Core i9-9900K vs Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE

Intel

Core i9-9900K

8 Cores16 Thrd95 WWMax: 5 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2024
Similar parts
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Core i9-9900K vs Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE 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 i9-9900K vs Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE 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 i9-9900K vs Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-9900K

2018

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +29.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (18,109 vs 18,169).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 37.1 vs 124.4 PassMark/$ ($488 MSRP vs $146 MSRP).
  • 46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE

2024

Why buy it

  • +0.3% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $342 less on MSRP ($146 MSRP vs $488 MSRP).
  • Delivers 235.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 124.4 vs 37.1 PassMark/$ ($146 MSRP vs $488 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i9-9900K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE better than Core i9-9900K?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-9900K is ahead with a 29.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE comes in $342 cheaper on MSRP at $146 MSRP versus $488 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i9-9900K is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 29.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 235.4% better value on MSRP (124.4 vs 37.1 PassMark/$), 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 PRO 5655GE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i9-9900K vs Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i9-9900K

The Core i9-9900K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 18,109 points. Launch price was $488.

AMD

Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE

The Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 May 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Cezanne (2021−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 18,169 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i9-9900K packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-9900K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core i9-9900K versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i9-9900K uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE uses Cezanne (2021−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900K scores 18,109 against the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE's 18,169 — a 0.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900K vs 16 MB on the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE.

FeatureCore i9-9900KRyzen 5 PRO 5655GE
Cores / Threads
8 / 16+33%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
5 GHz+14%
4.4 GHz
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+6%
3.4 GHz
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
16 MB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm-50%
Architecture
Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
Cezanne (2021−2025)
PassMark
18,109
18,169
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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i9-9900KRyzen 5 PRO 5655GE
Socket
LGA1151
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
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Advanced Features

The Core i9-9900K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE requires a dedicated GPU.

FeatureCore i9-9900KRyzen 5 PRO 5655GE
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics 630
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9900K was priced at $488, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE came in at $146. On launch pricing ($488 vs $146), Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE was $342 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900K delivers 37.1 pts/$ vs 124.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE — making the Ryzen 5 PRO 5655GE the 108.1% better value option.

FeatureCore i9-9900KRyzen 5 PRO 5655GE
MSRP
$488
$146-70%
Performance per Dollar
37.1
124.4+235%
Release Date
2018
2024

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