Core i9-9900T vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600

Intel

Core i9-9900T

8 Cores16 Thrd35 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019
Similar parts
·······
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 PRO 2600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2018
Similar parts
·······

Core i9-9900T vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 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 i9-9900T vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 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 i9-9900T vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-9900T

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +7.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (13,208 vs 13,330).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 31.2 vs 67.0 PassMark/$ ($423 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 PRO 2600

2018

Why buy it

  • +0.9% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $224 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $423 MSRP).
  • Delivers 114.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 67.0 vs 31.2 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $423 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9900T better than Ryzen 5 PRO 2600?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i9-9900T is ahead with a 7.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i9-9900T is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-9900T comes in 112.6% more expensive on MSRP at $423 MSRP versus $199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 is also 114.5% better value on MSRP (67.0 vs 31.2 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper. That said, if you already own a compatible AM4 + DDR4 setup, Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 can still make sense as a platform-matched option because it avoids a motherboard and RAM swap.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i9-9900T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-9900T vs Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i9-9900T

The Core i9-9900T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 13,208 points. Launch price was $439.

AMD

Ryzen 5 PRO 2600

The Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 September 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 13,330 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

The Core i9-9900T packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-9900T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-9900T versus 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 — a 12% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900T (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i9-9900T uses the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900T scores 13,208 against the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600's 13,330 — a 0.9% lead for the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600. Both processors carry 16 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i9-9900TRyzen 5 PRO 2600
Cores / Threads
8 / 16+33%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+13%
3.9 GHz
Base Clock
2.1 GHz
3.4 GHz+62%
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512K (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
12 nm-14%
Architecture
Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
Zen+ (2018−2019)
PassMark
13,208
13,330
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i9-9900TRyzen 5 PRO 2600
Socket
LGA1151
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9900T was priced at $423, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($423 vs $199), Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 was $224 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900T delivers 31.2 pts/$ vs 67.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 — making the Ryzen 5 PRO 2600 the 72.8% better value option.

FeatureCore i9-9900TRyzen 5 PRO 2600
MSRP
$423
$199-53%
Performance per Dollar
31.2
67.0+115%
Release Date
2019
2018

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.