Core i7-9850HL vs Ryzen 5 5600X

Intel

Core i7-9850HL

6 Cores12 Thrd25 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2019
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 5600X

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2020

Core i7-9850HL vs Ryzen 5 5600X Performance Spectrum

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 i7-9850HL vs Ryzen 5 5600X 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 i7-9850HL vs Ryzen 5 5600X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-9850HL

2019

Why buy it

  • βœ…Draws 25W instead of 65W, a 40W reduction.
  • βœ…Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (7,897 vs 21,845).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 32 MB).

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +45.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+255.6% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 9 MB).
  • βœ…50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $299 MSRP, while Core i7-9850HL mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌160% higher power demand at 65W vs 25W.
  • ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9850HL can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X better than Core i7-9850HL?
Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 45.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 176.6% better 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 5 5600X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 45.5% 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 5 5600X is the stronger fit. You are getting 176.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 255.6% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 9 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 5600X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $299 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 45.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 5 5600X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019), 255.6% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 9 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-9850HL vs Ryzen 5 5600X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i7-9850HL

The Core i7-9850HL is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 7,897 points. Launch price was $149.

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020βˆ’2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

⚑

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-9850HL and Ryzen 5 5600X share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-9850HL versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X β€” a 11.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 1.9 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i7-9850HL uses the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020βˆ’2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9850HL scores 7,897 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 β€” a 93.8% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i7-9850HL vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

FeatureCore i7-9850HLRyzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.1 GHz
4.6 GHz+12%
Base Clock
1.9 GHz
3.7 GHz+95%
L3 Cache
9 MB (total)
32 MB+256%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512K (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture
Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020βˆ’2022)
PassMark
7,897
21,845+177%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-9850HL uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9850HL versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X β€” the Ryzen 5 5600X supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5600X supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB β€” 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9850HL) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) β€” the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 300 series (Core i7-9850HL) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

FeatureCore i7-9850HLRyzen 5 5600X
Socket
BGA1440
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
128 GB+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
24+50%
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-9850HL) / AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X). The Core i7-9850HL includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop.

FeatureCore i7-9850HLRyzen 5 5600X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics 630
β€”
Unlocked
β€”
Yes
AVX-512
β€”
No
Virtualization
β€”
AMD-V
Target Use
β€”
Desktop