Core i7-9800X vs Ryzen 7 5700X

CPU

GPU

Core i7-9800X

8 Cores16 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2018

Similar parts

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Ryzen 7 5700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Core i7-9800X vs Ryzen 7 5700X Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9800X

8 / 16

18,128

0.0%

26,609

+46.8%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 7 5700X 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 7 5700X: 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

✅83.3% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (13,067 vs 14,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (17 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 30.8 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($589 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.

Ryzen 7 5700X

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+93.9% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 17 MB).
✅Costs $290 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $589 MSRP).
✅Delivers 189.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 vs 30.8 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $589 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5700X better than Core i7-9800X?

Yes. Ryzen 7 5700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 7.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 46.8% 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 7 5700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.9% 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 7 5700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 7.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 93.9% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 17 MB).

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

Ryzen 7 5700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5700X comes in $290 cheaper on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $589 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 189.1% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 30.8 PassMark/$), 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 7 5700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2018), 93.9% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 17 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 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 7 5700X 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 7 5700X

The Ryzen 7 5700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 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: 26,609 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-9800X and Ryzen 7 5700X share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-9800X versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700X — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 5700X (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-9800X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9800X scores 18,128 against the Ryzen 7 5700X's 26,609 — a 37.9% lead for the Ryzen 7 5700X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 13,067 vs 14,000 (6.9% advantage for the Ryzen 7 5700X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,372 vs 2,116, a 42.7% lead for the Ryzen 7 5700X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 7,552 vs 9,715 (25.1% advantage for the Ryzen 7 5700X). L3 cache: 16.5 MB (total) on the Core i7-9800X vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5700X.

Feature	Core i7-9800X	Ryzen 7 5700X
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.6 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+12%	3.4 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 (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	18,128	26,609+47%
Cinebench R23 Multi	13,067	14,000+7%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,372	2,116+54%
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,552	9,715+29%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9800X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 5700X 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 7 5700X — the Ryzen 7 5700X 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 7 5700X). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i7-9800X) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 5700X) — the Core i7-9800X offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i7-9800X) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 7 5700X).

Feature	Core i7-9800X	Ryzen 7 5700X
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 7 5700X). Primary use case: Core i7-9800X targets Workstation, Ryzen 7 5700X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-9800X rivals Ryzen 5 3600XT; Ryzen 7 5700X rivals Core i7-11700K.

Feature	Core i7-9800X	Ryzen 7 5700X
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	Workstation	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-9800X was priced at $589, while the Ryzen 7 5700X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($589 vs $299), Ryzen 7 5700X was $290 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-9800X delivers 30.8 pts/$ vs 89.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5700X — making the Ryzen 7 5700X the 97.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-9800X	Ryzen 7 5700X
MSRP	$589	$299-49%
Performance per Dollar	30.8	89.0+189%
Release Date	2018	2022

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