Core i9-9990XE vs Ryzen 9 5900X
Core i9-9990XE
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 i9-9990XE
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 9 5900X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i9-9990XE | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,000) | ✅ More affordable ($350) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) / 7 nm, 12 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i9-9990XE | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+638%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($2,000) | ✅ 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 i9-9990XE and Ryzen 9 5900X
Core i9-9990XE
The Core i9-9990XE 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 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 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): 255 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 30,162 points. Launch price was $2,800.
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
The Core i9-9990XE packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Core i9-9990XE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.1 GHz on the Core i9-9990XE versus 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i9-9990XE (base: 4 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i9-9990XE 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 i9-9990XE scores 30,162 against the Ryzen 9 5900X's 38,955 — a 25.4% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,392 vs 2,174, a 43.9% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 16,199 vs 11,888 (30.7% advantage for the Core i9-9990XE). L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-9990XE vs 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X.
| Feature | Core i9-9990XE | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 14 / 28+17% | 12 / 24 |
| Boost Clock | 5.1 GHz+6% | 4.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4 GHz+8% | 3.7 GHz |
| 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 | 30,162 | 38,955+29% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 21,000 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,392 | 2,174+56% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 16,199+36% | 11,888 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i9-9990XE uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 9 5900X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2666 memory speed. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-9990XE) vs 2 (Ryzen 9 5900X). PCIe lanes: 44 (Core i9-9990XE) vs 24 (Ryzen 9 5900X) — the Core i9-9990XE offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-9990XE) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X).
| Feature | Core i9-9990XE | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2066 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | DDR4-3200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 44+83% | 24 |
Advanced Features
Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-9990XE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-9990XE) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X). Primary use case: Core i9-9990XE targets HEDT, Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i9-9990XE rivals Threadripper 2970WX; Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.
| Feature | Core i9-9990XE | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | Yes | Yes |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | AMD-V |
| Target Use | HEDT | Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Core i9-9990XE launched at $2000 MSRP, while the Ryzen 9 5900X debuted at $549.
| Feature | Core i9-9990XE | Ryzen 9 5900X |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2000 | $549-73% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $350 |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2020 |
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