30.8 PassMark/$), 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 5 5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2018) and 93.9% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 17 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-9800X vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-9800X

The Core i7-9800X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 18,128 points. Launch price was $589.

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-9800X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-9800X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-9800X versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-9800X (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-9800X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9800X scores 18,128 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 17.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 13,067 vs 11,077 (16.5% advantage for the Core i7-9800X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,372 vs 2,052, a 39.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,552 vs 8,600 (13% advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600). L3 cache: 16.5 MB (total) on the Core i7-9800X vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i7-9800X	Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+2%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+9%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	16.5 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+94%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	18,128	21,550+19%
Cinebench R23 Multi	13,067+18%	11,077
Geekbench 6 Single	1,372	2,052+50%
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,552	8,600+14%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9800X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9800X versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Ryzen 5 5600 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Core i7-9800X) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 5600). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i7-9800X) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Core i7-9800X offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i7-9800X) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

Feature	Core i7-9800X	Ryzen 5 5600
Socket	LGA2066	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	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	44+83%	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i7-9800X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9800X) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Core i7-9800X targets Workstation, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-9800X rivals Ryzen 5 3600XT.

Feature	Core i7-9800X	Ryzen 5 5600
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Workstation	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9800X was priced at $589, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($589 vs $199), Ryzen 5 5600 was $390 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9800X delivers 30.8 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 111.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9800X	Ryzen 5 5600
MSRP	$589	$199-66%
Performance per Dollar	30.8	108.3+252%
Release Date	2018	2022

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