Core i9-7900X vs Ryzen 5 5600

CPU

GPU

Core i9-7900X

10 Cores20 Thrd140 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2017

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Ryzen family

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Core i9-7900X vs Ryzen 5 5600 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-7900X

10 / 20

20,907

0.0%

21,550

+3.1%

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 i9-7900X 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 i9-7900X 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 i9-7900X

2017

Why buy it

✅83.3% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (8,536 vs 8,600).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (14 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.9 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌115.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 65W.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+128.6% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 14 MB).
✅Costs $800 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 417.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 20.9 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 140W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than Core i9-7900X?

Yes. Ryzen 5 5600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better Geekbench multi-core, 3.1% higher 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 5600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.1% 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 5 5600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 128.6% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 14 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 5600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600 comes in $800 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 417.4% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 20.9 PassMark/$), 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 5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2017), 128.6% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 14 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 10/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-7900X vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-7900X

The Core i9-7900X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 14 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 20,907 points. Launch price was $999.

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 i9-7900X packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-7900X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-7900X versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-7900X (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i9-7900X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7900X scores 20,907 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 3% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,323 vs 2,052, a 43.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,536 vs 8,600 (0.7% advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600). L3 cache: 14 MB (total) on the Core i9-7900X vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i9-7900X	Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+2%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	14 MB (total)	32 MB (total)+129%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	20,907	21,550+3%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	11,077
Geekbench 6 Single	1,323	2,052+55%
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,536	8,600

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7900X uses the LGA2011 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 DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-7900X versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Ryzen 5 5600 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-7900X) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 5600). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-7900X) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Core i9-7900X offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-7900X) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

Feature	Core i9-7900X	Ryzen 5 5600
Socket	LGA2011	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR4-3200+20%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	44+83%	24

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Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-7900X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-7900X) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Core i9-7900X targets High-End Desktop, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i9-7900X	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

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-7900X was priced at $999, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($999 vs $199), Ryzen 5 5600 was $800 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-7900X delivers 20.9 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 135.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-7900X	Ryzen 5 5600
MSRP	$999	$199-80%
Performance per Dollar	20.9	108.3+418%
Release Date	2017	2022

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