Core i7-9800X vs Ryzen 7 5825U

Core i7-9800X vs Ryzen 7 5825U Performance Spectrum

Core i7-9800X

8 / 16

18,128

+0.4%

18,050

0.0%

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 7 5825U 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 5825U: 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: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $589 MSRP, while Ryzen 7 5825U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1000% higher power demand at 165W vs 15W.

Ryzen 7 5825U

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 165W, a 150W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9800X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (18,050 vs 18,128).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9800X better than Ryzen 7 5825U?

Yes. Core i7-9800X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-9800X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.1% 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, Core i7-9800X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Core i7-9800X is the better buy right now. Core i7-9800X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $589 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (30.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 5825U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-9800X vs Ryzen 7 5825U 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 5825U

The Ryzen 7 5825U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Barcelo-U (Zen 3) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 18,050 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-9800X and Ryzen 7 5825U share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-9800X versus 4.5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5825U — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-9800X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5825U uses Barcelo-U (Zen 3) (2022−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9800X scores 18,128 against the Ryzen 7 5825U's 18,050 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-9800X. L3 cache: 16.5 MB (total) on the Core i7-9800X vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5825U.

Feature	Core i7-9800X	Ryzen 7 5825U
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+90%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	16.5 MB (total)+3%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Barcelo-U (Zen 3) (2022−2023)
PassMark	18,128	18,050
Cinebench R23 Multi	13,067	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,372	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,552	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9800X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 5825U uses FP6 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-9800X	Ryzen 7 5825U
Socket	LGA2066	FP6
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	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9800X) / not specified (Ryzen 7 5825U). Primary use case: Core i7-9800X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i7-9800X rivals Ryzen 5 3600XT.