Core i9-7900X vs Ryzen 5 8500GE

Intel

Core i9-7900X

10 Cores20 Thrd140 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2017
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 8500GE

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 5 GHz2024
Ryzen family
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Core i9-7900X vs Ryzen 5 8500GE 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 i9-7900X vs Ryzen 5 8500GE 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 8500GE: 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

  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 8500GE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (20,907 vs 21,174).
  • Launch MSRP is still $999 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 8500GE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 300% higher power demand at 140W vs 35W.
  • Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Ryzen 5 8500GE moves to AM5 and DDR5.

Ryzen 5 8500GE

2024

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +7.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 35W instead of 140W, a 105W reduction.
  • Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 8500GE better than Core i9-7900X?
Yes. Ryzen 5 8500GE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.3% 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 8500GE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.2% 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 8500GE is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 8500GE is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen 5 8500GE comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-7900X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (20.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 8500GE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2017), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 10/20. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-7900X vs Ryzen 5 8500GE Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 5 8500GE

The Ryzen 5 8500GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 16 April 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Phoenix2 (2024) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,174 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i9-7900X packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 5 8500GE 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 5 GHz on the Ryzen 5 8500GE — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 8500GE (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i9-7900X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 8500GE uses Phoenix2 (2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7900X scores 20,907 against the Ryzen 5 8500GE's 21,174 — a 1.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 8500GE. L3 cache: 14 MB (total) on the Core i9-7900X vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 8500GE.

FeatureCore i9-7900XRyzen 5 8500GE
Cores / Threads
10 / 20+67%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz
5 GHz+11%
Base Clock
3.3 GHz
3.4 GHz+3%
L3 Cache
14 MB (total)
16 MB (total)+14%
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
4 nm-71%
Architecture
Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
Phoenix2 (2024)
PassMark
20,907
21,174+1%
Geekbench 6 Single
1,323
Geekbench 6 Multi
8,536
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7900X uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 8500GE uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i9-7900XRyzen 5 8500GE
Socket
LGA2011
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
4
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
44
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-7900X) / not specified (Ryzen 5 8500GE). Primary use case: Core i9-7900X targets High-End Desktop.

FeatureCore i9-7900XRyzen 5 8500GE
Integrated GPU
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
High-End Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-7900X was priced at $999, while the Ryzen 5 8500GE came in at $0. On launch pricing ($999 vs $0), Ryzen 5 8500GE was $999 cheaper.

FeatureCore i9-7900XRyzen 5 8500GE
MSRP
$999
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
20.9
Release Date
2017
2024

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