Core i9-9900X vs Ryzen 5 8500G

CPU

GPU

Core i9-9900X

10 Cores20 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2018

Buy on Amazon

Ryzen 5 8500G

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 5 GHz2024

Ryzen family

······

Buy on Amazon

Core i9-9900X vs Ryzen 5 8500G Performance Spectrum

Core i9-9900X

10 / 20

21,655

+0.8%

21,481

0.0%

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 8500G 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 8500G: 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

✅+50.2% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+20.3% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 16 MB).
✅214.3% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 14) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,459 vs 2,500).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.9 vs 120.0 PassMark/$ ($989 MSRP vs $179 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Ryzen 5 8500G moves to AM5 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 5 8500G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 5 8500G

2024

Why buy it

✅+71.4% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Costs $810 less on MSRP ($179 MSRP vs $989 MSRP).
✅Delivers 448.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 120.0 vs 21.9 PassMark/$ ($179 MSRP vs $989 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (9,310 vs 13,985).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 19 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 8500G better than Core i9-9900X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 8500G is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-9900X pulls ahead with 50.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Core i9-9900X also has the bigger cache pool with 20.3% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 16 MB).

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 50.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20.3% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 8500G is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 8500G comes in $810 cheaper on MSRP at $179 MSRP versus $989 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i9-9900X is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 50.2% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 448.1% better value on MSRP (120.0 vs 21.9 PassMark/$), 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 8500G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2018) and a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-9900X vs Ryzen 5 8500G 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 8500G

The Ryzen 5 8500G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 8 January 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Phoenix2 (2024) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 21,481 points. Launch price was $229.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-9900X packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 5 8500G 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 5 GHz on the Ryzen 5 8500G — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 8500G (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i9-9900X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 8500G uses Phoenix2 (2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900X scores 21,655 against the Ryzen 5 8500G's 21,481 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i9-9900X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 13,985 vs 9,310 (40.1% advantage for the Core i9-9900X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,459 vs 2,500, a 52.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 8500G that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 9,475 vs 10,000 (5.4% advantage for the Ryzen 5 8500G). L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900X vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 8500G.

Feature	Core i9-9900X	Ryzen 5 8500G
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+67%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	5 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	19.25 MB (total)+20%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	1 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	4 nm-71%
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Phoenix2 (2024)
PassMark	21,655	21,481
Cinebench R23 Multi	13,985+50%	9,310
Geekbench 6 Single	1,459	2,500+71%
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,475	10,000+6%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 8500G uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i9-9900X versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 5 8500G — the Ryzen 5 8500G supports 95% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 8500G supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-9900X) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 8500G). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-9900X) vs 14 (Ryzen 5 8500G) — the Core i9-9900X offers 30 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-9900X) and A620,B650,B650E,X670,X670E,B840,B850,X870,X870E (Ryzen 5 8500G).

Feature	Core i9-9900X	Ryzen 5 8500G
Socket	LGA2066	AM5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	DDR5-5200+95%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	256 GB+100%
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	44+214%	14

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9900X) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 8500G). The Ryzen 5 8500G includes integrated graphics (Radeon 740M), while the Core i9-9900X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 8500G targets General Use. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 8500G rivals Core i5-13400.

Feature	Core i9-9900X	Ryzen 5 8500G
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Radeon 740M
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	AMD-V
Target Use	—	General Use

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-9900X was priced at $989, while the Ryzen 5 8500G came in at $179. On launch pricing ($989 vs $179), Ryzen 5 8500G was $810 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9900X delivers 21.9 pts/$ vs 120.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 8500G — making the Ryzen 5 8500G the 138.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-9900X	Ryzen 5 8500G
MSRP	$989	$179-82%
Performance per Dollar	21.9	120.0+448%
Release Date	2018	2024

Search Core i9-9900X on Amazon

Search Ryzen 5 8500G on Amazon

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.