Core i9-10900E vs Ryzen 7 5700X

Intel

Core i9-10900E

10 Cores20 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.7 GHz2020
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 5700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2022
Ryzen family
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Core i9-10900E vs Ryzen 7 5700X 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 i9-10900E 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 i9-10900E 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 i9-10900E

2020

Why buy it

  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 7 5700X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 5700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (19,332 vs 26,609).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 39.6 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($488 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 5700X

2022

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +21.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB).
  • Costs $189 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $488 MSRP).
  • Delivers 124.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 vs 39.6 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $488 MSRP).
  • 50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • No integrated graphics, while Core i9-10900E can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5700X better than Core i9-10900E?
Yes. Ryzen 7 5700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 21.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 37.6% 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 7 5700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 21.1% 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, Ryzen 7 5700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 37.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 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 $189 cheaper on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $488 MSRP, and it still gives you a 21.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 124.6% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 39.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible LGA1200 + DDR4 setup, Core i9-10900E can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap, but on MSRP alone you would want to find it meaningfully cheaper in real-world listings before that path becomes easy to justify.
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 2020), 60% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 20 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 10/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-10900E vs Ryzen 7 5700X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i9-10900E

The Core i9-10900E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,332 points. Launch price was $488.

AMD

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.

Processing Power

The Core i9-10900E packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-10900E has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i9-10900E versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700X — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-10900E (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i9-10900E uses the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10900E scores 19,332 against the Ryzen 7 5700X's 26,609 — a 31.7% lead for the Ryzen 7 5700X. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Core i9-10900E vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5700X.

FeatureCore i9-10900ERyzen 7 5700X
Cores / Threads
10 / 20+25%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.7 GHz+2%
4.6 GHz
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
3.4 GHz+21%
L3 Cache
20 MB (total)
32 MB (total)+60%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
512K (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm-50%
Architecture
Comet Lake (2020−2025)
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark
19,332
26,609+38%
Cinebench R23 Multi
14,000
Geekbench 6 Single
2,116
Geekbench 6 Multi
9,715
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10900E uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10900E versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 5700X — the Ryzen 7 5700X supports 9.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i9-10900E) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 5700X) — the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: LGA1200 (Core i9-10900E) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 7 5700X).

FeatureCore i9-10900ERyzen 7 5700X
Socket
LGA1200
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2933
DDR4-3200+9%
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
24+50%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 7 5700X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10900E) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5700X). The Core i9-10900E includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 7 5700X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 7 5700X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 5700X rivals Core i7-11700K.

FeatureCore i9-10900ERyzen 7 5700X
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-10900E was priced at $488, while the Ryzen 7 5700X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($488 vs $299), Ryzen 7 5700X was $189 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10900E delivers 39.6 pts/$ vs 89.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5700X — making the Ryzen 7 5700X the 76.8% better value option.

FeatureCore i9-10900ERyzen 7 5700X
MSRP
$488
$299-39%
Performance per Dollar
39.6
89.0+125%
Release Date
2020
2022

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