Core i9-13980HX vs Ryzen 9 5900X

CPU

GPU

Core i9-13980HX

24 Cores32 Thrd55 WWMax: 5.5 GHz2023

Core family

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Ryzen 9 5900X

12 Cores24 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2020

Ryzen family

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Core i9-13980HX vs Ryzen 9 5900X Performance Spectrum

Core i9-13980HX

24 / 32

45,950

+18.0%

38,955

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

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 i9-13980HX vs Ryzen 9 5900X 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 i9-13980HX vs Ryzen 9 5900X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-13980HX

2023

Why buy it

✅+18% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 55W instead of 105W, a 50W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of AM4 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while Ryzen 9 5900X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 64 MB).
❌
21.7% HIGHER MSRP
$668 MSRPvs$549 MSRP

Ryzen 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).
✅Costs $119 less on MSRP ($549 MSRP vs $668 MSRP).
✅20% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (38,955 vs 45,950).
❌90.9% higher power demand at 105W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on AM4 with DDR4, while Core i9-13980HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i9-13980HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-13980HX better than Ryzen 9 5900X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 9 5900X is ahead with a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-13980HX pulls ahead with 18% better PassMark. Ryzen 9 5900X also has the bigger cache pool with 77.8% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-13980HX is the stronger fit. You are getting 18% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 32 threads.

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

Core i9-13980HX is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 9 5900X is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-13980HX comes in 21.7% more expensive on MSRP at $668 MSRP versus $549 MSRP, and it still gives you 18% better PassMark. The compromise is that Ryzen 9 5900X is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 9 5900X is also 3.2% better value on MSRP (71.0 vs 68.8 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i9-13980HX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2020), a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of AM4, and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 32 threads instead of 12/24. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-13980HX vs Ryzen 9 5900X Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-13980HX

The Core i9-13980HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 24 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5.5 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 45,950 points. Launch price was $668.

Ryzen 9 5900X

The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-13980HX packs 24 cores / 32 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-13980HX has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.5 GHz on the Core i9-13980HX versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 13.6% clock advantage for the Core i9-13980HX (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i9-13980HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-13980HX scores 45,950 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 16.5% lead for the Core i9-13980HX. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core i9-13980HX vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.

Feature	Core i9-13980HX	Ryzen 9 5900X
Cores / Threads	24 / 32+100%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	5.5 GHz+15%	4.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.7 GHz+68%
L3 Cache	36 MB (total)	64 MB+78%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+25500%
Process	Intel 7 nm	7 nm, 12 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-HX (2023)	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	45,950+18%	38,955
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	21,000
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,174
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	11,888

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-13980HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 5600 on the Core i9-13980HX versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 9 5900X — the Core i9-13980HX supports 75% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-13980HX supports up to 192 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i9-13980HX) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) — the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Raptor Lake-HX (Core i9-13980HX) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).

Feature	Core i9-13980HX	Ryzen 9 5900X
Socket	FCBGA1964	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	5600+75%	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB+50%	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	24+20%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-13980HX supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-13980HX) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). The Core i9-13980HX includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the Ryzen 9 5900X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i9-13980HX rivals Ryzen 9 7945HX; Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.

Feature	Core i9-13980HX	Ryzen 9 5900X
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-13980HX was priced at $668, while the Ryzen 9 5900X came in at $549. On launch pricing ($668 vs $549), Ryzen 9 5900X was $119 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-13980HX delivers 68.8 pts/$ vs 71.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 3.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-13980HX	Ryzen 9 5900X
MSRP	$668	$549-18%
Performance per Dollar	68.8	71.0+3%
Release Date	2023	2020

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