Core i9-7900X vs Ryzen 5 5600X

CPU

GPU

Core i9-7900X

10 Cores20 Thrd140 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2017

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 5600X

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2020

Ryzen family

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Core i9-7900X vs Ryzen 5 5600X Performance Spectrum

Core i9-7900X

10 / 20

20,907

0.0%

21,845

+4.5%

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 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 i9-7900X 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 i9-7900X

2017

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (20,907 vs 21,845).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (14 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.9 vs 73.1 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
❌115.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 65W.

Ryzen 5 5600X

2020

Why buy it

✅+128.6% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 14 MB).
✅Costs $700 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 249.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 73.1 vs 20.9 PassMark/$ ($299 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 5600X better than Core i9-7900X?

Yes. Ryzen 5 5600X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 4.5% 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 1.2% 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, Ryzen 5 5600X is the stronger fit. You are getting 4.5% better PassMark, 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 5600X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600X comes in $700 cheaper on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 249.1% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 20.9 PassMark/$), 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 5600X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 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 5600X 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 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) (2020−2022) 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.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-7900X packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X 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 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i9-7900X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7900X scores 20,907 against the Ryzen 5 5600X's 21,845 — a 4.4% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 14 MB (total) on the Core i9-7900X vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i9-7900X	Ryzen 5 5600X
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.6 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	14 MB (total)	32 MB+129%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	512K (per core)+51100%
Process	14 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark	20,907	21,845+4%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,323	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,536	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7900X uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X 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 5600X — the Ryzen 5 5600X 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 5600X). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-7900X) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600X) — the Core i9-7900X offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-7900X) and AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X).

Feature	Core i9-7900X	Ryzen 5 5600X
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 5600X). Primary use case: Core i9-7900X targets High-End Desktop, Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i9-7900X	Ryzen 5 5600X
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 5600X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($999 vs $299), Ryzen 5 5600X was $700 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-7900X delivers 20.9 pts/$ vs 73.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X — making the Ryzen 5 5600X the 110.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-7900X	Ryzen 5 5600X
MSRP	$999	$299-70%
Performance per Dollar	20.9	73.1+250%
Release Date	2017	2020

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