Core i9-10940X vs Ryzen 5 5600

CPU

GPU

Core i9-10940X

14 Cores28 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2019

Core family

·······

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Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

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Core i9-10940X vs Ryzen 5 5600 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-10940X

14 / 28

27,684

+28.5%

21,550

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 i9-10940X vs Ryzen 5 5600 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 i9-10940X vs Ryzen 5 5600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-10940X

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 35.3 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($784 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅+66.2% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Costs $585 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $784 MSRP).
✅Delivers 206.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 35.3 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $784 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Core i9-10940X.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-10940X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,077 vs 19,000).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-10940X better than Ryzen 5 5600?

Yes. Core i9-10940X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 71.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, and 28.5% higher PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-10940X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.2% 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 i9-10940X is the stronger fit. You are getting 71.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads.

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

Core i9-10940X is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-10940X comes in 294.0% more expensive on MSRP at $784 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5600 is also 206.7% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 35.3 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 5600 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 5 5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019) and 66.2% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 19 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-10940X vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-10940X

The Core i9-10940X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 27,684 points. Launch price was $299.

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-10940X packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-10940X has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-10940X versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i9-10940X (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i9-10940X uses the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10940X scores 27,684 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 24.9% lead for the Core i9-10940X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 19,000 vs 11,077 (52.7% advantage for the Core i9-10940X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,450 vs 2,052, a 34.4% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,000 vs 8,600 (24.5% advantage for the Core i9-10940X). L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-10940X vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i9-10940X	Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads	14 / 28+133%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+9%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	19.25 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+66%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Cascade Lake-X (2019)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	27,684+28%	21,550
Cinebench R23 Multi	19,000+72%	11,077
Geekbench 6 Single	1,450	2,052+42%
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,000+28%	8,600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10940X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10940X versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Ryzen 5 5600 supports 9.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-10940X supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-10940X) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 5600). PCIe lanes: 48 (Core i9-10940X) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Core i9-10940X offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-10940X) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

Feature	Core i9-10940X	Ryzen 5 5600
Socket	LGA2066	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	DDR4-3200+9%
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB+100%	128 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	48+100%	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-10940X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10940X) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Core i9-10940X targets High-End Desktop, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i9-10940X	Ryzen 5 5600
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	High-End Desktop	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-10940X was priced at $784, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($784 vs $199), Ryzen 5 5600 was $585 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10940X delivers 35.3 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 101.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-10940X	Ryzen 5 5600
MSRP	$784	$199-75%
Performance per Dollar	35.3	108.3+207%
Release Date	2019	2022

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