Core i7-9800X vs Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE

Core i7-9800X vs Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9800X

8 / 16

18,128

0.0%

18,169

+0.2%

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 PRO 5655GE 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 PRO 5655GE: 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

✅Better for gaming: +13.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (18,128 vs 18,169).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 30.8 vs 124.4 PassMark/$ ($589 MSRP vs $146 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.

Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE

2024

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $443 less on MSRP ($146 MSRP vs $589 MSRP).
✅Delivers 304.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 124.4 vs 30.8 PassMark/$ ($146 MSRP vs $589 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9800X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE better than Core i7-9800X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9800X is ahead with a 13.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE comes in $443 cheaper on MSRP at $146 MSRP versus $589 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-9800X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 13.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 304.3% better value on MSRP (124.4 vs 30.8 PassMark/$), 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 PRO 5655GE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9800X vs Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE 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 PRO 5655GE

The Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 May 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 18,169 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-9800X packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE 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 PRO 5655GE — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-9800X (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-9800X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE uses Cezanne (2021−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9800X scores 18,128 against the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE's 18,169 — a 0.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE. L3 cache: 16.5 MB (total) on the Core i7-9800X vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE.

Feature	Core i7-9800X	Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+2%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+12%	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	16.5 MB (total)+3%	16 MB
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+100%	512 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Cezanne (2021−2025)
PassMark	18,128	18,169
Cinebench R23 Multi	13,067	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,372	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,552	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9800X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-9800X	Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE
Socket	LGA2066	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	44	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9800X) / not specified (Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE). Primary use case: Core i7-9800X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i7-9800X rivals Ryzen 5 3600XT.

Feature	Core i7-9800X	Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Workstation	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9800X was priced at $589, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE came in at $146. On launch pricing ($589 vs $146), Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE was $443 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9800X delivers 30.8 pts/$ vs 124.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE — making the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE the 120.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9800X	Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE
MSRP	$589	$146-75%
Performance per Dollar	30.8	124.4+304%
Release Date	2018	2024

Search Core i7-9800X on Amazon

Search Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE 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.