Core i9-9900X vs Ryzen 5 5600X3D

CPU

GPU

Core i9-9900X

10 Cores20 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2018

Similar parts

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Ryzen 5 5600X3D

6 Cores12 Thrd105 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2023

Ryzen family

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Core i9-9900X vs Ryzen 5 5600X3D Performance Spectrum

Core i9-9900X

10 / 20

21,655

0.0%

21,865

+1.0%

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 i9-9900X vs Ryzen 5 5600X3D 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 i9-9900X vs Ryzen 5 5600X3D: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-9900X

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅120% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 96 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.9 vs 95.5 PassMark/$ ($989 MSRP vs $229 MSRP).
❌57.1% higher power demand at 165W vs 105W.

Ryzen 5 5600X3D

2023

Why buy it

✅+398.7% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Costs $760 less on MSRP ($229 MSRP vs $989 MSRP).
✅Delivers 336.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 95.5 vs 21.9 PassMark/$ ($229 MSRP vs $989 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 165W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i9-9900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (11,065 vs 13,985).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i9-9900X better than Ryzen 5 5600X3D?

Yes. Core i9-9900X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 16.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 26.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i9-9900X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.1% 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, Core i9-9900X is the stronger fit. You are getting 26.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Core i9-9900X is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 5600X3D is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i9-9900X comes in 331.9% more expensive on MSRP at $989 MSRP versus $229 MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 5600X3D is also 336.1% better value on MSRP (95.5 vs 21.9 PassMark/$), 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 5600X3D 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?

Ryzen 5 5600X3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2018) and 398.7% larger total L3 cache (96 MB vs 19 MB). That extra cache should keep paying off in CPU-limited games and high-refresh builds.

Core i9-9900X vs Ryzen 5 5600X3D Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-9900X

The Core i9-9900X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 21,655 points. Launch price was $989.

Ryzen 5 5600X3D

The Ryzen 5 5600X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,865 points. Launch price was $229.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-9900X packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600X3D offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-9900X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9900X versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X3D — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i9-9900X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i9-9900X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600X3D uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900X scores 21,655 against the Ryzen 5 5600X3D's 21,865 — a 1% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X3D. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 13,985 vs 11,065 (23.3% advantage for the Core i9-9900X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,459 vs 2,087, a 35.4% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X3D that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,475 vs 1,985 (130.7% advantage for the Core i9-9900X). L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900X vs 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600X3D.

Feature	Core i9-9900X	Ryzen 5 5600X3D
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+2%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+6%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	19.25 MB (total)	96 MB (total)+399%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)+100%	512 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	21,655	21,865
Cinebench R23 Multi	13,985+26%	11,065
Geekbench 6 Single	1,459	2,087+43%
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,475+377%	1,985

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600X3D uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-9900X versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600X3D — the Ryzen 5 5600X3D 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 i9-9900X) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 5600X3D). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-9900X) vs 20 (Ryzen 5 5600X3D) — the Core i9-9900X offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-9900X) and A520,B450,B550,X470,X570 (Ryzen 5 5600X3D).

Feature	Core i9-9900X	Ryzen 5 5600X3D
Socket	LGA2066	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+120%	20

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i9-9900X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9900X) vs Yes (Ryzen 5 5600X3D).

Feature	Core i9-9900X	Ryzen 5 5600X3D
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9900X was priced at $989, while the Ryzen 5 5600X3D came in at $229. On launch pricing ($989 vs $229), Ryzen 5 5600X3D was $760 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900X delivers 21.9 pts/$ vs 95.5 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600X3D — making the Ryzen 5 5600X3D the 125.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-9900X	Ryzen 5 5600X3D
MSRP	$989	$229-77%
Performance per Dollar	21.9	95.5+336%
Release Date	2018	2023

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