Core i9-9900X vs Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE

Intel

Core i9-9900X

10 Cores20 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE

6 Cores12 Thrd35 WWMax: 5 GHz2024
Similar parts
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Core i9-9900X vs Ryzen 5 PRO 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 i9-9900X vs Ryzen 5 PRO 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 i9-9900X vs Ryzen 5 PRO 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 i9-9900X

2018

Why buy it

  • +0.5% higher PassMark.
  • +20.3% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 16 MB).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (44 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $989 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 371.4% higher power demand at 165W vs 35W.
  • Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE moves to AM5 and DDR5.

Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE

2024

Why buy it

  • Draws 35W instead of 165W, a 130W reduction.
  • Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (21,544 vs 21,655).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 19 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE better than Core i9-9900X?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE is ahead with a 0.9% 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 0.5% better PassMark. 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 0.5% better PassMark, 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 PRO 8500GE is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $989 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-9900X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (21.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2066.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE 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 PRO 8500GE Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE

The Ryzen 5 PRO 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: 21,544 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i9-9900X packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE 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 PRO 8500GE — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i9-9900X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE uses Phoenix2 (2024) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9900X scores 21,655 against the Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE's 21,544 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i9-9900X. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9900X vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE.

FeatureCore i9-9900XRyzen 5 PRO 8500GE
Cores / Threads
10 / 20+67%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz
5 GHz+11%
Base Clock
3.5 GHz+3%
3.4 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
21,544
Cinebench R23 Multi
13,985
Geekbench 6 Single
1,459
Geekbench 6 Multi
9,475
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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-9900X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE uses AM5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i9-9900XRyzen 5 PRO 8500GE
Socket
LGA2066
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
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9900X) / not specified (Ryzen 5 PRO 8500GE).

FeatureCore i9-9900XRyzen 5 PRO 8500GE
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d