Core i9-9920X vs Ryzen 9 5900X
Core i9-9920X
Ryzen 9 5900X
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i9-9920X
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 9 5900X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-9920X | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($464) | ✅ More affordable ($350) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-9920X | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+107%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($464) | ✅ More affordable ($350) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i9-9920X and Ryzen 9 5900X
Core i9-9920X
The Core i9-9920X 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 12 cores and 24 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: 24,974 points. Launch price was $1,189.
Ryzen 9 5900X
The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.
Processing Power
Both the Core i9-9920X and Ryzen 9 5900X share an identical 12-core/24-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i9-9920X versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i9-9920X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-9920X scores 24,974 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 43.7% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9920X vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.
| Feature | Core i9-9920X | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 12 / 24 | 12 / 24 |
| Boost Clock | 4.5 GHz | 4.8 GHz+7% |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.7 GHz+6% |
| L3 Cache | 19.25 MB (total) | 64 MB+232% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core)+100% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 7 nm, 12 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) | Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) |
| PassMark | 24,974 | 38,955+56% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 21,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,174 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 11,888 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-9920X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i9-9920X | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2066 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 24 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-9920X) / AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.
| Feature | Core i9-9920X | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Core i9-9920X launched at $1189 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 5900X debuted at $549. At current prices ($464 vs $350), the Ryzen 9 5900X is $114 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-9920X delivers 53.8 pts/$ vs 111.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 9 5900X — making the Ryzen 9 5900X the 69.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i9-9920X | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1189 | $549-54% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $464 | $350-25% |
| Performance per Dollar | 53.8 | 111.3+107% |
| Release Date | 2018 | 2020 |
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